In this article
Quick answer: The best bartender gifts are things they'll actually use: tools that wear out (a good jigger, bar spoon, strainer, wine key), comfort for long shifts (supportive shoes, hand cream, an insulated bottle), or a funny piece of bar decor they can keep at home. For a laugh that lasts, the Martini Olive Plush Pillow is a pillow-size cocktail garnish for $19.99 with free US shipping.
First: what kind of bartender are you shopping for?
"Bartender" covers two very different people, and the right gift depends on which one you know.
- The working bartender. Behind a bar for long shifts, probably already owns a full kit, and may have strong opinions about their tools. They value comfort, durability and things that make the shift easier.
- The home bartender. Makes cocktails for friends, has a bar cart or a shelf of bottles, and is still building their kit. They value nice-looking tools, new ingredients and anything for the bar cart.
If you're not sure which tools they already own, skip the tools. Comfort gifts, ingredients and decor are much harder to duplicate.
Bartender gifts at a glance
| Who you're shopping for | Gift idea | Budget |
|---|---|---|
| Working bartender, long shifts | Supportive non-slip shoes or insoles, hand cream, an insulated bottle | Varies; check current prices |
| Working bartender, has every tool | A spare of the tool they use most (wine key, jigger, bar spoon) | Low |
| Home bartender, building a kit | Mixing glass, bar spoon, jigger, Hawthorne strainer | Varies; check current prices |
| Bar-cart owner | Martini Olive Plush Pillow, olive picks, coasters | $19.99 + extras |
| Cocktail fan who loves bar snacks | Cheese Cracker Plush Pillow + a box of the real crackers | $19.99 + snacks |
| Wants to learn | A classic cocktail book or a class gift card | Varies |
| Truly impossible to shop for | A gift card for a nice meal on their night off | Your call |
Need a funny gift for the bar crowd? Our snack plushies are $19.99 each with free standard US shipping. See all three.
Gifts for working bartenders
People who bartend for a living already have the basics. The best gifts make the job easier on the body or replace tools that get lost, bent or borrowed.
Comfort for long shifts
Bartenders spend hours on their feet on wet floors. Comfort gifts are the ones most likely to get used every shift.
- Supportive non-slip work shoes or insoles. Shoe fit is personal, so a gift card to a shoe store can be safer than guessing a size.
- Compression socks. Many people who stand all day like them.
- Heavy-duty hand cream. Constant hand washing, citrus and sanitizer are rough on skin.
- An insulated water bottle. Easy to keep behind the bar.
Spare tools they'll actually use
Even a full kit loses pieces. A spare of their most-used tool is never wasted:
- A waiter's corkscrew (wine key). These go missing constantly.
- A jigger with clear measurement markings.
- A bar spoon with a long, twisted handle.
- A Y-peeler for citrus twists.
If you're not sure what brand they like, ask a coworker or notice what's in their bag.
Something for their night off
A bartender's night off is precious. A dinner gift card, a movie night kit or something cozy for the couch says "rest" without saying it.
Gifts for home bartenders
Home bartenders are still building their setup, which makes them easier to shop for.
Tools for stirred drinks
A martini or Manhattan needs a mixing glass, a bar spoon and a Hawthorne or julep strainer. If they only own a shaker, these three upgrade their stirred drinks right away.
Ingredients they wouldn't buy themselves
- A bitters sampler. Small bottles, lots of variety.
- Good cocktail olives or cherries. A step up from grocery-store jars.
- Large clear ice molds. For big cubes that melt slowly.
Bar cart decor
The bar cart is half function, half display. Coasters, a small tray, olive picks and a little humor make it feel finished. That's where our olive comes in.
Funny bartender gifts they'll keep
A lot of funny bartender gifts are one-use jokes: a novelty sign, a gag shot glass. If you want the joke to last, pick something that has a job after the laugh.
Martini Olive Plush Pillow
The Martini Olive Plush Pillow is a plump green olive with a red pimento center, about 11 inches wide and 9 inches tall. It's the garnish every bartender has stuffed into a thousand glasses, made soft. It sits on a couch, a bar stool or right next to the bar cart.
- Price: $19.99, free standard US shipping
- Size: about 11" W × 9" H, accent-pillow size
- Build: all soft fabric, no plastic eyes or hard parts, non-toxic hypoallergenic polyester fill
- Rating: 4.60★ across 20 reviews
What reviewers say: "The design is funny and unique, and it is one of those things that instantly makes you smile when you see it." Another called it a "fun and quirky little addition to the couch or bed."
For more olive and martini ideas, see our gifts for martini lovers and our olive gift guide.
Bar snack pillows
Every bar has its bowl of salty crackers. The Cheese Cracker Plush Pillow is a 10" × 10" golden-orange square cracker with ridged edges and a center hole, and the Cheddar Fish Cracker Plush is a smiling fish-shaped cheddar cracker about 10" wide. Pair either one with the olive for a "bar snacks" set.
| Martini Olive Plush Pillow | Cheese Cracker Plush Pillow | Cheddar Fish Cracker Plush | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Looks like | Green olive, red pimento | Square cheese cracker | Fish-shaped cheddar cracker |
| Size | About 11" W × 9" H | 10" × 10" | 10" W × 7" H |
| Best spot | Bar cart, couch | Couch, bar stool, gaming chair | Desk, shelf |
| Rating | 4.60★ (20 reviews) | 4.88★ (25 reviews) | 4.73★ (55 reviews) |
| Price | $19.99 | $19.99 | $19.99 |
Bartender gifts by budget
| Budget | Ideas |
|---|---|
| Under $20 | Martini Olive Plush Pillow, Cheese Cracker Plush Pillow, a wine key, a bar spoon, a bitters sample, hand cream |
| $20–$50 | Mixing glass, an olive pillow plus olives and picks, an insulated bottle, a cocktail book |
| $50 and up | Supportive work shoes, a full stirred-drink set, a dinner gift card |
Gift exchange tip: the olive pillow fits a $20 or $25 limit and works for the whole bar crew. Our guide to funny white elephant gifts under $25 has more ideas for that party.
When to order for the holidays
Standard shipping takes up to 3 business days to process, then 3–4 business days to arrive, and we ship within the US only. For a Christmas gift or a staff party, order by early December to leave room for holiday carrier delays.
Frequently asked questions
What do you get a bartender as a gift?
Pick something they'll use: a spare wine key, jigger or bar spoon, comfort gear for long shifts like supportive shoes or hand cream, or a funny piece of bar decor. If you don't know which tools they own, choose comfort or decor instead.
What are good gifts for home bartenders?
A mixing glass, bar spoon and strainer for stirred drinks, a bitters sampler, good cocktail olives, large ice molds and bar cart decor. Home bartenders are still building their kit, so tools are a safer bet than for a pro.
What is a funny gift for a bartender?
A pillow-size martini olive, a bar-snack plush pillow or a cocktail garnish you can hug. The best funny bartender gifts are ones they'll keep on the couch or bar cart, not a novelty that gets tossed after the party.
What's a good bartender gift under $20?
A wine key, bar spoon, hand cream or a bitters sample all fit. The Martini Olive Plush Pillow and Cheese Cracker Plush Pillow are each $19.99 with free standard US shipping.
Is the Martini Olive Plush Pillow okay for homes with kids or pets?
It's all soft fabric with no plastic eyes or hard parts, and it's recommended for ages 3 and up. One reviewer wrote that their dog likes to steal it.
Last call
A good bartender gift either makes the shift easier or makes them laugh every time they walk past the couch. If they've poured more olives than they can count, give them one they can hug.
Snack Plushies is a small family business in Newark, NJ. Every plush is $19.99 with free US shipping and 30-day returns. Browse the food plushies when you're ready.
