Running a franchise bar requires keeping track of numerous details, from finding suitable suppliers to stocking essential liquors. But having an abundantly-stocked bar is essential for its success, so here we present a list of a few alcohol types that should be available to your bartenders in order to provide excellent patron service.
Alcohol Types You Need To Stock If You’re Running a Franchise Bar
Gin
Gin is an elegant spirit that can be enjoyed both neat and mixed into cocktails, such as Manhattans. Additionally, its use in vodka-based drinks such as margaritas has become increasingly popular. Gin’s smooth flavor complements both cold or room temperature serving conditions perfectly.
Vodka
Vodka is an ideal foundational liquor to start off any bar, serving as the cornerstone for numerous cocktails while also acting as the perfect foundational spirit in cocktails such as whiskey, tequila and absinthe.
Absinthe
Mention absinthe in conversation, and you may receive various responses. Some might be curious and maybe tell stories of hallucinations or awakening on the Seine without recall of what transpired; while others will likely react apprehensively or be quick to judge an alcohol they know nothing about – which is unfortunate, as absinthe alcohol is an intriguing spirit with a unique flavor that’s hard to describe through words alone.
As part of creating an exceptional absinthe drink, dilution is of vital importance. To do this properly, slowly pour ice water over a sugar cube held with a perforated spoon in a stemmed glass and allow it to slowly drip onto it until all the sugar has been saturated with liquid and is beginning to dissolve – as this “louche” creates its opalescent glow while simultaneously softening its intense herbal flavors.
Rum
Rum is an age-old favorite beverage among sailors to stave off scurvy. Over time, pirates became infatuated with it as well. After prohibition ended, it has remained more popular than ever and can now be found behind bars worldwide.
Brandy
Although some don’t indulge directly, a bottle of brandy can go a long way in any bar. Not only can this classic spirit be mixed into different beverages but its addition to cognac cocktails makes the spirit stand out from others on shelves. Available as either VS (very smooth) or XO (extra aged).
Amaretto
Amaretto has an intense almond flavor, making it a favorite in both sweet and sour drinks. Additionally, this liquor can also be added to coffee or used as an ingredient in milkshakes; mixed with cola to create creamy and delicious iced coffee beverages; used to add almond flavoring in culinary creations like poultry or fish dishes – or simply eaten alone as dessert!
Other Items You Need to Run Your Bar
Bars have long held consumers’ fascination, from being featured on popular television series like Cheers and It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia to their dream of opening one themselves someday. Starting a bar from scratch can be difficult and costly; that is why some individuals opt to open franchised bars as an easier solution.
Franchising offers many advantages that can quickly help a new business get underway, including brand recognition and customer base development, training support for new owners, and an easier transition process.
Before establishing a bar, conduct market research in your local demographic to understand what kind of drinks and food customers would appreciate. Do this before purchasing or remodeling a building or purchasing equipment. In addition, register with the Alcoholic Beverage Commission (ABC) of your state in order to secure a liquor license.
Your choice of bar equipment and supplies can make or break your business. Customers need items that are sustainable, durable and easy to keep clean for their safety.
Make sure your bartenders have everything they need for quick service – here are a few essentials:
Bar Spoon
A bar spoon with its long handle and twist in the middle is an indispensable tool for stirring drinks, but its other use lies in measuring ingredients more precisely; one bar spoon equals 5ml, making it more precise than using a jigger (which measures in oz).
Layering shots requires another key function of the bar spoon: layering. Its muddler end works very effectively for this purpose.
Jiggers
Jiggers are essential tools for bartenders. They help prevent overpouring, which leads to wasteful overpours and costs due to spillage, while simultaneously helping accurately measure ingredients to produce consistent cocktails.
Orlando McCray of New York City bartending service Yukiwa as the ideal jigger brand, as they “look great and feel fantastic in your hand”. Yukiwa features exterior markings as well as interior markings to show exactly how much to pour.
Uber Bar Tool’s angled jigger is another fantastic choice, designed to reduce surface tension and form a dome that prevents overpouring. Learn more on their website.
Cocktail Shaker
An essential tool in any bar, cocktail shakers help mix cocktails more thoroughly by mixing ingredients more completely by shaking. They also serve to chill and aerate beverages containing citrus or dairy ingredients – which makes for the perfect cocktail shaker experience!
No matter your bartending needs – from basic sets to more sophisticated options – Elevated Craft offers several versatile sets to meet them all. Their Boston shaker, jigger and strainer come packaged together in an attractive tin for easy transport; weighted or unweighted versions are also available so flair bartenders can shake extra hard when creating their cocktails!
Cocktail Kingdom’s all-in-one set is another popular option, featuring reamer, jigger and strainer built-in features that our expert testers loved due to its stable shaking. Furthermore, its solid seal helps prevent leaks. Overall this durable set makes an excellent option for beginners or anyone who needs durable set!
Bottle Opener
Few things are more frustrating than reaching for a beer only to realize you left your bottle opener behind. Luckily, this minor party foul can easily be resolved by making sure there are sufficient bottle openers on hand for all guests attending your gathering.
The classic opener comprises of a solid handle with one end featuring an opening either circular or rectangular in shape to slip under a bottle cap and pry it off using upward pressure. These come in various forms – flip flops, house keys and even dolls can sometimes double up as openers when necessary!
Other varieties include the speed opener or bar blade which features a flat steel blade with a thumb hole at one end and letterbox cuts suitable for placing under crown seals at the other; popular among professional bar tenders in Canada and the US.
Mudler
A muddler is a bartending tool used like a pestle to crush (or “muddle”) fresh fruit, herbs, and spices into pulp for infusing cocktails with flavorful effects. Many popular cocktail recipes call for using muddling ingredients like limes, lemons, and mint in this process.
Muddling involves gently smashing ingredients together so they release essential oils, without over-crushing or crushing too hard and losing flavor. Kitchen Rest’s stainless steel muddler with nylon head extracts more flavor from ingredients quickly for creating drinks like mojitos, Old Fashioneds and caipirinhas quickly and is dishwasher-safe for easy cleanup.
Ice Bucket
An ice bucket is an indispensable component of any bar. It insulates ice, keeping it from melting (something a mixing bowl cannot). Furthermore, an ice bucket helps isolate drinks station from kitchen activities, so bartenders don’t run out of ingredients or become bogged down in food prep duties.
Your ideal insulated ice bucket should be made from long-wearing materials that are free from BPA. Stainless steel offers long-term protection by keeping liquids colder for longer than plastic or glass alternatives; some models also feature double walls to slow the rate of melting.
An attractive ice bucket can add charm and enhance customer experience at your bar. Opt for one equipped with tongs for easier use, as well as one that matches up well with your barware for an aesthetic appearance.
Ice Crushers
Professional ice crushers are essential appliances in bars, clubs and pubs. It is a large appliance designed to crush bulk amounts of ice into pieces before dispensing into buckets or jugs for dispensing into other containers. Commercial models feature heavy duty blades capable of crushing even large ice blocks quickly while typically made of durable materials to withstand long term usage.
An alternative way of crushing ice would be using a Lewis bag and mallet, ideal for baristas wanting to save themselves the effort and back strain associated with manually crushing it. These bags feature large openings so ice cubes can easily be added before being crushed using a mallet to produce coarse or fine crushed ice as desired. Plus they’re easy to use and come in different colors!
Conclusion
As a prospective bar owner, one of your initial decisions will be whether to build your own independent bar or join an established franchise. A franchise is typically safer and lower-risk option when entering this industry.
Franchisors often have established relationships with vendors that can reduce supply and equipment costs and negotiate better pricing than you could on your own. Unfortunately, however, franchise investments typically require much larger initial investments due to franchise fees and other up-front expenses – also they limit creativity and autonomy of operation.
Want to read more of our latest posts? Learn how to secure big business loans for franchise expansion in the Philippines.
Arun is an avid blogger and business expert. He’s been in business from the moment he finished school and hasn’t stopped growing ever since.
