Introduction to Bar Captaining
Service Types (Bar)
A bar captain should be able to set up, execute, and break down different types of bar service styles, including beverage station service, passing station service, top shelf service, beer and wine service, full bar service with beer and wine, specialty cocktail service, and a blend of these.
Beverage station service is a type of service that offers non-alcoholic beverages, (e.g., water, juice, and soda).
Passing station service is a type of service in which alcoholic beverages are prepared by the bar staff and provided to the service professional team in a designated BOH or FOH area. The service professional team retrieves these from the designated area and distributes these beverages to guests throughout the event space.
Passed hors d'oeuvres and cocktail service is a common example. This is a type of service in which hors d’oeuvres are prepared by the culinary team and provided to the service professional team in a designated BOH or FOH area. This service may also involve alcoholic beverages prepared by the bar staff and provided to the service professional team in a designated BOH or FOH area. The service professional team retrieves both food and beverages from the designated area(s) and distributes these to guests throughout the event space.
Top shelf service is a type of service that focuses on a specific spirit or set of spirits a given client or brand ambassador wants to feature. These are often “top shelf” or premium spirits.
Beer and wine service is a type of service that focuses on a section of beers and wines. The bartender often does not have to manage spirits, mixed drinks, or specialty cocktails.
Full bar service with beer and wine is a type of service that, in addition to a selection of beers and wines, also offers a more comprehensive selection of spirits and mixers. The bartender often manages beer, wine, spirits, mixed drinks, and specialty cocktails. Sometimes, this bar service will be designated a limited bar service with beer and wine and does not require classic or specialty cocktails (only 1 and 1s like tequila soda and vodka tonic).
Specialty cocktail bar service is a type of service that offers a curated selection of spirits and cocktails specifically designed for the event
Bar service comes in all shapes and sizes. Sometimes bar service precedes part of an event with different phases and transitions between service types. If bar service precedes a dinner event, it is often called a cocktail hour, providing guests with the time to mingle before they are formally seated. This may also be a passed hors d’oeuvres and cocktail service. Even so, most commonly, bar service is a standalone event. However, unlike most events, it is subject to extensions, meaning it can run an indeterminate amount of time.