Bar Accessories
Bar accessories are the small tools and serveware bar staff use every shift — cocktail shakers, jiggers, ice buckets, bottle openers, speed pourers, bar mats and drip trays — chosen for one main reason: they need to survive constant handling and washing without corroding. For a busy pub or hotel bar, look for 18/8 or 18/10 stainless steel construction, which resists pitting from citrus juice and alcohol, plus dishwasher-safe rubber or silicone grips rated for commercial machines. Cafés and smaller bars can usually manage with lighter-gauge kit, while high-volume pubs and hotel bars benefit from heavier-gauge, drop-resistant tools built for rapid service.
Key specifications
Bar accessory kits are specified tool by tool. Cocktail shakers come as three-piece cobbler or two-piece Boston sets, generally 500-750ml, in 18/8 stainless for corrosion resistance. Bar mats are moulded rubber or PVC, commonly 300 x 150mm up to 600 x 100mm, ribbed to drain and cushion glassware. Speed pourers fit standard 750ml and 1L spirit bottles with tapered spouts for a consistent free pour, and Hawthorne or julep strainers should sit flush to the shaker or mixing glass. Muddlers, 30cm bar spoons and ice scoops complete a station. Matching finishes — mirror, matte-black PVD or copper plate — across a bar keeps the look consistent. Used across pubs, cocktail bars, hotel bars and event catering.
Bar Accessories — FAQs
What metal is best for bar tools?
18/8 or 18/10 stainless steel is the commercial standard for shakers, jiggers and strainers because it won’t rust, taints no flavours, and withstands daily dishwasher cycles.
Do bar mats need to be dishwasher safe?
Yes — commercial bar mats and drip trays should be dishwasher-safe and slip-resistant, as they’re rinsed multiple times per shift and need to drain quickly between uses.
What size jigger do UK bars typically use?
Standard UK bar jiggers measure 25ml/50ml or 35ml/50ml, matching common licensing single/double spirit measures.