Bar station - professional equipment for bartenders

A convenient workplace layout is the first condition for successful bartender work. But mixing cocktails is difficult if the counter is a mess. A special device – a bar station – will help organize the space. It is designed to place dishes, store ingredients, and cool drinks.

What does a standard bar station consist of?

The bar equipment looks like a stainless steel shelf. The body rests on legs, the height of which can be adjusted. Inside there are compartments for ingredients, built-in appliances, and dishes.

There are three types of bar stations:

• standard – equipped with compartments for food, bottles, and cutlery;
• closed - the upper part is used as a tabletop. Contains a compartment for glasses with a drip tray;
• with sink – complemented by a glass rinsing device.

The standard set contains bottle rails, an ice compartment, containers for fruit slices, and juices. A mandatory detail is a compartment where bar equipment for work will be located: shakers , jiggers , tweezers , bar spoons , etc. Often standard stations are supplemented with modules that correspond to the bar menu of the establishment - a coffee maker, a juicer.

When purchasing bar equipment, the owner of a cafe or restaurant should focus on the qualifications of a bartender. The more creative he works, the more equipment he will need.

What functions does the bar station perform?

The main purpose of the equipment is to provide the bartender with convenient access to products, which speeds up the process of preparing drinks. To mix classic cocktails, you need storage space for the following elements:

• alcoholic drinks – vodka, gin, rum, whiskey, tequila;
• syrups;
• fresh fruits;
• soft drinks – tonics, tonics, juices, soda;
• olives;
• bar equipment;
• ice;
• utensils - stirrers, glasses, knives.

The bar station in the cafe serves for brewing coffee and has compartments for storing coffee beans, tea, and cocoa. For convenience, there is a “knock box” - a compartment for used coffee.

Elite restaurants purchase additional fresh modules to prepare fresh juices. They consist of a compartment with a juicer and containers for fruits and vegetables.

An important function of a bar station is maintaining cleanliness. The sink, located on top of the structure, is used for rinsing measuring cups and shakers. A split table is placed nearby, on which clean glasses are placed.

Main modules of the bar station

The middle of the structure is occupied by a bath for two types of ice - lump and crushed ice. The second tier of the bath is occupied by compartments with flavors and spices. On the left and right there are compartments with sweet additions - syrups , juices.

Speedracks - bottle shelves - are placed on the sides of the station. The more popular the establishment is among customers, the more drinks are required. If the demand for cocktails is high, the design is supplemented with two-tier speedracks.

The next module is a sink, at least 50 cm deep. It is equipped with two rinsers. The sink is connected to water supply and sewerage pipes. Drain holes are covered with mesh to prevent blockages.

Additional bar station modules

The more drinks an establishment’s bar list contains, the more functional the bartender’s workplace should be. The space behind the counter is often supplemented with the following elements:

• beer table – consists of a keg with beer, a cooler, and a bottling system. Installed on the side of the main cocktail station;
• drying tabletop - equipped with a perforated surface that prevents glasses from falling. Made from stainless steel;
• refrigeration equipment - consists of a refrigeration chamber, freezer, ice generator .

All elements are installed under the countertops.

• technical compartments – located on the sides of the bar station. Serve for embedding blenders, juicers;
• pull-out shelves, dish drawers - installed under countertops;
• garbage module – occupies the lower part of the station.

The number of additional blocks depends on the concept of the restaurant, its attendance, and the qualifications of the bartender.

What to look for when choosing a bar station

The work of a bartender is directly related to food products. Working equipment must be easy to clean, durable, and waterproof. Therefore, the first selection criterion is the material. The most suitable option is stainless steel,resistant to moisture and damage.

An important role is played by the structure of the station - the number and location of modules and internal compartments. Here you need to proceed from the needs of the establishment and the opinion of the bartender.

The third selection condition is the size of the equipment. Standard stations are produced with a length of 1.2-1.6 m, which is optimal for a small cafe or bar. When ordering additional modules, you need to take into account the size of the space behind the bar counter and the total area of the establishment.