Essential Equipment for Commercial Bar Setup

For a commercial bar setup you’ll need high quality mixing tools like jiggers and muddlers to ensure perfect cocktails, tough cocktail shakers and various glassware for different drinks.

Refrigeration and beverage dispensing systems like kegerators and soda guns are crucial for drink quality and speed of service.

Don’t forget cleanliness; glasswashers and underbar sinks are a must for hygiene and efficiency.

Read on to improve your commercial bar setup.

Summary

• Include high quality cocktail shakers and jiggers for precise mixing and measurement.
• Install refrigeration units and ice makers for optimal beverage cooling.
• Fit bars with liquor dispensers and soda guns for consistent and quick drink service.
• Use tough glasswashers and underbar sinks for cleanliness and hygiene.
• Design the bar layout using the Golden Triangle principle for operational efficiency.

Essential Bar Equipment

You’ll need to start with the right mixing tools to set up your commercial bar.

Cocktail shakers, jiggers, muddlers and bar spoons are a must for a wide range of drinks.

Each tool has its own function, for precision and efficiency in every pour and mix.

Mixing Tools:

When setting up your commercial bar you’ll find that having the right mixing tools is key to crafting perfect cocktails.

Liquor bottle pourers speed up the pouring process, for precise measurements and less waste.

This precision helps mix cocktails faster and customer satisfaction by maintaining quality and flavour.

Invest in good quality bar tools like stirrers, muddlers and jiggers. These tools makes the combination of ingredients more meticulous which is important for complex cocktails.

Remember the right tools makes your bartenders life easier and the overall experience at your bar better, so customers will come back.

Equip your bar wisely to keep those drinks—and profits—flowing.

Cocktail Shakers

If you’re serious about setting up a professional commercial bar you can’t ignore the importance of a good cocktail shaker. Essential for mixing and chilling drinks, cocktail shakers are vital for high cocktail quality and quick service.

Using the right shakers makes bartenders more efficient, for quicker and more consistent drink preparation.

It’s not just about shaking ice and ingredients; it’s about having the right bar equipment that withstands heavy use and delivers great results every time.

Choose durable and well designed cocktail shakers that can withstand the fast pace of a busy bar. Remember the choice of cocktail shakers can make or break your bar setup.

Choose wisely to keep those drinks—and profits—flowing.

Jiggers

As you set up your commercial bar don’t underestimate the importance of jiggers. These little tools ensures every cocktail is made with precision.

These small but mighty tools are a must for consistency in your drink offerings.

Jiggers helps bartenders measure liquid ingredients accurately, which is fundamental in making perfect cocktails every time.

In the busy environment of a cocktail bar where speed and efficiency is key, jiggers ensures your bar operations run smoothly without sacrificing the quality of your drinks.

Adding jiggers to your setup not only makes your staff look professional but also improves the customer experience by delivering precise measurements and consistent results in every glass.

Muddlers

Including a muddler in your bar equipment is essential to get your cocktails to burst with flavour.

Muddlers are important in crafting cocktails that requires the release of the essence of herbs and fruits, to enhance the overall drink profile.

By pressing these ingredients directly at bartender stations you ensure every craft cocktail served is as fresh and flavoursome as possible.

This improves the beverage quality and lifts the customer experience.

Adding muddlers to your setup is a simple step that contributes greatly to your service efficiency.

Ensure your bartenders have easy access to muddlers at each station to keep your bar running smoothly and your drinks tasting great.

Bar Spoons

Following muddlers in our list of essential bar tools, bar spoons stand out for their versatility in cocktails.

These long handled spoons are a must in your bar equipment list especially if you’re looking for a high quality commercial setup.

Here’s why:

• Mixing: Ideal for stirring mixed drinks, to blend flavours without bruising ingredients.
• Layering: Essential for creating visually stunning layered cocktails which customers love.
• Measuring: Often used by bar staff to measure small quantities of ingredients accurately.
• Reaching: Their length allows easy access to the bottom of tall glasses, for thorough mixing.

Add bar spoons to your essential equipment for an efficient commercial bar, setup and you’ll serve drinks professionally and efficiently.

Strainers

Strainers, a must in any commercial bar setup, refines cocktail presentation.

They’re essential for separating ice and solids from liquids, for smooth pours that improve the drinking experience.

By including high-quality strainers in your bar design you’ll increase functionality at the bar counter and customer engagement.

Guests appreciate the extra care that goes into making their drinks, which contributes to a great bar atmosphere.

So when planning your bar equipment don’t forget strainers.

They’re fundamental to polished professional results that keep customers coming back.

Make sure they’re part of your essential kit for a well-equipped bar.

Glassware

When setting up your commercial bar you need to consider the variety of glassware to serve a range of drinks.

You’ll need rocks glasses for your old-fashioned, highball glasses for your long pours and martini glasses for your classic cocktails.

Don’t forget the wine glasses, essential for serving red and white wine.

Rocks Glasses

Rocks glasses are a must have in any commercial bar, mainly for spirits. As a bar owner you’ll find these glasses essential for an organised bar.

Here’s why they should be on every commercial bar equipment list:

• Versatility: For neat pours or on the rocks, fits various liquor bottles.
• Durability: Designed to withstand heavy use in a busy bar.
• Storage: Fits into standard glass racks, space optimising.
• Aesthetic: Ups the presentation of spirits, part of the customer experience.

Make sure your bar has enough rocks glasses for peak hours.

Keeping your setup efficient means more time for perfecting drinks and less time searching for the right glassware.

Highball Glasses

Highball glasses are a staple in any commercial bar, particularly for their versatility in serving a range of mixed drinks. Having these in your setup means you’re ready for any customer.

These glasses are functional and contribute to the bar’s efficiency. Placed on the drink rail they enable smooth, quick service—a key part of a well-organised bar.

Opting for good quality equipment adds to the overall experience and matches your bar furniture, looks good.

Make sure your highball glasses are easily accessible and neatly arranged, streamlines the operation and looks professional.

This simple step is crucial to a fast and efficient service.

Martini Glasses

Martini glasses, with their iconic cone shape, are a must have in any commercial bar, especially for classic cocktails like martinis and cosmopolitans.

Here’s why they’re essential:

• Aesthetic: Martini glasses add to the style of your bar top, the overall atmosphere of your bar.
• Functional Design: Wide rim and sturdy base for spill free service, essential for an efficient bar layout.
• Versatility: Good for serving a range of cocktails, not just martinis.
• Temperature Control: Helps keep drinks cool, important in a busy bar with limited access to bar coolers.

Wine Glasses

While martini glasses cater to the cocktail crowd, wine glasses are the backbone of wine service in any commercial bar.

You’ll need to choose wine glasses that match your bar design and enhance the customer’s drinking experience.

Consider the shape and size of the glasses as these affect temperature control and aroma enhancement.

Ideally these should be stored at the back bar with shelving and temperature control to keep the wine in its best serving condition.

Additionally, integrating these glasses into your bar POS system allows for easy tracking and management of your wine inventory.

Choose wisely, the right wine glasses can elevate the bar experience.

Refrigeration and Cooling

When setting up your commercial bar you need to consider refrigeration and cooling, to keep drinks at the perfect temperature and customer satisfaction.

You’ll need bar coolers to store beers, sodas and other drinks.

And ice makers and buckets for preparing and serving chilled drinks.

Bar Coolers

If you’re setting up a commercial bar, bar coolers are one of the key components you’ll need to think about.

Efficient refrigeration units are vital for storing drinks at the right temperature, so they’re always ready to serve.

Here are a few things to consider:

• Capacity: Make sure the cooler meets your average stock levels.
• Location: Place coolers in your well designed bar layout for easy access.
• Efficiency: Look for energy efficient models to reduce operating costs.
• Type: Decide between under-bar or walk-in coolers based on space and volume.Investing in the right bar coolers is key.

It’s not just about cooling; it’s about storage solutions that make life easier and your bar more functional.

Ice Makers

Next up in your commercial bar setup is ice makers.

These are crucial for a constant supply of ice, which is vital for serving chilled drinks.

Ice machines come in various sizes and output so you’ll want to choose one that meets your business needs without taking up too much space.

Pairing ice makers with efficient ice bins and glass washers can really streamline your bar operations.

By investing in a reliable ice maker you’ll improve your bar’s efficiency, keep drinks at the perfect temperature and customer satisfaction.

Ice Buckets

Building on the importance of ice makers, ice buckets also play a big part in your commercial bar setup by keeping drinks at the right temperature once they’re served.

Here’s why they’re essential:

• Temperature Control: Ice buckets keep drinks chilled, customer satisfaction.
• Efficiency: Position them strategically and they’ll keep operations running smoothly by keeping ice at your fingertips.
• Compliance: Adhere to health and safety regulations, ice buckets prevent contamination of ice.
• Integration: They fit in with back bar coolers, no interruption to the workflow.

Investing in quality ice buckets improves service efficiency and upholds standards, keeps your bar cool and professional.

Beverage Dispensing Systems

When setting up your commercial bar you need to choose the right beverage dispensing systems for fast and efficient service.

Kegerators, liquor dispensers and soda guns are the key to a streamlined operation, to serve drinks quickly and accurately.

Each system has a specific role, from maintaining the perfect temperature for draft beer to ensuring consistent liquor pours and quick access to various soda options.

Kegerators

Kegerators are a must have for any commercial bar that serves draft beer. They combine refrigeration with dispensing mechanisms to keep beer at the perfect serving temperature.

Make sure you choose the right one by considering these factors:

• Capacity: Match the kegerator size to your expected volume of draft beers.
• Temperature Control: Look for models with precise temperature settings to keep the beer fresh.
• Compliance: Verify the kegerator meets all safety regulations to avoid legal issues.
• Design Integration: Choose a kegerator that fits with your commercial bar design.

Selecting the right kegerator can improve your bar’s efficiency and appeal, it’s a must have in your setup.

Liquor Dispensers

While kegerators take care of your draft beer needs, liquor dispensers are equally important for streamlining your bar operations.

These dispensers guarantee consistent pours and reduce waste which can boost your profits. They’ll be a lifesaver when paired with speed rails that keep your most used spirits at hand.

Imagine how smooth your service will be when your POS system integrates seamlessly with these dispensers, so you can track every shot poured.

Position them near bar stools and customers will love the fast service.

Don’t forget vertical storage solutions near your dispensers; they’ll optimise space and keep backup bottles within reach, so you’re never caught short when the next rush hits.

Soda Guns

Just as liquor dispensers make serving spirits more efficient, soda guns or beverage dispensing systems are the game changer for mixed drinks.

For sports bars especially, soda guns are essential.

Here are some benefits:

• Speed: You can mix drinks faster, keep up with high demand.
• Consistency: Each pour is the same, every drink tastes the same.
• Efficiency: Reduces the need for multiple bottles; everything’s in one device.
• Accessibility: Bartenders have all sodas at their fingertips.

Cleaning and Hygiene

When setting up your commercial bar, cleaning and hygiene is key to a safe and attractive environment.

Glasswashers and underbar sinks are essential to get your glasses and bar tools sanitised and ready to use.

Invest in quality cleaning equipment and you’ll uphold health standards and improve your bar’s efficiency and customer satisfaction.

Glasswashers

You must invest in a good glasswasher. This machine cleans glassware efficiently, therefore maintains high standards of hygiene.

Here’s why a good glasswasher is crucial for your commercial bar:

• Speed and Efficiency: Glasswashers clean large volumes of glassware quickly, so you can have a fast turnover and supply at the front bar.
• Hygiene: They sanitise glassware, reduces contamination risk and keeps customers safe.
• Consistency: Every piece of glassware is cleaned to the same high standard, maintains your bar’s professional image.
• Space-saving: Designed to fit commercial environments, they fit your front bar area, keeping it cleaner and more organised.

Underbar Sinks

After you’ve confirmed your glassware is spotless with a good glasswasher, consider how you handle other cleaning tasks in your bar.

Underbar sinks are a must have in any efficient bar. They’re designed for quick hand washing and utensil cleaning.

These sinks allow your staff to maintain high hygiene standards without interrupting the service flow.

Integrating underbar sinks into your commercial bar improves cleanliness and streamlines operations, makes your bar more productive and customer friendly.

Organisational Tools

As you set up your commercial bar, think how speed rails and garnish caddies can improve your operations.

Speed rails keep your most used bottles at hand, during busy hours.

Garnish caddies help organisie your bar’s toppings and garnishes, so everything’s at your fingertips when you need it.

Speed Rails

Speed rails are a must have in any well run commercial bar. They give bartenders quick and easy access to frequently used spirits.

As you design your new bar, consider incorporating speed rails into your business model.

Here’s why:

• Efficiency: Speed rails position top used spirits at arm’s reach, speeds up service.
• Organisation: They tidy the bar area, prevents clutter of pint glasses and tools.
• Aesthetics: With the right accent lighting, speed rails improve the look of your bar.
• Adaptability: They can be customised to fit any bar layout, so they blend in with your overall design.

Investing in good speed rails will greatly contribute to the smooth operation and look of your business.

Garnish Caddies

When setting up your commercial bar, don’t forget the importance of garnish caddies, essential for keeping various garnishes organised and at hand.

These caddies ensure olives, lemons and cherries are at your fingertips, streamlines the drink making process.

Place them near your beer towers and wine coolers for efficiency.

Warm lighting above your garnish caddies improves visibility and ambiance, makes the garnishes look good.

Check these caddies are within reach of areas where you serve champagne flutes.

This setup optimises your bar’s functionality and service speed.

Commercial Bar Design and Layout

When you design your commercial bar, layout is key.

These guidelines ensures your space is beautiful and maximises staff and customer comfort.

Let’s look at how the placement of equipment and furniture can make a big difference to workflow and customer experience.

Layout Principles

When designing a commercial bar, the Golden Triangle principle is crucial for efficiency.

Here’s how to achieve efficiency:

• Place ice stations, spirits and mixers in a triangular setup to reduce movement and speed up service.
• Ensure bartender stations are no wider than 8 feet to avoid crowding and allow movement.
• Position sinks and dishwashers to reduce steps for bartenders during busy hours.
• Design the back bar to hold most used items within arm’s reach.

Ergonomic Bar Layout

Many commercial bars benefit from an ergonomic design, prioritising efficiency and staff wellbeing.

Make sure tools and high-use ingredients are within arm’s reach. This reduces staff strain and speeds up service, makes your bar more efficient and prevents delays.

Also consider adjustable shelving in your refrigeration units. This allows maximum storage flexibility and temperature control, so your ingredients stay fresh and ready to use.

By focusing on these ergonomic strategies you’ll improve your bar’s functionality and working conditions for your team.

Bar Station Setup

Setting up each bar station correctly is key to your commercial bar.

Here’s how to ensure your stations are top notch:

• POS System: Install a point-of-sale system at every station for quick transactions and inventory tracking.
• Blender: For smoothie and frozen drink stations, have blenders available.
• Tools: To speed up drink making, arrange commonly used tools like shakers, strainers and muddlers within arm’s reach.
• Standardise Stations: Each station should be the same layout and equipment so bartenders can work anywhere in the bar.

Customer Experience

How do you improve the customer experience in your commercial bar?

Start by making sure each customer has enough space at the bar counter. Minimum 24 inches per customer allows for comfortable seating and movement, and a better visit.

Go for a straight or L-shaped bar design. This layout utilises your space and improves sightlines, making it easier for customers to get the bartender’s attention and for staff to manage service.

These choices will boost customer satisfaction by creating a clean and welcoming atmosphere where customers can relax and enjoy their time without feeling cramped or overlooked.

Last Orders

Now you have the basics for setting up a commercial bar, you’re ready for the busiest nights.

From choosing the right glassware to designing an ergonomic layout, every detail counts for efficient service and great customer experiences.

Remember, the right equipment speeds up service and overall customer satisfaction. Invest wisely and your bar will be the best in town.

Cheers!

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• Step-by-Step Guide to Setting Up a Commercial Bar
• Cost Breakdown for Setting Up a Commercial Bar