Template · Bar operations
Bar Opening Checklist for Pubs and Clubs
Start every trading day with the bar fully ready: equipment checked, stock in place, safety walk done, and one person clearly accountable. Use it as a printable checklist or run it as a recurring Daily Run in PublicanOps.
Free manual template
Bar Opening Checklist for Pubs and Clubs
What's inside
- ✓Opening readiness: areas unlocked, lights, music, POS and EFTPOS powered on
- ✓Equipment checks: fridges and chillers at temperature, beer taps and lines flowing, coffee machine, glass washer and post-mix operational
- ✓Stock readiness: spirits, beer, wine, mixers, garnishes, ice and glassware in place for service
- ✓Bar safety walk: spills, signage, exits, first aid kit and RSA signage visible
- ✓Cash float counted, signed and reconciled by the opening supervisor
What this template helps you manage
What the bar operations covers.
The Bar Opening Checklist gives pubs and clubs a single, repeatable routine for opening readiness — covering equipment, stock, safety and accountability so service starts cleanly, every shift.
- ✓Opening readiness: areas unlocked, lights, music, POS and EFTPOS powered on
- ✓Equipment checks: fridges and chillers at temperature, beer taps and lines flowing, coffee machine, glass washer and post-mix operational
- ✓Stock readiness: spirits, beer, wine, mixers, garnishes, ice and glassware in place for service
- ✓Bar safety walk: spills, signage, exits, first aid kit and RSA signage visible
- ✓Cash float counted, signed and reconciled by the opening supervisor
- ✓Shift accountability: opener named, time recorded, manager review captured
- ✓Issues raised in one tap: fridge temperature problems, beer tap issues, POS faults
How PublicanOps works
From paper checklist to a live workflow.
Schedule it, assign it, complete it on mobile, and report on what happened. Records can carry into shift reports, manager handovers and asset history where relevant.
- 1Step 1
Schedule
Recurring Daily Run
PublicanOps turns the bar opening checklist into a recurring Daily Run that appears automatically for the right team at the right time — no one has to remember to start it.
- 2Step 2
Assign
Assigned to the opening team
Each opening shift the checklist lands with the bar supervisor on duty, with the duty manager set as reviewer for sign-off before service.
- 3Step 3
Complete
Completed on mobile or tablet
Staff tap through each check on mobile or tablet, attach photos for fridges, taps and bar setup, and flag issues like fridge temperature problems, beer tap issues or POS faults in one step.
- 4Step 4
Report
Manager visibility and follow-up
Managers see who completed the checks, what was missed and what needs follow-up — with flagged issues routed into maintenance, handovers or the next Daily Run.
Completed records flow straight into venue reports, manager handovers and — for maintenance and asset checks — your asset history, so nothing has to be re-keyed.
Benefits
Wins for every role in the venue.
For frontline staff
- ✓Clear, repeatable opening routine — no guessing what's required
- ✓Mobile or tablet checklist with photo prompts for fridges, taps and bar setup
- ✓Raise fridge, tap or POS issues in one tap instead of a paper note
For duty managers
- ✓See at a glance whether the bar opened cleanly before service
- ✓Sign off opening readiness with photo and stock evidence
- ✓Catch missed checks and equipment faults before they hit customers
For operations managers
- ✓Standardise opening procedures across every pub and club
- ✓Trend opening compliance and recurring faults week-on-week
- ✓Spot training gaps from repeated missed checks
For general managers & operators
- ✓Audit-ready evidence of safe, consistent openings across the group
- ✓Less reliance on individual supervisors' memory or handwritten notes
- ✓Lower risk of equipment downtime, stock-outs or compliance surprises
Manual template preview
Preview the printable template.
A simple structure your team can use today. The PublicanOps version maps to the same fields with scheduling, assignment, photo evidence and reporting layered on top.
PublicanOps · Manual template
Bar Opening Checklist for Pubs and Clubs
Venue
______________________
Date
______ / ______ / ______
Completed by
______________________
Checks
- Opening readiness: areas unlocked, lights, music, POS and EFTPOS powered on✓ / ✗
- Equipment checks: fridges and chillers at temperature, beer taps and lines flowing, coffee machine, glass washer and post-mix operational✓ / ✗
- Stock readiness: spirits, beer, wine, mixers, garnishes, ice and glassware in place for service✓ / ✗
- Bar safety walk: spills, signage, exits, first aid kit and RSA signage visible✓ / ✗
- Cash float counted, signed and reconciled by the opening supervisor✓ / ✗
- Shift accountability: opener named, time recorded, manager review captured✓ / ✗
Issues / notes
Staff sign-off
Name + signature
Manager review
Name + signature
Free download
Download the Bar Opening Checklist.
Get the printable PDF for your team today. Tell us where you'll use it and we'll send the PublicanOps Daily Run preset when you're ready to digitise it.
Inside the PDF
- Opening readiness: areas unlocked, lights, music, POS and EFTPOS powered on
- Equipment checks: fridges and chillers at temperature, beer taps and lines flowing, coffee machine, glass washer and post-mix operational
- Stock readiness: spirits, beer, wine, mixers, garnishes, ice and glassware in place for service
- Bar safety walk: spills, signage, exits, first aid kit and RSA signage visible
- Cash float counted, signed and reconciled by the opening supervisor
- Shift accountability: opener named, time recorded, manager review captured
- Issues raised in one tap: fridge temperature problems, beer tap issues, POS faults
Free template
Download the Bar Opening Checklist.
Get the printable PDF for your team today. Tell us where you'll use it and we'll send the PublicanOps Daily Run preset when you're ready to digitise it.
Frequently asked questions
Questions venue operators ask about this template.
What is the Bar Opening Checklist for Pubs and Clubs for?
Start every trading day with the bar fully ready: equipment checked, stock in place, safety walk done, and one person clearly accountable. Use it as a printable checklist or run it as a recurring Daily Run in PublicanOps.
Who should use the Bar Opening Checklist for Pubs and Clubs?
Duty managers, venue managers, operations managers and frontline staff responsible for bar operations. It's built for clubs, pubs, hotels, gaming venues, entertainment venues, and function/event venues.
Can I use this template manually?
Yes. The Bar Opening Checklist for Pubs and Clubs is provided as a free printable PDF you can use on a clipboard or pin up back-of-house — no PublicanOps account required.
How does PublicanOps digitise this process?
PublicanOps turns the bar opening checklist into a recurring Daily Run that appears automatically for the right team at the right time — no one has to remember to start it. Staff complete the workflow on mobile, capture photos and notes, and managers see who completed the checks, what was missed and what needs follow-up — with flagged issues routed into maintenance, handovers or the next Daily Run.
Can PublicanOps assign this task to staff automatically?
Yes. PublicanOps schedules the Bar Opening Checklist for Pubs and Clubs on a recurring cadence and assigns it to the right shift, role or team — with escalation to the Duty Manager for missed or overdue tasks.
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