When setting up a bar, having the right refrigeration equipment is crucial for keeping drinks cold, ingredients fresh, and operations running smoothly. From storing beer and wine at the optimal temperature to having enough ice on hand for cocktails, here’s a rundown of essential refrigeration equipment you’ll need to open a successful bar.
1. Back Bar Coolers
Back bar coolers are a staple in any bar, designed to keep bottled and canned drinks within easy reach of bartenders while maintaining optimal serving temperatures. These units typically have glass or solid doors and are placed directly behind the bar.
- Glass Door Back Bar Coolers: These make it easy for bartenders to quickly identify drinks, and they add an attractive display for customers if your bar is visible to patrons.
- Solid Door Back Bar Coolers: These units are better for keeping things hidden if you prefer a cleaner look. They’re also slightly more energy efficient as they retain cold better than glass doors.
Best For: Storing beer, canned cocktails, mixers, and bottled sodas.
Tip: Choose a back bar cooler with adjustable shelves so you can easily rearrange to fit various bottle or can sizes.
2. Bottle Coolers
Bottle coolers are specialized refrigeration units that are designed to store a large volume of beer or bottled drinks and keep them ice-cold. These units often open from the top, making them ideal for high-traffic bars that serve a lot of bottled drinks.
- Deep Well Design: These coolers typically have a deep well design, allowing you to stock a variety of bottles and cans.
- Slide-Top Doors: Slide-top doors make it quick and easy for bartenders to grab drinks, minimizing the time spent with doors open and retaining cold air.
Best For: Beer bottles, canned drinks, and high-volume storage for frequently ordered beverages.
Tip: Label sections inside the cooler to keep different types of drinks organized, making it easy for bartenders to find what they need.
3. Kegerators (Draft Beer Coolers)
If you plan to serve draft beer, a kegerator is essential for storing and dispensing kegs. Kegerators keep kegs at the ideal serving temperature and provide taps for quick and efficient pouring.
- Single- or Multi-Tap Kegerators: Choose a single-tap unit if you’ll only serve one type of beer, or go with a multi-tap kegerator if you plan to offer a selection of draft beers.
- Built-In CO2 Systems: Most kegerators come with built-in CO2 systems that keep beer fresh and carbonated. Ensure regular maintenance to avoid any issues with carbonation or pressure.
Best For: Bars offering draft beer options and seasonal brews.
Tip: Regularly clean the taps and lines to maintain the quality and taste of your draft beer.
4. Wine Coolers and Dual-Zone Refrigerators
If your bar serves a selection of wines, investing in a wine cooler is essential. Wine coolers store wines at the right temperature and humidity to preserve flavor and quality.
- Single-Zone Wine Coolers: These maintain one consistent temperature, ideal if you only serve one type of wine, such as red or white.
- Dual-Zone Wine Coolers: Dual-zone coolers allow you to store red and white wines at different temperatures in one unit, offering flexibility and convenience.
Best For: Bars with a wine selection, especially those offering both red and white wines.
Tip: Place your wine cooler in a low-traffic area to avoid temperature fluctuations from frequent door openings.
5. Ice Machines
An ice machine is one of the most critical pieces of refrigeration equipment for any bar. Ice is used in almost every cocktail, so a reliable machine that produces a steady supply of ice is essential for smooth operations.
- Under-Counter Ice Machines: Perfect for bars with limited space, these machines fit under the counter and provide quick access to ice without taking up too much room.
- Modular Ice Machines: These machines produce a large amount of ice and can be paired with storage bins to accommodate high-volume needs, making them ideal for busy bars.
Best For: High-volume ice production for cocktails, soft drinks, and chilled shots.
Tip: Choose an ice machine that produces the type of ice that best suits your bar menu, such as nugget ice for sodas, larger cubes for cocktails, or flaked ice for blended drinks.
6. Refrigerated Prep Tables
If your bar serves cocktails that require fresh garnishes or mixers, a refrigerated prep table helps keep ingredients at the right temperature while providing a convenient prep area.
- Built-In Storage Compartments: Many prep tables have compartments for garnishes, mixers, and frequently used items, making it easy to assemble cocktails quickly.
- Integrated Cutting Board Surface: Some refrigerated prep tables come with a cutting board surface, allowing bartenders to prep garnishes right where they need them.
Best For: Bars that make cocktails with fresh ingredients, like lemon wedges, mint leaves, or herbs.
Tip: Organize your garnishes in small containers within the refrigerated compartments to maintain freshness and make them easy to grab during service.
7. Reach-In Refrigerators
A reach-in refrigerator is essential for bars that need to store perishables, mixers, or back-up garnishes in bulk. These are typically located in the back of the bar or in a kitchen area.
- Single- and Double-Door Options: Choose a size based on your bar’s storage needs. Double-door units provide ample space for multiple ingredients, while single-door units are ideal for smaller bars.
- Adjustable Shelving: Opt for a reach-in with adjustable shelves so you can accommodate larger items like bulk juice containers or pitchers of pre-made mixes.
Best For: Storing back-up ingredients, mixers, syrups, and extra garnishes.
Tip: Organize items in clear containers and label them with dates to ensure everything stays fresh and easy to locate.
8. Display Coolers
If you plan to offer ready-to-drink beverages or promote specific bottled items, a display cooler can attractively showcase your products and encourage impulse purchases.
- Glass Door Display Coolers: These coolers allow customers to see your selection of drinks, which can boost sales for bottled water, sodas, energy drinks, and canned cocktails.
- LED Lighting: Many display coolers come with LED lighting, which enhances the visibility and appeal of your drinks, especially in dimly lit bar environments.
Best For: Displaying grab-and-go items, bottled drinks, or premium selections for customers to browse.
Tip: Place the display cooler near the customer area for easy access and to increase sales of bottled or canned drinks.
9. Blast Chillers
For bars that serve a high volume of chilled drinks or pre-made cocktails, a blast chiller can rapidly cool down items without freezing them, making it perfect for cooling mixers, garnishes, or pre-batched drinks.
- Rapid Cooling Technology: Blast chillers use high-powered fans to cool items quickly, which is ideal for quickly chilling drinks without diluting them.
- Ideal for Fast-Paced Bars: These units can be a game-changer for bars that need to cool pre-batched cocktails or mixers on-demand.
Best For: Rapid cooling of pre-batched cocktails, mixers, or garnishes that need to be served cold.
Tip: Use the blast chiller to cool glassware quickly, so customers enjoy ice-cold drinks from the first sip.
10. Ice Bin and Storage
Even with an ice machine, having additional ice storage bins is essential to keep up with peak demand. Ice bins allow bartenders to have easy access to ice without waiting for fresh ice from the machine.
- Portable Ice Bins: These can be moved around behind the bar to provide easy access to ice wherever it’s needed.
- Insulated Storage: Insulated bins keep ice from melting too quickly, reducing the need to restock as frequently.
Best For: Storing backup ice for peak hours and ensuring bartenders can quickly access ice without waiting for refills from the machine.
Tip: Keep ice bins clean and sanitized to maintain quality and avoid any contamination in drinks.
Conclusion
Having the right refrigeration equipment is essential for running a successful bar. From back bar coolers and kegerators to ice machines and wine coolers, each piece of equipment plays a crucial role in keeping drinks cold, ingredients fresh, and service efficient. Investing in high-quality refrigeration equipment will not only improve the efficiency of your bar but also elevate the customer experience by ensuring every drink is served at its best.
With the right equipment in place, your bar will be set up to meet demand, keep customers happy, and deliver high-quality drinks every time.