Opening a bar is an exciting endeavor, but setting up everything you need to make a bar successful can be daunting. Setting up draft lines, learning how to connect bag-in-box syrup systems for soda, and determining the best water filtration method are all necessary steps in any beverage dispensing system.

There are numerous steps to consider, so we’ve created a checklist of all the beverage dispensing tools you might need, along with tips and considerations for specific bar setups, ranging from beer-focused bars to cocktail lounges.

Draft Beer Dispensing

Almost every bar setup will have at least one beer on tap and some bottled beer options, and designing a well-laid-out beer dispensing system allows for flexibility (you can attach other drinks to a draft line, like kegged cocktails or even non-alcoholic options, or use the fridge space for other drinks).

• Refrigeration units — Keeping things cold is the #1 priority when serving beer. Whether you have a direct-draw system with kegs under the bar or an under-counter fridge that holds bottles, consider your refrigeration needs early, since you’ll likely have to build the rest of your bar around them.
• Towers and faucets — If you only have a few beers on tap, adding a beer tower is advised; if you plan to run a bar that relies heavily on draft items, consider a tee, rail, or other kind of tower dispenser. You’ll also want to consider faucets, as some are designed for specific types of beer, like stout faucets that are explicitly made for nitro beer.
• Keg couplers, gas blenders, and foam preventers — There are a lot of tools to consider when installing a keg system, from couplers that attach the keg to the draft line, gas blenders that give your beer the right amount of carbonation, and foam preventers that ensure beer lines don’t fill with foam when a keg is tapped.
• Chillers — Refrigeration isn’t the only thing to consider when keeping beer cold. If you plan to have a lot of beers on draft (and the kegs are located far away from the taps), you’ll want to consider a glycol chiller. If your bar space is limited or kegs cannot be refrigerated, a flash chiller might be a better option.

Soda and Non-Alcoholic Beverage Dispensing

Sodas are essential for bars—they serve as the base for many mixed drinks and offer a non-alcoholic option for patrons.

• Bar guns — Bar guns enable you to mix concentrates with carbonated water (most sodas come to commercial spaces as concentrates) or any other item intended to dilute the concentrate. Although multi-functional post-mix guns are the most popular type of beverage dispensing gun, Foxx also offers juice and energy guns.  
• Bag-in-box dispensing systems — Most sodas and mixers come to a bar as concentrates, usually in a bag-in-box. Having a system to dispense and mix from a bag-in-box, from pump panels to carbonation equipment, is key for any bar beverage program.
• Ice makers and chests — Most sodas or drinks made with soda are served with ice, so having a reliable ice maker and storage space, such as an ice chest, is vital. Almost any bar owner will tell you you need more space for ice than you think.

Water Dispensing

Water is the key to all beverage dispensing systems. Making sure you have clean, filtered water is vital for any bar operation.

• Filtered water systems — Filtered water systems protect your equipment from scale buildup. Scale is caused by minerals in water, and whether you have hard or soft water can impact how quickly scale builds up.
• Water boosters — Water boosters increase pressure and keep water flowing consistently, which is necessary for things like soda guns and ice machines.
• Water glass fillers — Having a line just for water is a luxury, especially in a busy bar when people are asking for a glass to hydrate. A dedicated water glass filler can be a huge timesaver.

A Beverage Dispensing System to Fit Your Needs

This checklist covers the essentials, but it isn’t exhaustive. While most of these recommendations apply to anyone opening a bar, the exact tools you’ll need will depend on your concept. Different bar types require different equipment, so tailoring your setup to your vision is crucial.

For example, if you’re opening a draft-forward beer bar, you might want to consider drains with rinsers or a keg management system. A cocktail bar may want to invest in the largest ice machine that makes sense for their operation, since most mixed drinks are made with ice. An upscale restaurant might want the option to offer patrons still or sparkling water.

Opening a bar is a big investment, and one of the best ways to set yourself up for success is by getting your beverage dispensing system right from the start.

Suppliers like Foxx Equipment Company make it simple for new bar owners to find everything they need for their bar setup. Follow this checklist, and you’ll be able to hit the ground running.