10 Essential Bar Equipment Pieces Every Canadian Restaurant Needs

Whether serving up classic cocktails or innovative concoctions, having the right bar tools and bartending equipment at your fingertips can make all the difference. In the rising, bustling Canadian bar industry, a well-stocked bar is the cornerstone of success for any restaurant. 

A well-equipped bar not only ensures efficiency for your bar staff but also contributes significantly to customer satisfaction. Let's explore the 10 must-have bar equipment that will elevate your establishment's drink service to new heights.

1. Professional Bar Shaker Set

Image source: Mercer Culinary-Barfly

A high-quality bar shaker set—complete with mixing glass, jigger, bar spoon and Hawthorne strainer—is the backbone of any bar. All these versatile bar equipment allows bartenders to craft both shaken drinks and stirred cocktails with ease, ensuring consistent quality in every drink. 

A reliable cocktail shaker with a Hawthorne strainer completes your bar setup. Opt for a durable stainless steel option like Mercer Culinary-Barfly’s stylish set complete with all the tools a bartender needs.

2. Precision Jiggers and Measuring Tools 

Image Source: Browne

Accuracy is key in mixology. Invest in double-sided jiggers ranging from 0.5 oz to 2 oz. to ensure precise measurements. Browne’s trusty 1295 Double Jigger available in different sizes is perfect for any bar. These bar tools maintain drink consistency and prevent over-pouring, ensuring every cocktail is perfectly balanced and just right for your customer.

3. Bar Spoons and Muddlers 

Long-handled bar spoons for stirred cocktails and layered drinks are a must in your cocktail bar equipment list. These 15 ¾” Gun Metal Black Finish Classic Bar Spoons from Barfly especially keep it classy—however tall the glass is. Pair them with sturdy muddlers for crushing herbs, fruits, and sugar cubes, and you’ve got the perfect combo for mojitos and any other cocktail. 

Look for muddlers with textured ends for efficient ingredient extraction, enhancing the flavour of your cocktails—exactly like Browne’s 8.5” Stainless Steel Muddler.

4. Speed Pourers

Image Source: Freepik

Efficiency is crucial during busy periods. Speed pourers attached to liquor bottles allow quick and controlled pouring, reducing spillage and improving service speed. Choose pourers with dust caps like Ventures’ Wine Pourer/Stopper to maintain hygiene standards, ensuring a clean bar top.

5. Diverse Glassware Selection

Image Source: Unsplash

A variety of glassware is essential to serve drinks in their proper vessels. Stock up on pint glasses for beer, wine glasses for your wine selection, martini glasses for classic cocktails, and elegant cocktail glasses for more sophisticated creations. Don't forget brandy snifters for top-shelf liquors and specialty glasses to enhance the visual appeal of your drinks and delight your customers.

6. Ice Machines and Molds

Quality ice is often overlooked but crucial for cocktail perfection. Invest in a reliable ice machine from trusted brands like Hoshizaki and ITV for standard ice cubes and crushed ice. Consider silicone ice cube trays for large cubes that melt slowly, or an ice crusher for various ice textures. These tools ensure your mixed drinks stay cold without excessive dilution.

7. High-Performance Blenders 

Image source: KitchenAid

For frozen drinks and smooth purees, a commercial-grade blender is indispensable. Look for models with variable speeds and ice-crushing capabilities to handle various drink recipes efficiently. KitchenAid’s 60 oz. Commercial Blender with Sound Enclosure is the appliance for the job.

8. Bar Mats and Cutting Boards

Maintain a clean and organized workspace with rubber bar mats and dedicated cutting boards. These bar mats not only protect your bar top, but also provide a hygienic area for garnish preparation and citrus fruit cutting.

9. Bottle Openers and Corkscrews 

Image source: Spill-Stop and Trudeau

Equip your bar with sturdy, wall-mounted bottle openers and professional-grade corkscrews. The Pulltap's double-hinged corkscrew is a bartender favourite for its reliability and ease of use, making it an essential tool for any bar. 

Want to keep it posh and modern? This sleek ICM Caps Off Beer Bottle Opener and Vertical Corkscrew are perfect for high-end bars, and restaurants. If you’d prefer the practical and functional ones, you can’t go wrong with this Old Fashioned Wall Mount Bottle Opener from Spill-Stop and this classic Wing Corkscrew from Trudeau. 

10. Garnish Stations and Bar Tools

Create an efficient garnish station with compartments for olives, citrus fruit, and cocktail onions. Include essential tools like this Browne channel knife for citrus twists and small tongs for precise garnish placement. A citrus juicer such as Danesco’s Citrus Squeeze Juicer is also crucial for fresh lime juice and other fruit juices, adding a burst of flavour to your cocktails.

Image Source: Unsplash

Beyond the Basics: Must Have Bar Equipment For a Thriving Bar

Investing in quality must-have bar equipment is just the beginning. Consider the following tools to keep your business running smoothly front and back of the house:

• Keep your bar organized and efficient with smart storage solutions like speed rails. 

• Stock up on dishwasher-safe sanitizing equipment and establish rigorous cleaning routines. 

• Save time and ensure sparkling clean glassware with a dishwasher.

• Manage customer tabs efficiently with POS systems.

• Keep your customers happy with bar supplies like straws and napkins.

• Stock your bar with essential ingredients like simple syrup, bitters, and herbs for perfectly mixed drinks

• Keep bottles chilled for a long time with ice buckets. 

Ensuring your bar has the right tools—from wine glasses and martini glasses to ice makers and glass washer machines—is a big investment that pays off in customer satisfaction. Source them from reliable suppliers like s.t.o.p. Restaurant Supply to ensure top-class quality befitting your bar’s standards.

Shop Top-Quality Bar Equipment & Supplies at s.t.o.p Restaurant Supply

Having the right tools and equipment is an investment in your bar's success. These must-have items not only improve efficiency but also contribute to the customer experience. By equipping your bar with these essentials, you'll be well on your way to crafting exceptional cocktails and building a reputation for excellence in the Canadian restaurant scene.

For a comprehensive selection of top-quality bartending equipment and bar supplies, explore s.t.o.p. Restaurant Supply's extensive catalogue. With our commitment to sourcing from renowned brands, you can trust that you're investing in durable, professional-grade tools that will serve your bar for years to come.

Looking for specific must-have bar equipment? Contact us and we’ll source it for you!