Tumblers
Tumblers are flat-bottomed, stemless glasses used for soft drinks, spirits, water and mixed drinks across pubs, cafés, hotels and care homes, typically ranging from 20-35cl depending on whether they’re serving a short spirit measure or a long soft drink. The key buying consideration is versatility and stacking stability, since tumblers are usually the highest-volume glass type behind any bar. “Tumbler glasses” is the plain buyer term, closely related to highball and rocks glasses.
Related: Highball Glasses · Spirit & Liqueur Glasses · Gin Glasses · Wine Glasses
Buying guides: How to Stock a Commercial Bar with the Right Glassware
Key specifications
Tumblers are flat-bottomed, stemless glasses grouped by height and capacity: rocks or old-fashioned glasses at 20-30cl for spirits over ice, double old-fashioned around 35cl, and taller hi-line tumblers for soft drinks and long serves. Stacking tumblers save shelf and back-bar space in high-volume settings. Toughened or fully tempered glass is the practical choice behind a busy bar for its resistance to chipping and thermal shock, while polycarbonate tumblers suit poolside, outdoor, event and care settings where breakage must be avoided. Most commercial ranges are designed for repeated glasswasher cycling, with stable, weighted bases to reduce tipping. They are used across pubs, cafés, hotels and care homes for water, soft drinks, spirits and mixed drinks.
Tumblers — FAQs
What’s the difference between a tumbler and a highball glass?
Tumblers are generally shorter and wider (often called rocks or old-fashioned glasses at 20-30cl), suited to spirits over ice, while highballs are taller and narrower, better suited to long mixed drinks with more mixer volume.
Are tumblers dishwasher and glasswasher safe?
Yes, virtually all commercial tumbler ranges are designed for repeated glasswasher cycling, and toughened options are widely available for high-turnover bar and café use.
