Speciality Glasses

Serving specific spirits or cocktails requires glasses that complement the drink. Event organisers, bar managers, and hospitality professionals book speciality glassware hire when they want to highlight a particular beverage. A gin and tonic in a standard tumbler lacks the visual impact of a drink you serve in a large stemmed bowl. A fine brandy benefits from a glass that allows its aroma to develop. Choosing the correct glass type shows attention to detail and improves the drink presentation.

Speciality Glassware Hire for Specific Drinks

Different glass designs serve functional purposes, from concentrating aromas to maintaining temperature or accommodating specific garnishes.

• Gin Glasses: Gin glasses feature a generous, balloon-style bowl on a long stem. These glasses hold 650ml (22oz). They provide space for ice, gin, tonic, and garnishes like citrus slices or botanicals. The large bowl helps concentrate the gin aroma, while the stem keeps hands from warming the drink.
• Brandy Balloons: These glasses have a broad, rounded bowl and a short stem. They hold around 400ml (14oz). The design encourages you to hold the glass in your palm, warming the brandy to release its scent. The narrow rim directs the aroma towards the nose and improves the tasting profile.
• Port and Sherry Glasses: These are smaller, stemmed glasses with a more tapered bowl. Their reduced size controls portioning for fortified wines. You serve these in smaller measures. The shape also helps to direct the delicate aromas of port or sherry.
• Liqueur Glasses: Small and stemmed, liqueur glasses suit after-dinner drinks such as limoncello, amaretto, or herbal digestifs. Their size matches the typical small serving of these stronger, sweeter beverages.
• Shot Glasses: Heavy-based and durable, shot glasses hold 60ml (2oz). They suit quick serves of spirits like vodka, tequila, or Jagermeister in high-volume bar settings. Their sturdy construction withstands frequent use.

Managing Your Bar Service

Consider the type of event and the specific drinks you plan to serve when selecting speciality glassware hire. A formal dinner benefits from elegant port glasses, while a lively bar evening might require durable shot glasses. Clean, sparkling glassware makes drinks look appealing from the first pour.

Organising a large bar setup requires more than just glasses. You can coordinate your order with catering equipment hire to keep ice and garnishes ready for service. For seated dining events, match your bar glasses with our crockery hire and cutlery hire to complete your table settings.

Expo Hire includes a free minor damage waiver on every order to cover small accidental breakages. We also operate a "Send It Back Dirty" policy. You return all glassware, crockery, and cutlery unwashed. We handle the cleaning at our depot. Pack the glasses back into their original crates to protect them during transit. We deliver across England and Wales from 11 regional depots, providing live vehicle tracking and an SMS ETA on delivery day. You pay no security deposit on your order. Prices and stock levels update in real time on the site. Select your hire dates to check availability and confirm your booking online.

No security deposit

Expo Hire does not charge a security deposit. A free minor damage waiver covers minor damage and loss. Excessive or negligent damage is charged at 10 times the hire price. Full details in our terms and conditions.

Delivery and collection

Use the carriage calculator to find your nearest branch and get an accurate delivery quote. At checkout we show an itemised delivery cost before you confirm the order.

On the day, track your driver in real time on our order tracking page, or use the link in the automated text we send.

Advance deposit

For orders over £1,000, you can confirm a booking with a 25% deposit and pay the balance up to 28 days before delivery. The checkout offers this automatically. Full details in our terms and conditions.