Barkeeper's Friend

 

What you get

Well, it depends on what you need.

But my gameplan is to detail-dust the corners and common areas of the bar, including knickknacks, fixtures, under the bar and stools and anywhere else cobwebs, dust and debris may congregate.

I'll also do the backbar, the one place in a bar that gets cleaned daily, if it needs it.

And give a good scrubbing to the restrooms, and sweep and mop all the floors. 

And I will do it all on the day early-morning bars are closed the longest, in the wee hours of Sunday morning between Saturday night closing time and opening the next afternoon.

Dusting is not a fast job, especially when it involves poles and ladders and wiping layers of sediment off by hand. Saturday after close should be plenty of time to get everything cleaned up and take care of any special requests or conditions. 

 

Why?

"Wait a minute. What does a methodical, allergy free cleaner want with a smoke-encrusted bar?"

Good question.

I have never cleaned a bar, and I don't know of any professional service that has. As I understand it, most small bar owners make their poor bartenders do it.

But I came up with the idea simply because allergy-type cleaning has me dusting like a maniac all the time.

Is there any place more in need of maniacal dusting than a bar? I haven't been inside one in years, but, if I remember right, the best bars are full of memorabilia and signs that are coated with dust and cobwebs.

In my opinion, there is a fine line between cozy and scary.

The $200 overnight deal is a one-time thing that a bar might want to do every few years or so. No drinking establishment wants to be too bright and spotless. But a good whack at the dust and cobwebs once in a while will help everyone breathe easier and keep the place from becoming too dirty to clean without making a major (and much more expensive) ordeal out of it.

Am I going to end up destroying the character of beloved dive bars in town? Will some places fall apart if the dust holding everything together is removed?

I hope not. We shall see!