Run the bar as a system

Shift Center

A practical opening-to-closing checklist connected to the rhythms of music, lessons, service rushes, responsible hospitality, and handoff.

Working shift checklist

Checks save privately on this device. Adapt the list to current law, employer policy, equipment, products, and documented sanitation procedures.

Opening the station

Verify approved ice, glassware, tools, refrigeration, sanitation, and handwashing setup.Confirm batches, juices, syrups, garnishes, dates, labels, and discard times.Check bottle pars, draft condition, zero-proof products, and known outages.Confirm POS buttons, prices, specials, comps, and manager authorization.Review responsible-service escalation and emergency contacts.

Pre-shift alignment

Review expected volume, lessons, band times, set breaks, private events, and closing pattern.Assign wells, service areas, support duties, restocking, and break coverage.Name the highest-risk allergen, batch, special, or equipment issue tonight.Taste approved batches under the venue process and record corrections.Choose one service standard the team will watch together.

During service

Measure every approved pour and follow the documented build order.Reset the station before shortages become a rush problem.Communicate outages and substitutions before orders are placed.Record spills, comps, remakes, incidents, and unsafe-service refusals as required.Protect guest dignity while enforcing responsible-service decisions.

Handoff and closing

Transfer shortages, batches, guest issues, incidents, equipment problems, and unfinished work.Reconcile waste and product movement under the venue process.Dispose, cool, refrigerate, or retain ingredients only under confirmed procedures.Clean, sanitize, secure, and shut down the station and equipment.Record what should change before the next comparable shift.

Lead the shiftLearn pre-shift, coaching, prep control, handoff, and review.Open Lead Bartender →Responsible serviceReview the boundaries that protect guests, staff, licenses, and the room.Read guidance →Standardize methodsAlign building, shaking, stirring, rolling, muddling, layering, and blending.Open methods →

Behind the Bar