33 Gifts For Bartenders So Good They'll Score You a Free Drink

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There's nothing like a good homemade cocktail during a holiday party. Bartenders are out here doing the important work, whipping up egg nog and spiked cider at all of our seasonal festivities. They make extended family or work parties tolerable expertly balanced cocktails, cold beers, or their favorite top-shelf liquors. So, you ought to get a special holiday gift for yours.

If you're looking to gift one of your favorite bartenders (seasoned or new, at-home or pro) something good for their concoctions, we are here to assist. We pulled a range of some of the most useful things they can use to round out their at-home bar carts, which are likely already stocked with bar tools, cocktail kits, and the big alcohol essentials.

Here, we've rounded up 33 gifts that might help them make a new drink they've been wanting to, upgrade some basic bar items they haven't invested in quite yet, or pieces of servewear that puts those fancy cocktails on a rightfully extra display for the next holiday party. These gifts are fun to give, and even more fun when you get to see them in action—and get the finished drink after, too.

Bartender's Knife

Garnish work is trickier than it seems. Have you ever tried to cut a perfect twist off an orange or spear a particularly slippery martini olive? Not easy—unless you're armed with this essential bar tool.

"The Japanese Art of the Cocktail"

One of the best cocktail books of 2021—and a damn fine coffee table book to boot—this ode to Japanese cocktail art is instructive as well as just plain beautiful.

Mini Smoking Cloche

A winner of Esquire's 2021 Design Awards, this smoking cloche adds theatricality—and irresistible smokiness—to bartending. And now, for my next trick...

Custom Blueprint Coaster Set

Water rings are an unfortunate occupational hazard for bartenders who bring their work home. But with custom coasters—you can get the blueprint of any address stamped onto these—the damage will be mitigated.

Bentley Martini Gift Set

The journey to making the perfect martini will take them years, if not decades. But with this, they will have the perfect tools for said journey.

Barwell Rocks Glass

The Soho Home Barwell collection has won Esquire Design Awards and Endorsements alike. As short rocks glasses, the crystal cut design is as beautiful as ever.

Eve Coupe Cocktail Glass

For everything that doesn't go in a rocks glass, they can use a coupe. These from CB2 are the most beautiful out ther, and they're really quite affordable.

Espadin Mezcal

Tequila is well on its way to being America's favorite spirit, but mezcal often offers a lot more in cocktails. Celeb duo Aaron Paul and Bryan Cranston (of Breaking Bad fame) made an incredible mezcal in Dos Hombres. This Espadin is a great entry, but the limited edition Tobala is a great gift to splurge on.

Mezcal & Tequila Tasting Kit

So you've got them the mezcal... If you've never noticed, mezcal and tequila don't need much help in the nose department. They actually need wide mouth glasses to allow some of the alcohol to evaporate and deepen the flavor.

Pewter Cocktail Shaker

This Italian crafted pewter looks as good as silver, but it's way less needy. Perfect for when a few too many daiquiris means it might not get washed properly.

Cocktail Shaker

For the outdoors mixologist, YETI has steadily been releasing an incredible line of barware. We've already professed our love for the ice bucket, but there's now this shaker and stackable lowballs to round out the collection.

Azad Leather Coasters

A lot more muted than the coasters they already have.

Roll-up 9-Piece Bar Tools Set

Everything they need to run a bar, all in a simple tool roll.

12 Pack Liquor Pour Spout

Can never have too many of these.

Antique Brass Ice Bucket

Right now, they're just pulling ice out of the ice maker or freezer. But as of the moment you give them this, they'll have something that makes the ice-getting endeavors a little easier, especially when serving guests.

Walnut and Glass Revolving Bar Set

If you decide to spring for something a little more expensive, this revolving bar set is a gift to treasure forever. Italian-crafted, a unique chest of tools and bar essentials is going to be a hit at happy hour.

Personalized Bar Sign

Customize this with whatever tickles your fancy, and give the gift of personalization this season.

Citrus Squeezer

To be honest, you don't even need to be bartending anything for this juicer to be useful. Never squeeze lemon or lime juice into paper cuts you didn't know you had again.

Dram Bar Cart

A good bar car makes this whole hobby feel a lot more official. This simple, clean Burrow bar car takes up minimal room and keeps all of those pricey bar items on display. It comes in both a dark walnut and light oak wood finish.

uKeg Go Tungsten

Any bartender knows the party extends beyond the literal bar. This portable keg, then, will play cohost for all their jaunts into the woods, beach, and backyard. And it'll keep more than beer bubbly.

Firewater Tincture

This tincture doesn't just inflame a cocktail with spiciness. It lends subtle flavor notes of habanero, florals, and a twinge of sweetness that really enhance a drink.

Brass and Glass Tray

There is something about a fancy tray that can make even an easy drink feel above board. You can't go wrong with a simple brass and glass with any decor style bar.

Cocktail Bitters Set

Also good for bitters gifting: a whole set of fun additions for the beginner bartender who is still building out their bar.

Speakeasy: 200 Underground Cocktails

Another great option is Speakeasy, which is as useful (with 200 cocktail recipes) as it is pretty to look at. 10/10.

The Draft Top Can Opener

Not your everyday beer opener, this one neatly cuts the entire top off a can so that the drinker gets the full, aromatic beer-drinking experience.

Chess Shot Game

A surefire way to get you extra tipsy just in time for that grouchy relative to crash the holiday party.

Gift Card

To go with your Rocket Tequila Decanter obviously.

Beer Opener Bottle

A Thor-inspired gift for the Marvel-loving bartender.

Acrylic Coaster Set (4-pieces)

Well when he hands you the drink, you need something festive to put it on.

Vodka

A bottle of quality vodka will never be frowned upon.

Wall Mounted Recycled Ski Bottle Opener

Uncap your beer on this upcycled ski opener. With a vintage look, these will be a hit next to any home bar.

Penguin Cocktail Shaker

It's so cute, we couldn't resist slipping this in.

Vintage 2009

When you really can't decide, a bottle of Dom is never a bad idea. Plus, it makes the bartender's job real easy.

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