Shake Things Up: Must-Have Commercial Bar Equipment for Bars

Essential Bar Equipment

Running a bar ain’t just about serving drinks. You gotta have the right gear to keep the whole show flowing smoothly—think of it as your backstage pass to success. Let’s talk about the must-have tools and why each one plays a part in keeping your bar in tip-top condition.

Customary Bar Equipment

Your bar’s like a well-oiled machine, and these gadgets make sure nothing stalls:

Getting this gear in place can really make things hum along for your staff and keep customers grinning from ear to ear.

Importance of Bar Equipment

So, why bother with all this stuff? It’s simple, partner—it’s the secret behind a bar that runs like a charm:

• Fast Service: No one likes waiting, right? Speed things up with the right tools. Bartenders flash out orders quicker with handy openers and bar spoons—more drinks, more smiles.
• Repeatable Perfection: You want every cocktail to be a masterpiece, right? Good gear helps you nail it every single time. The right shaker makes sure every mix is on point.
• Safety First: It’s not just about keeping the drinks steady. Bar mats cut down slip-ups, meaning fewer bruised knees and frowny faces behind the counter.
• Happy Vibes: Fast and faultless service keeps patrons coming back for more. With enough room to breathe behind the bar (think about a width between 31” and 37”), your place feels welcoming and efficient (Build It).

Putting your cash into solid bar equipment is like investing in peace of mind. It keeps the drinks flowing and the good times rolling, while your business operates smoothly like a top-notch outfit.

Perlick Bar Solutions

When you’re gearing up your bar, Perlick’s got your back with a bunch of goodies that’ll supercharge your operations and keep those customers grinning. They’re all about building gear that lasts and crafting designs with a touch of flair that could make your bar not only run smoother but look sharper too.

Tough Stuff and Quality Craft

Perlick’s gear is famous for being as tough as nails and built with a keen eye for details. There’re products out there still kicking it and raking in dough decades down the line, proving that this brand is dead serious about top-notch quality and serious craftsmanship (Perlick). This kind of staying power doesn’t just mean less hassle and fewer replacements; it ensures you’ve got gear that’s up to tackling your bustling bar’s demands.

Perlick’s all about leading the pack with gadgets like super-smart faucet tech, remote delivery systems, and those nifty NSF-certified open food refrigerated drawers that really stick it to competitors (Perlick). Getting your hands on this futuristic gear means boosting how smoothly everything runs, and ensures you’re still playing by all the safety and rulebooks.

Make-It-Your-Own Bar Design

Perlick’s the whiz at whipping up custom bars that hit it right between functionality and style. They let you build a bar that’s got your name written all over it, making it a perfect match for your spot. A bar that fits like a glove doesn’t just make bartenders zippier; it spices up the customer’s experience too, which could mean more green for you (Perlick).

Nailing the little things that count, Perlick keeps your bar humming efficiently, which isn’t just nice—it’s crucial for your small business hustle. Taking these steps can keep you in the game in the quick-changing food and drink scene.

Key Bar Tools and Equipment

Getting your bar set up is like finding the right pair of shoes – they gotta fit well and look good. Here’s a quick peek at some things you don’t wanna skip if you wanna keep everything running as smooth as a pint of beer on a Friday evening.

Bar Mats and Service Mats

Ever tried balancing a drink on a wobbly table? Enter bar mats and service mats, your new best friends made of trusty rubber.

Bar mats catch the notorious spills before they hit your precious workplace, kind of like a superhero shield. Then you’ve got service mats ready to keep those drinks from slipping and sliding, cause no one wants their cocktail doing the cha-cha over to the floor (Glimpse Corp).

Bar Spoons and Bottle Openers

Meet the dynamic duo behind the bar – the unsung heroes of cracking open and stirring up, helping keep you sane on busy nights.

Bar spoons give you that suave swirl action to keep cocktails looking as pretty as a picture and just as tasty. Then you got bottle openers, hang ’em on the wall and you’ve basically built yourself a speed machine for drink popping. Quick as a flash service means happy customers, bottom line.

Corkscrews and Essential Bar Tools

Poppin’ corks like a pro? Get yourself a good corkscrew and make life that much easier.

Corkscrews made of stainless steel are the Cadillac of cork-pulling, yanking those stoppers out without turning ’em into a mess of cork bits – nobody wants that in their wine. Having these must-haves at arm’s reach means you’re quicker on the draw when Joe Somebody wants his drink now, now, now.

Restaurant Equipment Overview

Running a small restaurant? Having the right gear isn’t just nice to have—it’s a must-have. Let’s break down the must-haves that make your kitchen hum smoothly.

Kitchen Appliances and Utensils

Think of your kitchen appliances and utensils as your backup singers. They help whip up your dishes from start to finish, ensuring everything’s as smooth as butter. Picture essential tools like ovens, fridges, storage containers, and fancy gadgets to get food from the fridge to the table. Picking the right appliances doesn’t just keep things running but can bump up your food’s flavor game too (LightspeedHQ).

Commercial Ovens and Ranges

Choosing the right oven is more than checking off a list—it’s about the heart and soul of your kitchen. The type you need dances with your menu and vibe. Gas ranges are the masters of temperature control, and electric ones are champs at keeping things tidy and hot.

Food Processors and Ventilation

Food processors are rockstars in chopping and slicing, saving both time and sweat in a bustling kitchen. From large bowl processors to never-stop-feed processors, they get the job done. And don’t forget ventilation; it’s the unsung hero ensuring air quality and comfort, especially when things heat up during rush hours (LightspeedHQ).

Keeping your coolers and other gear ticking is a must. Regular maintenance stretches their life and saves you from spending big on breakdowns (Webstaurant Store). Sign on quality gear for a smooth-running kitchen and you’ll be chatting up success recipes in no time.

Bar Operational Tips

Running a bar like a pro is no walk in the park, but having the right operational strategies can turn you from chump to champ. Let’s riff through some handy tips like an opening checklist, the coolness of refrigeration, and why you’re better off with quality equipment.

Opening a Bar Checklist

When it’s time to throw open those bar doors, a good old checklist can be your best mate. It keeps you from missing the important stuff. Here’s a rough guide to get you going:

Importance of Refrigeration

Refrigeration’s your best friend, even if your menu stops at drinks. It’s key for keeping everything just right. As LightspeedHQ Blog says, chilling your goods is what keeps the party going. Here’s why you care about reliable refrigeration:

• Beverage Quality: Cold drinks stay frosty and fabulous.
• Ingredient Freshness: Fresh fruits and herbs make your cocktails sing.
• Safety: Chucking stuff in the right temps means no spoiled goods and fewer nasty surprises.

Investing in Quality Equipment

Throwing down cash for good gear might seem steep, but it’s a long-term win. Bargain-basement equipment often crumbles like a cheap cookie. As LightspeedHQ points out, getting kitted out can set you back anywhere from $75,000 to $115,000, depending on how wild you want to go. Here’s some sage advice for buying the right stuff:

Scouting quality equipment is as easy as checking out trusted online stores or hitting up supply shops. Quality gear ensures you’re dishing out top service, keeping customers smiling and coming back for more.

Barbell Maintenance

Keeping your barbells in tip-top shape isn’t just a long-term investment, it’s about making sure they’re ready to pump when you are. Here’s how to give your barbells the care they deserve, and dodge that pesky rust that could ruin your workout mojo.

Maintenance Best Practices

Treat your barbells like the gym royalty they are. How often to pamper them might depend on your weather and how much they get used, but here’s a solid game plan to keep them sparkling:

When you’re storing these bad boys, take the weights off to keep them from bending like an overcooked noodle. Lay ‘em flat on racks or wall mounts. Forget about standing them in corners like misbehaving kids, and don’t let them rub up against anything gritty.

Rust Prevention Tips

Nobody wants to see their favorite barbell sporting a rust coat. Manufacturers often cover them in stuff like black oxide, chrome, or zinc to keep rust at bay, but a little love from you will go a long way:

Stick with these easy-peasy steps for maintenance and rust-busting, and your barbells will be shining bright, ready for action whenever you are. That means more lifting, less worry, and keeping your gym in gear without a hitch.

Modern Restaurant Technology

Upgrading to the latest gadgets in your bar or eatery can really up your game and make life easier for both staff and diners. Let’s chat about two handy tools: contactless payment options and kitchen display systems.

Contactless Payment Solutions

Ditching cash and cards for a tap or a scan is all the rage these days. In fact, it’s expected that contactless payments will handle around 53% of sales at the checkout over the next few years. What’s so cool about it? Well, it speeds up the whole payment process and keeps things clean and simple. Customers love whipping out their phones or watches to settle the bill hassle-free.

Why contactless payments rock:

• Speed: Zap, boom, done. Payments are processed in a flash, so no more long lines.
• Hygiene: No touching means fewer pesky germs floating around.
• Easy as Pie: People dig using phones or gadgets instead of fumbling for cash or cards.

Here’s a breakdown of how contactless magic works:

We’re also seeing QR codes pop up more for checking out menus, ordering, and paying. This trend is set to boom, with expectations of hitting $1.3 billion by 2026. Not just snazzy for convenience, QR codes also lend a hand in contact tracing.

Kitchen Display Systems

Let’s wander into the kitchen. Kitchen display systems (KDS) are like having a super-organized digital chef. They keep things ticking along nicely by linking up orders from the dining room to the kitchen. It’s a smart way to avoid mix-ups and streamline everything from cooking times to ingredient counts.

Why your kitchen will love a KDS:

• Boosted Workflow: Keeps slip-ups to a minimum by showing orders clearly.
• Up-to-the-Second Updates: Order status changes ping straightaway—no more guesswork.
• Inventory Control: Makes sure you aren’t running out of essentials mid-rush.

Bringing these tech wonders into your restaurant could be just the shake-up your business needs to impress the crowds and keep things fresh and efficient.

Future Trends in Foodservice

Trying to keep up with the rollercoaster ride that is running a small business, especially in the foodservice biz? It’s like playing chess with a board that keeps changing – you’ve got to think five moves ahead. Here’s what you gotta know: Two trends are gonna rock your world – customer experience tech and the movement of employee activism.

Customer Experience Technology

First up, tech is making waves bigger than a mid-summer cannonball at the pool. Gadgets and gizmos are weaving themselves into every corner of the food scene. By 2024, you’ll see the likes of location tricks and no-touch payments taking over. Picture this: A hungry customer strolling past your restaurant gets a buzz on their phone about a deal that’s too sweet to miss. Bam! They’re in line before they’ve even decided what they’re craving (Webstaurant Store).

Then there’s the magic of contactless payments – no digging for change or fumbling with cards. It’s as easy as waving your hand in front of a high-tech crystal ball. This not only keeps lines moving but also squashes the risk of sharing germs (EHL Insights). And, QR codes? They’re swapping out paper menus faster than you can say “digital upgrade,” cutting costs while making life easy for your customers. Expect the QR market to skyrocket to $1.3 billion by 2026 (EHL Insights).

Employee Activism Trends

While folks are clicking buttons and gadgets are buzzing, we can’t forget about the heart and soul of the joint – your crew. Staffing’s been rough, and some joints are eyeing robots to do some of the heavy lifting. Just remember, robots need TLC, too! And folks might not always be keen on a metal tray-bearer (Webstaurant Store).

People on your team are no longer just cogs – they’ve got voices and they’re using them. Listening closely to what your crew’s chirping about can make your workplace way more inviting—and boost how long they stick around. Happy employees make for a bustling and lively spot that’ll keep both the team and customers coming back for more.

Keeping a sharp eye on these shifts means you can steer your business in the right direction, making everyone involved just a little bit happier.