The Best Drink Mat

Buying Guide

Whether you run a restaurant or bar or serve drinks to a lot of guests in your home, it’s important to stop glasses and bottles from rattling and sliding around on the countertop. A drink mat is a great solution you can use to protect your surfaces and your glasses and bottles. As the name suggests, a drink mat is similar to a table runner or place mat, made from a thick material. It goes under drinks and plates on the surface of a bar or countertop.

There are a few different materials of drink mats available, each with their own advantages and features. A popular variety is the vinyl drink mat, which is durable, easy to clean and slip resistant. It’s a simple rectangular shape made from a hardy vinyl material. A silicone drink mat is similar to the vinyl option but made from high-quality silicone. It won’t tear or rip with heavy usage. Silicone drink mats are also heat resistant, so you can use them for coffee pots as well. Rubber is another heavy-duty option that is slip resistant. It’s used in many commercial establishments and also works well in homes.

If you have trouble with drinks spilling on the drink mat, then opt for one that has a drainage design. This way, any spills from glasses and bottles are collected underneath the mat. You can simply pick up the mat and pour out the liquid collected into the sink, instead of having all of the liquid all over the counter or bar. Many restaurants and bars use this style of drink mat.

• When it comes to the size and shape of a drink mat, you will mostly find rectangular ones which are around 12 inches by 18 inches. Determine how many mats you will need based on your set up. Some people like to cover the entire surface of the bar with drink mats while others just like to place them in certain areas. You can purchase multiple mats and place them side by side. You can also cut mats to a smaller size if needed.
• Drink mats tend to get sticky pretty quickly, especially because they are covered in drink spills from cocktails, wine, beer and sodas. The best way to maintain them and ensure they last a long time is to clean them nightly after a day of use. Check to see the care instructions. However, most drink mats can be cleaned by wiping them down with a damp cloth on both sides. Others can be rinsed in the sink with water. Before placing them back on the bar or counter, be sure to let them dry fully on both sides. Otherwise, you may end up mold or mildew on the underside of the drink mats.
• Avoid placing your drink mat under direct sunlight or heat. This can cause the material of the drink mat to deteriorate quickly. It can also cause the drink mat to fade in color.
• Can you use a drink mat for drying wet dishes? If you have one with a drainage design, you can. If there is no drainage system in the mat, be sure to dry the dishes with a towel before placing them on the mat.