Napkin holders

Start with what needs to go in it. If it is only for napkins on the table, a single-compartment model is sufficient and takes up little space. If you place it at a serving station where guests help themselves to cutlery, straws, and napkins, a three-compartment holder replaces three separate containers and keeps everything clearly organized.

The material mainly determines how much wear it can withstand. Black plastic is lightweight, inconspicuous, and withstands daily cleaning with a cloth. Copper is heavier, so it stays in place better on a patio, and it suits a bar where the rest of the metal has the same warm tone. For a tabletop model, pay attention to the weight, because if it is too light, it will slide along as the napkins are pulled out. For the rest of the table setup, the coasters and the serving trays are grouped together.

Do not fill a holder to the brim. Napkins that are wedged in tear when pulled out, and a guest who pulls one takes the whole stack with it. Fill it to about three-quarters full and refill it more often instead. Fold all the napkins in the same direction, with the open side facing forward, so guests naturally take one at a time.

Behind the bar, place the holder at a fixed distance from the tap so you can grab it without looking. When serving cocktails, place the napkin under the glass instead of beside it, as it catches condensation and prevents rings on the wood. Anyone who also wants straws can find them at the straws, and sugar and cocoa are at the sugar bowls and shakers.

Wipe black plastic with a damp cloth and a drop of washing-up liquid. Do not use a scouring pad, because small scratches soon show on matt black and then trap grease. Cleaners containing alcohol can dull the matt finish, so stick to soap and water.

Copper needs drying. Leave it standing wet and it tarnishes, giving you marks a cloth will not remove. Wash by hand, dry immediately and accept that copper darkens over time. If you would rather it did not, polish with lemon juice and salt and rinse thoroughly.

Set up a bar or terrace completely, and you’ll find the tools and accessories together on the bar tools page. If you’re looking for glassware that can withstand the daily pace of a hospitality business, take a look at the hospitality glasses. And if you want to know what goes into those glasses, the cocktail pages provide the recipe and corresponding glass for each classic.