Looking for the right gift for a bartender in your life? These drink mixing night owls are typically the life of the party, but also need some time to rejuvenate and relax. That’s where you come in. We surveyed 100s of ideas and narrowed it down to seven great ideas for your boyfriend – as well as two to avoid. These ideas make great Christmas gifts/stocking stuffers.
1. Smuggler’s Cove: Exotic Cocktails, Rum, and the Cult of Tiki
This captivating account of the origin of the Tiki Bar is written by Martin and Rebecca Cate of Smuggler’s Cove, one of the top tiki bars in the US. Did you know the tiki bar originated in the USA during the great depression? As an added bonus to the fascinating history, there are 100s of pictures and recipes through the book.
2. Liquid Intelligence: The Art and Science of the Perfect Cocktail
As the winner of the 2015 James Beard Award for Best Beverage Book, Liquid Intelligence is a must have for innovative bar tenders at the top of their game. Unlike other books which just focus on the ingredients and proportions, author Dave Arnold explains how details as seemingly minute as the shape of the icecube has a pronounced effect on the drink. He backs up these claims with hard science. By tne end you’ll be a true cocktail geek!
3. Bar Keepers Friend
This curiously effective cleaning agent is not just for bars. But a bartender, more most professions, appreciates the challenge of keeping surfaces spotless. With a cult following of users, Bar Keepers Friend can clean plastic, tile, steel, glass cooktops and more. Earning a near 5-star average rating on Amazon from 1000s of buyers, it’s hard to go wrong with this super cleaner.
4. Tequila Bottle Mood Therapy Light
Complete with 100 LED lights and and a light show controller with 8 different settings, this is a great gift for a bartender’s bedroom or party room – depending on the mood. Available in a number of drink brands, the model pictured here is a real Patron bottle that will add some real accent to a room.
5. Bar Set
Give your bartender the tools of the trade to make the perfect drink at home or at a party. Whether they are just getting started or tend to keep their professional tools at the job, this NĂ„UZone set is a great way to show off talents to loved ones and friends. Winning top reviews from buyers, this set comes highly recommended.
6. Box/Ball Ice Cube Mold
While a bartender’s focus is on the drink itself, it will stand out even more with a cool looking ice cube. We recommend the Glacio molds, pictured here, offering your bartender the flexibility to create high-end looking square and circle cubes. Everyone at the party will want to be chilling with these.
7. Hummingbird Glass Straws
These popular glass straws have earned a 5/5 rating by over 90% buyers, making them a sure bet for a bartender looking to add some class to a drink. Made from durable glass, the straws are bent slightly to make sipping easier. Included is a brush to make cleaning easy, helping you save on waste while delighting drinkers.
8. Big Bad-Ass Book of Shots
With over 1,400 recipes included, this book will inspire even the most seasoned bartender with enough new ideas to keep the party going forever! Includes fun photos of collectible shot glasses. Readers rave about the easy to understand and tasty recipes.
9. Ace Opener
Is your bartender an ace at his or her gig? This credit card sized bottle opener is the perfect way to say “you rock!” It will fit in a wallet or purse, so take it everywhere.
10. Wood Box Alcohol Sign
This pithy wood sign reads “Alcohol – because no great story ever started with someone eating a salad.” The perfect decoration for your bartender’s kitchen.
11. Vintage shot menu poster
Add some character to the home or pub with this lovely tin (can handle a few spilled drinks) poster. A clever way to drum up interest in getting the drinking on. Comes with holes drilled in for easy hanging.
And now for two gifts you should avoid:
Instant cocktail mix
This is like giving a chef a frozen dinner. Just don’t go there.
A flask
This is really the last thing a bartender needs. Surrounded by alcoholic drinks, he or she does not need to store some more in the pocket.
Looking for more boyfriend gifts? Check out our full list.