When it comes to running a successful bar, the importance of having the right supplies cannot be overstated. From the glassware that defines the presentation of each drink to the tools that ensure precision and consistency in every pour, the right bar supplies are crucial to elevating both the quality of your offerings and the customer experience. This blog post will delve into the various types of essential bar supplies, highlighting their significance and how they contribute to the overall success of your bar. Whether you're just starting out or looking to upgrade your existing setup, understanding and investing in these key components will set the foundation for a thriving and efficient bar operation.
Glassware
Types of Glassware
Highball Glasses
A highball glass has a tall, cylindrical appearance and usually holds between 240 and 350 mL (8 to 12 US fl oz). It’s used to serve highball cocktails, such as gin and tonic or screwdriver.
Rocks Glasses
A rocks glass, also known as an old-fashioned glass, is a short and wide glass. While it’s traditionally cylindrical, it can also be more square or have other specialized shapes.
Martini Glasses
Martini glasses are iconic cocktail glasses, with their upside-down pyramid shape meant to serve martinis and manhattans.
Wine Glasses
Wine glasses come in slightly different sizes and shapes depending on the type of wine. A red wine glass will be slightly wider and taller, while a white wine glass will be slightly thinner and shorter, though there is variance within the designs.
Beer Mugs
Beer mugs can come in a variety of sizes and shapes, and they are characterized primarily by a glass handle. Many beer makers and restaurants add their branding to the side of a beer mug.
Importance of Quality Glassware
There are many iconic mixed drinks, and people will expect them to look the same every time they order. Certain drinks are even designed to look their best in specific glasses, so while the taste may stay the same no matter what you put it in, the visual presentation may suffer.
Having nice glassware can also add a hint of luxury to your bar experience, letting customers know that you value the presentation of your beverages. Better glasses can also be more durable—while some breakage is inevitable, investing in quality glassware can help reduce the number of glasses you have to replace.
Bar Tools and Utensils
In addition to glassware, having the right tools for your bar can help you offer a wider range of mixed drinks of higher quality.
Shakers and Strainers
Shakers and strainers allow you to offer cocktails, either shaken or stirred. While not everyone has a preference, those who do may care very much about how their drink is prepared.
Jiggers and Pourers
These tools help you measure your ingredients. A jigger is an hourglass-shaped tool that helps measure the amount of liquid being added to a drink, while a pourer is a cap that can be put on top of a bottle to manage the speed and flow of liquid while keeping the drink inside fresh.
Mixing Spoons and Muddlers
These tools help you bring out flavors in the drinks in different ways. A mixing spoon can be used like a shaker to combine all the ingredients once they’re already in the glass, while a muddler can be used to break down ingredients like sugar or mint to bring out their flavors so they can be better combined with the liquid.
Bottle Openers and Corkscrews
These are necessary tools to open certain types of bottles—whether it’s a bottle of beer or wine, you want to be able to get into them quickly and easily.
Garnishing Tools
This includes a wide range of utensils, from zesters to carving tools to tongs, covering anything you may need to create garnishes for your cocktails. Knowing what you want to offer on your standard menu can help you know which tools to buy, or you can purchase a pre-prepared set of tools.
Ice Tools
From ice picks to a bucket, having the proper tools to handle ice can increase food safety and allow you to serve drinks on the rocks at the highest quality.
Cleaning Supplies
Keeping your tools and glassware clean is vital for food safety. Even if something only touches water, it must be properly cleaned after use. Most glasses can be cleaned like other tableware, though you want to ensure they can be kept stable within your dishwasher. Your bar tools may require special cleaning practices, such as being hand wash only, so ensure your team members are trained on proper cleaning practices.
Specialty Bar Equipment
Blender and Juicers
Blenders can help provide crushed-ice drinks or combine ingredients more thoroughly, while juicers can extract pure juice from any fruits that you want to use.
Ice Machines
You need to use a lot of ice at a bar, so it’s important to have an ice machine that can keep up! There are a lot of counter-sized, convenient options as well.
Storage Solutions
Liquor Storage
Your liquor storage needs will vary depending on the specific drink. Some will be safe on a shelf, presented for the customers behind the bar, while others may be sensitive to sunlight and need to be kept under the bar. Cream-based liquors may also need to be refrigerated after opening, so having a bar fridge can keep those accessible.
Garnish Storage
The same is the case for your garnishes—you may be able to have bar-top containers for a certain number of hours, but backups for certain things may need to be kept refrigerated.
Essential Bar Supplies
Having the right bar supplies is essential to creating an exceptional experience for your customers. Quality glassware not only enhances the visual appeal of your drinks but also communicates a level of sophistication and attention to detail that patrons appreciate. Coupled with the proper bar tools and utensils, you can expand your drink offerings and ensure each cocktail is crafted to perfection.
Additionally, investing in specialty equipment and efficient storage solutions can streamline your bar operations, maintaining high standards of hygiene and efficiency. By prioritizing these elements, you set the stage for a bar that not only meets but exceeds customer expectations, fostering a loyal clientele and a thriving business.
Contact Zanduco today to learn more about our options to help enhance your bar experience.
