Behind the Scenes: What Happens Before We Open the Doors

When you walk through the doors at 99 & Main, everything is ready to go. The music is playing, the bar is fully stocked, the glassware is sparkling and your favourite cocktail is only minutes away.

What many people don't see is everything that happens before we open.

Running a cocktail bar is about far more than serving drinks. Every shift starts with careful preparation to make sure every guest enjoys the same high-quality experience from the first cocktail of the evening to the last.

Fresh Ingredients, Prepared Daily

Many of our cocktails rely on fresh ingredients, so one of the first jobs of the day is preparing fruit and garnishes.

Limes, lemons and oranges are cut fresh, herbs are checked for quality, and garnishes are prepared so every cocktail not only tastes fantastic but looks just as impressive.

Fresh ingredients make a noticeable difference in both flavour and presentation, and we believe they're worth the extra effort.

Stocking the Bar

Before service begins, every bottle has its place.

Our team checks spirit levels, replaces bottles, fills speed rails and makes sure everything is exactly where it should be. During a busy Friday or Saturday night, every second counts, so organisation is essential.

A well-stocked, well-organised bar means less waiting and consistently great service.

Every Glass Matters

There's nothing worse than receiving a drink in a cloudy or marked glass.

That's why every glass is checked, polished and prepared before opening. Whether it's a Martini glass, Coupe, Highball or Rocks glass, presentation is just as important as what's inside it.

Ice – The Unsung Hero

It might sound simple, but ice is one of the most important ingredients in any cocktail.

Different cocktails require different amounts of ice, and keeping enough fresh ice ready throughout service is essential. Good ice chills drinks quickly while reducing unnecessary dilution, helping every cocktail taste exactly as it should.

A Final Walk Around

Before guests arrive, the team takes one last look around the venue.

Tables are cleaned, menus are in place, lighting is adjusted, candles are lit, music is set to the perfect level and every area is checked to make sure it's ready to welcome guests.

It's the little details that help create the atmosphere people remember.

Then the Doors Open...

Once the first guests arrive, everything shifts into gear.

Orders start coming through, cocktails are shaken, stirred and poured, conversations begin, celebrations get underway and the bar comes to life.

While it may look effortless from the other side of the bar, that's only because of the preparation that happens beforehand.

Experience the Difference

At 99 & Main, we believe great hospitality starts long before the first cocktail is poured. Every member of our team takes pride in the preparation that goes into each service, helping us deliver the quality, consistency and welcoming atmosphere our guests have come to expect.

The next time you visit, you'll know just how much work goes into making your evening a memorable one—and we think it's worth every minute.

We look forward to welcoming you soon.