Hygiene & Safety
Hygiene and safety are not optional in a bar — they protect your customers, your coworkers, and your reputation. In the US, bars are subject to health inspections, and poor hygiene can shut a business down. A professional bartender treats cleanliness as part of the job, not an afterthought.
✓Hygiene Essentials
- Always wash your hands — before your shift, after handling cash, and regularly throughout service
- Use clean tools — rinse shakers, jiggers, and spoons between drinks to avoid mixing flavors
- Handle glassware carefully — hold glasses by the base or stem, never by the rim where drinks touch
- Keep surfaces clean — wipe down the bar and your station throughout the shift
✓Safety Basics
- Watch for broken glass — clean up breakages immediately and never use chipped glassware
- Keep floors dry — wipe up spills right away to prevent slips
- Handle ice with a scoop — never use your hands or a glass to scoop ice
Cleanliness is professionalism. A clean bartender and a clean station tell customers they are in good hands.