Bar Equipment List (Supplies For Personal & Commercial Setup) - CustomCoastersNow.Com
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Bar Equipment List: What Is Needed For A Complete Personal Or Commercial Setup

Whether for personal enjoyment or commercial use, setting up a bar requires a bar equipment list to ensure you have everything you need. In this guide, you will discover the essential tools and accessories you need to create a fully-functional, stylish bar. From glassware to mixers, make sure your setup meets all your beverage-serving needs.

Bar Equipment List: What Is Needed For A Complete Personal Or Commercial Setup

Key Takeaways

  • A complete cocktail bar needs key equipment like shakers, jiggers, strainers, and glassware, as well as proper refrigeration and storage solutions.
  • Aesthetics are important, so organize your workspace well and obtain elegant glassware for an appealing atmosphere and excellent customer experience.
  • Invest in quality and durability to ensure smooth operation and better drink quality, whether for a personal or commercial bar setup.
  • We supply high-quality custom coasters and other personalized bar items to give your bar its own branding or theme and enhance the experience even further.

Bar Equipment List

To have a well-stocked bar, you need a commercial bar equipment list for efficient and stylish service. Here are some key items you will need:

  • Shakers for mixing cocktails
  • Strainers for pouring without ice
  • Mixing spoons for stirring

You will also need essential glassware to cover a range of drinks, meaning highball glasses, martini glasses, wine glasses, pint glasses, and more. You will also want a jigger for precise measurements, a muddler for crushing ingredients, and an ice bucket with matching tongs to ensure everything goes smoothly.


These are the fundamental equipment items to create a variety of beverages and serve them properly. Between 2006 and 2022, annual alcoholic beverage sales in the U.S. never dropped below 175 million, and everyone expects their drinks to be properly served.

an elegant, well-equipped bar with ambient lighting for bar equipment list

What Should A Well-Stocked Bar Have?

To have a well-stocked bar, you should have a selection of essential spirits. Top choices include:

  • Vodka
  • Gin
  • Rum
  • Tequila
  • Whiskey
  • Bourbon

Complement these with mixers like soda, tonic water, cranberry juice, and bitters. And make sure you have garnishes to hand like lemon and lime wedges, olives, cherries, and fresh herbs.

Essential bar tools and accessories include:

  • A cocktail shaker
  • Jiggler for measuring
  • Strainer for pouring
  • Muddler for mixing
  • Mixing spoon

Don’t forget an ice bucket with tongs and some high-quality glassware for serving different types of drinks. With these items to hand, you can create an array of cocktails and serve them with style.

Commercial Bar Equipment List

For a commercial bar, you need durable, high-efficiency equipment that can handle high volumes and ensure smooth operation. Here are some essential items:

  • High-capacity ice maker
  • Commercial blender
  • Reliable beverage dispenser
  • Heavy-duty cocktail shaker
  • Multiple jiggers, strainers, and muddlers
  • High-quality glassware
  • A commercial-grade dishwasher

All of these things will ensure you can make and present drinks flawlessly whilst keeping up with the demand of a busy commercial setting.

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Refrigeration, Dispensing, Washing

In a bar, there are a few key units that you will need for smooth running and an efficient system. Here are some suggestions:

  • Refrigeration: Under-counter refrigerators and back bar coolers keep ingredients and beverages at optimal temperatures.
  • Draft beers: You need a reliable dispensing system with kegerators to ensure temperature control and consistent pour quality.
  • Washing stations: These are crucial for maintaining clean glassware and preventing contamination. A commercial glasswasher is convenient and thorough, while a sink allows for manual washing.

Combine these elements in your commercial bar to ensure your beverages are stored, served, and cleaned effectively. This will enhance operational efficiency and lead to improved customer satisfaction. Opt for high-quality equipment to maintain a smooth, professional environment.

What Are The 7 Necessary Pieces Of Commercial Equipment All Bars Need?

Every commercial bar requires the following 7 essential pieces of equipment to operate efficiently:

  1. Refrigeration units: Keep your beverages and perishables at the optimal temperature for freshness.
  2. Ice maker: Ice is important for keeping drinks cool and serving effectively.
  3. Kegerator: This dispenses draft beers and helps preserve optimal beer temperature.
  4. Blender: For cocktails, smoothies, and mixed drinks, this makes it simple.
  5. Glasswasher: Clean glassware quickly and thoroughly for optimal hygiene.
  6. POS system: Manage orders and payments, streamline transactions, and track sales effectively.
  7. Coasters: Order custom bar coasters in bulk to match your aesthetic and protect surfaces at a cost-effective price.

Each of these pieces of equipment supports smooth operation, enhances service quality, and ensures customer satisfaction.

a bustling bar with a huge range of drinks for bar equipment list

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What Is In A Basic Bar Kit?

Typically, a basic bar kit will include the following equipment list for mixing and serving drinks:

  • Cocktail shaker for mixing and chilling cocktails.
  • Strainer for separating ice and solids from liquids.
  • Mixing spoon to stir cocktails.
  • Jigger for precise measurements of spirits.
  • Muddler to crush ingredients like herbs and fruits.
  • Bottle opener to open beer and soda bottles.
  • Corkscrew to open wine bottles.

With the right tools, you can efficiently prepare and present drinks. With a well-equipped bar kit, you can operate smoothly and provide high-quality drinks, offering a wide array of cocktails with accurate and professional crafting. Of course, you also need the skills to use these tools effectively, so work on yourself as well.

What Makes Up A Bar?

A well-designed bar setup generally consists of several key components. They are as follows:

 

  • Countertops: These are the main work surface for mixing and serving drinks.
  • Bar stools: Used to provide seating for your patrons.
  • Shelves: Use them to display and organize spirits, glassware, and tools.
  • Refrigeration units: Essential for chilling beverages and storing perishable items.
  • Lighting: Key to setting the mood and drawing attention to important areas.
  • Sink and washing station: It is essential to clean glassware and utensils.


Ambiance and design are the foundation of the atmosphere for your patrons. Think about ideas like wood burning coaster designs for a rustic vibe that protects your countertop surface from spills. Integrate these elements thoughtfully to ensure functionality and create an inviting environment for maximum social interaction and efficient bar operation.

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What Are Common Bartenders Equipment And Accessories?

Common bartender equipment and accessories are crucial for efficient service and enhancing the guest experience. Here are a few key items:

  • Cocktail shakers for mixing drinks.
  • Strainers to remove fruit and ice from cocktails.
  • Mixing spoons to stir drinks.
  • Jiggers to measure alcohol quantities.
  • Muddlers for crushing ingredients.
  • Coasters and cocktail napkins for a touch of class and surface protection.
  • Straws and stirrers to serve a range of drinks.
  • Bottle openers and corkscrews to open beers and wine.

You may also want things like customized cocktail glasses and other glassware to serve drinks with a personalized or branded presentation. A variety of equipment is important to meet diverse customer preferences with style and efficiency.

What Must Every Pouring Station Have?

Every pouring station should be equipped with the essential tools and accessories to deliver a smooth and efficient service. Key items include:

  • Speed rails: These provide swift access to frequently-used bottles.
  • Pour spouts: Control the flow of liquor to enable accurate pouring.
  • Ice bins: These provide instant access to fresh ice.
  • Glass racks: Store clean shot glasses, cocktail glasses, and other glassware within reach.
  • Jiggers: These allow you to measure spirits precisely.

Organization is crucial for efficiency. Arrange your bottles in the speed rail according to frequency of use, and regularly restock them. Keep the ice bin filled at all times. Keep your station wiped down and clean and ensure all your tools are sanitized to deliver the best possible experience for your patrons.

What Is A Jigger In A Bar?

A jigger is a small, hourglass-shaped tool that barkeepers use to measure spirits accurately when mixing cocktails. They are usually made of metal and consist of two sides, each with a different capacity (typically 1 ounce and 1.5 ounces). This facilitates precise measurement which is essential for achieving balance in mixed drinks.

There are various sizes available for jiggers, including:

  • 0.5 oz
  • 0.75 oz
  • 2 oz


This means bartenders can measure different quantities without resorting to guesswork. Some jiggers even include interior lines for half measures. Making use of a jigger helps with maintaining the quality and taste of your cocktails. Over-pouring has consequences for cocktail quality and also cost.

How And Where To Purchase Bar Equipment

When buying bar equipment, reliable suppliers with a range of quality products are important. Start by researching potential vendors with positive reviews and reputations and lots of products on offer. Focus on suppliers who specialize in bar tools and accessories, as their expertise and quality guarantees will be useful.

Consider your bar’s needs. Important variables include:

  • The type of drinks you serve.
  • The volume of customers you provide for.

Prioritize durable, commercial-grade items as they are better suited to heavy use.

For a personalized solution, explore our selection of customizable bar equipment and accessories. We offer custom bar coasters, glassware, bottle openers, and more provide branded or themed items to enhance the function and ambiance of your bar.

Where To Buy Alcohol And Ingredients

When sourcing alcohol and ingredients for making cocktails, quality is key for great creations. Alcohol can be sourced from local liquor stores if you want recommendations about the best brands from knowledgeable staff. Alternatively, you can browse specialty stores and online retailers who may offer a wider selection including rare or premium spirits.

Ingredients like fresh fruits, herbs, and mixers can be sourced from farmers’ markets, grocery stores, and specialty food shops. Freshness and quality should be key, as high-quality ingredients make a big difference to the flavor and presentation of your cocktails.


Keep freshness at the forefront, particularly for perishables, as it will have a big impact on the taste and appeal of your drinks.

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What To Consider When Building A Bartender Equipment List

When building a bartender equipment list, carefully consider your:

  • Budget
  • Available space
  • Plans for types of drinks to serve

Start by assessing how much budget you have so that you can prioritize the essential tools without overspending. And make sure that you make efficient use of the available space in order to achieve a smooth workflow.

The types of drinks you want to serve are fundamental to your equipment needs. For example, if you plan to specialize in craft cocktails, you will need more specialized tools like strainers and muddlers.

Durability is important, so invest in high-quality tools built to stand the test of time. And choose equipment that is ergonomic and easy to handle. Think about accessories like coasters and plan for considerations like how to clean bar mats to maximize their cleanliness and longevity.

How Can Visual Guides Help In Choosing Bar Equipment

A bar equipment list with pictures can be really helpful when choosing bar equipment as it provides a clear, detailed representation of the tools you need for your setup. With them, you can get a better understanding of the optimal size, design, and functionality of equipment, helping to visualize how everything will fit and work together in your space.


Through the use of visual guides, you can ensure your bar setup is aesthetically pleasing and efficient. They also help for comparing different options to make informed decisions. If you are unfamiliar with bar equipment, visual aids could also simplify processes by offering layout suggestions and step-by-step instructions. Ultimately, they help make the setup process smoother and more effective.

bartenders at work for bar equipment list

What Should A Cocktail Bar Equipment List Include?

In a cocktail bar equipment list, you should have essential tools, such as:

  • Shakers
  • Jiggers
  • Strainers
  • Muddlers
  • Bar spoons
  • Glassware
  • Ice buckets
  • Mixing glasses

You will also want to ensure you have a range of garnishing tools, bottle openers, and pour spouts. Refrigeration units and other storage units for spirits, mixers, and fresh ingredients are also essential.


Presentation and aesthetics are extremely important in cocktail bars. Invest in elegant glassware, stylish bar tools, and a well-organized workspace to contribute to the overall experience. Your drinks will be more appealing and the overall ambiance will be better, so get custom coasters used for protecting your surfaces and upgrading the broader aesthetic with flair.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Bar Equipment List

What Should A Bar Equipment List Have?

Your bar equipment list should include a range of tools, including shakers for mixing cocktails, strainers for pouring without ice, and mixing spoons for stirring.

What Are The Essential Bartending Tools And Accessories?

Essentials for bartending include refrigeration units, ice makers, kegerators, blenders, glasswashers, coasters, and various tools for drink making and mixing.

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