A cocktail bar at an event needs more than a basic wine and beer setup. This checklist covers ice, bar tools, glassware and bar furniture so the bar functions properly on the night.
A cocktail bar at an event needs more than a basic wine and beer setup. This checklist covers ice, bar tools, glassware and bar furniture so the bar functions properly on the night.
A cocktail bar at an event needs more equipment than a standard wine and beer bar. The difference comes down to ice, bar tools, and glassware. Get these three right and the bar will run well. Miss any of them and the bartenders will be improvising throughout the night.
Ice is the most important item at a cocktail bar and the most frequently underestimated. A single cocktail uses around 200 to 300 grams of ice, between the shaker and the glass. At a two-hour reception with 100 guests, each having two cocktails, that is 40 to 60kg of ice just for drinks, before factoring in ice buckets for bottles, presentation, and waste. Double the number you first think of. Use a commercial ice chest or a hired bar fridge to keep ice accessible but cold throughout the event.
Our bar equipment hire range includes commercial ice chests, speed wells, and the key barware items needed for a working cocktail bar.
For a working cocktail bar, the minimum kit per bartender is: a cocktail shaker, a jigger, a hawthorne strainer, a fine strainer for cloudy citrus cocktails, a bar spoon, and a muddler if the menu includes mojitos or old fashioneds. Channel knives or a Y-peeler handle garnishes. If the bar is serving more than two or three cocktail types, have duplicates of the tools that cause bottlenecks. Jiggers and shakers are the usual slowdowns when there is only one of each.
The glass shapes you need depend on the cocktail menu. Martini or coupe glasses suit stirred drinks such as Negronis, Manhattans, and Cosmos. Highball glasses work for built drinks with mixers: Mojitos, Collins, and Aperol Spritz. Rocks glasses are used for short drinks served over a large ice cube. If you are running a single-menu bar with one signature cocktail, you may only need one glass type, which simplifies both the order and the service.
Order 2.5 glasses per guest for a two-hour reception. This accounts for breakages, glasses left behind on tables, and the speed at which guests lose track of their glass at busy events. Browse our cocktail glass hire range for the available styles.
The physical bar setup needs to work for both the bartenders and the guests. A hired bar unit or cocktail bar counter gives bartenders a flat work surface at the right height, with space for bottles, tools, and ice below the counter. Bar stools on the guest side suit events where guests want to sit at the bar and chat while they drink. Poseur tables in the surrounding area let guests set down drinks and socialise without needing a seat. Our bar furniture hire range includes bar units, bottle shelving, and back-bar display options.
A few items get missed in initial planning. Garnish trays keep citrus, herbs, and other garnishes accessible and clean throughout the event. Two waste bins under the bar (one for ice, one for other waste) are needed for a tidy and safe workspace. Bar mats protect the counter and catch drips. Speed pourers on spirits bottles speed up service during busy periods without the need for constant re-measuring.
If you are running a long event, plan for the bar team to restock mid-way through. Leave enough space behind the bar to store a second round of bottles, ice bags, and garnishes so service does not need to pause for a restock run.
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