A bartender’s skill level can be as high as their knowledge of the bar. The more experience they have, the more they can do with one or two simple tools and ingredients.
If a bartender doesn’t know how to make all of the ingredients, they can rely on several other tricks and bar equipment for help. But with so many different bartending skills to learn, knowing where to start may seem difficult.
Here are 10 bar equipment every bartender needs when starting their job.
1. Jigger:
A jigger is a tool that has two different size containers attached. It is used for dividing one measure of alcohol into another.
Bartenders can use clamp jiggers while working, but they don’t have a permanent place in many bars because they are unsanitary and annoying to use when drinks are being prepped and poured quickly.
Many bartenders use cup jiggers because they are easy to use, sanitary, and cannot be lost easily. They can be used to measure directly into the glass or poured into a shaker or mix glass for cocktail mixing.
Lever jiggers are any type of jigger that uses the weight of the lever to push ingredients out of the container. These do not have specific measurements and are often made from mismatched containers.
2. Bar Spoon:
A bar spoon is a tool that can stir ingredients in shakers, mixers, and on the side of drinks. They are also referred to as ice cream spoons, but they are bigger than that.
Bar spoons are very important for bartenders because they are a part of their mixing routine. Mixing drinks with spoon-and-dasher-style machinery is much easier than using their hands and one big spoon or two smaller spoons (if you have them).
Short-handled bar spoons can be easily seen in the glasses at most bars, but long-handled ones are often used for stirring cookie dough or egg wash.
3 . Julep Strainer:
A julep strainer is a bar tool that can be screwed onto the top of glasses and used to strain drinks. They are often made out of silver because they look nice, but they are sometimes made out of plastic or stainless steel.
They are attached to the top of glasses using a device that screws onto the lip. The filter is placed on top, forcing any excess liquid through while leaving ice and mint behind.
Bar spoons can also be used as strainers by adding coffee filters to them so that all ingredients stay together. Most baristas frowned upon this method, but it works well if you have nothing else available.
4. Bar Blade:
A bar blade is used to cut garnishes and sliced fruit for drinks. They are long, about 12 inches, and have blades on both sides so that bartenders can make quick work of their garnish-cutting duties.
The bar blade can slice up fruit and garnish quickly and easily.
They are often made from high quality stainless steel or titanium because they will last a long time, but it is possible to find them made from plastic or wood if you look in the right places. Bar blades cost around $20-$50, depending on where you get them.
5. Ice Bucket:
An ice bucket is a large container that houses ice for drinks pre-mixed in the bar or for cocktail glasses waiting to be poured. Bars will often have multiple buckets, but one is enough for most bartenders’ needs at home or in their apartment.
Depending on the bar’s budget, they are usually made of stainless steel or plastic. An average ice bucket will be about a foot tall and 8 inches wide, but the size will depend on the number of glasses it will be used for.
Bartenders can use ice buckets for single chilling beverages at home too!
6. Tin on Tin:
Tin on the tin (TOT) refers to a holder used to hold glasses of different sizes and types together in rows. It has two sides with a divider in the middle, and they usually come in various styles.
A bar tray can be placed on the TOT to help keep drinks organized and make them easier to serve.
7. Parisian:
Parisian is a tool used to measure and mix ingredients at the bar. It often has two different-sized scales that are put in opposite directions, so it holds ingredients so well.
The Parisian measuring set can be used at home to measure ingredients because it has a dual scale, which helps bartenders control the size of their drinks more easily.
8. Bar Glasses:
A bar glass is a type of glass designed to serve drinks at bars. They are usually made with a large bottom pour spout and small sides.
Bar glasses also have a decorative rim on the top of the glass that can be used to create an attractive look.
A common glass style for bartenders is chilled martini glasses, which will serve about 15-20 standard drinks.
9. Zester:
A zester is a tool used to grate ginger and other ingredients for cocktails. Depending on the bartender’s preference, they are made of plastic or stainless steel.
A typical zester has three or four sides that are used to grate stubborn ingredients like lemon or ginger and will also help the bartender with their mixing process by keeping the cocktail in pieces.
They are very inexpensive, but they are not extremely useful because it only takes a few minutes to grate the ingredients if you have everything ready.
10. Peelers:
A peeler is a device used to remove the outer skin of citrus fruits. They are often made of stainless steel to withstand constant use and still look nice in the bar.
A regular peeler has one or two sides and will come with different ornaments to help determine what kind of drink is being made.
Conclusion
Here you have it. If you are going to be a bartender, the above-mentioned bar equipment is great to start on the road to enjoying your job. If you’re nervous about investing money into equipment for your new career, then don’t be.
The only thing you need is a little direction and a small amount of knowledge to learn how to use every piece of equipment.
However, if you are going to open a bar and need bar equipment, you must contact Marox for bar and other kitchen equipment.
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