There are many important bartender tools that are used for the process of creating all sorts of cocktails. It is essential that a bartender has access to these tools during any type of event.
The essential tools that you need to have at your disposal are usually around 20 to 30 tools as a minimum. It is important to consider that they should be of high quality to avoid having to replace them often.
It is important to point out that the tools used by event bartenders are not the same used by restaurant bartenders. The private event bartender needs to have a much larger set of tools ready for use at all times. Some practical and useful items are mentioned in this article.
The bar equipment expected at events
We mentioned that there are between 20 to 30 tools that all bartenders will use at events. It is very important to have access to all of them when you are working on any kind of event situation.
A big clear plastic container for the bartending tools you want
This container acts as the perfect storage for all the equipment you will use during the event. It is recommended that you get one at 72qt at the very least to ensure that there is enough room for your tools.
Strainers (2 to 3 at least)
The strainers are very important because they serve the purpose of separating the beverages from the ice. Having at least two or three is very important as you do not want to mix flavors with certain cocktails.
Shakers (2 to 3 at least)
These shakers are extremely important as they to chill beverages and mix content. Keep in mind that you need at least two or three given that some drinks contain milk, others have sour liquids and others contain spicy liquids.
Jiggers (2 to 3)
The best way to measure certain ingredients for cocktails is to use the jigger and this tool is great during events all the time. You will also find that at least two or three are needed due to how some ingredients should not be mixed and you can’t be cleaning the jiggers every time you measure an ingredient.
Bar knives (2 small knives)
You are going to be doing a lot of cutting with lemons, oranges, and other fruits. This means that you really want to avoid having no access to a small knife. Always have two around in case you misplace one. This is not something you expect, but it happens more often than you think.
A cutting board
Getting a cutting board is essential if you want to keep the area clean when you are doing any sort of work. Make sure that you don’t mix sweets and spices, so a two sided board is essential. Ideally, two boards are going to be a much better option. A true essential in bartending tools for a clean area.
Pour spouts (20 to 30)
These need to on the bottles to create the drinks that you serve during an event. It is extremely important to ensure that you have at least 20 of these. If you know there will be many of the 77 cocktails on demand, you need at least 30 of these spouts.
Bar spoon (at least 2)
Being able to stir your drinks is an essential part of the process for the majority of the drinks available. This is why it is important to ensure that you have quality bar spoons available at all times. Two is the minimum to bring to any event regardless of the type of event you are bartending.
Muddlers (at least 2)
These are used for the purposes of smashing and mashing fruit and blending certain ingredients together. You always want to have at least one spare muddler as you will be using ingredients you don’t want to mix.
Bottle openers (2 are recommended)
The last thing you want is to be dealing with issues related to bottles when you are working on any project. Have at least one wine opener ready at all times. Two are recommended always in case you misplace one.
A cocktail blender with two cups
These blenders are very useful and they prove to be extremely important when you mix drinks. There are several versions of this blender, but the most compact and durable is usually the best choice.
The ice shovel
You want to have that ice shovel ready to scoop up some ice as often as needed. Larger events with big coolers should have two shovels in case all bartenders are busy serving similar drinks.
An ice bucket
You should also have an ice bucket ready and close by that you can fill with the ice shovel. This is going to prove to be even more important as it will help you achieve better results overall.
Garnish tongs (3 to 5)
These are going to be essential to pick up garnishes that you are using for drinks. Keep as many as you can handy. This means a minimum of 3 to 5 is a good number.
Bartender towels
You never know when you are going to need to clean and wipe anything during a cocktail preparation process. Having fresh and clean towels available at all times is a must. This is going to make the process much easier in general.
Why do event bartenders have so many tools?
There are many drinks and ingredients involved in the making of those drinks that require mixing, stirring, mashing, and blending. This is the main reason why it is essential for an event bartender to have a large number of tools ready for use.
If someone is serious about their profession, they will bring these tools to every event regardless of how inconvenient it may seem. This article mentions a whopping 50+ tools that you could end up needing for any given event.
What is the cost of all of these tools?
A bartender that is looking to be efficient at the job needs to purchase all of those tools for events. The cost of this can range between $250 to $600 in most cases. This is going to depend on the brands you choose and any discounts you can find for bulk orders.
There are also great bartender tool kits available in some stores, but they don’t always include all the items we mentioned. This is why it is a good idea to shop for each item separately to get quality.
Extra items to bring with you at all times include:
- Hand sanitizer to ensure that you can keep your hands clean in case you are touching anything that might be dirty or messy.
- Wipes to keep yourself clean and to clean any item at the bar fast.
- Trash bags to make sure that you can always dispose of too much leftover content that you start to accumulate at the bar.
- A first aid kit to cure any injuries you inflict on yourself during the handling of knives or sharp tools.
Note: if you cut yourself deeply and the bleeding wont’ stop, it is advised that you stop what you are doing. Not only is this bad for your health, but it could also prove to be something that guests find displeasing.
Always make sure that you invest in the best bartending tools
The tools you purchase today could become an advantage or a burden depending on how much you invest. Always keep in mind that one of the most important aspects of this is to buy quality.
The best brands will ensure that your tools are going to last longer and this is something you always want. The last thing you want to be dealing with is a tool that breaks or malfunctions during an event and you don’t have a spare or even the spare fails.
The higher the quality of the tools you purchase, the easier it is to avoid this sort of problem. Shop for the best brands and you will have a toolset that is not going to fail when you need it the most. Great bartenders know how to work with the tools at their disposal.
Learning to use all the bartending tools is very important
When you decide to start working in any bartending effort, you will find that this is very important. You have to learn to use each tool with style and this is going to help you achieve the best results.
This brings us to the value and importance of flair bartending and hot it relates to the tools you use. This is not just to juggle drinks and do very flashy tricks. Flair bartending is also about being able to work in a way that feels smooth and elegant.
The process of learning how to perform some of the best and most classy flair tricks is not so hard. This article provides some of the essentials for flair that any bartender needs to know. Check them out and you will see that a little practice can go a long way. This relates to bartending tools in many ways.
The best bartenders always know when to use bartending tools
Just as you need to become sharp at the process of working with these tools and you need to know when to use each one. The idea with their use is to be able to simplify the creation of each drink. Ultimately, this is what you want to achieve with the process at all times.
This is also why the quality of the tools is going to be important and you have to know how each one works. You need to make the most out of each one of those tools and this is easy to do with proper guidance at first.
The consequences of no bartending tools for the job
When you don’t have the required tools for the job, you could end up in a situation that forces you to stop bartending for a moment and look for the tool. You could also end up creating inaccurate cocktails and this could hurt your reputation in bartending.
This is why it is truly essential that you always have access to the tools you need in order to get the job done. Do not allow your profession to suffer in any way just because you do not have certain tools. The same goes for the quality of the tools you purchase. Here is an article from a pro on some of the best tools in terms of quality.
Keep in mind that your bartending reputation depends on all of the factors involved. This article talks about the many elements required for good bartending. Something as simple as not having one important tool can make you look like you are not a professional.
We always bring the bartending tools to get the job done at Party shakers
There are many people who request bartending services that offer all the required skills and tools. Part Shakers is a team of highly skilled and experienced bartenders that always bring the necessary tools to any job.
You can always expect us to be ready to handle anything you need done and without any kind of issues. Our services also include DJs, photo booths, and food catering. These are all very important services that can help enhance any event. You can reach out to us and hire our services for your next event.
Questions and answers
The process of hiring a good bartender is easier than ever before thanks to the internet. The best way to decide which bartender to hire is to look for several things that will help you achieve the best results. You can check for customer reviews and you can also see how much experience they have. Hiring the best bartender is a great way to ensure optimal events. This is why it is a good idea to take your time with this process and look for someone that is reliable.
There is no particular location that is considered to be the standard of the perfect bartending location. Perhaps the ideal place is anywhere that has plenty of space and great guests who are friendly and good tippers. With that said, every bartender is going to have their own personal preference in this concern.
The freelance bartender is any type of bartender that is always looking to avoid having a single employer. When the pandemic hit, many bartenders with steady jobs ended up with no work at all and only freelancers managed to stay afloat during the most difficult times. This reminded people that the freelancing approach is a better way to handle things. The modern bartender is usually doing much better as a freelancer than as an employee for a single venue.
This is a very common question that people ask and they normally don’t know if bartending is even ok at private parties. The truth is that unless the host states otherwise, tipping is always a good thing regardless of the situation. You want to9 make sure that you tip a considerate amount above $10 and with an average of $20 to $50.
There are some events that have more than 50 guests and they will need to be assisted by more than one bartender. This is always something that needs mentioning with the event planner to see if more than one bartender is required for an event. In some cases, an event with as little as 25 people may require more than one bartender depending on other factors.
Final thoughts on bartending tools and equipment
The best bartenders in the world understand the importance of their tools. They always acquire the most durable and highest quality tools to guarantee the best results during any event.
Looking for a bartending service that brings all the required tools? We ensure that you can get the best results from hiring us for your next private event or party.
