The 5 Worst Bar Glasses (According to Bartenders)

Not all glassware is created equal-especially if you’re behind the bar. While some glasses are sleek, stylish, or even iconic, others are downright impractical. Whether you're carrying a full tray, cleaning up at the end of the night, or replacing broken inventory, you know exactly which glasses make the job harder than it needs to be.

Here are the top five worst bar glasses that bartenders and waitstaff secretly (or not so secretly) hate dealing with.

1. Martini Glass

The martini glass might be a cocktail classic, but for anyone who has to carry it, serve it, or clean it-it's a nightmare.

Why It's the Worst:

• Spills easily – One small tilt, and it’s over.

• Hard to carry – Guests and servers alike struggle with the delicate balance.

• Fragile AF – One knock and you're sweeping glass off the floor.

• Illusion of volume – A standard 3oz pour looks sad in a large martini glass.

• Small ones don’t help – They just look… pathetic.

The martini glass might win in aesthetics, but it fails in functionality.

2. Pilsner Glass

Tall and proud, pilsner glasses look great filled with golden beer. But behind the scenes? Total tray-flipping disasters.

Why It's the Worst:

• Top-heavy – Easy to tip over, especially on busy nights.

• Difficult to carry in multiples – Stacking on a tray? Good luck.

• Breaks constantly – Tall and thin = fragile and risky.

Great for Instagram photos, not so great for anyone trying to serve 12 beers in a rush.

3. Shot Glass

Small but mighty... annoying. Shot glasses come in all shapes and sizes, but they’re universally annoying to manage.

Why It's the Worst:

• Hard to clean – Tiny size makes it tough to scrub or sanitize well.

• Tricky to store – They don’t stack efficiently and get lost in glass racks.

• Break easily – Especially those skinny “stylish” ones.

• Constantly stolen – Seriously, why are these always disappearing?

Bartenders don’t mind pouring shots-but everything else about shot glasses is a headache.

4. Copper Mugs

Yes, they’re iconic for Moscow Mules. Yes, they look cool. But the problems? Many.

Why It's the Worst:

• They get stolen – All. The. Time.

• Expensive to replace – Especially the real-deal ones lined with stainless steel.

• Require special cleaning – If not cleaned or stored properly, they can tarnish or even leach metal.

If you’ve ever had to explain to a manager why your inventory is down yet again, you know the pain.

5. Decanters

They look classy. They feel luxurious. They’re also the single most impractical piece of glassware in most restaurants.

Why It's the Worst:

• Impossible to clean – Narrow necks and wide bases mean they trap liquid and dust.

• Rarely used – Most places don't even need them.

• Expensive clutter – They often sit unused but still need maintenance.

Unless you’re running a high-end wine bar, decanters are usually just expensive dust collectors.

Honorable Mention: The Coupe Glass

This one’s for the aesthetic chasers. The coupe glass is elegant… until it’s not.

Why It's a Problem:

• Hard to drink from – Spills easily if you’re not super careful.

• Used for too many drinks – From champagne to fancy cocktails, it’s often used in the wrong context.

• Still not as stable as it should be – Especially on crowded tables or trays.

Looks like Old Hollywood, behaves like New Problems.

Final Thoughts

Behind the bar, every second and every item counts. Glassware should make our jobs easier-not harder. While these pieces may look great to guests, they often create more work (and stress) for the people serving the drinks.

Next time you see a bartender flinch at a martini order or glare at an empty copper mug, you’ll know why.

What glassware do YOU hate dealing with? Drop your horror stories in the comments or share them with us on social media @themodernwaiter.