BAR ITEMS

Commercial Bar Supplies & Equipment – The Complete Guide

Stocking a professional bar requires a curated inventory of durable, efficient, and stylish items across several key categories. From the foundational glassware and tools to the consumables that define your menu, each element plays a crucial role in operational efficiency, cost control, and the overall customer experience. A well-equipped bar is a profitable bar, built on a combination of heavy-duty equipment, precision tools, and elegant serving ware that together enable bartenders to craft perfect drinks with speed and consistency.

2. Breakdown by Key Categories

A. Bar Equipment (The Foundation)

Commercial Cocktail Shaker Set (Boston Tin Set): The industry standard for mixing drinks. Typically includes a 28oz weighted tin and a 16oz pint glass or smaller tin for sealing. Made of durable 304 stainless steel.
Bar Blender: High-powered, commercial-grade blender for frozen cocktails, smoothies, and purees. Features a powerful motor (2-5 HP) and durable, BPA-free pitcher.
Ice Well & Bin: Insulated stainless steel containers for storing and accessing ice quickly during service.
Bar Refrigerator & Coolers: Undercounter glass-door coolers for displaying beer, wine, and mixers, and solid-door units for backup storage.
Speed Rails & Garnish Stations: Organize well liquors and garnishes for maximum efficiency during service.
Draft Beer System: Includes keg couplers, beer lines, taps, and a CO2 system for serving draft beer.
3-Compartment Sink: Essential for proper sanitation and health code compliance, for washing glassware and tools.

B. Bar Tools (The Toolkit)

Hawthorne Strainer: The essential strainer for a Boston shaker, featuring a spring to hold back ice when pouring.
Jigger: Dual-sided measuring tool for precise pours (e.g., 1oz/1.5oz or 0.5oz/1oz). Crucial for cost control and drink consistency.
Bar Spoon: Long spoon with a twisted handle for stirring cocktails and layering drinks.
Muddler: Used to crush herbs (mint), fruit, and spices in the bottom of a glass to release flavors.
Wine Opener (Waiter's Corkscrew): The compact, professional standard for opening wine bottles.
Bottle Opener: For opening capped beers and sodas.
Channel Knife: For creating elegant citrus twists for garnish.

C. Glassware (The Presentation)

Highball Glass: Tall, used for tall cocktails like Gin & Tonic, Mojito, and Bloody Mary.
Rocks Glass (Lowball): Short, sturdy glass for spirits served "on the rocks" or for short cocktails like an Old Fashioned.
Coupe Glass: Stemmed with a wide, shallow bowl, classic for Martinis and champagne cocktails.
Martini Glass: The iconic stemmed glass with a conical bowl.
Wine Glass: Includes Red (larger bowl) and White (smaller bowl) varieties.
Beer Glassware: Pints, Pilsners, and specialty beer glasses like Tulips and Weizen glasses.
Shot Glass: For measuring and serving straight spirits.