If you are like many bar, hotel and restaurant owners and caterers, you continuously need glassware. Glassware comes in a variety of styles, with many suppliers of wholesale glassware to choose from. Your choices will reflect the atmosphere you want to create.

You can choose straightforward, informal styles. Beer glassware, for example, can be a simple pint glass that will stand up to repeated washings. On the other hand, if you choose a specialized, European-inspired line, beer glassware can encompass all the many glasses needed for particular types of beer.

Whatever your needs, foodservice glassware needs to be aesthetically pleasing and yet sturdy enough to stand up over time. As you shop, consider the following:

1. Determine your inventory needs for glassware.
2. For well-known quality, choose the glassware you need from a reputable glassware manufacturer.
3. For good deals, choose glassware from reputable wholesale glassware suppliers, or a glassware distributor or a glassware manufacturer.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Determine your inventory needs for glassware

You will need enough glassware for the customers you are serving and the customers you are going to serve if a large amount of the glassware is dirty. Several online tables can help you determine how much glassware you need and of what type.

I recommend: For restaurants, try The WEBstaurant Store or The Restaurant Guru. If you'd like to try a free computerized demo of inventory management, which includes your glassware, try iBarControl Inc.

Buy glassware from a reputable glassware manufacturer

Glassware manufacturers who have been in business a long time consistently produce a well-known product.

I recommend: Libbey Glass Inc. has been in business since 1818 and carries a variety of glassware suitable for businesses. Anchor Hocking also offers a great bar glassware selection in their foodservice line of glassware and stemware, and they offer glassware and stemware made in the U.S.A.

Buy wholesale glassware from a glassware supplier or glassware distributor

Whether you want colored glassware, decorative glassware or simply cheap glassware, suppliers and distributors can link you to the products you want.

I recommend: From beer glassware to white wine glasses, Food Service Warehouse (FSW) carries many products, as does Ace Mart Restaurant Supply Co. For another large glassware supplier, see Able Kitchen.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Presentation is so important. Periodically check your glassware to make sure it isn't scratched or chipped.