Bar menu template

What a bar menu is for

A bar menu has two jobs. It has to make people want something they might not have thought of, and it has to let them order fast when the room is loud and the light is low. That means big names, short descriptions, and prices that sit where the eye expects them. The template follows that: house drinks first, then beer and wine, then a few snacks to keep customers longer and the till ringing.

Start with your own drinks

House drinks go at the top. They are the ones with your name on them, they have the best margin, and they are the reason someone chose your bar. Four to six is enough. Describe each in a line: the base spirit and the one or two flavours that make it different. Guests who want the full recipe will ask.

Beer and wine

Keep this short and honest. List what is on tap, name the style, and show the price per glass. If you have a longer wine list, say so in the description line and put the list on a second page. A pint-size beer description is mostly “draught”, so there is no need to write more.

Snacks

A bar snack list of four items lifts the average spend and slows down drinking, which is better for everybody. Choose things that are quick to plate and easy to share: olives, nuts, fries, a board.

Non-alcoholic options

List a zero-alcohol beer and at least one house soft drink or mocktail. Designated drivers notice, and so does everyone else.

Dark style or light style

The sample uses the chalkboard style, which gives a dark, low-key look that suits an evening bar. If the printed menu will sit in daylight, try the minimal or bistro style. All four layouts hold the same content.

Licensing and wording

Local alcohol rules can require an age notice or a responsible-service line on a printed menu. Put it in the footnote if it applies to you. For a longer list of cocktails with ingredient lines, see the cocktail menu template.

Questions about this template