SOME TIPS TO KEEP IN MIND

Setting up a bar is fun and you can make good money from your enterprise. But it is important to have the right equipment, and to put some thought into the layout and design of your bar to ensure that you can operate smoothly and efficiently, giving your customers an experience that they would be happy to return to time and time again.

The set-up of your bar depends on the space that you have available and also the theme you would like to go for. The size of the area you have available may also dictate what type of bar service you offer. Ideally, you should allow 50-60 cm between bar stools to accommodate your patrons.

Setting up a bar from scratch will probably require a time frame of 6-8 weeks. But after that, your bar can be up and running.

Make Sure You Stock Your Bar with the Right Equipment

Having the right equipment is necessary to make sure that you can offer your customers a smooth service and a positive experience, which will lead to return customers.

Bars need their own reach-in coolers, ice bins, hygiene supplies, paper towel dispensers, shelves for alcohol bottles, glass racks, wine racks, and dry storage.

Coolers should be big enough to hold bottled beer, white wines, juice, milk and other beverages, used to mix drinks. You may also need a beer tower and a place to keep kegs cold.

You may have to run beer lines from the walk-in cooler if your bar doesn’t have enough space for kegs. Cover the floors of the bar with rubber floor mats for employee comfort and safety.

Set the Mood With Lighting

Lighting is a very important aspect in a bar as this allows you to set the mood. Recessed lighting and track lighting with dimmer switches allow you to control the light, adjusting it for the time of day.

Take Advantage of Freebies

Your wine and beer salesperson can help you outfit your bar with an amount of free merchandise, such as glasses, beer mats, decorative mirrors….Find out what you can get for free before buying decorative items.

Provide your Staff with the necessary Training

Do make sure that your staff know how to operate the equipment well. This is as essential as the right equipment to make sure that customers get the right experience.

SOME EQUIPMENT YOU WILL REQUIRE

What equipment is needed for a bar? - 7 Bar Necessities

• Coolers and Refrigeration
• Bar Blender or Frozen Drink Machine
• Draft Beer Dispenser
• Underbar Sinks
• Ice machines
• Commercial Glass Washer Machine
• Point of Sale Software

TIP 1

Make sure you have enough space to store all your glassware – better to have too much space rather than too little.

TIP 2

Lay out the server station to be convenient, allowing space for placing of trays and dirty glasses, collection of bill / money etc.

TIP 3

Make sure that noisy equipment such as your glass washer and your ice machine are away from the main bar area as this would be annoying to your customers.

TIP 4

When setting out the layout of your bar make sure that it is easy to clean and maintain your equipment. Your equipment is your lifeblood and having easy access will ensure that you can easily get to it without any hassles. For example, it is essential that the back of refrigerating equipment is easy to get to. Also, have a designated place for cleaning supplies that you'll be using constantly.

We've prepared a checklist for your bar HERE.

Happy Mixing!!