Shared shift language

Bartender glossary

Working terms for beverage, service, cost, draft systems and bar communication.

86

Unavailable, removed or stopped; always communicate the exact item and timing.

ABV

Alcohol by volume, expressed as a percentage of the beverage.

all day

The total quantity of an item currently required across active tickets.

aperitif

A beverage typically served before a meal, often lower in alcohol and bitter, dry or aromatized.

back

A small accompanying beverage served with another drink or shot.

back bar

The product display and storage area behind the primary work well.

barback

A support role supplying ice, product, glassware, cleaning and resets so bartenders can serve.

batch

A measured multi-serving mixture prepared under a written formula and control system.

behind

A safety call announcing movement behind another worker.

bitters

Concentrated bitter aromatic seasoning used in small measured amounts.

breakage

Documented loss from damaged bottles, glassware or packages.

build

Assemble a drink directly in its serving glass or vessel.

call brand

A brand requested by name or positioned above the house/well selection.

chaser

A beverage consumed after another, commonly after a shot.

comp

An authorized item provided without charge and recorded in the POS.

contribution margin

Selling price minus variable product cost; used with demand, labor and capacity to evaluate menu value.

coupler

The fitting that connects a keg valve to gas and product lines.

cut

A staffing decision releasing an employee or reducing a service point as demand changes.

dash

A small dispenser-dependent measure; standardize the bottle and number of dashes.

digestif

A beverage commonly served after a meal, often spirituous, bitter, herbal or sweet.

double

A venue-defined larger spirit portion that must follow policy, measurement and responsible-service controls.

draft balance

The relationship among temperature, pressure, line resistance and flow in a draft system.

dry shake

Shaking without ice, often to build foam before a second shake with ice.

FIFO

First in, first out: rotate older usable product ahead of newer product.

FOB

A foam-on-beer device used in some draft systems to reduce line loss when a keg empties.

free pour

Pouring without a jigger; where permitted, it still requires venue training, calibration and measurement verification.

garnish

A prepared finish used for aroma, identification, flavor or presentation.

guest count

The number of guests served or present, defined by the venue’s reporting method.

highball

A drink family combining a spirit with a larger amount of carbonated or noncarbonated mixer.

house pour

The venue’s default spirit or measured serving.

ice burn

Removing contaminated ice and fully cleaning and sanitizing the well before refilling.

jigger

A measured bar tool used to standardize pours.

last call

The venue-controlled final service period before alcohol sales end or the room closes.

line check

A pre-service review of product, prep, equipment, sanitation and readiness.

longneck

A working bar term whose exact use should be defined in the venue’s written standards and pre-shift language.

mise en place

Everything in its place: the prepared tools, ingredients and information needed for service.

modifier

An ingredient or POS instruction that changes the base item.

neat

Spirit served without ice or added mixer, generally at bottle temperature.

on the rocks

Served over ice.

open bottle

A bottle whose seal has been broken and whose quality window has begun.

par

The target amount required to support forecast demand until the next replenishment.

pony

A small serving or glass; exact volume varies and must be defined by the venue.

pour cost

Beverage product cost divided by beverage sales for a defined period; not a complete measure of profitability.

proof

In the United States, a proof number commonly equals twice the alcohol-by-volume percentage.

rail

The speed rail holding frequently used bottles.

regular

A repeat guest; familiarity never replaces responsible-service or queue standards.

round

A group of beverages ordered together for multiple people.

service bar

A work point primarily producing drinks for servers rather than direct guest ordering.

shift drink policy

The venue’s written rule for employee alcohol possession or consumption before, during and after work.

short pour

A serving below specification, intentional or accidental.

snifter

A stemmed or stemless glass with a bowl designed to concentrate aroma, often used for spirits.

speed rail

A rack holding the most frequently used bottles within primary reach.

spill

Product lost through mistake, breakage or accident and recorded separately from a guest comp.

stir

A working bar term whose exact use should be defined in the venue’s written standards and pre-shift language.

straight up

Commonly used like “up,” though guest intent should be confirmed when ambiguity matters.

strain

A working bar term whose exact use should be defined in the venue’s written standards and pre-shift language.

tab

An open guest account associated with a payment method or venue-approved identifier.

ticket time

Elapsed time from order entry to completion or service.

top shelf

A premium positioning term; shelf location alone does not prove quality.

transfer

Documented movement of inventory between locations or departments.

two-touch rule

A local workflow rule intended to reduce unnecessary handling; define it specifically before training.

up

Chilled and strained into a glass without ice.

variance

The difference between expected and actual inventory, sales, labor or another measured result.

vermouth

A fortified aromatized wine; most opened styles require cold storage and date control.

void

A transaction or item removed according to approved POS authority and documentation.

walking in

A warning that something or someone is entering the work area.

well

The primary bartender work position or the lower-cost house spirit category, depending on context.

wet shake

Shaking with ice.