1954 Practical Bar Management by Eddie Clarke

THE BAR

jaded nerves, but surely a good bartender can offer a remedy for such an ailment, without the aid of a poor fish.

THE BARTENDER'S DOMAIN

Now let us return to the place in this chapter where the con struction of the bar was split into the two categories, and having dwelt on the first of these, it is time to move on to the suggestions appertaining to the second, i.e.: (II) The unseen structure of the bar, behind and below the counter, designed for the working convenience of the bartender. The importance of the lay-out behind the bar is often over looked, with the result that much valuable space is sometimes wasted, and at the same time the object to bear in mind is to design the bar so as to enable the bartender to give swift service— the maximum speed with the minimum amount of effort is the slogan to respect. The lay-out of a smaller bar requires much more thought than the larger type, especially as valuable space is lost at once in allowing for a counter-flap and swing door for means of entry. Strange as it may seem, even this obvious factor was omitted by the designer of a certain cocktail bar on a once-famous liner, my only means of entering, or leaving, was to clear a suitable space between the passengers, and then make an Olympic leap over the counter, much to the amusement of everyone present. Essential Requirements Keeping, then, to the essential requirements in the design for a small cocktail bar, what are those necessities to be, and where are they to be situated ? Certainly the most important item in any cocktail bar is the ice-bin, therefore it should be positioned centrally, or at the most convenient point which can be reached with ease from any part of the bar. Suitable proportions for the ice-bin are roughly 2 ft. 6 in. in length, i ft. 6 in. wide, and about i ft. in depth. It should have its own separate drainage into the waste pipe, and be fitted with swivel-type taps for washing the ice. Sleeve containers should be installed along the back and sides, to take

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