Archive for the ‘hotel equipment’ Category

Bar Equipment – Some innovations and essentials

Thursday, August 5th, 2010

By Richard N Williams

Setting up a bar for the first time, or refurbishing and existing one, can be a daunting task. There is so much to think about that often mistakes can be made which can end up being costly in the long run.

This is often the case when people order bar accessories, often the items are ordered unnecessarily this can waste money; also the wrong type of bar equipment is often bought – again, resulting in a loss of investment.

Understanding what items are essential and what items can genuinely save money and time can be really difficult so here are some essential items and innovations that should make the whole process easier:

Stainless steel

From cutlery to spirit measures and shakers – never deviate from stainless steel. Stainless steel bar equipment will not only save time but also money in the long run.

Stainless steel is not only durable, but above all else – easy to clean. Stainless steel bar equipment is dishwasher proof with antibacterial properties – if drinks or food items have to go in there – go for stainless, otherwise you may find you have to replace items far too frequently or spend far too much time scrubbing bar equipment clean.

Glass Washers

No pub, bar or restaurant can do without a glass washer. If you only have a small bar and don’t have the space for a large dish or glass washer, you can get compact and modern looking small glass washers that are easy to plumb.

Small and compact glass washer

Small and compact glass washer

Never consider washing glasses by hand. Not only will this take up far too much of your bar staff’s time but you will never get glasses as clean by handwashing, as glass washers can reach far higher temperatures that your hands can endure.

The Bar bin

Never underestimate the importance of the bin behind the bar. So much rubbish can accumulate during a night in a bar:  crisp wrappers, cigarette packets and a whole host of other waste will be left behind from your clients. And as a clean pub is a welcoming one you should ensure you have a good sized rubbish bin behind the bar – or risk the place getting messy.

Bottle display stand

Again, if you only have a small bar, lining up rows and rows of bottles will take up large amounts of space. Bottle display stands not only save space but are great way to promote different products and advertise.

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Essential Bar Accessories – Running a bar and what you need

Friday, June 25th, 2010

By Richard N Williams

Running a bar, like any business, is all about being prepared and ensuring you have the right tools for the job. In ordering bar accessories or buying bar supplies it doesn’t pay to cut corners or by poor quality equipment.

The requirements for running a successful bar differ from bar to bar, location to location but there are some essentials and basic bar equipment that all bars, pubs, restaurants and clubs should have. Whether it is a local pub or uptown club, there are basic drinks and equipment that every establishment should have in stock.

Cocktail Equipment

Cocktail Equipment

Here is a list of the most essential bar equipment and accessories::

The essentials

These items should be behind every bar. When purchasing look for quality and durability, there is no point in buying bar accessories that are cheap if they break and need replacing. For most food or drink accessories always look for stainless steel. It’s easy to clean, strong and hygienic.

  • Corkscrew – no bar can function without being able to open wine bottles
  • Cleaning products – For wiping surfaces, bar, the pumps etc. A bar has to be kept clean so a good supply of clothes and cleaning items should always be kept in stock.
  • Bottle Opener – How else are you going to open the mixers
  • Ice Bucket and scoop – People don’t like warm drinks so ice is a must as is the bucket, scoop and tongs.
  • Measures – necessary for spirits. Look for stainless steel measures although glass is nearly as good – although less durable if dropped.
  • Towels – necessary for drying glasses and the hundred and one other jobs bar towels finds themselves tasked with. 100% cotton is by far the best option.
  • Cocktail accessories – everything from the stirrer, shaker, garnish, to perhaps an electric blender. If cocktails are asked for you need to be able to at least serve the basics so ensure you have enough cocktail accessories and equipment.
  • Cutting board and knife – needed for lemons, lime and other fruit. This too needs to be easy to clean. So get a good sharp stainless steel knife and easy to clean cutting board.

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Keeping Bars and Hotels Clean – Janitorial Accessories

Friday, June 18th, 2010

By Richard N Williams

Often in the hotel, bar or restaurant business, some of the key workers often go unseen but without them no businesses would be able to function. Keeping a premises clean, from the bathrooms to the bar, is as important an aspect of running any hospitality business as the services on offer.

If janitorial services slip in any business it will, in nearly all cases, result in a loss of trade. And in an industry where reputation is so important, poor janitorial hygiene could lead to failure of the business.

Ensuring the hotel, bar or restaurant has enough janitorial accessories and cleaning equipment is vital in ensuring that are staff tasked to cleaning the premises can do so efficiently and is just as important as all the other bar accessories and equipment.

All areas of janitorial equipment should be regularly stack checked to ensure enough quantity – running out of a vital product such as bathroom towels can be disastrous during the middle of a busy service.

The type of janitorial equipment required for any establishment falls into three areas:

  • Cleaning Products
  • Tools
  • Accessories

Cleaning Products

A good supply of cleaning products should always be kept up as they will be used daily. Think of everything from glass cleaning solution to rinse aid, bleach, polish and detergents.,

Cleaning Tools

These are the items the staff will need to ensure the floors are mopped, swept and polished. It’s a good idea to ensure items like mops or polishers are regularly replaced to ensure the cleaning is being conducted as efficiently as possible. Buckets, and even bottle bins and outdoor rubbish bins should also be provided. It is important to remember that janitorial equipment for bars, hotels and restaurants will need to be practical and robust – far more so that the equipment used at home.

Janitorial Accessories are vital

Janitorial Accessories are vital

Janitorial Accessories

It is vital that items such as bathroom towels in the dispensers, toilet rolls and other items are fully replenished. Often it is easier to provide items such as automatic hand dryers rather than towels as this prevents the need for replacement. There are quite a range of automatic hand dryers available too – many of which need very little maintenance.

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Catering Equipment – Tips for pubs, bars and hotels

Thursday, May 13th, 2010

By Richard N Williams

Catering is now an important aspect of nearly every business in the hospitality industry. No longer can pubs and bars just rely on the revenue from beers, wines and spirits; with smoking bans, global recessions and rising alcohol duties, more and more establishments are offering food to stay afloat.

But catering can be a daunting experience for those business owners that are unused to serving food. Catering is a totally different animal to the drinks business and there is much to think about from the health and hygiene certificates to sourcing the food.

Stainless steel is by far the best solution

Stainless steel is by far the best solution

One area especially, that can be extremely difficult is buying catering accessories. First, you have to establish the equipment you need and not fall into the trap of buying catering accessories that will just sit on a cupboard and not be used. You then have to find a good catering equipment supplier and choose from what can be often a daunting range of different types of catering gear.

Working out what equipment you need

You need to establish the type of food you are offering. For short order/grills. The basic equipment will be quite minimal. Obviously, plates and cutlery are going to be important as are condiment containers. But think of what will be needed in the kitchen: chopping boards, knives, pans and utensils – speak to your cook who will be able to work out everything they need for each menu item.

Choosing the equipment

Practicality is by far the most important aspect to catering equipment. Must equipment for business is larger and more durable than the sort of utensils and kitchen equipment you use at home. It also has to be easy to clean so look for stainless steel wherever possible and avoid any complicated gadgets and kitchen devices that are not only expensive and space consuming but often there are simpler and easier solutions to the problem.

Finding a catering equipment supplier

Fortunately, thanks to the internet finding a good catering equipment and accessory supplier shouldn’t be hard to find. Check a few different websites and establish where they are based and if they are contactable by telephone or email – often important if you need advice.

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Running a Pub – Importance of the Right Bar Equipment and Accessories

Thursday, April 22nd, 2010

By Richard N Williams

You don’t need me to tell you how difficult it is in the pub trade to make a living at the moment. What with the smoking ban, increase in alcohol duty and the recession that is keeping many people at home rather than spending a few hours of their evening in the local.

And many publicans, landlords and bar managers are having to get creative to ensure their establishment is not one of the dozen so pubs in Britain that is closing each and every week.

From quizzes, karaoke and other events, to most pubs now either serving food, or seriously thinking about it.

And reducing overheads has become a crucial concern too. Ensuring your are not overstocked, aren’t buying necessary stock and are making the most of offers and promotions are all now just as important a part of running any pub or bar as pulling pints and serving customers.

But one area of the pub trade that can help reduce costs and increase efficiency that often gets overlooked is bar accessories.

The right bar accessories

Many bars and pubs fill their shelves with completely unnecessary bar accessories. Don’t splash out on fancy bottle openers and corkscrews which will probably be fiddly to use and need replacing – just get the basics.

It’s also a good idea to remember how they are to be used; anything that requires regular cleaning, for instance, should be made of stainless steel. But while you shouldn’t be buying bar equipment you don’t need it is crucial you make sure you have all the bar accessories you do actually need.

The right location

Make sure your bar accessories are to hand. Bar staff can waste a lot of time walking one end of the bar to the other getting glasses, using bar equipment and getting to the till – this is time wasted that could be used to serve customers – make sure everything is to hand.

The right bar equipment supplier

There are three things to look out for when choosing someone to supply equipment for hotels, bars, pubs and restaurants: *

Cost – make sure you are not being over charged, the internet, as with most things is a great resource for shopping for bar accessories or equipment.

* Reliability – choose a supplier that will deliver when they say they will deliver. Waiting around for bar equipment to arrive can cost both time and money.

* Availability – If a bar equipment supplier isn’t picking up the phone or can’t be reached it’s no good to anyone. Internet providers are at least always available so find a good bar equipment supplier with a decent website.

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The Licensed Restaurant – Importance of a Good Bar

Thursday, April 1st, 2010

By Richard N Williams

There are many aspects to a good restaurant. Excellent food, a good chef, local ingredients, friendly staff, good ambiance… the list goes on and on.

However, in licensed restaurants, one area that shouldn’t be underestimated is the bar. Not only can a good bar in a licensed restaurant enhance the experience for your customers but also it can bring in custom too.

The bar in an good licensed restaurant is more than just the area that the waiters and waitresses prepare drinks. A good bar should be a meeting place for guests; a waiting area for early customers; and a place to go after the meal for a night cap.

Providing a good bar is not hard to do either, even for smaller restaurants where perhaps space and cost is restrictive, the key to ensuring you have a good bar is making sure it is well stocked and you have a good bar supplier that provides all the bar accessories that you will need.

A good hotel bar is essential - picture by Rama

A good restaurant bar is essential - picture by Rama

Glasses, measures, optics, coasters, cocktail sticks the list of bar and cocktail accessories can go on and on and no matter how well you plan your bar there is always something that you will forget or be in need of once you open. This is why it is important you ensure you have a good bar equipment supplier that is available to provide your bar equipment needs when required.

Ensuring the bar is well stocked is also important. Obviously a good selection of wines is essential for most restaurant bars but her is no need to stock up on every imaginable drink. You will soon discover the types of drinks your customers prefer and other than wine, some restaurants get away with just a handful of different spirits and a couple of beers.

The bar should also be a relaxed area. Even in top restaurants where the service is efficient and formal, the bar should be more relaxed allowing customers to unwind before they sit down for dinner, it’s also important to ensure that you don’t leave people waiting either because if they have to wait for drinks before they are seated, it won’t bode well for the rest of the service when they finally do sit down to eat.

The restaurant bar is every bit as important as the kitchen and dining area in any licensed restaurant and if you get it right, you may find the bar attracting just as many customers as the food.

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Hotelier Tips – The Importance of the Hotel Bar

Thursday, March 4th, 2010

By Richard N Williams

There is no single thing that makes a good hotel. Good service, clean spacious rooms and a decent restaurant are a must, and while many of the top hotels around the world are packed with swimming pools, gyms and spas, these are not the things most people want from a good hotel.

Any businessman, salesperson or weekend guest, just wants somewhere clean, friendly and welcoming to lay their head of an evening. However, there is one thing that most customers expect of any hotel, no matter the size, rating or location – a good hotel bar.

No matter what the size of hotel, guest house or bed and breakfast, you should never underestimate the importance of the hotel bar. It doesn’t matter if you don’t have the space or resources for a pool, spa or gym, every hotel, no matter the size needs a good well equipped hotel bar.

Having somewhere to relax and perhaps have a chat with other guests is all part of the hotel experience and most guests make use of the hotel bar at some point in their stay.

You don’t need a large cocktail bar equipped with every imaginable drink either. If you only have a small space you can still run a good and inviting bar in your hotel just by remembering a few things when you are setting it up.

A good hotel bar is essential - picture by Rama

A good hotel bar is essential - picture by Rama

Ensure the bar is well stocked. Not having enough drinks is a mortal sin for anyone running a bar so ensure you have enough in. You don’t need a vast array or beers wines and spirits either. If you are running a small bar stick to the basics. As long as you have the basic beers, spirits and a couple of good wines there will be something for everybody.

Make sure you have a good bar equipment supplier. Making sure you have enough glasses, cork screws and other bar equipment is just as important as ensuring you have enough drinks. Its a good idea when setting up a hotel bar to choose a bar equipment supplier who has a good range of stock as no matter how ell prepared you are, you may never no what you may need in the future so having a hotel and bar equipment supplier you can trust is important.

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Bars and hotels in film

Thursday, February 18th, 2010

By Richard Williams

The bar, pub or hotel are at the heart of western culture. Most people have a favourite well equipped bar as a place to relax, meet friends or arrange business, so it is no wonder that they have featured in so many TV and films.

The bar is often central to many TV shows and films that some have become even more famous that the characters that frequent them. Bars, hotels and pubs can take on a life of their own and become as dear to people as the places they visit in their real lives.

Whilst there have been numerous bars, hotels and pubs in film and TV, here are my top five:

5. Tiki Bar – Not the most famous bar and most people will never have heard of it but the bar featured in the film Cocktail as at was the only film to have bar-keeping as central theme. The Tiki Bar was where Tom Cruises character juggled bar accessories and cocktail glasses to an upbeat 80’s soundtrack.

4. Rick’s Café Américain – the backdrop for the seminal classic – Casablanca. It was the location for some of the most memorable lines in film history, ‛In all the bars in the all the world,’ and, ‛Play it one more time for me Sam.’ (often misquoted as ‛Play it again Sam.’)

3. Cheers. Perhaps the most famous bar in American history. Sam Malone’s cheers, the bar where everybody knew your name is familiar to a hole generation who watched as the former baseball player and austere bar manager clashed.

2. The Queen Victoria. The East end pub in Britain’s most popular soap opera, Eastenders is the setting for some of the shows most popular story lines. Murder and extra marital affairs were and still area regular occurrence at The Queen Vic.

1. Rover’s Return – The pub on Coronation Street, the UK’s longest running soap opera has been opening its doors several nights a week to audience of millions for fifty years. Landlords have come and gone but the Rover’s Return remains an icon of UK pub culture.

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The World’s Most Famous Bars

Wednesday, February 3rd, 2010

By Richard Williams

The bar plays an important role in our social lives. Throughout the west, the bar is a place to go to relax, meet friends, discuss business or just forget your sorrows. Most of us have a good local bar, pub or hotel that is our home from home after a tough day.

And bars around the world can become renowned for their hospitality. Some are made famous through film, literature or just sheer good reputation. Here are some of the most famous bars in the world.

There is no more famous bar in the world than, the Ritz in Paris. Ernest Hemingway and F. Scott Fitzgerald are amongst two notable figures who frequented the famous Parisian hotel bar. The bar now takes its name from its most famous client and is called the Hemingway Bar,

Harry’s bar in Venice, Italy is another bar that was populated by notable figures since it opened in 1931. Hemingway was also a regular visitor here alongside Charlie Chaplin, Alfred Hitchcock, Truman Capote and Orson Welles.

Harry's Bar - Picture Clayton Parker

Harry's Bar - Picture Clayton Parker

At the Eagle and Child pub in Oxford, England, J.R.R. Tolkien came up with the Hobbit after a drink with his author friend C.S. Lewis.

The Long Bar at the Raffles Hotel in Singapore has also become famous thanks to its guest list, Joseph Conrad and Rudyard Kipling amongst two of them.

Mary McBride’s pub in Chushenden, Northern Ireland used to be the smallest pub in the world. It no longer since it was extended after Mary died but is in perhaps one of the prettiest places on earth and is a hot tourist attraction.

Whilst all these bars have completely different décors, sell different drinks and are based in different parts of the world, they all have one thing in common; a well equipped bar.

No matter what the clientèle; from Ernest Hemingway to Joe the plumber a good bar needs to be well stocked and well equipped.

Whether it’s a pub. bar, hotel or restaurant it is it needs to have the right equipment and ensuring you have a good bar equipment supplier is crucial to any successful business.

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Setting up a Bar and the Importance of Bar Equipment

Wednesday, December 23rd, 2009

By Richard Williams

Whether you are embarking on opening your first bar or hotel or are expanding your current chain then it is crucial you realise the importance of good catering and bar equipment can’t be stressed strongly enough.

A successful business, whether its a hotel, restaurant, pub, bar or cocktail lounge is dependent on a number of things. Well-trained staff and good service and essential for any bar or restaurant but neither can be achieved if the right equipment isn’t purchased in the first place.

The catering and entertainment industry is one of the hardest to get a business off the ground in and many good restaurants and bars fail in the first few months,mainly down to bad planning and the wrong equipment. The wrong bar equipment can soon cause havoc as orders build up in the kitchen because there are not enough kitchen equipment or the waitresses are scrabbling around looking for cutlery.

It is crucial in setting up any bar, hotel or restaurant to sit down and go through a check list of all the catering and bar equipment you require. Start from the basics, such as the cooker. How big do you need it where will it fit etc etc. And make sure you speak to the staff who will be using it. Is it the right equipment for the task in hand, ask their opinion.

Finding a decent supplier is perhaps the next hurdle in setting up a bar or restaurant. The internet is of course a handy tool for finding a supplier of hotel and bar equipment but make sure they have a detailed a website with pictures of the products so you can see clearly if it is the correct equipment or not.

A good catering and bar equipment supplier will also show prices which clearly state VAT. This can be crucial in totting up the total cost of equipping your bar, restaurant or hotel. Failing ot account for hidden costs can see costs become crippling.

Its also a good idea to have an email address or phone number for any supplier, especially if you are setting up your first business, often its handy to ask advice on some products and many websites that can’t answer simple queries may not be worth considering.

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