Pub & Bar Cleaning

I’ll never forget walking into what should’ve been a classy cocktail bar last summer – only to be hit with that unmistakable odor of stale beer, old mop water, and… was that vomit? The sticky floors made that awful peeling sound with every step.

Turns out, their “cleaning crew” was just spraying some lemon-scented chemical over everything at closing. No actual scrubbing. No proper sanitizing. Just covering up yesterday’s mess with today’s mistakes.

Here’s the ugly truth: Pub & bar cleaning isn’t about making things look clean – it’s about making them actually BE clean. And when you cut corners, your customers notice. Maybe not consciously, but they’ll finish one drink instead of three. They won’t come back. They’ll leave bad reviews.

What You’ll Learn

1. The 3 Most Overlooked (and Grossest) Areas in Bars

2. Why Your “Clean” Bar Might Still Feel Dirty

3. 5 Pub & Bar Cleaning Hacks Professionals Swear By

4. The Right Way to Handle Spills (Most Get This Wrong)

5. How Often You Should REALLY Be Cleaning Everything

1. The 3 Most Overlooked (and Grossest) Areas in Bars

Let’s play a fun game called “What’s the Nastiest Thing in Your Bar Right Now?”

A) The Sink Drain in Your Glass washing Area
That black gunk building up? It’s a biofilm cocktail of beer residue, milk proteins, and lipstick. A CDC study found these can harbor dangerous bacteria if not cleaned properly.

B) The Rubber Mats Behind the Bar
Lift one up. I dare you. The sticky horror underneath is usually a mix of spilled syrups, citrus juice, and whatever dripped off bottles.

C) The Ice Well
No, just changing the ice isn’t enough. That pinkish tinge? Could be mold or bacteria from airborne contaminants.

Pro tip: If you wouldn’t eat off it, why are you serving drinks near it?

2. Why Your “Clean” Bar Might Still Feel Dirty

Ever walked into a place that looked polished but just felt… off? Here’s why:

• Chemical smells (overpowering “clean” scents = covering problems)

• Sticky surfaces (means residue wasn’t fully removed)

• Cloudy glassware (from improper rinsing or detergent buildup)

Proper pub & bar cleaning should leave spaces:

• Smelling neutral (not like chemicals)

• Feeling smooth to the touch

• Looking genuinely clean (not just wiped down)

3. 5 Pub & Bar Cleaning Hacks Professionals Swear By

After managing bars for 10 years, here’s what actually works:

1. The Magic of Bar Mats

• Remove and wash nightly (don’t just hose down)

• Soak in baking soda + vinegar solution weekly

2. Glasswasher Maintenance

• Descale weekly with citric acid

• Replace rubber seals annually

3. Ice Machine Care

• Empty and sanitize weekly

• Use a stiff brush on hard-to-reach parts

4. Floor Cleaning Done Right

• Sweep first (never mop over debris)

• Use enzyme cleaner for beer spills

5. The 2-Cloth System

• One damp cloth for wiping

• One dry cloth for polishing

Bonus: These steps cut our closing time by 30 minutes once staff got the routine down.

4. The Right Way to Handle Spills (Most Get This Wrong)

Watch any amateur bartender handle a spill and you’ll see:

1. They grab a wet rag

2. Smear it around

3. Call it “good enough”

Here’s how pros do pub & bar cleaning for spills:

Beer/Wine:
✔ Blot first (don’t rub!)
✔ Use club soda for stains
✔ Follow with enzyme cleaner

Sticky Liquors:
✔ Scrape up excess
✔ Use hot water + dish soap
✔ Rinse thoroughly

Vomit/Blood:
✔ Wear gloves (always)
✔ Use biohazard cleaner
✔ Disinfect entire area

5. How Often You Should REALLY Be Cleaning Everything

Most bars clean either:

• Not enough (disgusting)

• Way too much (wasting time)

Here’s the sweet spot:

Daily:

• Glasswasher maintenance

• Bar top polishing

• Floor mopping

Weekly:

• Deep clean ice machine

• Wash bar mats properly

• Clean drains

Monthly:

• Beer line cleaning

• Detail clean hard-to-reach areas

• Check for pest signs

Bottom Line: Clean Bars Make More Money

Here’s what proper pub & bar cleaning gets you:

• Customers stay longer

• Staff take pride in their workplace

• You avoid health code violations

Want a spotless bar without the headache? [Check our professional pub cleaning services] – we’ll handle the dirty work so you can focus on pouring drinks.