Bar & Beverage Speed, Cost and Safety Checklist

An actionable, saveable shift checklist to keep bar stations fast, consistent, cost-controlled and safe. Teams can complete checks, capture quick notes, score overall risk, and save incidents for follow-up.

Interactive Tool

Bar & Beverage Speed, Cost and Safety Checklist

Use this practical shift checklist before or during busy periods to confirm station readiness, portion control, waste capture, training readiness and a clear escalation path for intoxication or accidents. Save responses so your team can track trends and follow up on incidents.

Date of shift/check.
Which shift is completing this checklist.
How often should this checklist be run for this role/location?
Confirm each bartender has required supplies, working POS/card reader, and a clear line of sight to expeditor. If not, note problems below.
List missing items, broken equipment or corrective actions taken.
Are batch cocktails prepared per recipe, labeled with date/time, chilled and stored correctly? Is portion control method (jigger, measured pour, prebatched) followed?
Record any deviations, who approved pre-batches, or immediate corrections.
Is there a dedicated clean glass staging area, quick-turn routing, and a plan for breakage/backups?
Call out shortages, dishwasher delays, or special handling needed.
Are drip trays, designated compost/garbage, and spill protocols in place so waste doesn’t slow throughput or create hazards?
Record unusual waste events or opportunities to reduce waste.
Are jiggers, measured pour devices, speed rails, or POS portion controls used and verified? Any recent overpour or shrinkage concerns?
Note any corrective coaching given or unusual inventory variances observed.
Did staff run a 2–5 minute drill covering order routing, communication, and remakes? Is a trainee paired with a mentor?
Who ran the drill, time, and any follow-up training needed.
Are ticket time targets set and understood? Any current bottlenecks (POS, barbacking, glassware)?
Record current ticket times, observed delays, or quick mitigations.
Are par levels visible, recent receiving spot-checks done, and high-cost items monitored?
Call out low stock, late deliveries, or supplier issues.
Is the escalation flow known (stop service, manager on duty, document, safe transport / EMS), and are required contact numbers posted?
If yes, complete incident details below.
Describe what happened, actions taken, who was notified, and whether EMS was called.
Rate overall speed/cost/safety risk for this shift (1 = Low risk, 5 = High risk).
1.0 10.0
Person responsible for follow-up.
List owners and target dates for any required corrective actions.
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