The 3-step plan for the perfect home bar: From ‘Essential’ to ‘Master Class’

Anyone searching for bar equipment online is often overwhelmed by huge 20-piece sets, half of which end up gathering dust in the cupboard. But setting up a professional bar is actually an evolutionary process. You don't buy everything at once, but grow with your skills.

We have developed a guide for you on how to build your bar sensibly – from the absolute basics, with which you can mix any drink, to a fully equipped station for efficient work and spectacular finishes.

Stage 1: The Essentials – Quality over Quantity

Many beginners believe they immediately need a mixing glass, three different strainers and special equipment. Wrong. To serve drinks at the highest level, you only need a handful of tools – provided they are the right ones.

Your starter kit:

Why this is enough: This is the ‘Swiss Army knife’ of bar equipment. With the Boston shaker, you've got everything covered. Drinks such as sours or daiquiris are shaken in it. But what about a stirred Negroni? The professional trick: you don't need a mixing glass yet. Just use the large cup of your Boston shaker! Add ice and ingredients and stir with the bar spoon. To strain, use the Hawthorne strainer, which fits perfectly on the shaker cup. The result in the glass is identical in quality to that from an expensive crystal mixing glass.

(Not sure how to use these tools? Check out our other blog posts.)

Step 2: The ‘Efficiency Upgrade’ – Workflow and Specialisation

Once you realise that you're mixing more than just two drinks a night for friends, it's all about speed and precision. Now we're going to expand your bar so that every tool finds its perfect niche.

Here's what you'll need:

  • Mixing Glass: Now we're separating shaken and stirred drinks. Not only does the mixing glass look more elegant, it often has a spout that makes pouring easier.
  • Julep Strainer: This will now be your standard strainer for the mixing glass, while the Hawthorne strainer stays firmly attached to the shaker.
  • Second Boston Shaker: When you have guests, you don't want to have to rinse the shaker after every whisky sour to make a gin basil smash. A second set massively increases your speed and allows you to work in parallel.
  • Pour Spouts: No more screwing bottles on and off. Pour spouts are a must for clean, fast work with your most frequently used spirits.
  • Muddler: Indispensable for caipirinhas, mojitos or your own creations.

At this level, you have the perfect setup for every type of drink (shaken, stirred, built). You work cleaner, faster and more professionally.

Level 3: The ‘Master Class’ – Precision, Finish & Show

Do you know the classics inside out? Then it's time for what separates a good bar from an excellent one: an eye for detail and the guest experience.

The complete arsenal: in addition to two complete shaker sets and the mixing glass setup, we now focus on the garnish accessories:

With this equipment, you are technically on a par with any high-end hotel bar. You have the capacity for many guests and the tools for intricate detail work.

Show off your style: rose gold, gold, black or silver?

Your bar equipment is more than just a tool – it's part of your interior design and you can express yourself. At Swiss Bar Shop, you'll find almost all tools in different colours.

  • Stainless steel: the timeless, polished classic.
  • Rose gold/copper: Warm, elegant and vintage-inspired.
  • Gold: For a touch of luxury.
  • Gunmetal/black: Modern, industrial and a real statement.

Tip: Stick to one style. A complete set in copper on a dark bar mat looks stunning. The beauty of our range is that you can find matching accessories in your chosen colour even as you expand your bar.

A word about quality: if you buy cheap, you buy twice

Precisely because shakers and bar equipment are constantly in contact with acid (citrus), ice and water, the material is crucial. Cheap sets from the supermarket are often made of inferior steel that can rust, or have weld spots that break under stress.

High-quality bar equipment is made of 18/8 stainless steel or higher-quality alloys. They are dishwasher-safe, rust-free and – very importantly – they have the right weight. A well-balanced spoon or a heavy shaker sit more comfortably in the hand and turn mixing from a struggle into a dance.

Ready to get started? Whether you want to start small or dive right in, we have the right products for you.

👉 Discover our bar equipment & bundles here in the shop and find exactly the products that suit you.

Level Goal & Focus Included Tools (Examples) The Workflow Advantage
Stage 1: The Essentials Quality & Basic Coverage. Being able to mix any type of drink with minimal equipment. Boston Shaker, Hawthorne Strainer, Fine Strainer, Jigger, Barspoon. The All-Rounder Trick: The metal tin of the Boston Shaker also serves as a mixing glass. One set for everything, no wasted space.
Stage 2: Efficiency Upgrade Speed & Specialization. Separating shaken and stirred drinks for cleaner and more efficient work. Mixing Glass, Julep Strainer, 2nd Shaker Set, Pour Spouts, Muddler. Work in Parallel: While the shaker is in the sink, you can already start the next drink in the mixing glass. Pour spouts massively speed up pouring.
Stage 3: Master Class Precision, Hygiene & Show. Focus on garnish, sensory experience, and the perfect finish. Garnish Tweezers, Cocktail Smoker, Peeler/Zester, Rim Station. The Experience: Tweezers ensure hygiene and precise visuals. Smoke and perfect zests appeal to the sense of smell before the guest takes a sip.
Design & Material Durability & Expression. Investing in high-quality material (18/8 stainless steel) pays off. Available in: Polished Stainless Steel, Rose Gold/Copper, Gold, or Gunmetal/Black. Sustainability: High-quality tools don’t rust, don’t break at weld seams, and offer better haptics and balance than cheap pre-made sets.
Back to blog

Leave a comment