When it comes to special events, the bar is often one of the main attractions. To help your cocktail hour run as efficiently as possible, it’s important to understand the lingo. We hooked up with Kay Alonge of Jewell Events Catering, who serves up a hi ball of terms you should know.
86 – menu item no longer available
BEHIND THE STICK – slang term for the act of getting behind the bar and bartending
CALL DRINK – drink ordered by naming specific brands of liquor and mixers, i.e. Jack & Coke
CORKAGE – the charge (per bottle) for serving wine brought into an event by a sponsor or client
DEEP – a measure of how busy a bar is; for example, “three-deep” means three guests are waiting to be served
FREE POUR – pouring without a measuring device
FULL BAR – a bar that is fully stocked with standard liquor, mixers and materials (here, the recommended bartender to guest ratio is 1:50)
FULL KEG – also called a half barrel; equivalent to 165 cans of beer (or 6.8 cases)
GOLDEN RATIO – 2:1:1, meaning two drinks per guest per hour HI BALL – a tall drink glass
HOSTED BAR – a bar that serves free drinks to guests, but isn’t necessarily a full or open bar (also referring to sponsored bars)
HOUSE BRAND – any brand of liquor served when a customer requests a drink by its generic name, e.g., gin and tonic or scotch and soda (also known as well brand)
LO BALL – a short drink glass (aka rocks glass)
LUG – crate used to store glassware
NEAT – cocktail style meaning the spirit is served without ice
OPEN BAR – typically a full bar that serves free drinks to guests at an event
PREMIUM – more expensive liquor brands that can typically be found stocked on the top shelf
SANIT – back of house area used to stage dirty glassware and/or catering items during an event (an abbreviation of sanitation)
SOFT BAR – a bar that serves beer and wine only (here, the recommended bartender to guest ratio is 1:75)
SPEED RACK – commonly used bottles placed near the ice well
STANDARD SHOT – 1.25 to 1.5 ounces of a spirit served in a small shot glass
STEMWARE – glassware typically used to serve wine
TWIST – citrus peel that is rimmed along a cocktail, and then twisted and dropped in as a flavorful garnish
UP – spirit stirred with ice and strained into a chilled glass (aka straight-up)
WHEEL – a slice of fruit [usually citrus] cut perpendicular and used as garnish or decoration
