There are a few things to think of before setting up your own bar. It is not that hard to get a bar started, however there are a few things that are essential to running a bar and being a good bartender. Obviously, for any bar to succeed you would need to have all the basic wines, liquors, and spirits available and a large variety to meet almost anyone’s needs. Also, it will be imperative to have all the right equipment for mixing drinks and taking care of the clean up. As essential these items are to a good bar, the bartenders will definitely have to have the proper techniques and skills for mixing drinks and cocktails as well.

Also, the location of the bar will become essential for bringing in regular customers and patrons and is very important to the bar’s success. Any bar should be easily accessible to reach and have plenty of space in and around it. Space for drinks and glasses as well as chairs should be considered. Any bartender who works behind the bar will need to know the area and everything around it so they can be fast and efficient.

Also, a good bartender knows their drinks. Serving the drinks is one thing, mixing them correctly and being able to make what a person orders becomes crucial. Having a wide knowledge and variety of available drinks will make for a popular bar and bartender. Many bartenders will have cheat sheets under the bar to help them when making drinks they are not familiar with or that are not as common. However, learning these instead and being able to make them off the top of their head. At the very least a bartender should be able to ask a customer what goes into a drink they have never heard of and quickly make it for them.

Since there is not a lot of time for bartenders to spend mixing drinks and looking for the correct alcohol, typically bars will arrange alcohol so that all the same types of alcohol are together. Making grabbing bottles and mixers simpler and faster.

Becoming a successful bartender or mixologist as some like to call themselves, can take years of practice and even training. There is several different types of bartending styles, however one of the most popular and can also be the most impressive is the flair style. Flair bartending is a very difficult, yet impressive and unique style of bartending that very few bartenders know well and can even do. Flair bartending involves tricks with the bottles and glasses, along with the straws and even napkins. Customers are usually amazed at what they are able to do and sometimes there are entire bartending shows at different bars and restaurants based off of this style of bartending. It can take years to even learn this style and even more years to perfect it and be good at it. Flair bartenders will tell you that flair brings in the crowds and money. However, be prepared for many broken bottles as you are practicing and learning.

Again, having the basic types of alcohol is very important and necessary. The top five are Tequila, Vodka, Rum, Gin, and Brandy. Also, some popular fruit juices that are necessary for mixing are lemon juice, orange juice, and pineapple juice. Plenty of ice along with soda such as Coke, Dr. Pepper, and Sprite or some other variation of these is important too. Being able to mix many different drinks and having all the necessary mixers becomes crucial to any bar or restaurant.

You may also need shakers and shot glasses to mix some of these drinks, along with straws and rinsing bowls. Never be without a towel to wipe up spills and wet spots from ice and water. Always being prepared and having all the necessary tools available will make any bartender a success and the bar too.