Bartenders are always on the move, and if you have ever worked a shift behind the bar, you probably know the feeling…
Quite often not a minute goes by when you’re not on your feet.
This goes to show that having the right shoes for the job can be the difference between a fun and easy shift… or a hellish, and in some cases, painful few hours.
Regardless, we don’t want anyone to learn about the importance of good, comfortable shoes the hard way. As a result, we’ve done some research and came up with the Top 10 brands for bartending shoes, as well as some suggestions for each of these brands.
One thing that is universally agreed upon in the bartending world is that you need shoes that fit. Being constantly on the run, any extra room for your feet to move around in your shoes will have a compounding effect on the pain you feel after a long shift.
Statistics show that 80% of men wear shoes that don’t fit, and with women it’s up to 90%. When you boil it down, especially at your work, there should be only two shoe sizes – right and wrong.
Now for the main event..
THE TOP TEN BEST SHOES FOR BARTENDING
10. SKECHERS
Starting things off, we have the household brand of Skechers. You’ve heard of them, and while you may not own a pair, I’m sure you know someone who does. Skechers is the epitome of “getting what you pay for”, and their shoes for bartending are no exception.
Pros:
- Cheap Price
- Many have memory foam
- Comfortable (Though overtime this becomes less and less the case)
- Slip resistant
Cons:
- Not durable (at all)
- Break down easily, and have cheap adhesives
- Not much arch support
- Not quiet shoes
- Known to “squeak”
- Most aren’t very stylish
Which ones we recommend:
- Skechers for Work Men’s Felton Slip Resistant Relaxed-Fit Work Shoe
- Skechers for Work Men’s Flex Advantage Slip Resistant Mcallen Slip On
9. NEW BALANCE
A brand that is more known for its athletic shoes than work shoes, New Balance actually does a pretty decent job in this sphere. Their shoes – though not the greatest quality – serve as a good alternative for those looking for a decent work shoe at a good price. If you want something that lasts, we recommend one of the shoes ranked higher. But if you’re just looking for a temporary shoe, New Balance should do the job.
Pros
- Relatively Cheap
- Styles
- Slip resistant
Cons
- Quality
- Comfort
Which ones we recommend:
8. KEEN
This next one might surprising for some. When it comes to paying more for higher quality, this brand’s bartending shoes falls a little short. They are great boots, but aren’t quite up to par to the other boots on our list. And with a price that matches or even exceeds them, we list KEEN on the lower end of the list.
Pros
- Boots
- Variety
- Comfortable
- Slip resistant
Cons
- Cheaply made (for the price)
- Expensive
- Other brands do it better
Which ones we recommend:
7. MERRELL
We felt that Merrell falls a little short for its very high prices. We absolutely love their MOAB but understand it’s not for everyone. That being said, if you are a fan of durability and have wide feet, these are definitely the shoes for you.
Pros
- Durable
- Great for wide feet
- Variety
- Slip resistant
Cons
- Very Expensive
Which ones we recommend:
6. BIRKENSTOCK
Next up we have Birkenstocks. Love ‘em or hate ‘em, you can’t deny they deliver. Where the divide comes is in how they look. Just like our next shoe in the list, these shoes may receive some odd looks when worn in public. The good news is you will be spending most of your time behind the bar, so you should be good.
Pros
- Comfortable
- Durable
- Well Made
- Slip resistant
Cons
- Expensive
- Not stylish
- Not always Slip Resistant
Which ones we recommend:
5. CROCS
Oh boy. The notorious Crocs. They will never not be vilified, and that pretty much comes with the territory. You know you’ll most likely have to be dodging insults if you walk outside with these bad boys on. What you might not have known is how great they can be for working behind the bar. They are light, comfy, and slip-resistant—as well as being extremely cheap. So aside from the look (and the lack of good airflow to your feet when wearing them) these are actually great shoes for bartending.
Pros
- Feet won’t hurt (surprisingly)
- Very easy to clean
- Reliable
- Won’t break down
- Cheap Price
- Comfortable
- Slip resistant
Cons
- UGLY
- Lack of airflow
- Can get smelly
Which ones we recommend:
4. RED WING
Next up we have our two favorite boot companies. As we mentioned earlier, KEEN isn’t a bad alternative. But Red Wing and Dr. Martens seem to give you a better bang for your buck, which is why we rated them higher. It really was toss up between the two, but we gave the edge to Dr. Martens as the superior work shoe. Still, Red Wing offer solid shoes for the bartender lifestyle in you and will last a long time.
Pros
- Durable
- Steel-Toe
- Superior quality
- Slip resistant
Cons
- Not the most fashionable
- Expensive
Which ones we recommend:
3. DR. MARTENS
The world-famous Dr. Martens arrive at number 3. Combining style with practicality, they’ve been doing it right for over 60 years. When it comes to utilizing their shoes in the bartender workplace, they push all the right buttons. We understand their look and price are not for everyone, but those who choose them will not be disappointed.
Pros
- Stylish
- Iconic
- Durable
- Steel-Toe
- Superior Quality
- Slip resistant
Cons
- Expensive
- Heavy
Which ones we recommend:
2. SHOES FOR CREWS
If there is one brand that comes to mind when figuring out where to buy shoes for the non-stop worker, Shoes For Crews is that brand. Combining style with a plethora of options – all on the relative cheap – Shoes For Crews does it right. They have shoes for every type of job and environment in the workplace.
Pros
- Comfortable
- Renowned in the “workplace shoes” field
- Cheap
- Good Quality
- Many Options
- Slip resistant
Cons
- Not always the most stylish
Which ones we recommend:
- SFC Men’s Freestyle Li Sneaker
- SFC MOZO Men’s Floyd Food Service Shoe
- SFC MOZO Women’s Maven Food Service Shoe
1. DANKSO
There was much debate amongst the BLH team for this last one, but after much trial and error, Dankso rose to the top as the brand we recommend most to any bartender looking for comfort and style. Dankso’s are well crafted and will last for a long period of time. People who buy Dankso products often fall in love with the brand, and it’s this customer loyalty that gives them the top spot in our best shoes for bartending.
Pros
- Extremely Comfortable
- Renowned in the workplace field
- Once you go Dankso, you don’t go back
- Stylish
- Safe
- Slip resistant
Cons
- Can be pricey
Which ones we recommend:
Shoes are important in people’s daily life, and the same applies for the life of a bartender. The problem is most people don’t give their selection of bar shoes the same amount of importance they give to their everyday shoes.
Use this guide to find a pair that works for you, and stand out from the crowd – all while making your life of serving up drinks a little easier.
Links & Resources
- Does your state or bar require a bartending license? If so, click here, select your state, and see what exactly you’ll need to do get certified!
- If you’re just starting out, check out Bartending Tips for Beginners
- Learn the basics with Five Classic Cocktails Every Bartender Needs to Know
