Choosing The Right Bar Equipment Before Opening A Bar

Opening a bar or restaurant may be the culmination of a dream, for a prospective owner. In addition to clarifying the idea, finding the capital, and obtaining the location, owners have to furnish their establishment with the right bar equipment. A bar that is well-stocked with both spirits, and the right equipment, will provide maximum variety and speed of service for customers.

Glassware is an essential purchase. After purchasing martini, shot, beer, and wine glasses, owners should ensure that their investment is preserved. For instance, owners must see that glasses are washed with warm water, with detergent, instead of soap, and then rinsed with cold water. Also, owners should instruct bartenders to hold glasses by the stem, when drying them, to avoid smears and fingerprints.

Broken glass may be a major source of injury, so care should be taken. Employees should clean up spills and breakages immediately, for their own safety, as well as for customer safety. Also, employees should never pour a very hot liquid into a very cold glass, because the thermal shock may shatter glass. If bartenders ever break a glass near the ice bin, they should throw out the ice, to avoid accidental contamination. Also, glasses should never be used for scooping ice, and they should never be clanked together.

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.

Owners should complete their back bar by purchasing accessories. Accessories include fresh garnishes, and a garnish caddy, straws, napkins, and coasters. Owners should also purchase cleaning supplies, either from a store, via mail-order, or through a delivery service.

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.

RedStone is the leading online supplier of commercial kitchen equipment. In only a brief period of time, an effective distribution foundation has been built and thousands of satisfied customers trust us to supply in the United Kingdom.