14 October, 2022
The 5 Tips For Choosing Restaurant Bar Glasses
Have you ever considered what the type of glassware that you use at your bar, behind your bar, or even in front of your bar might say about you? If you haven’t yet, it’s time to start considering. After all, bartenders are judged as much by their choice of glassware as by their choice of garnishes and mixers. With that said, let’s discuss how you can make the best choice possible when it comes to selecting glasses for your bar.
1. Shape
The shape of your glass may not seem like an important thing, but it can have a big impact on how much you drink. Glasses with tall, narrow openings encourage you to sip slowly and in moderation. Make sure there’s enough room for ice cubes — bigger glasses are better, too. A good rule: If your fingers can fit around it, that’s a good glass size for a restaurant bar.
2. Size
You want to select a glass that’s neither too large nor too small for your cocktail — oversized, and you waste money on liquor; undersized, and your guests will be sipping long past their bedtime. In most bars and restaurants, you’ll find three basic sizes: highball (12 oz.), double rocks (16 oz.), and lowball (8 oz.). You may occasionally see tumblers or even shot glasses, but avoid these if you want your guests to drink up quickly. An ounce or two can make a big difference in spirits sales — so choosing glasses that are just right can boost profits.
3. Colour
If you’re trying to match your glassware to a brand image, colour is an important thing to consider. In brand identity, colour can go deeper than just matching a wine glass to your logo — it can also affect how people perceive food or drinks. For example, research has shown that green-coloured food and drinks tend to be associated with healthy items like fruit, whereas red or orange-coloured foods are often perceived as more indulgent or thirst-quenching. Likewise, green glasses have been linked with lower alcohol consumption among drinkers who know they’re being watched. Still unsure about a colour? Try to pick something neutral — you can always bring in other colours in separate ways throughout your restaurant (like wall decor or tablecloths).
4. Volume
When it comes to restaurant bar glasses, a good rule of thumb is that people tend to feel comfortable with 8 ounces. Of course, how people define comfortable varies, so don't be afraid to ask them questions. Do they like their spirits neat or on the rocks? Will they be sipping lots of water throughout dinner? You don't want glasses that are too big or small; you'll wind up either wasting resources or making customers uncomfortable by forcing them to guzzle down a lot of liquid at once.
5. Handled or no handle
The essential question you’ll need to ask yourself is whether you want your glasses handled or no-handled. Handled glasses are particularly good for serving guests and making multiple drinks, as they are easier to carry than no handles.
No-handled wine glasses have their benefits as well, namely that they take up less space on your shelves in your store and are easier to clean without adding more handles. You’ll have to choose what works best for your barware setup and style.
The Glassware Only Team
