Stocking a bar is different than stocking a dining room. Bars tend to use more glasses per person than a typical dining room, and the variety of glasses needed is much larger than other operations. Below is a breakdown of the type of glassware a bar would need to serve cocktails, wine, beer and shots.
Beer Service
Pint Glasses
Pint glasses are necessary for any bar, pub or tavern. Keep plenty of these handy for both tap and bottle beers alike. To keep these glasses cool, consider buying a glass chiller.
Pilsner Glasses
Pilsner glasses are smaller than pint glasses, and are designed to hold pilsner and lager beers.
Beer Mugs and Steins
If you need glasses with thick bottoms and handles for lifting, grab some
beer mugs or
steins. The thick bottoms on these glasses allow them to sustain more abuse than just pint glasses.
Liquor Service
Shot Glasses
Stock up on plenty of
shot glasses, for individual shots. These glasses should have thick bottoms as they are likely to be slammed on the table after the shot has been taken.
Cordial Glasses
For sipping liqueur concoctions and cordials, use
cordial glasses. They come in both stemmed and stemless models. Stemmed glasses are better for more formal establishments.
Shooter, Shot and Whiskey Glasses
These glasses are great for taking shots and for shooting liquor.
Shot and
whiskey glasses are smaller than
shooter glasses. If you run out of these in a rush, use a small rocks glass or old fashioned glass.
Rocks Glasses
These 9 ounce
rocks/tumbler glasses are great for serving mixed drinks or shots on the rocks. They are small and are great for short drinks that will have an even liquor to mixer ratio.
Double Rocks
Double rocks are 12 ounce glasses that are great for double shots on the rocks. They can also be used for liquor and soda drinks.
Old Fashioned Glasses
Old fashioned glasses resemble rocks or double rocks glasses. They are great for shots on the rocks or for mixed drinks with a high liquor content.
Hi-Ball Glasses
For cocktails that have a higher ratio of mixture to liquor, use an 11 oz
hi-ball glass. Keep plenty of these around, as they can work as a water glass in a pinch, too.
Collins Glasses
When serving Tom Collins cocktails or other mixed drinks, use a
Collins glass. These tall glasses are very similar to Hi Ball glasses.
Hurricane Glasses
For serving frozen drinks like a hurricane or a daiquiri,
hurricane glasses are both decorative and functional.
Martini Glasses
Keep both 6 ounce and 12 ounce
martini glasses handy for both small and large martinis.
Cosmo Glasses
Cosmo glasses are fun, stemless cocktail glasses that are great for holding cosmopolitans and other coctails.
Margarita Glasses
When serving margaritas, whether frozen or on the rocks, serve them in
margarita glasses of any size. Most are between 12 and 16 ounces, but for extra large margaritas, stock up on larger glasses.
Irish Coffee Glasses
Beverage Glasses
Keep an extra supply of
beverage glasses around for soda and water orders. These are great for serving Designated Drivers or patrons who want a water or soda in addition to their cocktail. Also these glasses can be used for anything in a pinch. If you run out of double rocks or hi ball glasses, beverage glasses can be used in a pinch.
Champagne and Wine
Red Wine Glasses
Bars that serve red wine should have plenty of glasses specifically designed for red wine.
Red wine glasses allow the aroma to open up in the glass. Ideally a wine glass will have an extra thin rim so that it won't interfere with wine consumption, but this is not always practical, as the thin rims break much easier.
White Wine Glasses
White wine glasses have a smaller rim than the red wine glasses. Also, only serve wine in glasses with stems, as your guests can hold the stems instead of the bowl of the glass. By not touching the bowl their hands won't warm the chilled wine.
Champagne Flute Glasses
For champagne service, keep a stock of
champagne glasses. These glasses are also great for mimosas. Champagne glasses come in both flute and bowl shapes. Either is fine, but the flute glasses keep the carbonation in the glass longer.
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