Bar Essentials Buying Guide


There are certain everyday items that no bar or pub should be without. From cocktail shakers and bottle openers, to corkscrews and strainers, no tool should be overlooked! Whether you’re opening a new bar, or upgrading an existing establishment, it’s essential to have the right equipment behind the bar.

We’ve created a guide to help you find exactly what you need to create delicious drinks for your customers. Durable and high-quality bar supplies will allow your bartenders to work with ease and efficiency. 

At Alliance Online, we offer an extensive range of tools needed in a bar or pub, all from top hospitality brands. With this handy guide, and our selection of bar essentials, you can ensure you’re serving the finest drinks.

Cocktail Shakers

An absolute essential for every bar is a collection of cocktail shakers to guarantee perfectly blended drinks for your customers. The ice inside the shaker chills and dilutes your drink, whilst mixing the ingredients together smoothly.

A french cocktail shaker is a beauty to look at and simple to use, being only one part. Alternatively you can opt for a Boston cocktail shaker, a two-piece tool consisting of a metal can and shaker glass. These can be used together for shaking or separately for stirring drinks. An advantage of a Boston cocktail shaker is they are extremely easy to clean, saving your bar team a bit of extra time. A stainless steel cocktail shaker is durable and robust, fit for long-term use in the busiest bar. For added style, a copper finish will give your shaker some added flair.

Bottle Openers and Stoppers

It’s also important to have a variety of different bottle openers in your bar. A pub selling lagers and beers would benefit from wall mounted bottle openers. These can also be purchased with a two-in-one opener and catcher design which will prevent bottle tops littering the floor. Or, to keep the opener out of sight, an undercounter bottle opener and catcher is a great asset for your bar.

A steel bar blade opener is a classic style, perfect for commercial usage. And for your wines and fizzes, a twin lever corkscrew will do the trick. A Waiter's Friend corkscrew is a particularly popular bottle opener for a bartender or waiter on the move, as its folded design allows it to easily fit into a pocket.

To keep wines and spirits fresh for longer, you’ll need bottle stoppers behind the bar. This will save you the expense of having to restock unfinished bottles. Choose from wine stoppers, champagne resealers, or rubber vacuum stoppers for the ultimate seal.

Bottle Brackets and Glass Hangers

All bars and pubs need the best equipment in order to store bottles visibly and neatly. Customers like to see which drinks are on offer, and good storage provides easy accessibility. Bottle brackets accommodate various bottle sizes and hold them in place upside down. A bracket allows spirits to be easily dispensed with measures - a convenient choice to get drinks to customers as quickly as possible. Choose between a single bottle bracket or a 4 bottle bracket to hold up to four bottles. We’d recommend purchasing a high quality stainless steel bottle bracket as this material looks sophisticated and is built to last. 

A glass hanger is vital to create space and avoid unnecessary breakages. Choose a chrome glass hanger to prevent rust and display your wine glasses stylishly. A wine bottle display stand also makes a classy addition to your bar or restaurant. Complete with a chalkboard sign, it’s certain to get the wine special on your customers’ radar.

To store your syrups, cordials and other bottled cocktail ingredients, silver speed rails are a great investment. In high quality stainless steels, these containers allow for quick access and will fit most bottle sizes. Speed rails are an essential for any busy bar, keeping all your ingredients at your fingertips for utmost convenience. 

Garnish Dispensers and Tweezers

To have all your cocktail garnishes in one convenient container, purchase a garnish dispenser. These holders are ideal for storing and displaying sliced fruit, herbs and olives. Opt for a garnish dispenser with removable plastic trays for easy refills and cleaning. Your best option for food safety is a First In, First Out garnish dispenser as it securely stores and rotates your garnishes.

Another necessity for beautifully presented drinks is steel garnish tweezers. With grooved tips and fingertip holders, these tweezers provide greater grip on a delicate garnish.

Bar Knives

To create truly professional drinks, a regular kitchen knife won’t do. Invest in stainless steel bar knives for your bartenders, specially designed for cutting cocktail garnishes. Choose a serrated bar knife to cut fruit extremely precisely with the additional sharpness of the jagged edge. The best bar knives feature a forked end, allowing you to pick up and scoop slices of fruit into drinks hygienically. 

Mats, Liners & Drip Trays 

Bar mats, bar liners and drip trays are fundamental to keep your bar clean and safe. A black rubber bar mat is a sleek addition which will collect spilt liquids between its rubber prongs. At the end of service your bartenders can simply rinse and wipe the mat and it’s good to go.

Dry glassware quicker with glass mats and glass liners. These rubber and mesh mats prevent water stains and protect both your glasses and surfaces.

If you’re opening up a bar, the last thing you want is to tarnish the surfaces with beer stains. A drip tray collects spilt liquids, protecting your bar top and preventing any safety hazards. Choose a robust plastic drip tray or, add a dash of luxury with a brass effect bar tray.

Other Bar Essentials

  • Jugs Present table water elegantly with a polished steel water jug, featuring a covered spout for controlled pouring.
  • Ice Cube Moulds No bar is complete without a variety of ice cube moulds. Choose a silicone mould for easy and efficient removal. A 6 cavity mould is perfect for cocktails requiring larger ice cubes, and a 15 cavity mould will keep your soft drinks and water jugs cool.
  • Muddlers Similar to a pestle, a muddler is an essential for any establishment serving cocktails. Choose a muddler made from gun metal for a durable tool you’ll never need to replace.
  • Strainers Designed to remove ice and leaves from a mixed drink, a cocktail strainer is a vital addition for any bar or pub. The best strainer will be made from stainless steel and have 2 or 4 ears to stop the strainer falling into the cocktail shaker.
  • Chopping Boards A bar chopping board is unique in its functionality and toughness. They’re ideal for slicing lemons, limes and other garnish fruits. Choose from a variety of materials to suit your bar.

Bar Essentials Final Checklist 

Opening or revamping a bar is much easier with a good plan. Tick off your checklist with the following: 

  • Cocktail shakers
  • Bottle openers & stoppers
  • Bottle brackets & glass hangers
  • Garnish dispensers & garnish tweezers
  • Bar knives & chopping boards
  • Mats, liners & drip trays
  • Jugs
  • Ice cube moulds & ice tongs
  • Muddlers & jiggers
  • Strainers
  • Spout brush 
  • Crumb scoops
  • Beer keg checkers
  • Wine coolers

At Alliance Online, we offer every tool used to serve appetising drinks and keep your bar area tidy and organised. We only stock bar essentials from the most trusted hospitality brands, including Beaumont, Utopia and Artis. Browse our bar essentials collection today to keep your bases covered. Plus, on our drink & cocktail accessories page you’ll find everything you could ever need to craft the perfect cocktail.

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