Bar mat

First measure the area where you pour. There’s no need to measure the entire bar. Most bartenders work on a strip less than half a meter wide. The classic bar runner, measuring 44x24 cm, or the 30x45 cm rubber mat fits perfectly there. Use both hands side by side? Then choose the 60x20 cm mat, which extends across the width rather than the depth. For the narrow strip right in front of the tap, there are long mats measuring 8x60 cm and 30x9 cm. Connect them until you get the right length. To cover an entire workbench or draining area, cut a piece from a 500 by 61 cm roll yourself, available in black or transparent. There are also square glass mats measuring 33x33 cm and 30x20 cm. Use them to drain clean glasses next to the glass washer.

Place the mat so that the front edge is directly beneath your pouring hand. If you spill something while making a Negroni , it stays on the mat and not on your clean countertop. Building a cocktail in the glass? Put the glass in the middle, not on the edge, where it could tip over while you stir. We like to place a second mat next to it. Build on one, and set out anything from the fridge on the other. When muddling mint for a Mojito, the rubber absorbs the impact and keeps the bottom of your glass intact. Empty the mat before the puddle spills over the edge. When it’s full, it’s full.

Rubber is easy to clean, but make sure you do it every day. Sugar from liqueurs and syrups gets sticky as it dries. Then the mat sticks to your countertop, when it’s supposed to protect it. Lift the mat after closing, rinse it under the tap, and stand it on its side to dry. That way, water won’t collect underneath. Most models are also dishwasher-safe if they fit in the bottom rack. If you do put it in the dishwasher, choose a cool cycle, as heat can soften the rubber and make it lose its grip.

Would you also like to protect the area where the trays are stored? Take a look at non-slip mats and tray mats. For drainage under the tap, there are drip trays. You can find the tools that end up on your mat among the cocktail shakers. On the page about bar tools , you can read about how all those items work together. Looking for glasses that can take a knock? Start with the stackable glasses.