Choosing The Right Bar Equipment Before Opening A Bar

| Saturday, July 23, 2011
By Elen Walter


Like most businesses, a restaurant or bar starts with a dream. Once prospective owners have generated an idea, and have found money, and a location, the dream will be on its way to becoming a reality. If restaurants hope to make money from bar sales, they should be well-stocked with spirits, as well as with the right bar equipment.

Restaurant owners should start by purchasing essential glassware. Essential glassware includes beer, wine, shot, and martini glasses. Glassware should be spotless before drinks are served to customers. Glasses should be washed in warm water, with a touch of detergent, and then rinsed with cold water. Bartenders should hold the glass by the stem, while drying, to prevent fingerprints.

Safety is also a potential concern with glassware. All breakages and spills should be immediately cleaned up, for the protection of customers and employees. Also, bartenders should avoid pouring a very hot substance into cold glasses, because thermal shock will cause glass to shatter. An ice bin will have to be emptied, as a precaution, if glass is broken near it. Breakage may be avoided, by avoiding clanking glasses, and by using only a metal scoop to retrieve ice.

Bartenders will need essential tools. For mixing drinks, bars should be stocked with all kinds of cocktail mixers, including shakers, strainers, pourers, middlers, and jiggers. A cocktail rail, installed behind the bar, will keep cocktail mixers handy, for quick service. Other tools may include countertop mats for mixing drinks, bottle openers, corkscrews, and an ice bucket. Rimmers, for margaritas, are essential, as are cutting boards, for prepping fresh garnishes.

Owners will need to install essential hardware. Coolers, or kegerators, ice makers, and beer and wine dispensers are needed for making basic drinks. A bar sink and a glass washer will help to keep things clean, while a glass bar rack will make storage of glasses easy, and worry-free. Another key piece of non-drink related hardware is the cash register, or some kind of point-of-sale system.

Accessories are the final piece in a well-stocked bar. Coasters, napkins, straws, and garnish caddies are small, yet essential, pieces. Also, owners should remember to buy cleaning supplies, through a delivery service, from a store, or via mail-order.

Owners may search the yellow pages, or the internet, to search for retailers. Catering supply companies, restaurant supply companies, and wholesalers are excellent resources equipment purchases. Before doing business with any retailer, owners should ensure that they are well-respected, by consulting the Office of Trading Standards.

Bar owners must obtain their licenses, permits for food handling, and permits for alcohol, before the bar opens. Also, owners should hire staff, focusing on friendly people, with experience in food service, or bartending. With a solid business plan, a great location, the right bar equipment, and a healthy dose of luck, owners will be able to realize their dream of running a successful bar.




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