6 Tips for Organizing Your Bar to Increase Efficiency

Running a bar can be a great way to spend time with friendly customers, meet new people, and generate incredible profits over time. However, running a bar efficiently and effectively also requires preparation, a lot of knowledge, and some fine-tuned organizational tips to get you on your way. When your bar is well organized and you have a handle on your inventory and supplies, you will save money on unnecessary liquor purchases, as well as on needless purchases of ancillary products. When a liquor bar is well-organized, it runs smoothly and draws repeat customers with relative ease.

Read on to learn six  tips for effective bar organization and operation.

Organizing Orders

A popular bar can receive hundreds of drink orders in a single evening. Keeping up with these orders has been revolutionized with the use of point of sale (POS) systems. Servers simply enter their orders into their POS device wherein the bartender receives the order on another device behind the bar. The drink requests are received, crafted and served in the order in which they were placed for quick, efficient service. The POS system keeps track of how much liquor you are using, how much is in stock, when to reorder, etc. all based on the orders that have been entered. This type of all-in-one system can ultimately make your bar run smoothly as you will have the correct liquors and accompaniments in stock at all times.

Liquor Bottle Arrangement

The arrangement of the liquor bottles behind the bar is another important attribute of effective bar organization. Displaying your bottles in an aesthetically pleasing way is just as important as displaying them in a way that is easily accessible to your bartender. Many bars illuminate their liquor bottles because the sight of glowing bottles is exciting for their customers. These lit displays may entice customers to purchase "top shelf" drinks that hold expensive liquors.

Typically, the pricier bottles of liquor are positioned in a place of prominence on the top shelf, which is where the term "top shelf" liquor gets its name. Inexpensive liquors, often referred to as well liquors, are placed within easy reach on the lower shelves. The more frequently used bottles of liquor, such as vodka, are also placed within easy reach of the bartender as that is the base of many cocktails. Also, brands of liquors should be placed together to save time searching for a particular brand.

Arranging Glasses

The bar glasses used for different cocktails must be effectively organized so that a bartender can easily get the glass needed for a particular drink. Highball glasses and old fashioned glasses are usually stacked next to one another, as these are the most commonly used cocktail glasses. Wine glasses and martini glasses can be hung from glass hanging racks  beneath bar shelves. This keeps them safely out of the way so they will not be accidentally broken.

Jiggers and Shakers

Two tools that will be exceptionally useful in creating an efficient and streamlined bar operation experience are a jigger and a shaker. Jiggers are bartender go-to tool used to measure out a single or  double shot of liquor. Most bartenders like to have several jiggers on hand, so that a clean one is always available. Shakers are used to make chilled beverages. Most bartenders like to have several jiggers on hand, so that a clean one is always available. Shakers are used to make chilled mixed drinks and cocktails. The best shakers have straining attachments so that the drink can be poured into a glass without the ice. Separate strainers are available which can be placed inside the rim of a glass to keep the ice out of a drink.

Bar Blenders

Bar blenders are an efficient tool to quickly offer your customers signature blended frozen drinks and cocktails. They come in different strengths, from low-volume to high-volume depending on your needs and offer a lot of flexibility to bartenders. For bars or restaurants that serve a high volume of drinks, frozen drink machines are great for making pre-batches of drink mixes or fruit purees and then adding the liquor afterwards into individual glasses. This can save your bar or restaurant an invaluable amount of time instead of individually blending drinks and cocktails.

Other Bar Essential Tools

Condiment dispensers are a must-have to keep garnishes neatly organized, fresh and close by your bartender as he or she whips up cocktails and other mixed drinks. Store and pour bottles are another convenient way to prepare and store fresh juices, drink mixes and other concoctions behind the bar so you can quickly make your signature drinks during the Happy Hour and evening rush. And don’t forget to have simple hand-held tools such as muddlers, vital for crushing mints, herbs and spices and lemon squeezers to add freshly squeezed twists of lemon and lime to your signature cocktails.

There is no doubt that, with a well-organized bar, wtih plenty of sparkling clean glassware and liquor bottles on display, and bar tools on hand, that the professionalism of your bar will increase its success.