Templates
Bar closing checklist

Bar closing checklist

Staff and duty managers can use this checklist as a guide to following the correct procedures after closing a bar, including cleaning, inventory, and security.

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  • Get reports and analyse your data
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Bar closing checklist

Staff and duty managers can use this checklist as a guide to following the correct procedures after closing a bar, including cleaning, inventory, and security.

Use this template with Lumiform

  • Customize this template or build your own
  • Fill out templates via mobile app
  • Get reports and analyse your data
Prices start from ░░░ per month
Book a demo
Learn more
or Download template as PDF

This bar closing checklist guides you into turning end-of-shift procedures into a methodical system that protects your business. From sanitizing equipment and securing inventory to preparing for the next day’s service, nothing gets neglected when your team follows a comprehensive checklist.

Bar & Restaurant News highlights that bar owners prioritize practical solutions like increasing prices and cutting costs. When properly implemented, this checklist becomes your regular defense against inventory shrinkage, equipment damage, and the costly mistakes that occur when tired staff rush through closing procedures.

Related categories

Created by

Author Name Ima Ocon
Preview of the template
Inspection
Closing
Clean beer cooler
Pour Clorox in floor drains
Polish brass railing
Polish brass and chrome beer taps
Polish espresso machine
Wipe down displayed liquor bottles
Clean bar mirrors
Rotate beer & wine coolers
Clean cash register, credit card terminal, telephone
Clean back bar
Rotate, soak & sanitize pour spouts
Lock beer & wine coolers & taps
Take floor mats to back dock
Empty trash cans
Burn all ice bins
Cover & store all bar fruit (discard as required)
Cover & store all mixers and juices sweet & sour, juices, bloody mary mix, pina mix and other mixers
Clean margarita rim salters
Empty frozen drink machine; refrigerate leftover and clean machine
Re-stock rocks glasses, highballs, pilsners, wine glasses, snifters, coffee mugs
Clean all blenders & mixers
Clean all bar utensils & supplies
Clean all glassware and plates.
Re-stock beer cooler
Re-stock liquor empties
Wipe down service well liquor bottles
Clean & soak soda gun nozzles
Wipe down bar top
Wipe down & put up bar stools
Empty & clean bar sink
Sweep & clean bar floor
Turn off music, bar TV, etc.
Turn off neon lights and signs
Count bar bank
Complete comp & waste log
Completion
Name & Signature of Duty Manager
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Frequently asked questions

How detailed should my bar closing checklist be for new employees?

For new employees, your bar closing checklist should include specific step-by-step instructions with photos of properly completed tasks whenever possible. While experienced staff might need just a reminder like “clean beer taps,” new hires benefit from details like “disassemble faucets, soak in sanitizer for 15 minutes, rinse thoroughly, and reassemble” to ensure proper completion.

When is the best time to start closing procedures in a bar?

Start implementing your bar closing checklist approximately one hour before last call, beginning with tasks that won’t impact customer service like inventory counting and back-of-house cleaning. This staggered approach prevents a rushed closing process, reduces overtime costs, and ensures thorough completion of all tasks while maintaining service quality for remaining customers.

How can I use my bar closing checklist to improve inventory management?

Use your bar closing checklist to incorporate nightly inventory counts of high-value or high-shrinkage items, noting unusual discrepancies immediately rather than waiting for weekly counts. This practice creates daily accountability, helps identify patterns in product loss, and provides early warning of potential theft or overpouring issues before they significantly impact your bottom line.

Author
Ima Ocon
Ima is a writer and editor who specializes in technology, with experience crafting content for companies like Canva and FluentU. She's passionate about startups, remote work, and language learning, as well as the applications of AI in marketing. Currently, she is based in Asia, and she previously studied in Taiwan and Singapore.
This template, developed by Lumiform employees, serves as a starting point for businesses using the Lumiform platform and is intended as a hypothetical example only. It does not replace professional advice. Companies should consult qualified professionals to assess the suitability and legality of using this template in their specific workplace or jurisdiction. Lumiform is not liable for any errors or omissions in this template or for any actions taken based on its content.