How to Make Opening and Closing Checklists for Bars in Ireland

Managing the opening and closing shifts of a bar in Ireland can be a high-stakes balancing act — but the right checklist can turn chaos into consistency. From ensuring stock is in place to meeting HSE cleanliness standards, bar operators across Ireland are discovering that daily checklists are a key ingredient in smoother service, faster shifts, and happier teams.

According to the Toast Consumer Preferences Survey 2025, in which 200 Irish hospitality managers were polled about running an establishment, 70% of operators already use both opening and closing checklists, with over a third updating them monthly to adapt to evolving needs.

In this guide, we’ll explore the benefits of having an opening and closing checklist that aligns with Irish regulations, improves efficiency, and supports your staff — whether you run a bustling pub in Dublin or a boutique cocktail bar in Galway.

Why Your Irish Bar Needs a Checklist

From forgetting to refill the Guinness tap to missing out on an end-of-day report, even seasoned staff can overlook tasks during busy shifts. Checklists help teams stay on track, reduce mistakes, and meet food and alcohol safety standards laid out by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI).

What’s on an Irish Bar Checklist?

Checklists should reflect the unique needs of your venue, but at a minimum, include:

• Cleaning and sanitising tasks that align with HSE food safety guidelines

• Equipment checks (ice machines, POS terminals, etc.)

• Staff responsibilities by role

• End-of-day cash counts and tip calculations

• Alcohol licence display compliance

In Ireland, cleanliness and end-of-day reporting ranked as the most important elements in a bar checklist by surveyed operators. 

Key Benefits of Bar Checklists

1. Faster Onboarding

Training new team members? A well-structured checklist helps bar staff learn quickly and ensures procedures stay consistent.

2. Higher Accountability

42% of Irish bar managers rely on regular reviews to monitor accountability, but 25% also use daily checklists to reinforce expectations 

3. Better Cleaning Compliance

Investing in better hygiene systems is a clear win. In fact, a recent Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) report found that bar and restaurant closures due to hygiene violations increased by 20% in 2023, highlighting the real business risk of falling short on cleanliness standards. 

A daily checklist not only ensures compliance with HSE and FSAI expectations, but also builds customer trust and reduces the risk of costly shutdowns.

4. Smoother Shifts

Checklists improve shift handovers and reduce downtime between staff transitions — especially vital during busy weekends or Bank Holiday rushes.

Toast Tip: Use laminate or digital copies to prolong their lifespan. 

Keep printed checklists behind the bar, laminate them for durability, or upload them to a shared team workspace like Google Drive. Alternatively, modern POS systems like Toast allow you to digitise task lists and monitor completions in real-time.