Which bar tools does a professional hospitality bar need? From cocktail shaker and jigger to strainer, mixing glass and smart pourers — the complete purchasing guide for bar tools in the hospitality industry.
A good bar runs on talent and timing. But also on tools. Anyone who has ever stood behind a busy bar knows how frustrating it is when a shaker doesn't close properly, a jigger doesn't measure accurately, or a strainer gets clogged at the moment it really matters. You lose time, quality, and — ultimately — revenue.
In this guide, we walk through the essential bar tools that every professional hospitality bar needs. No bloated list, but the things that really matter — with concrete recommendations from our own range.
The shaker: the beating heart of your bar
Almost everything starts with the shaker. And by that, we mean the Boston shaker — the two-piece version with a large tin and a smaller tin or glass. That is the standard in professional bars, and rightly so. It is fast, easy to clean, and lasts for years.
The three-piece cobbler shaker — with a built-in strainer — is seen more often with home bartenders. In a busy hospitality environment, you lose too much time with it.
At APS, we have the 47 Ronin Tin Tin Shaker 630 ml in our range — a sturdy stainless steel Boston shaker that also looks great on the bar. There is also a copper version for those who want a bit more character. And for bars with a specific look: the 47 Ronin 2-piece shaker in gunmetal matte is a sleek choice.
The jigger: precision is not a luxury, it is your cost price
Every milliliter counts. Especially if you make dozens of cocktails per night. A jigger that does not measure accurately — or a bartender who guesses instead of measures — costs you more on an annual basis than you think.
Work with a double jigger with clear measurement markings on the inside, so that you can also measure intermediate amounts. The APS Jigger with 2 ml intervals (35/50 ml) is exactly that: stainless steel, accurate down to 2 ml, and comfortable to hold. Simple product, big difference in practice.
Do you want to take cost control a step further? Then the Pourify Smart Pourers are worth checking out. These digital pour spouts record exactly how much is poured from each bottle. Ideal for bars that want to take liquor shrinkage seriously. They are available as a 5-pack or as a 3+1 Starter Pack for those who want to start without replacing everything at once.
Strainer: filtering in three ways
After shaking or stirring, you want to filter the drink before pouring it. For this, you use a strainer — and which one you choose depends on how you work.
- Hawthorne strainer: the standard. Fits on a Boston shaker tin and keeps ice and large pieces of fruit out.
- Julep strainer: used for stirred cocktails in a mixing glass — for a Martini, Negroni, or Manhattan.
- Fine strainer: for double straining. Indispensable if you want to completely remove ice shards or finely ground herbs. A standard in top bars, still used too little in other bars.
Mixing glass: for those who take their cocktails seriously
Not every cocktail is shaken. Cocktails based on spirits only — without juice or dairy — are stirred in a mixing glass. That gives a silky texture and a clarity that you will never achieve with a shaker.
A good mixing glass is heavy, stable, and has a pouring spout. Japanese models are currently popular and also look beautiful on the bar — which is certainly a factor for an open bar concept.
Bar spoon and muddler: the little things that count
A bar spoon of at least 28 cm — long enough for every mixing glass — is indispensable for stirring cocktails and floating drinks. Choose stainless steel, because plastic or aluminum wears out quickly with daily use.
You use a muddler for crushing fresh mint, fruit, or sugar. In a busy hospitality environment, it is best to choose a stainless steel or silicone muddler — easier to clean and dishwasher safe.
Pourers: fast pouring without the hassle
Pourers — spouts that you place on a bottle — are small but make a big difference in speed behind the bar. They provide an even flow, prevent spilling, and ensure consistency when pouring.
Do you only want speed? Go for standard pourers. Do you also want insight into what is poured per bottle? Then the Pourify Smart Pourers are the smartest investment you can make in the short term.
What does it cost to properly equip a bar station?
A solid basic set for one bar station — shaker, jigger, strainer, mixing glass, bar spoon, and muddler — will cost you somewhere between €50 and €150, depending on quality and brand. That sounds like a lot, but cheap tools break quickly with intensive use. Then you end up paying twice as much.
Invest well once and you will enjoy it for years.
In conclusion
The right bar tools are not an afterthought. They determine how fast you work, how consistent your cocktails are, and how much you pour per bottle. Small details, big effect.
View our full range of professional bar tools at apssopply.com — available directly from our warehouse in the Netherlands.
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