Best Shoes for Bartenders? Why You Should Try Barefoot Shoes

Working as a bartender puts you in the spotlight. Few other jobs let you blend socializing with maximizing your income the way bartending does. Whether you’re mixing signature drinks or chatting with the regulars, your primary job is taking care of others – and that starts with taking care of yourself.

Working behind the bar requires you to spend long hours on your feet. You never know when you might need to pivot to reach a glass or rush across a wet floor to clean up a mess. You need to be on top of your game, and that means feeling your best. The shoes you wear while working can mean the difference between ending your shift with a smile on your face or wanting nothing more than to get off your feet.

Is it time to re-evaluate your footwear? Keep reading to learn about the best shoes for bartending… shoes that will keep your feet in top shape. You might be surprised to discover that barefoot shoes may be your best choice.

Which Shoes Work Best for Bartenders?

Bartenders need comfortable shoes that allow them to move freely without worrying about slips and sore feet at the end of the night. As you may already know, bartenders often deal with foot discomfort and afflictions that can make it hard to flash your smile at a row full of customers. To maintain your feel-good personality in any bar or restaurant service job, you need shoes that provide all-day (or night) comfort.

While it may seem like a tall order, the best shoes for bartenders have these essential qualities:

Provide a high level of traction and stability
Are lightweight and breathable, yet protect your feet from spills
Allow for maximum movement and mobility
Built with a zero-drop heel that encourages good posture
Are stylish and match your aesthetic

The best bartending shoes have these features, and barefoot shoes check all of these boxes.

Why Are Barefoot Shoes Better than Normal Shoes?

You know that you’ve found good shoes for bartending when you forget that you’re wearing them… even at the end of a long shift. Whether you’re running errands during the day or working behind the bar at night, barefoot shoes will meet your comfort, style, and performance needs.

But what exactly are barefoot shoes?

Barefoot shoes, also known as minimalist shoes, mimic the experience of walking barefoot while still providing some protection, letting your feet do what’s natural — bend, flex, move, and FEEL the world.

Here are a few ways barefoot shoes are different from conventional shoes, and how they can help bartenders move and feel better.

Zero Drop

One of the biggest differences between barefoot shoes and “normal” shoes is that barefoot shoes are made with a low-to-the-ground design that lets your feet get feedback from the surfaces you’re walking on. That feedback is what lets you make the automatic adjustments needed to stay surefooted and well-balanced. Barefoot shoes are “zero drop” meaning the heel of the shoes is level to the midfoot. The zero drop design allows the entire foot to lay flat on the ground beneath you, which in turn allows you to enjoy your natural, proper posture.

Wider Toe Box

Barefoot shoes also have a wider toe box that allows your feet to have room to rest comfortably as you stand on your feet for hours. Shoes that have a wider toe box also prevent pinching as you stand on tiptoes to reach glassware or spin around to greet a new customer.

No Excessive Padding

Conventional shoes often have thick soles and excessive padding that don’t allow your feet to engage in natural movement – it’s like wearing a cast on your foot, restricting your foot’s range of motion, reducing joint mobility, and causing the muscles to weaken over time. Barefoot shoes don’t provide any external arch support – it may seem counterintuitive, but that feature is what allows bartenders to build foot strength just by moving around during their shift.

Closing Out: Barefoot Shoes for Bartenders

Bartenders need shoes that will help them get through long shifts that require them to be constantly on their feet and moving around. With barefoot shoes, you may experience more comfort and energy, which will let you better do the job of helping everyone you serve to have an enjoyable night.

Thousands of men and women have made the switch to wearing barefoot shoes. Some of the bartenders who love wearing their Xero Shoes share their thoughts:

“I love the Kona shoe. I don’t like to wear socks so I was looking for an easy slip-on slip off situation and these are super comfortable without socks. I wear them at my bartending job and my feet don’t hurt after a full shift. They run true to size lengthwise but are very spacious around the foot. I initially thought they were too big, but my feet weren’t used to having room to breathe. They do provide a barefoot feel because of how flat and thin the sole is, but they look and feel high quality. They look great with pants and shorts. I get compliments every time I wear them.”

“I stand serving and bartending all day, these shoes are magic, I feel no discomfort in my lower back all day, I cannot recommend these more! They should be worn by anyone who works a service job of any kind, I bought a second pair literally the next day after I tried these. I find they’re almost better than being barefoot because you have external protection for your feet. Regardless, extremely comfortable shoe, can’t recommend them enough. Best not just shoes but any clothing or accessory I’ve ever bought!”

“These shoes are actually nonslip! I’m a bartender and I need total nonslip not 70%. I was nervous to try yet another shoe but these totally did the job! At first, I wasn’t a big fan of the look but they’ve grown on me and now I think they are cute. Lastly, they are barefoot shoes! I am so satisfied finally finding a shoe I can wear all day that helps me keep my feet healthy and strong.”

“Thank you for making these! As a high volume bartender, I need to be constantly moving fast on my feet for 8 – 10 hours non-stop. I’ve been wearing barefoot shoes outside of doing restaurant work for a few years now so it’s actually hard to go back to cushioned work shoes. Having minimalist nonslip shoes like these Prio SR is something I’ve been looking for for quite awhile. Awesome stuff!”

“I have been on a 15 year journey to find the perfect bartending shoe and I have found it! My feet, legs and body are just normal tired after an 8 hour high volume shift at a music venue; rather than achy and sore as hell half way through my shift. I feel stronger and have more agility in my movements than a running shoe or any of the others I have tried through the years. The adjustment period was difficult but I felt better right away. My feet and legs feel better. I can sleep after work without discomfort. I wake up the next day and instead of hobbeling, I’m walking and feel great! Huge difference! Thank you Xero I didn’t think it was possible!”