It’s no secret that opening a bar is easier when you have a detailed plan. Before you open your doors, it’s important to make sure you have all the right bar equipment to transform your vision into a reality.
Here is a complete bar equipment list that covers everything from cocktail supplies and software, to cleaning supplies.
What equipment should every bar have?
Keep in mind that the exact equipment on your list may vary based on the unique operations of your business. However, your supply list will likely include the following:
✓ Cocktail and bartending equipment
✓ Beverages and beverage dispensing bar equipment
✓ A bar POS system
✓ Bar furniture and other equipment
✓ Food and kitchen supplies
Cocktail and bartending equipment
Glasses
- Rocks glasses
- Pint glasses
- Shot glasses
- Collins (and other specialty) glasses
- Pint glasses
- Wine glasses
- Champagne glasses
- Martini glasses
- Brandy snifters
- Highball glasses
- Mixing glasses
Bartending tools and accessories
- Jiggers
- Muddlers
- Cocktail shakers
- Cocktail spoon
- Citrus juicers
- Cap catchers
- Bottle and can openers
- Cocktail strainers
- Garnishing tools
- Muddling supplies
- Straws and stirrers
- Cutting boards
- Napkins and coasters
- Bar mats
- Bar towels
- Liquor bottle pourers
- Containers for garnishes and bitters
- Ice cube trays, ice molds and ice buckets
- Wine openers
Beverages and beverage dispensing bar equipment
Your bar equipment list should also include a good selection of well liquors and top-shelf liquors, as well as liqueurs and mixers for cocktails.
Alcoholic Beverages
- Vodka
- Gin
- Tequila
- Whiskey
- Scotch
- Bourbon
- Rum
Basic liqueurs
- Amaretto
- Coffee Liqueur
- Dry and sweet vermouth
- Irish cream liqueur
- Orange liqueur
Non-alcoholic mixers for mixed drinks
- Lemon and lime juice
- Orange juice
- Cranberry juice
- Grapefruit juice
- Pineapple juice
- Tomato juice
- Bitters
- Simple syrup
- Sour mix
- Grenadine
- Milk, Half & Half or cream
- Tabasco sauce and Worcestershire sauce
Essential sodas
- Club soda
- Tonic Water
- Ginger Ale
- Cola and Diet Cola
- Lemon-lime soda
You’ll also want to stock garnishes and those extra touches that take your cocktails up a notch, particularly if you’re running a higher-end establishment.
Fruit garnishes
- Lemons
- Limes
- Oranges
- Maraschino cherries
Beverage nice-to-haves
- Olives
- Cocktail onions
- Mint
- Salt and sugar
- Cinnamon
- Grated nutmeg
- Celery or pickles
- Whipped cream
Depending on local regulations, you might be able to offer to-go or off-premise drinks. If that’s the case, you’ll need to invest in supplies to make carryout orders a breeze.
Takeout supplies
- Disposable cups and lids
- Straws
- Drink holders
- Bags
- Napkins