Running a Bar For Dummies
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Most bars are fully stocked so patrons can order their favorite cocktails, such as a gin and tonic, Crown and Coke, or margarita. But many bar owners create specialized drink menus to steer patrons toward unique beverages and cocktails that customers can only get at their place. Spend some time thinking about what kinds of drinks you want to be known for, and then create a menu to match.

How to select beers for your menu

Select about three local brews, three national beers, three light beers, and three imports. You can choose more or fewer, depending on the size of your place. And of course, if your theme demands that you keep 80 beers on tap, you can disregard our aforementioned advice.

Storing beer at the right temperature is an important factor in maintaining its quality. Beer requires cold storage, so make sure that your walk-in cooler (a refrigerated room with proper door seals and a thermostat to regulate the temperature) is large enough to accommodate your inventory.

How to create a signature cocktail menu

When owners concoct signature cocktails for their bars, they often choose to name one of them after the bar or the bar owner (ergo, Hymie Lipshitz Great Oversized Martini). In some cases, your signature cocktails match your food menu (for example, special margaritas to go with your happy-hour fajita bar).

Whatever you choose, make sure that your signature cocktails are special to your place. You want to create a vibe that says, “You can only get this here.”

Martinis are easy to use as a signature cocktail because you can simply change the garnish. You can use house-stuffed olives — filled with blue cheese, anchovies, hot peppers, and other stuffings with a strong flavor — to make a signature impact.

Let everyone know you have a signature cocktail. Scream it from the rooftops, place a sign on the wall, put its name on the napkins, and so on. Have your bartenders suggest it whenever possible. You’ll likely sell many signature drinks, so make sure you choose something that’s fairly easy to make. Or you can make them up in batches ahead of time for ease of service.

Infusions are a great way to make something truly special to your bar. An infusion is a vodka (or tequila, rum, and so on) that’s been infused with fruits, herbs, candies, vegetables, and the like for three to four days or more. By creating your own recipes for infusions, you can create a one-of-a-kind cocktail.

Here are a few things to keep in mind when making your own infusions:

  • Choose organic produce. Pesticides and spirits don’t mix.

  • Clean all your ingredients before you place them in the spirit. Impurities and dirt can ruin the infusion.

  • Choose glass jars with tight-fitting lids to create your infusions. Talk to your liquor purveyor to get free containers.

  • Create and test the first batch of a new recipe in the back of the house (not behind the bar) to make sure that your ingredients don’t turn the liquor an unappetizing color. The last thing you want is an interesting bottle filled with brown liquid in full view of your patrons.

  • Create drinks using your infusions that appeal to your clientele.

Think about serving your specialty drinks in specialty glassware. Use a local garnish, a special glass, a special size, or something else that distinguishes them as your signature drinks.

How to plan your wine list

Depending on your expertise, clientele, and food menu, you may have a fairly small wine list. Most true bars offer two or three reds, two or three whites, two champagnes, and a blush wine. Consider listing your selections on the menu in flavor categories.

If you choose to run a wine bar, you’ll need many more wines than we’ve recommended here, with extensive menu descriptions and a knowledgeable staff.

Why to include nonalcoholic drinks

Don’t forget to include signature nonalcoholic drinks on your menu. Designated drivers, expectant and nursing mothers, aspiring athletes, and others enjoy bars without consuming alcohol. Don’t miss the chance to dazzle them with something beyond a virgin strawberry daiquiri.

If you’re not feeling too creative in the nonalcoholic department, consider serving beverages made by companies such as SoBe, Snapple, or AriZona to help you fill this niche.

About This Article

This article is from the book:

About the book authors:

Ray Foley, a former Marine with more than 30 years of bartending and restaurant experience, is the founder and publisher of BARTENDER magazine. Heather Dismore is a veteran of both the restaurant and publishing industries. Her published works include Running a Restaurant For Dummies.

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