The Essential Bar Equipment Checklist

This article is for educational purposes and does not constitute legal, employment, or tax advice. For specific advice applicable to your business, please contact a professional.

What do you need to run a bar?

After nailing your bar business plan, registering your business, acquiring a licence, determining your financing, and finding a location, you’re ready to take the next step and build out your space. But where should you start, and what are your options?

Having a well-equipped, connected, and easy-to-manage bar is essential to set up yourself, your staff, and your business for success.

Here is the Square checklist for all the hardware and tools you should consider to get up and running.

Bar Office Supplies

Essentials

It can be easy to forget about these basics when you’re starting out and focused on fine-tuning your operations, but planning will help your operations run smoothly while avoiding surprise expenses.

• WiFi: Before you open your doors, ask yourself if WiFi will be used for staff only or if you also want to offer it to customers to connect.
• Computer/tablet: While you can do plenty of business management from your phone, it’s helpful to have a computer or tablet available for larger projects.
• Basics (pens/paper/staplers/clips): Like many of these tools, buying bulk and budgeting ahead can help save on future costs.
• Cleaning supplies: Items such as bins, bin bags, brooms, mops, and disinfectant wipes will help your bar maintain cleanliness to attract customers.
• Business bank account and necessary documentation

Consider

You might not need a traditional break room, but consider spaces dedicated to your staff. Giving employees an area to unwind with amenities — even small ones like comfortable chairs and a stocked fridge — is a nice step toward attracting and retaining talent.

• Break room: You can get creative here, and employees are likely to appreciate the perk.
• Filing cabinet and safe: You might not require space for tracking physical documents or providing security for specific items at your bar, but both can be helpful tools as you’re getting started.
• First aid kit

Behind-the-bar setup, bartending tools, and equipment

Essentials

The specifics will vary depending on the bar you’re running, but this initial list can get you started. For larger expenses, such as a refrigeration setup, consider whether it makes more sense to track down used equipment or if it’s worth investing more money in something new.

• Drinks inventory (alcohol, mixers, non-alcoholic beverages, garnishes): Many bars will have multiple items in their drink inventory to offer a range of prices and quality to customers.
• Refrigeration/coolers: The size and price will depend on your specific space, but making sure you have enough room to chill your items is essential for starting your bar.
• Glassware: This is another item with a wide range of options and a good place to consider how your glassware choices reflect the idea you have for your bar’s brand.
• Mixing tools (shakers, spoons, juicers, strainers, stirrers, peelers, jiggers, muddlers, spoons, bottle openers and wine openers): Not all of these tools will be necessary for every bar. Still, it’s key to plan for the items required for everything on your menu.
• Dishwashing station: Options can range from a simple sink setup to under-counter commercial dishwashers.

Consider

Before getting up and running, consider all the additional supplies you may need. Think about whether you plan to serve food, make speciality drinks involving specific tools, or offer takeout options.

• Cutting boards
• Coasters/napkins
• Bar mats/service mats
• Ice bins/buckets/trays
• Blenders
• Supplies for food/snacks
• Freezers
• Towels
• Takeout supplies (disposable cups, bags, drink holders)

Bar point-of-sale (POS) system

Essentials

Whether it’s a stand for your tablet, a small mobile terminal, or a full register, your point of sale system is so much more than a tool for the essential task of processing payments. The best POS nails the basics while streamlining administrative tasks and tracking everything from sales reporting to customer engagement to inventory management. Here’s how to get started choosing the one for you.

• POS hardware

###Consider

• KDS: An efficient kitchen display system helps organise and fulfil orders, syncing front-of-house and back-of-house operations. It can be a good investment, especially if you’re offering food.
• Retail station (to-go goods, merchandise): More customers want options when visiting businesses. Having a dedicated station for your to-go items can help drive more attention to that revenue source.
• QR code printouts: QR codes have become a leader in the way customers order and pay, improving the overall guest experience and a business’s bottom line.

Bar ambience: Lighting, stools, and seating

Essentials

The quality of your drinks and service will play a large role in creating repeat customers, but people also connect with bars because of the space itself. Consider what design elements will align with your brand, and what additional touches are within your budget.

• Lighting: Your lighting choices can affect your business, including setting the right mood and guiding customers to specific areas of your bar.
• Signage: Signage inside and outside your bar can guide customers while also acting as another branding opportunity.
• Seating/stools: While not every bar requires physical seating for customers, go in with a plan for where customers will drink at your establishment, even if it’s standing-room-only.

Consider

Have the budget to amplify your space a bit more? Small things can make a huge difference in retaining customers.

Creating a welcoming environment and friendly experience for customers ultimately means repeat business from a loyal customer base, and helps businesses grow through word of mouth and referrals. As Foam café owner Gerald Arbuckle puts it, “customers really buy into the lifestyle more than just the coffee”.

• Rugs
• Plants
• Stereo system
• Bathrooms

Bar Marketing materials

Consider

While physical marketing tools aren’t essential items for your bar business, you should consider whether they’re useful for the business you’re starting and if they fit inside your budget. While digital marketing can be highly effective, a new bar can get a boost from these items.

• Business cards
• Stickers, pens, and small giveaways
• Branded merch, including shirts, tote bags, and hats