One of the first things that catches the eye of guests entering a bar—and visiting bartenders with a curious gaze—is the gleam and array of tools behind the bar.
The tools of the trade speak volumes about the bar’s style, attention to detail, and even its personality.
From the common and well-known to the stylish and inventive, bar tools have evolved into both functional necessities and aesthetic statements. Some bartenders even create custom pieces—personalised ice stamps, engraved bar spoons, and branded equipment. Entire companies are now dedicated to developing eye-catching, quirky, and genuinely useful gadgets: think smoking guns, bubble machines, or even foam printers that let you type a message on the frothy top of an Amaretto Sour.
It might sound gimmicky on paper, but in practice, these tools often become the defining moments of guest experience.
They are part of the performance, adding personality and flair that separates an ordinary bar from a memorable one.
The Digital Era: Performance Meets Precision
Let’s face it—we live in a digital age where Instagram matters, and the eye wants its share of the experience. Wowing guests at the bar is more than just a gimmick; it’s now a critical element of hospitality.
Theatricality in bartending has shifted: from the wild free-pours of the past to the precision of jiggers, the gentle elegance of a well-stirred Negroni, and the meticulousness of garnish placement. As expectations rise, so does the pressure to elevate our craft. Innovative tools help us keep pace while turning bartending into a captivating visual performance.
Unicuique Suum – To Each Their Own
The tools bartenders use are often a reflection of the venue and its repertoire.
Could you imagine Maybe Sammy without its whimsical bubble guns? Or a Cantina OK! margarita without the ice shaver? Or Above Board—where I spend most of my shifts these days—sacrificing its minimalist aesthetic by tossing cocktails with Boston shakers?
Even in my early days in Australia, walking into Eau De Vie and seeing blazing copper pots and dramatic smoke displays was unforgettable. These tools weren’t just props—they were vital to the identity of each venue.
There’s no universal kit. Each bar finds its rhythm. As the Latins said, “Unicuique suum”—to each their own. And that’s why today’s toolkits are as diverse as the venues that wield them.
Speed, Efficiency, and Value for Money
Of course, beyond the flair, there’s the grind. Behind a busy bar, efficiency matters. Here’s what I consider a Spartan-yet-efficient bartender’s station:
- Four Boston shaker sets
- Two mixing glasses
- Four strainers (I favour no-prong strainers)
- Four conical fine mesh strainers (80mm or smaller)
- Two graduated jiggers (measuring 10ml–75ml)
- Two Japanese jiggers (elegant and reliable)
- Two long bar spoons (because spoon flair is real flair)
- A solid chopping board
- A sharp paring knife
- A waiter’s mate (or a bar blade, for the spartan among you)
- A potato peeler (thick orange peels, anyone?)
- And three pens: one to lend, one to use, and one to lose
For the smart-pants bartenders noticing the absence of a notebook. We all know you’ll end up pinching paper from the docket machine anyway.
Tools outside this list can be handy too, but these are the essentials for speed and consistency. Some tools, like muddlers, have become nearly obsolete in many cocktail bars—who’s really muddling mojitos in 2025?
(No offense if that’s still your jam—it just depends on your venue’s style, as I mentioned earlier.)
What Does Your Station Say About You?
A guest can read a lot into the tools on your bar. Three-piece shakers and elegant jiggers suggest finesse and a more refined experience. Long-handled spoons, handcrafted glassware, and precise bitters bottles hint at a more curated, artistic approach.
But let’s not go overboard. A sleek, delicate toolkit in a bar that’s pumping out 500 cocktails a night would feel out of place. Sometimes, simplicity is the statement. Regardless of how busy they get, venues like Caretaker’s Cottage or Bar Bellamy in Melbourne do this well—letting casual service, community energy, and great products speak louder than shiny gadgets.
Behind the Scenes: The Unseen Tools
Today’s cocktail bar runs on what happens off-stage. Prep work is king. Batching cocktails is no longer cutting corners—it’s smart business. Efficiency, consistency, and labour management all benefit.
To support this, your back-of-house needs serious equipment, such as juicers, scales of various sizes, measuring jugs (invest in good ones!), mesh strainers, coffee filters, vac-sealers, sous vide machines, fermentation jars, cream whippers and yes—even ovens and stove tops.
Let’s not forget the playful friction this creates with the kitchen crew as you commandeer their gear for citrus dehydrates or fat-washing the latest mezcal infusion. We’ve all been there—dodging side-eyes from chefs while brewing your clarified milk punch.
What You Can Live Without
Some tools, I have to say, just don’t belong behind a professional bar—or at least not during high-volume service. Plastic pourers? No thanks. Wobbly metal ones? Even worse. There’s nothing more annoying than grabbing a bottle, aiming for a jigger, and ending up with gin up your sleeve.
A good bar manager will check metal pourers regularly—if they don’t fit properly or work consistently, they’re costing you. Don’t chuck them in the dishwasher, either—it ruins the seals. Instead, rinse them with hot water and sanitiser, then dry them properly.
And can we talk about the Mexican elbow? Great at home or for comp-level squeezing—but not in a bar slinging 200 Margaritas a night. Just pre-juice already.
My least favourite tool? The rotovap. It’s flashy and definitely cool—but not always necessary. It’s expensive, high-maintenance, and usually only applies to a tiny fraction of your drinks list. Consumers often don’t even notice, and the ROI rarely justifies the hassle unless you’re running a very specific type of program.
The Bartender: Your Most Valuable Tool
Of course, no matter how sleek the bar setup or how fancy the gadgets, the ultimate tool of the trade is you—the bartender. You’re the personality, the energy, and the experience.
Nothing replaces great banter, deep product knowledge, and the ability to read a room. Your tools don’t define you—but they should support your craft. The best bartenders combine showmanship with substance, and tools are just an extension of that.
Regular maintenance—on yourself—is essential. Sleep, decent food, and (gasp) rest days.
Alright, that last one’s ambitious. But you get the point.
Legends, take care of your tools, your venue, and yourself—and you’ll always stay ahead of the game.
Now, it’s your turn! Share your thoughts with us. Your opinions matter, and we’d love to engage with you. Support us by following our page!
