Openers, Shakers & Bar Tools

A well-equipped bar depends on the right mix of bar tools and bar supplies. These are the small but essential items that bartenders use every shift, from opening bottles to mixing cocktails to serving beverages with style. Tools like a muddler are used to crush fresh herbs and fruit, releasing flavors for mojitos or old fashioneds. An ice scoop or ice tongs keeps service sanitary when handling ice, while funnels and jar openers provide convenience during prep work. Even seemingly simple pieces like a spoon rest, bottle coaster, or ice tray play a role in maintaining order at the bar station.

The advantage of having the right tools is consistency. When bartenders can reach for reliable bar tools that are designed for their tasks, drinks are prepared more quickly, served more safely, and presented more attractively. A disorganized setup slows service, but a bar stocked with the proper openers, shakers, strainers, and stirrers helps bartenders work efficiently and keeps guests satisfied.

Whether you operate a busy pub, an upscale cocktail lounge, or a casual restaurant bar, investing in the right selection of tools ensures smooth operations. From speed openers and corkscrews to long-handled spoons and professional-grade shakers, these small items combine to make a big difference in the quality of your bar service.

The cocktail shaker is one of the most recognizable and indispensable tools in bartending. With a drink shaker, bartenders mix ingredients such as liquor, syrups, juices, and bitters with ice to create balanced cocktails with the right temperature and texture. Options include the classic cocktail shaker, larger bar shaker for high-volume use, and complete shaker sets that combine multiple tools.

When shaken properly, a cocktail develops a smoother mouthfeel, is thoroughly chilled, and often has a light froth on top that adds to its appeal. Drinks like margaritas, daiquiris, martinis, and whiskey sours are all traditionally shaken, and a quality shaker set ensures bartenders can prepare them quickly and consistently.

History of Cocktail Shakers

The story of the shaker stretches back thousands of years. Early versions were made from natural containers like gourds, which allowed beverages to be mixed and sealed. The Egyptians used similar techniques to blend fermented drinks with spices, and by the 1500s, vessels resembling shakers were being used in Central America. The modern design emerged in the 19th century, when an innkeeper discovered that two containers could be held together and shaken to create a smooth drink. From that moment, the cocktail shaker became a global bartending staple.

Today, stainless steel shakers remain the most popular because they are durable, easy to clean, and resistant to staining or odors. Whether you prefer a Boston shaker with two pieces or a three-piece shaker with a built-in strainer, this tool is central to creating professional-quality cocktails at any bar.

Opening bottles is one of the most frequent tasks at any bar, and having the right bottle opener or corkscrew ensures that the job is quick and efficient. For beers and sodas, a wall-mounted bottle opener with a bottle cap catcher is a reliable option that reduces mess in high-traffic environments. Handheld openers and speed openers are preferred by bartenders who need portability and speed during busy shifts.

For wine service, a quality corkscrew is essential. The wing-type corkscrew is easy for anyone to use, providing leverage to remove corks cleanly. A hinged corkscrew (sometimes called a waiter’s corkscrew) is a favorite in restaurants because of its compact design and multifunctional use, often including a knife for foil cutting. A wine opener ensures bottles can be presented and poured without struggle, which enhances the customer’s overall dining experience.

Types of Openers and Corkscrews

• Wall-mounted bottle openers with cap catchers for efficiency.
• Handheld and speed openers for bartenders who need quick access.
• Wing-type corkscrews for easy, mechanical leverage.
• Hinged corkscrews with knife for professional wine service.
• Classic wine openers that combine style with function.

By equipping your bar with a mix of openers and corkscrews, you can be ready to handle everything from a craft beer bottle to a fine vintage of wine.

A bar strainer is one of the most important finishing tools in the cocktail-making process. Once a drink has been mixed or shaken, the strainer ensures that only the smooth, chilled liquid is poured into the serving glass. Without it, cocktails could contain unwanted chunks of fruit, excess pulp, or ice shards that not only affect the flavor but also make the drink look unprofessional. A good cocktail strainer prevents this, giving bartenders control over consistency and presentation.

There are several types of drink strainers, each designed for different applications. The Hawthorne strainer, with its distinctive coiled spring, is the most widely used in modern bars. It fits snugly on top of a shaker tin and traps large pieces of ice or fruit while allowing liquid to flow through. The julep strainer, which looks like a slotted spoon, is often used with mixing glasses when stirring drinks like martinis or Manhattans. For high-end cocktail service, bartenders frequently double-strain using a fine mesh strainer in combination with another tool—this method captures even the smallest herb particles, creating a silky-smooth cocktail.

A reliable bar strainer not only improves drink quality but also reduces waste. By filtering out unwanted elements before pouring, bartenders keep drinks consistent and reduce the risk of over-dilution. For bars that focus on craft cocktails, investing in durable, easy-to-clean strainers ensures every drink meets the highest standards.

The bar spoon may look simple, but it plays a vital role in professional bartending. Also known as a cocktail stirrer, cocktail long spoon, or stirring long spoon, it is specifically designed with an elongated, slim handle that reaches into tall glasses and shakers with ease. The twisted shaft of many bar spoons allows for smooth, controlled stirring, which is key to properly blending ingredients without introducing excess air or cloudiness.

Bartenders use bar spoons when preparing cocktails that should remain crystal clear and balanced, such as Manhattans, martinis, or Negronis. Stirring gently with a long spoon combines spirits with ice just enough to chill and dilute them slightly, preserving their clarity and strong flavor. In contrast, shaking would create bubbles and frostiness that are less desirable in spirit-forward drinks.

Beyond stirring, a bar spoon has multiple uses behind the bar. The spoon end can scoop garnishes like olives or cherries, while the flat or disk end (found on some spoons) can be used for muddling small ingredients. The long handle also helps bartenders layer liquors for visually striking cocktails, slowly pouring each spirit over the back of the spoon to create defined color bands.

Durability and precision are important qualities in a bar spoon. Stainless steel options are the most popular because they resist corrosion, clean easily, and maintain their shape over time. Having several on hand is recommended for busy bars, ensuring bartenders always have a clean tool available when preparing multiple cocktails.