Every profession has its tools. Bartenders, who are in the business of mixology, have their own set of equipment. Chefs need kitchen tools and condiments to create sumptuous dishes. And if you’re planning to start a bar business, you need the right equipment to serve your customers.
With that being said, starting a bar is a serious business. It needs a substantial amount of capital, so this is not something you should decide on a whim. Likewise, using good equipment doesn’t mean you or your staff don’t need kitchen skills. The equipment you use should merely support your craft.
Here’s a list of five essential kitchen equipment you’ll need to set up a bar business:
- Ice Maker
For starters, your bar may do with a small-scale ice maker. Alternatively, you can manually make your ice using a freezer. However, as your bar starts to expand, you might need a commercial ice machine. You need a commercial ice maker that can help you keep up with the demand and reduce waiting times.
Ice is an essential part of making cold beverages taste even better. So, this should be an important tool to prioritize. Choose the best quality ice maker you can afford so your ice machine doesn’t break down too frequently and affect your bar operations.
- Soda Gun System
Soda is a staple in every bar. Many drinkers like to have soda before or after a shot of alcohol, while some even prefer mixing them. Hence you need a soda gun system.
When the bar gets too busy, it can be time-consuming and inefficient for bartenders to manually open various bottles or cans and then pour the contents into glasses. Remember that they, too, have to take note of all the orders to serve customers efficiently. They need the help of efficient equipment, like a soda gun system.
The great thing about this is that some soda companies or agents may offer incentives for as long as you carry their brand on one of the soda guns. Take advantage of those offers, particularly when they translate to good discounts or promos.
- Freezers And Refrigerators
You’ll need a freezer with a fridge. A separate wine chiller and beverage fridge will do too. Your freezer and/or refrigerator can be reserved for other ingredients such as fruits, food, and appetizers.
A wine chiller and beverage fridge help make space in the refrigerator, so your drinks are in another chilled location instead. The great thing about having those two appliances is that you can set the temperature only according to the wine and beverage needs. Most importantly, it also comes with a lock system. This comes in handy, especially if you’re stocking expensive drinks in your bar selection.
- Underbar Sinks
One of the most unglamorous parts of running a bar is the constant need to wash glasses, utensils, and other kitchen equipment. For instance, during the height of your Saturday night operations, glasses will be coming in and out quite frequently. So, you’ll have to wash these things fast.
Having an underbar sink makes it easy for you to do the washing while in the bar. To make your operations more efficient, you can also have one big industrial sink, where food may be prepped. All the heavy washing can be done there too.
- Blender
This small kitchen appliance is one you’ll want to have multiples of. Perhaps two or three will work. It’s needed for blending popular drinks like Margaritas and Daiquiris. Moreover, note that just because your business is a bar doesn’t mean everyone is there for alcoholic drinks. Some may like to have ‘friendlier’ drinks like fruit shakes or cocktails.
When choosing a blender, the best feature you’ll want to look for is one that comes with the least noise, or at least those with covers that help reduce noise when blending. This helps create a better ambiance for your bar since some customers might be distracted by the noise.
Now You’re Ready To Start Your Bar Business
The list above may only be short, so it’s understandably not comprehensive. However, it’s enough to get you started. Remember that ultimately, your shopping list of kitchen equipment will also depend on your bar operations’ specifications and preferences. Some bartenders like to have certain equipment, while others may opt to do without a few. You don’t have to buy them all at once. Start with the basics, then add more as your bar grows and goes into full swing.