Top 25 Opening & Closing Duties

Whether you’re a one-man show or managing a bar staff of 50, these are the top 25 opening and closing procedures you need to know. Our software platform helps new bar owners create consistent processes from day one, reducing training time and increasing accountability.

Top 15 Bar Opening Procedures

Opening your bar at the beginning of the day can be a drag. Even if it was closed properly the night before, there are likely many tedious, little items that need to be taken care of. And with the anticipation of a busy day in front of you, it’s important to crank through your checklist as quickly and efficiently as possible. Here are the top 15 activities to take care of before you open your bar:

1. When you arrive, take a quick walk around the outside of your building and clear any debris or unpleasantries from your entryways and windows. Check for security issues, broken glass, signage visibility.
2. Open the door and note anything that immediately jumps out at you as needing attention (odors, misplaced items, spills or things that need to be cleaned). Verify emergency equipment (fire extinguishers, exits accessible).
3. Clean floors (you can never vacuum too much). 
4. Wipe down countertops and tables.
5. Replace and refill any condiments and tabletop items.
6. Clear the beer lines by pouring out a few ounces of beer from the taps. Check CO2 levels, verify proper temperature (38°F), test flow.
7. Inspect all the taps for buildup and bugs (we suggest using a squirt bottle with warm water in it).
8. Rinse all the drains.
9. Taste the beers to check for infections or line defects. Check for ioff-flavors indicating line contamination.
10. Check for lipstick on the clean glasses.
11. Log into your digital menu software, confirm today’s prices, specials, and 86’d items, and push updates to your TV, web, and print menus so everything matches when doors open. Verify POS systems boot up, test payment processing.
12. Wash down your work space & empty the trash.
13. Check dates on open wine bottles (don’t date your wine? you should!).
14. Set up clean towels so they’re easily accessible during your shift.
15. Get the till ready to go. Count starting cash, document amounts, review previous day’s sales report, check for discrepancies

Bonus:

• Check refrigeration temperatures (walk-ins, reach-ins, beer coolers)
• Verify ice machine production and quality (no off-tastes/contamination)
• Test audio/visual equipment (sound system, TVs, lighting)
• Confirm staff schedule and address last-minute changes
• Verify permits/licenses are current and displayed

[RELATED] HOW TO OPEN AND CLOSE YOUR BAR LIKE A PRO

Top 10 Bar Closing Procedures

1. Date any newly-opened wine bottles
2. Set all glasses up to air dry
3. Rinse inside all the taps
4. Wipe down taps and spouts
5. Cover spouts with rubber protectors to keep flies out. Optional: Install protective covers on ALL taps to prevent flies/debris.
6. Rinse all the drains thoroughly
7. Wash drain covers
8. Mop down behind the bar. Sweep and mop ALL floor areas including hard-to-reach spaces.
9. Use your digital menu board software to schedule tomorrow’s menu, remove out-of-stock items, and archive any time-limited specials so your staff is not relying on outdated printed menus.”
10. Take out the trash and recycling and rinse containers if needed. Empty ALL bins, replace liners, rinse containers.

Bonus:

• Verify refrigeration temperatures and doors secured
• Secure high-value spirits and verify bottle counts
• Count registers, prepare deposits, secure remaining cash
• Check expiration dates and rotate stock (FIFO)
• Document any waste/spoilage for inventory accuracy
• Note any equipment/facility maintenance issues
• Set alarms and verify all entry points locked
• Generate daily sales report and review for accuracy
• Note staff performance issues for follow-up

Modern bar management software can automatically generate these closing task lists, track completion, and log performance data for managers to review.

[CASE STUDY] OUR DRINK SALES WENT THROUGH THE ROOF

Make menus part of your checklist

Opening and closing isn’t just about cleaning; it is about what guests see on your menu. With Evergreen’s digital menu software, bars can connect daily procedures to real-time menu updates, ensuring every TV and online menu reflects current inventory, pricing, and specials. This reduces comped drinks, eliminates menu confusion, and keeps staff from rewriting chalkboards every shift.

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Ready to modernize your bar’s operations and boost efficiency? Learn more about our tools and get a demo here!