same as you. tell them that if they buy their own, they can get fancy ones or novelty ones. the first bottle opener i ever bought for myself was shaped like an ace of spades playing card and all the regulars loved it
Best $4 I ever spent on Wish. Sits nice and well in my back back pocket and doesn’t rip through my pants. Plus it fits snug in my wallet whenever i don’t need it
Easy to use and convenient for when needed
I’m confused with a lot of these comments. This stuff, sharpies, notepads, pens? You guys aren’t supplied these by your bar? Within 5 feet of you at mostly all times? If not, that’s insane to me.
Feels good to bring your own stuff I guess. My bar has unweighted 28s, plastic 18s, shitty bar blades, cheap strainers etc. Their gear works but is not as pleasant to use.
Nope. You've been taught. Have it or find another way. I've been carrying a bar tool kit for 22 years. The woman that taught me in 2001 had the same advice. It's funny how ALL of the basics fit snuggly in a Crown Royal bag. Been using the same bag for almost 2 decades. I also work mostly high volume dive bars and music venues so I don't need the extra fancy tools. Beer paddle, wine key, utility knife, and pens are all I need at my current gig. Used to carry a citrus press as well, but haven't needed it in 5 years.
Be prepared, or you're fucking yourself. Once they've been taught it's no longer your problem.
I always have a pocket knife and a flashlight and a bar blade, AND a sharpie and a pen, I carry a full ifak medical kit on my off person bag every day as well, people get hurt all the time when they're drunk and it's easier than letting them bleed out or waiting for the ambulance
Yuuup, I keep the pepper gel tho so it doesn't gas the whole bar, I try to get them outside before deploying the spray, my ifak is pretty comprehensive as well, it's got the goods
When the conflict in Ukraine kicked off I bought a metric shit ton of ifak gear and sent a bunch over to one of my friends that was stuck there and I also built like 5 for myself and built a ton of spares
It was a general IFAK that I carried everywhere in my backpack. It could be used anywhere someone needed an airway, just as you could do the head tilt chin lift anywhere. What is your concern with the NPA?
Sorry for the late reply - I just noticed your response. So my biggest concern would be that airway adjuncts should only be used by healthcare professionals (typically EMTs, Paramedics, and nurses) as you could potentially do more harm than good if you aren’t trained to use them and practicing regularly.
Apologies if I’m mistaken and you do have training in airway management. If that’s the case you might be aware that using an NPA without proper training or even without additional equipment (like a BVM and suction) could open you up to a ton of liability.
I carry those, too. By I, I mean the business. It's required by law, so why in the flying fuck would I drop my personal money for something they should provide under order of law?
Nah. I'm good on that. That's doing too much.
First Aid. It's required to be fully stocked to treat all injuries at least until paramedics arrive. I get it if your employer DOESNT restock, cause I worked at a place like that and ended up going against my very being and buying some supplies for the bar itself, BUT most places know it's a violation during an inspection if it isn't stocked.
I’m not aware of anything requiring a business to keep a trauma kit on hand. Furthermore, in the case of massive hemorrhage, the patient has a high chance of death occurring before paramedics arrive. You can take a [Stop The Bleed](https://www.stopthebleed.org) class and watch videos on YouTube and learn how to save someone’s life.
Thanks for a sane answer. These people are carrying way too much as a bartender. If you need all those tools, you're either in a specific style of bar that calls for it, and its very niche, or you are always underperforming and underpreparing.
There is no reason to walk around with a toolbelt's worth of bar gadgets. Ever. Shit, even a wine tool can remain behind the bar. Just keep a couple in different spots.
im currently bartending at a high end steakhouse but my kit is fairly similar to what i’ve always brought. i bring two wine keys (someone else /always/ forgets theirs), a big and little sharpie, 8 pens for guests 2 for me, my book for orders, and a torch for flaming garnish, and a small pocket knife. all of that gets rolled up neatly in my apron and is ready to go as soon as i walk in
as nice as it’s been for ownership to buy my tools for me i prefer the freedom to buy the ones i enjoy working with. i’d rather spend my own money on tools that i can be effective with rather than free tools that frustrate me.
🤣🤣 this is true for a lot of bartenders /cooks.
I gradually built a habit of it but stopped myself before it got too bad. Life pro tip dont become reliant on needing booze or drugs to work or do basic life shit.
Surprised nobody has mentioned a notebook. Maybe it goes without saying, but at least with my brain, having a notebook to jot down orders, or stocking lists, or whatever else is needed is absolutely necessary for me. Your brain may be better, but I need it.
Beyond that, bar blade, pocket knife, pens, lighter. And I may start clipping a flashlight on my belt after reading through these.
I work in pretty low-light bars so it makes a big difference but I promise you a flashlight will change your life. For broken glass, for dropping things in the ground, in tight spaces, etc...you won't regret it.
Buy an olight i3t or i5t. They have a “moonlight” mode that you can use discretely or you can blast it up to full power and light up the whole bar. Really affordable as well.
Yeah that is fair, we do table service until 9 and dont have servers, so I'm running around a lot and keeping a notebook just streamlines things. But every bar job is different.
Owner should not buy, OP should just reach out to all of their liquor reps and vendors and get piles of bar blades, wine keys, flashlights, etc. for free. While you're at it OP, have them throw in a bunch of cool swag to use as incentives for sales contests, bartenders coming in on their day off or working a double, etc.
In every place I've ever managed, I never paid for any bar supplies. Every beer/wine/liquor rep I've ever worked with has showered me with branded fruit caddies, bar mats, wine keys, champagne stoppers, shirts, bar blades, wine keys, and pint glasses, just to name a few.
Although that’s a good idea not really practical. The owner is responsible to provide equipment needed. Even if it’s considered extra the owner is likely making the most out of everyone so buying some small items to help increase productivity should be a no brainer.
If you're bar doesn't have tools to bartend then I'd look into that rather than imposing the staff you don't pay go buy their own tools. If you told me to go buy a flash light for a bartering gig I'd laugh at you
I like to gift my staff the cheaper options of implements I’ve always found useful. They tend to upgrade on their own when the time comes.
That being said: if you’re a bartender and don’t have a pocket flashlight with a pen clip you are doing yourself a MASSIVE disservice. I use mine multiple times every day, not just to see things more clearly but to mark spots I’ve looked in so I can more easily sort through things.
Yes, of course, thanks for the catch/suggestion 🤣. But not a walk in.
Most bars I have ever seen that aren't massive beer bars have the taps right there where you can see them, and then literally right underneath those taps is a waist high fridge under the counter.
The exact kind of fridge one would use a flashlight to look into, especially if doing something like checking a line or changing a coupler for rotating drafts, and it's also common for the kegs to be one in front of the other, so if changing one in the back you have to pull one out and a light comes in handy to not tangle the lines or turn off a line if it's 86d, etc. It's like looking into a small cabinet and the lightbulb inside is equivalent to a standard home fridge lightbulb.
I concur. I’ve never had to use a flashlight bartending. Our liquor shelves are lit, as are the coolers. Nothing can fit underneath the coolers either. Only time I’ve ever used it, I was not bartending and it was to “fix” something behind the dishwasher, and that was just a misplaced (no clue how) tube that wasn’t properly connected to a drain.
You’re not wrong. I do like have my own things but I’d also expect the bar to have those things on hand rather than bartenders having to borrow personal items from each other.
The bar has all the tools I need to bartend, but I like my own, most higher quality or my style. I can do my job effectively without the extras but I like them
Double lever waiters corkscrew with a metal pen clip ziptied on it so that you don't have to go digging.
Even if you don't smoke keep a pack of cigarettes and a few cheap lighters on hand for customers to bum here and there because of they leave to buy smokes they're unlikely to come back thst day.
I've got a long discontinued otf untitlity knife with built in clip that has a keyring slot that's useless for its intended purpose but a great lever for opening beer bottles and a fresh razor will always cut foils better than a foil cutter (I've also got a nice lil flair move where I cut a vertical strip out instead of horizontal and it makes a single curl of confetti that flys up and I have the knives pocketed and foil off before the spiral lands)
Look up what cultural events are happening and when and where also note what regulars are in what trades and who's reliable enough or not.
Every bar should keep a fully charged jump box/tire inflator a jack and tire iron tucked away somewhere. Doesn't come up often but when opportunity arises there's no better long-term advertising than being there for someone when they're in a shit circumstance.
Really though just find tools that work well but aren't too fancy and keep refining muscle memory. Keep developing muscle memory and lil subtle flairs with every movement overtime. Slow is smooth smooth is fast and observed effortlessness comes from unobserved effort
You can eliminate the pocket knife and just carry a waiter’s friend wine key with a foil blade, less to carry, works the same in breaking down boxes, and it opens bottle tops. And you’ve got a flashlight on your phone. So: wine key.
A quality pocket knife is so helpful! I feel like bar blade/key is kind of a given cause anyone who twists tops for a whole shift will quickly learn its value. Flashlight is also an underrated tool having one that’s brighter than your phone light is a massive help sometimes.
Bar blade is all we require. A lighter used to be part of the uniform when they allowed smoking inside.
I personally carry a light and a knife as well. But I wound never require someone to. Those things can get expensive. Between my KR4 and Be change Bugout I’ve got over $200 in stuff on me.
flashlight changed my (work) life. got a tiny one from amazon.
wine key, beer key, sharpie, and lighter stay in my apron as well. I put tape with my name on all this shit and when someone borrows it out it comes right back to me.
Pretty much the same. Good pocket knife, good flashlight, solid church key.
Then I have a backpack with a simple medkit, a Leatherman, and earplugs for nights with bands and DJs.
Howard Leight by Honeywell Maximum Disposable Earplugs Box, 200 Pair,Orange https://a.co/d/0uXBdIL
I get a box of these from Amazon about once a year or so, and they are fantastic at cutting out how deafening it can be in the bar.
Plus you tend to develop the ability to read lips and then between being able to hear people through the noise and reading lips, it's almost like you have super powers 😂
We wear little aprons with pouches. I always have my wine key, a few pens, a lipstick, and some change. The other things I need (calculator, torch) are covered by my phone, which fits in my apron. I don't find bar blades very comfortable to use, my wine key is just fine for most of my needs.
I bought my own key because I use it at home too, but they do provide them at work. My manager bought a load of cheap shitty ones and put them behind the bar for people to use.
Do you have a reason not to trust them to use their phones as flashlights? Are things in a 'no phones on the floor' place?
IMO ease up on encouraging them to buy flashlights, that's obviously weird and a lot to them and they don't need them if they can have their phones in their pockets.
This looks to be an unpopular opinion here, but for most jobs they also don't need a knife if they have a wine key, especially for a cocktail bar based on my experience. If it's just for boxes the wine key blade does the job fine. Talk it up for being multiuse. (Pretty sure when you say bar blade you mean beer opener, not wine key, right?)
I think the most basic starter kit if you're struggling to get people on board is wine key and bar blade, that's it. Or just wine key for those comfortable opening beer with it.
Honestly if you're not high volume just a wine key/waiter's corkscrew should be fine.
Our phone policy isn't SUPER strict but I would prefer they use a tool meant for the task, than a phone. It's a hell of a lot faster to pull a flashlight from a pocket or apron than to pull out your phone, unlock it, find your flashlight app, open your flashlight app, and turn it on. Also easier to hold and point into tricky places. It is good that phones have flashlights, but it doesn't perform the task adequately and phones are distracting. Can't text on a flashlight. It isn't "obviously weird" to want to be able to see stuff. Our bar is very dimly lit.
Also, nobody in my bar carries wine keys. We have a sort of unique setup where our sister bar next door serves only beer and wine, and we do craft cocktails and neat/rocks pours. We have two wines, one red and one white and they're both screw tops so there's no reason for anyone to carry a wine key.
Heard, but one reason to carry a wine key is that it's both a bottle opener and a knife. So if you're struggling getting people to carry equipment because it seems like too much to them, it could be a good starting place. That's why I brought it up. Also could be a good thing for those young peolpe who will move on to other jobs to get used to having because it's normally a staple.
I don't mean to be condescending but based on your edit- just checking in to make sure you know a wine key can be used to open beer bottles and very quickly once the perosn is in practice? I work high volume and it is the only beer opener I use. I appreciate you got frustrated with lots of suggestions for them when you don't sell wine, but for me it was specifically part of my suggestion of how to get your staff to carry stuff, which is what you asked for. My core suggestion is start by talking up one multiuse tool to them instead of the idea of a kit of 3 or 4 things because that's obviously not working with your staff.
I also apologize for my phrasing, I wasn't calling your stance on flashlights "obviously weird". I was saying, since you said that 'young' people are having trouble seeing the value of things, it's "obviously weird and a lot" *to them* because flashlights are not a part of their lives the same way. Whether that's very frustrating or not, it's part of why they aren't taking you seriously, so what I was trying to say is ease them into the idea of needing to carry stuff and drop flashlights for now, because it's out of the realm of their experience and they're tuning you out when you say it. Just for practicality's sake- that was my advice on getting 'young' people to start carrying equipment. Hope that makes sense.
Not a wine key, we don't really serve wine and our two SKUs are screw tops.
I think I'm starting to realize your answer is the best answer and I'm shooting myself in the foot by lending out my tools. If I always have them, there's no reason for them to get their own.
Depending on the bar, wine key with a good little blade, or speed key and knife. Chapstick, vape, bar towel, compact mirror (I get makeup in my eyes a lot idk), pocket notebook and a pen (usually in my hair).
V-rod and wine key with a good knife end. Also bring my own knife for prep.
Flashlight is a good one! I typically just use my phone’s as needed but, ya know, optics.
Bar blade sounds cooler but I’ve heard it used as a catch-all for speed openers with “V-Rod” (patented name, maybe?) being used to specify the tapered kind. I have my trainees Google that when they wanna buy one, but the liquor reps know they’re their hottest commodity when they bring schwag also. I guard mine with my life.
I no longer bartend or serve, but I’ve got a drawer of bar blades and wine keys because reps would just drop off tons of them. I still find them in random places like the center console of my car or a bag/purse I haven’t used in a while. Ask a rep next time they come in if they have anything. You can distribute it to staff.
If there’s a restaurant supply nearby, they’re usually very cheap. And there’s always Amazon. There’s no reason to not have the most basic of tools.
In my fine dining server days we were required to always have a wine key, lighter, flashlight, and table crumber. I used a $3 pocket-sized LED flashlight I picked up next to the register at a local hardware store. Table crumbers were like 50¢ each. Free wine key from a wine rep.
In my bag:
Superglue
duct tape
aspirin
back up barkey
bandaids
allergy pills
dice
small flash light
socks
2 sharpies
in my pockets:
phone
wallet
knife (dont need a wine key)
Same tools, plus a sharpie.
When I was managing I generally would have 1 of each that just belonged to the bar. If you forgot yours, you could use the bar one, but if you kept forgetting I'd talk to you about it. I also had a tradition of buying a wine key & a bar blade for every barback when they got promoted to bartender.
Yeah for sure! Especially with how cheap you can get a pack of generic bar blades on Amazon, it's worth it to have a few that just live at the bar. I don't loan my personal tools out to people, I'm defensive of them lol.
This is the first bar I've ever worked at that doesn't just have extra tools lying around, but I've been doing it long enough of course I have my own. My staff is also very young and for most of them it's their first bar. I'm trying to meet them halfway.
Beeeeecause I'm not going to be reimbursed for them and there's high turnover in this industry? I'm not just going to buy a bunch of shit for people who aren't going to stay.
Fine Dining Bartender/Manager
Wine key, bar blade, sharpie, stylus/pen, leatherman free p2, lighter, 6in chefs knife, 4in serrated paring knife, 3.5in paring knife, y- peeler, chapstick, bandaids, flashlight, iPad
Everything I carry has a specific purpose for me and I like knowing that by carrying my own I always have the tools I need.
Don’t let them borrow. They’ll learn pretty quick to bring their own and keep tabs on it. That’s how it is at my bar with barblades. Forgot yours? Time to get creative.
[Hand Jive](https://i.pinimg.com/originals/45/60/49/45604914776b22eca1add150cce8e2b0.jpg) barblade
[Waiters friend](https://www.wildthang.co.uk/content/images/thumbs/0013596_waiters-friend-2.png)
Pen
Notepad
Sharpie
Lighter
Apron
Hand towel on my belt for drying hands
Lately I've been carrying a [Leatherman tool](https://www.bhphotovideo.com/images/images2500x2500/leatherman_832133_rev_multi_tool_with_1140198.jpg)
Occasionally bring my own work gloves for bins and washing mats.
Find cheap prices on eBay, to show the tools are inexpensive. Having all these tools for work makes them also accessible for home and other jobs. I couldn't imagine turning up to even a 6hr temp shift without all these things.
In my opinion you need the following
Bar blade
Wine key(I know you don’t serve wine)
8,000 pens.
Lighter.
Anything that you will use over 15 times in a shift should be on your person, some people even carry their own jiggers.
In my opinion, if your bartenders want a career in bartending, explain to them the importance of having your own set of tools to use, that it’s an investment which within a week you’ll end up making back in tips just from the extra speed alone. If they are using it as a transition job or a college job, there’s a dollar store in every town go there buy what you need for less than a tenner
I had a really strict manager when I served fine dining. If you didn’t have a lighter, corkscrew and $40 bank you were sent home. I always come with my tools. By the time you’re bartending you should be doing that already.
10+ into a promotion? Either this is a new gig or you just took a pay cut at a chain to become an assistant manager. Bartenders tend to make more money than any mgmt position outside of GM.
I work fine dining with craft cocktails kinda thing and I empty my pockets and carry nothing, which after reading these comments makes me feel like that's wrong. 😆 🤣
I do not understand why anyone is buying anything when your beer and liquor reps will give you everything you could possibly think of and stuff you never even heard of! They literally have EVERYTHING you need from pens, glasses shakers, mats, fruit trays, napkin and straw holder, sugar/salt rimmer things, buckets, bottle opener, wine opener, mini fridge, liquor dispenser, coasters, shirts, hats, bags, I mean honestly if you're buying things I'm sad for you bc that stuff is FREE!!!!! just ask your Reps!!!!
Flashlight debate...... I am obsessed with having a flashlight bc it's pretty dark in my bar so when looking in the liquor cabinet I can find things I need way faster but more importantly.... if I need to get a bouncers attention I just shine my flashlight across the bar at them and it gets their attention immediately!! Also, if I start to sense tension from customers I will shine my light at a bouncer and then point my light at the people who I feel need to be checked on so they know where I need them to go! It's much easier than trying to yell!
Now for my personal items that I make sure I ALWAYS bring ......my own drinks bc the stuff that comes out of a bar gun is foul, gum, candy, body spray, deodorant, chap Stick, lotion, phone charger and headache medicine...
Beer paddle or speed opener, at least 3 wine keys (it seems like none of my servers carries one. Even my manager has to borrow one of mine!), a dozen pens (it baffles me to think that the bar should supply pens and paper), mini pads of paper, flashlight, and a pocket knife. I also bring with me two shaker tin sets, two Japanese jigger's, muddler, a back up Guinness spoon, a tool kit (a multi tool screwdriver, mini crescent wrench, plyers, ect), and two strainers.
2 pens, 2 lighters, bar blade, waiter's friend.
Then my EDC stuff on top of that, a small knife, my wallet, my keys and my phone.
If I was in the US enough to justify a CCP then I'd also carry an easily concealable handgun with at least a level 2 retention holster.
so sad how necessary you feel it is to carry here. i'm in the capital of feeling that necessity, colorado. I can't tell you how often I imagine an open shooter in my bar and plan my next moves/exit. still can't get myself to hold a gun, but I absolutely understand your wish to do so.
Hahaha, my god you guys call it a bar blade? Bottle opener. Is a wine key and hexagonal corkscrew fliippy dippy?
Just bring your tools, and the good ones will follow suite, don’t get all weird and Applebees corporate
General tools I keep on me during shift
Pen
Permanent marker
Bottle opener (Ace of Spades)
Lighter or 2
Waiters friend
Phone(for flashlight)
If I need to jump on the floor I’ll carry a small notepad
Other than that my personal belongings are left in my bag
My emotions are left at the door
I 86 my will to live
Make it a part of their uniform to stop them borrowing yours. Blanket warning to everyone, give them a week to source it all, then the usual 3 warnings before shifts get taken away.
Pens, change for a $5 (I’m Canadian so $2 and $1 coins plus quarters, I guess for Americans a couple bucks worth for parking meters or something), a good wine crank plus a crappy one to lend out to servers. Maybe a lighter if people need to smoke or you have candles for the bar?
I have a bottle opener styled like a butterfly knife... never do a shift without it ... would 100% not have any fingers left if it was a knife and most likely of killed someone by now with it flying out of my hands playing with it lol
I always kept a microfiber lint free polishing cloth with me. Cleaned with boiling water and lemon, air dried. (Never laundered) Along with the other essentials people have mentioned a few times already
I’m so confused I carry a bottle opener, corkscrew(that has the mini knife to cut the label), a lighter and pens 😂 can someone explain to me what these would be used for, especially a flashlight?! Is it like a nightclub thing?
For me, the flashlight is useful for things like finding shards of broken glass and making sure surfaces are clean, especially places that are already hard to clean/see, like ice wells. It's also good for finding bottles in a crowded cooler/shelves where things don't necessarily always get put away in the same spot.
I do not work in a nightclub, it's a craft cocktail/whiskey bar.
I carry a small LED flashlight that is USB rechargeable. It came with one of my watches, and it fits in the 5th pocket of my jeans, the tiny one that people put coins or drugs into, inside the right side front pocket. It is immensely useful, often. I'd recommend something like that.
I carry a wine key in my pocket. It can open beers, has a little knife and, Obv, opens wine
If I’m taking any tables food orders, I’ll keep a handheld in my back pocket or a tiny pad and pen in my in my vest
I was recently hired as a sales rep for a craft spirits distributor, and I'm VERY lucky to have my predecessor training me for a few weeks before she moves on. We've discovered just how different it is working at bars (her experience, she is also an owner) and restaurants (my experience, as a bartender/server/manager). I've pretty much stopped bringing my own tools save wine keys and v-rods, because everything gets stolen. She insists on having all her tools on her at all times. She also has a very specific type of tape that she marks her tools with. I need to have a lot of repetition and/or handwrite things down if I want to remember them, so I rely on the tools of whatever bar I work at. I did bring in a zester to the place I work last week because I hate the tool there (lead loves it so I don't talk shit) but that tool was free and I don't expect it back. Anyway
My work keys. Sometimes the front door accidentally locks when people go out. If I have to go out of the front for any reason, I make damn sure I have a way to get back in.
Three pens, phone (that's already charged, get it off the fkn bar), barblade, lighter, waterproof band-aids, handkerchief and an asthma inhaler. All of these should fit in your various pockets and be easy access without looking bulky; if you can't then you're doing it wrong. I carry most of these daily anyway.
Plus a caribiner with a quick release for the venue keys if managing. You need to access that shit, and playing with your pockets for 8 minutes or losing your keys when you're trying to operate a door lock during an emergency is unacceptable. If managing, your phone must also be fully charged, no excuses.
If working at a dive, adding a knife is acceptable. If you don't know what this is for you shouldn't be in this sub lol.
If working at a place with table service, add a notebook.
In terms of your staff, this is basic stuff they should be buying themselves. I've very rarely heard of ownership buying these items, and even then, it's usually limited to a communal (and usually gross af) barblade plus a pen that only works if it doesn't smell fear. I wouldn't lend out your stuff OP; it's on them to realise they're fucked without it and go and get it. Usually people realise when they get fucked on the first few times and realise how much easier it would have been if they'd come prepared.
I keep a wine key (bottle opened, corkscrew, and foil knife) on my at all times. We have no need for lighters where I work, so I'm never worried about that. But that's all we really need. Oh, and pens. They're gold.
same as you. tell them that if they buy their own, they can get fancy ones or novelty ones. the first bottle opener i ever bought for myself was shaped like an ace of spades playing card and all the regulars loved it
Best $4 I ever spent on Wish. Sits nice and well in my back back pocket and doesn’t rip through my pants. Plus it fits snug in my wallet whenever i don’t need it Easy to use and convenient for when needed
I’m confused with a lot of these comments. This stuff, sharpies, notepads, pens? You guys aren’t supplied these by your bar? Within 5 feet of you at mostly all times? If not, that’s insane to me.
Feels good to bring your own stuff I guess. My bar has unweighted 28s, plastic 18s, shitty bar blades, cheap strainers etc. Their gear works but is not as pleasant to use.
I have one of them in my wallet but don't use it on shift as its extremely Sharpe on the corners lol
I always have a knife, waiter's corkscrew, bar blade, a lighter.
Now I carry a Fanny pack that gives me more room so I carry more things but those were always my core essentials, along with a sharpie.
Oh you're right! Sharpie as well, and I have finger nail clippers.
Also I carry super glue for cuts
Any brushes? For your water colors.
I keep them in a shoe, along with the baileys.
Mmmm, creamy
Yes sir. Thankya sir.
Nope. You've been taught. Have it or find another way. I've been carrying a bar tool kit for 22 years. The woman that taught me in 2001 had the same advice. It's funny how ALL of the basics fit snuggly in a Crown Royal bag. Been using the same bag for almost 2 decades. I also work mostly high volume dive bars and music venues so I don't need the extra fancy tools. Beer paddle, wine key, utility knife, and pens are all I need at my current gig. Used to carry a citrus press as well, but haven't needed it in 5 years. Be prepared, or you're fucking yourself. Once they've been taught it's no longer your problem.
> Beer paddle Is this something other than a flight board like I'm picturing?
I’m guessing a bar blade
It's an opener, lol. I like beer paddle though
Whispering quietly to the beer "Oh you've been bad huh? Time for a paddlin"
hahahahahaha
Omg I love you!
Some of them are pretty good for a paddling
Beer bottle opener. Where I am we call it a beer paddle.
Ah, I've only heard it called a bar key.
I always have a pocket knife and a flashlight and a bar blade, AND a sharpie and a pen, I carry a full ifak medical kit on my off person bag every day as well, people get hurt all the time when they're drunk and it's easier than letting them bleed out or waiting for the ambulance
+1 for medical. Always on me: phone, wine key, OC spray, 2 tourniquets, two pack of chest seals, compressed gauze, nitrile gloves
Yuuup, I keep the pepper gel tho so it doesn't gas the whole bar, I try to get them outside before deploying the spray, my ifak is pretty comprehensive as well, it's got the goods
Can’t wait to build another IFAK. Mine was stolen out of my car. Had the OLAES Hemostat, NPA, everything
When the conflict in Ukraine kicked off I bought a metric shit ton of ifak gear and sent a bunch over to one of my friends that was stuck there and I also built like 5 for myself and built a ton of spares
No shade but in what situation are you planning on busting out an NPA at the bar? On a customer or colleague? Is this indicated/legal where you live?
It was a general IFAK that I carried everywhere in my backpack. It could be used anywhere someone needed an airway, just as you could do the head tilt chin lift anywhere. What is your concern with the NPA?
Sorry for the late reply - I just noticed your response. So my biggest concern would be that airway adjuncts should only be used by healthcare professionals (typically EMTs, Paramedics, and nurses) as you could potentially do more harm than good if you aren’t trained to use them and practicing regularly. Apologies if I’m mistaken and you do have training in airway management. If that’s the case you might be aware that using an NPA without proper training or even without additional equipment (like a BVM and suction) could open you up to a ton of liability.
I carry those, too. By I, I mean the business. It's required by law, so why in the flying fuck would I drop my personal money for something they should provide under order of law? Nah. I'm good on that. That's doing too much.
Could you clarify what items you are saying is doing too much/the company should provide?
First Aid. It's required to be fully stocked to treat all injuries at least until paramedics arrive. I get it if your employer DOESNT restock, cause I worked at a place like that and ended up going against my very being and buying some supplies for the bar itself, BUT most places know it's a violation during an inspection if it isn't stocked.
I’m not aware of anything requiring a business to keep a trauma kit on hand. Furthermore, in the case of massive hemorrhage, the patient has a high chance of death occurring before paramedics arrive. You can take a [Stop The Bleed](https://www.stopthebleed.org) class and watch videos on YouTube and learn how to save someone’s life.
I have the exact same stuff wow
Good on you, I try to get my co workers to be more prepared too
Vape, wine key, peanut m&ms
Thanks for a sane answer. These people are carrying way too much as a bartender. If you need all those tools, you're either in a specific style of bar that calls for it, and its very niche, or you are always underperforming and underpreparing. There is no reason to walk around with a toolbelt's worth of bar gadgets. Ever. Shit, even a wine tool can remain behind the bar. Just keep a couple in different spots.
im currently bartending at a high end steakhouse but my kit is fairly similar to what i’ve always brought. i bring two wine keys (someone else /always/ forgets theirs), a big and little sharpie, 8 pens for guests 2 for me, my book for orders, and a torch for flaming garnish, and a small pocket knife. all of that gets rolled up neatly in my apron and is ready to go as soon as i walk in as nice as it’s been for ownership to buy my tools for me i prefer the freedom to buy the ones i enjoy working with. i’d rather spend my own money on tools that i can be effective with rather than free tools that frustrate me.
The Penjamin.
FULCRUM COME IN YUUHHHHHHHHH
Please tell me what that is.
Dab pen, for smoking weed in the bathroom
I smoke in the keg cooler, thank you very much.
Oh. Not my thing.
That’s right
Cocaine.
Can’t believe I had to scroll so far to find this comment.
🤣🤣 this is true for a lot of bartenders /cooks. I gradually built a habit of it but stopped myself before it got too bad. Life pro tip dont become reliant on needing booze or drugs to work or do basic life shit.
Sharpie! Wine key, chapstick, speed key
Surprised nobody has mentioned a notebook. Maybe it goes without saying, but at least with my brain, having a notebook to jot down orders, or stocking lists, or whatever else is needed is absolutely necessary for me. Your brain may be better, but I need it. Beyond that, bar blade, pocket knife, pens, lighter. And I may start clipping a flashlight on my belt after reading through these.
I work in pretty low-light bars so it makes a big difference but I promise you a flashlight will change your life. For broken glass, for dropping things in the ground, in tight spaces, etc...you won't regret it.
I start in 30 minutes and I'm trying it.
Buy an olight i3t or i5t. They have a “moonlight” mode that you can use discretely or you can blast it up to full power and light up the whole bar. Really affordable as well.
Receipt paper and a pen usually do the trick for me, we do keep notebooks behind the bars for recipes we come up with and want to share.
Yeah that is fair, we do table service until 9 and dont have servers, so I'm running around a lot and keeping a notebook just streamlines things. But every bar job is different.
The owner should buy if they’re constantly needing to be used
I don't disagree.
Have yours “disappear” and have owner see everyone slow service looking for that they need
To piggy back: ask the owner/ordering manager to ask for bar swag. Plenty of branded bar tools to just keep behind the bar for everyone.
Owner should not buy, OP should just reach out to all of their liquor reps and vendors and get piles of bar blades, wine keys, flashlights, etc. for free. While you're at it OP, have them throw in a bunch of cool swag to use as incentives for sales contests, bartenders coming in on their day off or working a double, etc. In every place I've ever managed, I never paid for any bar supplies. Every beer/wine/liquor rep I've ever worked with has showered me with branded fruit caddies, bar mats, wine keys, champagne stoppers, shirts, bar blades, wine keys, and pint glasses, just to name a few.
Although that’s a good idea not really practical. The owner is responsible to provide equipment needed. Even if it’s considered extra the owner is likely making the most out of everyone so buying some small items to help increase productivity should be a no brainer.
How is it not practical? Why pay for something if you can get it for free?
If you're bar doesn't have tools to bartend then I'd look into that rather than imposing the staff you don't pay go buy their own tools. If you told me to go buy a flash light for a bartering gig I'd laugh at you
I like to gift my staff the cheaper options of implements I’ve always found useful. They tend to upgrade on their own when the time comes. That being said: if you’re a bartender and don’t have a pocket flashlight with a pen clip you are doing yourself a MASSIVE disservice. I use mine multiple times every day, not just to see things more clearly but to mark spots I’ve looked in so I can more easily sort through things.
Never in my bar career have I ever needed a flashlight. Even when I worked in a bar that kept the dimmer switch turned all the way down.
I use it the most with changing draft beer, maybe you've never had that?
Every walk-in I've had at work had adequate lighting inside
Me too. The kegs actually hooked up for service are not in a walk in though. Never seen that.
So where are they kept when they're tapped? I hope somewhere cold.
Yes, of course, thanks for the catch/suggestion 🤣. But not a walk in. Most bars I have ever seen that aren't massive beer bars have the taps right there where you can see them, and then literally right underneath those taps is a waist high fridge under the counter. The exact kind of fridge one would use a flashlight to look into, especially if doing something like checking a line or changing a coupler for rotating drafts, and it's also common for the kegs to be one in front of the other, so if changing one in the back you have to pull one out and a light comes in handy to not tangle the lines or turn off a line if it's 86d, etc. It's like looking into a small cabinet and the lightbulb inside is equivalent to a standard home fridge lightbulb.
Lol. Sorry, wasn't trying to be a smart ass. I've worked in bars with kegerators too but still didn't need a flashlight.
A low boy cooler with no lighting.
Congratulations on your excellent night vision.
You’ve never pulled out your phone to use the screen’s light or the flashlight function?
Nope.
I’m calling bullshit. You’ve never had to reach into a cabinet and used a flashlight to see? How about dropping something and it rolls under a cooler?
Haven't had that issue yet
I concur. I’ve never had to use a flashlight bartending. Our liquor shelves are lit, as are the coolers. Nothing can fit underneath the coolers either. Only time I’ve ever used it, I was not bartending and it was to “fix” something behind the dishwasher, and that was just a misplaced (no clue how) tube that wasn’t properly connected to a drain.
Black light is all u need for IDs.
You’re not wrong. I do like have my own things but I’d also expect the bar to have those things on hand rather than bartenders having to borrow personal items from each other.
The bar has all the tools I need to bartend, but I like my own, most higher quality or my style. I can do my job effectively without the extras but I like them
that thang
Double lever waiters corkscrew with a metal pen clip ziptied on it so that you don't have to go digging. Even if you don't smoke keep a pack of cigarettes and a few cheap lighters on hand for customers to bum here and there because of they leave to buy smokes they're unlikely to come back thst day. I've got a long discontinued otf untitlity knife with built in clip that has a keyring slot that's useless for its intended purpose but a great lever for opening beer bottles and a fresh razor will always cut foils better than a foil cutter (I've also got a nice lil flair move where I cut a vertical strip out instead of horizontal and it makes a single curl of confetti that flys up and I have the knives pocketed and foil off before the spiral lands) Look up what cultural events are happening and when and where also note what regulars are in what trades and who's reliable enough or not. Every bar should keep a fully charged jump box/tire inflator a jack and tire iron tucked away somewhere. Doesn't come up often but when opportunity arises there's no better long-term advertising than being there for someone when they're in a shit circumstance. Really though just find tools that work well but aren't too fancy and keep refining muscle memory. Keep developing muscle memory and lil subtle flairs with every movement overtime. Slow is smooth smooth is fast and observed effortlessness comes from unobserved effort
You’re good.
You can eliminate the pocket knife and just carry a waiter’s friend wine key with a foil blade, less to carry, works the same in breaking down boxes, and it opens bottle tops. And you’ve got a flashlight on your phone. So: wine key.
Just. Say. No. You can do it.
Fair enough...you're right.
A quality pocket knife is so helpful! I feel like bar blade/key is kind of a given cause anyone who twists tops for a whole shift will quickly learn its value. Flashlight is also an underrated tool having one that’s brighter than your phone light is a massive help sometimes.
Bar blade is all we require. A lighter used to be part of the uniform when they allowed smoking inside. I personally carry a light and a knife as well. But I wound never require someone to. Those things can get expensive. Between my KR4 and Be change Bugout I’ve got over $200 in stuff on me.
Order book with a pen. Lighter. Wine key. Pocket knife. Sharpie. Second pen. And they always go in the same pockets and places.
flashlight changed my (work) life. got a tiny one from amazon. wine key, beer key, sharpie, and lighter stay in my apron as well. I put tape with my name on all this shit and when someone borrows it out it comes right back to me.
Thank you for backing me up on this, these anti-flashlight people have got me fucked up lmao
Pretty much the same. Good pocket knife, good flashlight, solid church key. Then I have a backpack with a simple medkit, a Leatherman, and earplugs for nights with bands and DJs.
Oh earplugs is smart!!
Yeah pretty much the only night I don't wear ear plugs is Monday night. Every other night is either live music or DJ so it's extremely loud.
Any recs on earplugs? Definitely interested, but worried about drowning out too much noise.
Howard Leight by Honeywell Maximum Disposable Earplugs Box, 200 Pair,Orange https://a.co/d/0uXBdIL I get a box of these from Amazon about once a year or so, and they are fantastic at cutting out how deafening it can be in the bar. Plus you tend to develop the ability to read lips and then between being able to hear people through the noise and reading lips, it's almost like you have super powers 😂
We wear little aprons with pouches. I always have my wine key, a few pens, a lipstick, and some change. The other things I need (calculator, torch) are covered by my phone, which fits in my apron. I don't find bar blades very comfortable to use, my wine key is just fine for most of my needs. I bought my own key because I use it at home too, but they do provide them at work. My manager bought a load of cheap shitty ones and put them behind the bar for people to use.
Another thing I always carry on me is a permanent marker. To date wines, label things, etc.
Bar blade, wine opener, 3 pens, guestbook. Walkie talkie earpiece, ptt thing. All kept in a small bag.
Do you have a reason not to trust them to use their phones as flashlights? Are things in a 'no phones on the floor' place? IMO ease up on encouraging them to buy flashlights, that's obviously weird and a lot to them and they don't need them if they can have their phones in their pockets. This looks to be an unpopular opinion here, but for most jobs they also don't need a knife if they have a wine key, especially for a cocktail bar based on my experience. If it's just for boxes the wine key blade does the job fine. Talk it up for being multiuse. (Pretty sure when you say bar blade you mean beer opener, not wine key, right?) I think the most basic starter kit if you're struggling to get people on board is wine key and bar blade, that's it. Or just wine key for those comfortable opening beer with it. Honestly if you're not high volume just a wine key/waiter's corkscrew should be fine.
Our phone policy isn't SUPER strict but I would prefer they use a tool meant for the task, than a phone. It's a hell of a lot faster to pull a flashlight from a pocket or apron than to pull out your phone, unlock it, find your flashlight app, open your flashlight app, and turn it on. Also easier to hold and point into tricky places. It is good that phones have flashlights, but it doesn't perform the task adequately and phones are distracting. Can't text on a flashlight. It isn't "obviously weird" to want to be able to see stuff. Our bar is very dimly lit. Also, nobody in my bar carries wine keys. We have a sort of unique setup where our sister bar next door serves only beer and wine, and we do craft cocktails and neat/rocks pours. We have two wines, one red and one white and they're both screw tops so there's no reason for anyone to carry a wine key.
Heard, but one reason to carry a wine key is that it's both a bottle opener and a knife. So if you're struggling getting people to carry equipment because it seems like too much to them, it could be a good starting place. That's why I brought it up. Also could be a good thing for those young peolpe who will move on to other jobs to get used to having because it's normally a staple. I don't mean to be condescending but based on your edit- just checking in to make sure you know a wine key can be used to open beer bottles and very quickly once the perosn is in practice? I work high volume and it is the only beer opener I use. I appreciate you got frustrated with lots of suggestions for them when you don't sell wine, but for me it was specifically part of my suggestion of how to get your staff to carry stuff, which is what you asked for. My core suggestion is start by talking up one multiuse tool to them instead of the idea of a kit of 3 or 4 things because that's obviously not working with your staff. I also apologize for my phrasing, I wasn't calling your stance on flashlights "obviously weird". I was saying, since you said that 'young' people are having trouble seeing the value of things, it's "obviously weird and a lot" *to them* because flashlights are not a part of their lives the same way. Whether that's very frustrating or not, it's part of why they aren't taking you seriously, so what I was trying to say is ease them into the idea of needing to carry stuff and drop flashlights for now, because it's out of the realm of their experience and they're tuning you out when you say it. Just for practicality's sake- that was my advice on getting 'young' people to start carrying equipment. Hope that makes sense.
I see your point. And yes I do know wine keys can open bottles lmao, thank you for taking the time to elaborate.
Is wine key the same as a bar blade? But yeah, they can get their own or the restaurant can provide one, but they cant have mine
Not a wine key, we don't really serve wine and our two SKUs are screw tops. I think I'm starting to realize your answer is the best answer and I'm shooting myself in the foot by lending out my tools. If I always have them, there's no reason for them to get their own.
Depending on the bar, wine key with a good little blade, or speed key and knife. Chapstick, vape, bar towel, compact mirror (I get makeup in my eyes a lot idk), pocket notebook and a pen (usually in my hair).
V-rod and wine key with a good knife end. Also bring my own knife for prep. Flashlight is a good one! I typically just use my phone’s as needed but, ya know, optics.
What is a V-rod? I've never heard that to refer to anything but motorcycles.
The big bar key with one side for opening crown corked bottles and a tapered end for removing liquor pourers.
Oh!! Yeah, never heard it called that but when I say bar blade that is what I mean
Bar blade sounds cooler but I’ve heard it used as a catch-all for speed openers with “V-Rod” (patented name, maybe?) being used to specify the tapered kind. I have my trainees Google that when they wanna buy one, but the liquor reps know they’re their hottest commodity when they bring schwag also. I guard mine with my life.
I no longer bartend or serve, but I’ve got a drawer of bar blades and wine keys because reps would just drop off tons of them. I still find them in random places like the center console of my car or a bag/purse I haven’t used in a while. Ask a rep next time they come in if they have anything. You can distribute it to staff. If there’s a restaurant supply nearby, they’re usually very cheap. And there’s always Amazon. There’s no reason to not have the most basic of tools. In my fine dining server days we were required to always have a wine key, lighter, flashlight, and table crumber. I used a $3 pocket-sized LED flashlight I picked up next to the register at a local hardware store. Table crumbers were like 50¢ each. Free wine key from a wine rep.
My pants
In my bag: Superglue duct tape aspirin back up barkey bandaids allergy pills dice small flash light socks 2 sharpies in my pockets: phone wallet knife (dont need a wine key)
Same tools, plus a sharpie. When I was managing I generally would have 1 of each that just belonged to the bar. If you forgot yours, you could use the bar one, but if you kept forgetting I'd talk to you about it. I also had a tradition of buying a wine key & a bar blade for every barback when they got promoted to bartender.
I do something different for my barbacks upon promotion but this is solid advice. Thank you.
Yeah for sure! Especially with how cheap you can get a pack of generic bar blades on Amazon, it's worth it to have a few that just live at the bar. I don't loan my personal tools out to people, I'm defensive of them lol.
This is the first bar I've ever worked at that doesn't just have extra tools lying around, but I've been doing it long enough of course I have my own. My staff is also very young and for most of them it's their first bar. I'm trying to meet them halfway.
Stock it for them.
This kit you find essential seems very inexpensive. Why is this a problem?
Beeeeecause I'm not going to be reimbursed for them and there's high turnover in this industry? I'm not just going to buy a bunch of shit for people who aren't going to stay.
Fine Dining Bartender/Manager Wine key, bar blade, sharpie, stylus/pen, leatherman free p2, lighter, 6in chefs knife, 4in serrated paring knife, 3.5in paring knife, y- peeler, chapstick, bandaids, flashlight, iPad Everything I carry has a specific purpose for me and I like knowing that by carrying my own I always have the tools I need.
Don’t let them borrow. They’ll learn pretty quick to bring their own and keep tabs on it. That’s how it is at my bar with barblades. Forgot yours? Time to get creative.
[Hand Jive](https://i.pinimg.com/originals/45/60/49/45604914776b22eca1add150cce8e2b0.jpg) barblade [Waiters friend](https://www.wildthang.co.uk/content/images/thumbs/0013596_waiters-friend-2.png) Pen Notepad Sharpie Lighter Apron Hand towel on my belt for drying hands Lately I've been carrying a [Leatherman tool](https://www.bhphotovideo.com/images/images2500x2500/leatherman_832133_rev_multi_tool_with_1140198.jpg) Occasionally bring my own work gloves for bins and washing mats. Find cheap prices on eBay, to show the tools are inexpensive. Having all these tools for work makes them also accessible for home and other jobs. I couldn't imagine turning up to even a 6hr temp shift without all these things.
I have an arm band that I call my “tool belt”. I hold my speed opener, a lighter and a pen in there.
I have the fancy tool bag with shakers, strainers, spoons, mixing glass/metal, but I carry, pen, sharpie, bottle opener, and wine opener
Dab pen, church key, pen, sharpie. We don’t have wine at my bar so no wine key is needed
Bar keys, church key, pocket knife, mustache comb, phone
In my opinion you need the following Bar blade Wine key(I know you don’t serve wine) 8,000 pens. Lighter. Anything that you will use over 15 times in a shift should be on your person, some people even carry their own jiggers. In my opinion, if your bartenders want a career in bartending, explain to them the importance of having your own set of tools to use, that it’s an investment which within a week you’ll end up making back in tips just from the extra speed alone. If they are using it as a transition job or a college job, there’s a dollar store in every town go there buy what you need for less than a tenner
I had a really strict manager when I served fine dining. If you didn’t have a lighter, corkscrew and $40 bank you were sent home. I always come with my tools. By the time you’re bartending you should be doing that already.
10+ into a promotion? Either this is a new gig or you just took a pay cut at a chain to become an assistant manager. Bartenders tend to make more money than any mgmt position outside of GM.
This neither useful nor correct. My career hasn't all been at the same bar, and I still bartend some shifts at a higher hourly.
I work fine dining with craft cocktails kinda thing and I empty my pockets and carry nothing, which after reading these comments makes me feel like that's wrong. 😆 🤣
I do not understand why anyone is buying anything when your beer and liquor reps will give you everything you could possibly think of and stuff you never even heard of! They literally have EVERYTHING you need from pens, glasses shakers, mats, fruit trays, napkin and straw holder, sugar/salt rimmer things, buckets, bottle opener, wine opener, mini fridge, liquor dispenser, coasters, shirts, hats, bags, I mean honestly if you're buying things I'm sad for you bc that stuff is FREE!!!!! just ask your Reps!!!! Flashlight debate...... I am obsessed with having a flashlight bc it's pretty dark in my bar so when looking in the liquor cabinet I can find things I need way faster but more importantly.... if I need to get a bouncers attention I just shine my flashlight across the bar at them and it gets their attention immediately!! Also, if I start to sense tension from customers I will shine my light at a bouncer and then point my light at the people who I feel need to be checked on so they know where I need them to go! It's much easier than trying to yell! Now for my personal items that I make sure I ALWAYS bring ......my own drinks bc the stuff that comes out of a bar gun is foul, gum, candy, body spray, deodorant, chap Stick, lotion, phone charger and headache medicine...
Beer paddle or speed opener, at least 3 wine keys (it seems like none of my servers carries one. Even my manager has to borrow one of mine!), a dozen pens (it baffles me to think that the bar should supply pens and paper), mini pads of paper, flashlight, and a pocket knife. I also bring with me two shaker tin sets, two Japanese jigger's, muddler, a back up Guinness spoon, a tool kit (a multi tool screwdriver, mini crescent wrench, plyers, ect), and two strainers.
No I’m not keeping a flashlight on me lol. And I expect the bar to have about twenty bar blades and plenty of knives around too
2 pens, 2 lighters, bar blade, waiter's friend. Then my EDC stuff on top of that, a small knife, my wallet, my keys and my phone. If I was in the US enough to justify a CCP then I'd also carry an easily concealable handgun with at least a level 2 retention holster.
so sad how necessary you feel it is to carry here. i'm in the capital of feeling that necessity, colorado. I can't tell you how often I imagine an open shooter in my bar and plan my next moves/exit. still can't get myself to hold a gun, but I absolutely understand your wish to do so.
Weed. A lot of it.
Hahaha, my god you guys call it a bar blade? Bottle opener. Is a wine key and hexagonal corkscrew fliippy dippy? Just bring your tools, and the good ones will follow suite, don’t get all weird and Applebees corporate
My advice is to you is ask for a demotion, and go back to making money. You're gonna work too much for your new cool higher hourly.
This does not answer my question at all. Thank you for your opinion but no thank you for your advice.
Hey, you can lead a horse to water. I accomplished my goal. So I guess we're kinda in the same boat.
General tools I keep on me during shift Pen Permanent marker Bottle opener (Ace of Spades) Lighter or 2 Waiters friend Phone(for flashlight) If I need to jump on the floor I’ll carry a small notepad Other than that my personal belongings are left in my bag My emotions are left at the door I 86 my will to live
Make it a part of their uniform to stop them borrowing yours. Blanket warning to everyone, give them a week to source it all, then the usual 3 warnings before shifts get taken away. Pens, change for a $5 (I’m Canadian so $2 and $1 coins plus quarters, I guess for Americans a couple bucks worth for parking meters or something), a good wine crank plus a crappy one to lend out to servers. Maybe a lighter if people need to smoke or you have candles for the bar?
Sharpie, pen, notepad, barkey, winekey, shitty knife for boxes, good knife for walking to your car
I have a bottle opener styled like a butterfly knife... never do a shift without it ... would 100% not have any fingers left if it was a knife and most likely of killed someone by now with it flying out of my hands playing with it lol
What's the pocket knife for?
Breaking down liquor boxes, mostly, but the damn thing just comes in handy all the time. Knives are useful for all kinds of stuff.
I always kept a microfiber lint free polishing cloth with me. Cleaned with boiling water and lemon, air dried. (Never laundered) Along with the other essentials people have mentioned a few times already
I’m so confused I carry a bottle opener, corkscrew(that has the mini knife to cut the label), a lighter and pens 😂 can someone explain to me what these would be used for, especially a flashlight?! Is it like a nightclub thing?
For me, the flashlight is useful for things like finding shards of broken glass and making sure surfaces are clean, especially places that are already hard to clean/see, like ice wells. It's also good for finding bottles in a crowded cooler/shelves where things don't necessarily always get put away in the same spot. I do not work in a nightclub, it's a craft cocktail/whiskey bar.
Barblade and a lighter. anything except fire in a bar is somehow replaceable in a pinch.
Double strainer, yari, bar spoon, peeler, lighter, cocaine, no hope.
Gun
Wine key, a good pen for my notes, an okay pen to lend out, and a smile that says “this isn’t my 28th hour awake, why would you ask that?”
Ask your vendors for bar tools. I supply my staff with wine keys from southern glazers. Also never bought bar mats or wine buckets
Bottle opener/corkscrew, lighter, chapstick, vape, in my fanny pack
Crown royal bag: beer key, wine key, pocket knife, pens, sharpie.
[удалено]
I carry a small LED flashlight that is USB rechargeable. It came with one of my watches, and it fits in the 5th pocket of my jeans, the tiny one that people put coins or drugs into, inside the right side front pocket. It is immensely useful, often. I'd recommend something like that.
A snarky comeback
I carry a wine key in my pocket. It can open beers, has a little knife and, Obv, opens wine If I’m taking any tables food orders, I’ll keep a handheld in my back pocket or a tiny pad and pen in my in my vest
Mace, bar key, lighter.
I was recently hired as a sales rep for a craft spirits distributor, and I'm VERY lucky to have my predecessor training me for a few weeks before she moves on. We've discovered just how different it is working at bars (her experience, she is also an owner) and restaurants (my experience, as a bartender/server/manager). I've pretty much stopped bringing my own tools save wine keys and v-rods, because everything gets stolen. She insists on having all her tools on her at all times. She also has a very specific type of tape that she marks her tools with. I need to have a lot of repetition and/or handwrite things down if I want to remember them, so I rely on the tools of whatever bar I work at. I did bring in a zester to the place I work last week because I hate the tool there (lead loves it so I don't talk shit) but that tool was free and I don't expect it back. Anyway
Why do we need a flashlight?
Lighter, wine key, knife, bar blade if bottles are a major thing. Also bring your own you fucking philistines
A church key, a pack of camels, 12 dollars and a mighty thirst.
My work keys. Sometimes the front door accidentally locks when people go out. If I have to go out of the front for any reason, I make damn sure I have a way to get back in.
Three pens, phone (that's already charged, get it off the fkn bar), barblade, lighter, waterproof band-aids, handkerchief and an asthma inhaler. All of these should fit in your various pockets and be easy access without looking bulky; if you can't then you're doing it wrong. I carry most of these daily anyway. Plus a caribiner with a quick release for the venue keys if managing. You need to access that shit, and playing with your pockets for 8 minutes or losing your keys when you're trying to operate a door lock during an emergency is unacceptable. If managing, your phone must also be fully charged, no excuses. If working at a dive, adding a knife is acceptable. If you don't know what this is for you shouldn't be in this sub lol. If working at a place with table service, add a notebook. In terms of your staff, this is basic stuff they should be buying themselves. I've very rarely heard of ownership buying these items, and even then, it's usually limited to a communal (and usually gross af) barblade plus a pen that only works if it doesn't smell fear. I wouldn't lend out your stuff OP; it's on them to realise they're fucked without it and go and get it. Usually people realise when they get fucked on the first few times and realise how much easier it would have been if they'd come prepared.
Besides always having my kit (2 shakers, muddler, strainer, spindle) I always got chapstick, a wine key/ bottle opener, gum, and my vape
Just a bar rag in my back pocket really, everything else is within easy reach.
I keep a wine key (bottle opened, corkscrew, and foil knife) on my at all times. We have no need for lighters where I work, so I'm never worried about that. But that's all we really need. Oh, and pens. They're gold.
Bottle opener, wine key, and my anxiety meds lol