As a bartender, you’ll spend long hours on your feet. This can lead to ankle, foot, and arch problems if you don’t have the right shoes. This is why investing in a good pair of shoes is essential to avoid foot pain and injuries.
Many bartenders have experienced foot pain due to standing for long periods of time. The right shoes will make your shift pass by faster, and your feet won’t hurt afterward!
Here are the 10 best shoes for bartenders recommended by those in the hospitality industry!
In this post, I share the 10 best shoes for bartenders.
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10 Best Shoes for Bartenders
Choosing the best shoes for bartenders is essential because bartending involves long hours of standing, lifting heavy objects, and walking on hard surfaces.
Here are the 10 best bartender shoes, taking into consideration comfort, durability, support, and slip resistance:
1. Dr. Martens 1460 Smooth Leather Lace-Up Boots
Dr. Martens is a top-selling footwear choice among bartenders. Dr. Martens 1460 Smooth Leather Lace-Up Boots are stylish, and they have the GripTrax slip-resistant sole and air-cushioned soles for extra comfort.
Although Dr. Martens is on the heavy side, they provide great support and offer good traction. These unisex boots are made with durable leather, so once you purchase a pair of Dr. Martens, they will last for a long time.
Overall, Dr. Marten boots are an excellent choice for any bartender who wants a stylish, comfortable boot that offers slip resistance on wet surfaces.
Pros:
- Great support
- Waterproof
- Durable
- Slip-resistant
- Water resistant
Cons:
- Hard to break in
- Heavy design
- Pricey
Recommended: Dr. Martens 1460 Smooth Leather Lace-Up Boots (see price on Amazon)
2. Adidas Samba
The Adidas Samba is one of the trendiest shoes right now. Since these sneakers are designed for skateboarding, they have slip-resistant soles, which makes them perfect for a work environment.
These comfortable shoes are a good choice if you work at a bar or restaurant that allows casual footwear. Many bartenders like the Adidas Samba’s because they have a stylish look and are affordable!
Pros:
- Slip-resistant
- Stylish
- Comfortable
Cons:
- Lack of ankle support
- Casual style
Recommended: Adidas Samba
3. Vans Slip-On
The Vans Slip-On sneakers are a popular choice among restaurant workers and bartenders. Due to the slip-on design, these shoes are very easy to put on and you never have to worry about tying your shoe laces.
These shoes come in various colors, and they have a slip-resistant outsole. The Vans Slip-Ons are perfect for a bartender who is looking for comfortable and stylish shoes.
Pros:
- Flexible
- Slip-on design
- Repels liquids
- Lightweight design
Cons:
- Lack of support
- Durability (compared to other shoes)
Recommended: Vans Slip-On Sneakers (see different colors on Amazon)
4. Red Wings Round Toe Lace-Up Boot
If you’re looking for a pair of bartending boots that will last you over 5 years, check out the Red Wings Round Toe Lace-Up Boot. These boots are made with high-quality full-grain leather that is durable, supple, and ages beautifully.
One of the great things about these boots is that they are breathable, which reduces sweat. The all-leather footbed molds to your feet over time, making these some of the most comfortable footwear options for a bartending job.
Although these boots may be expensive upfront, Red Wings has a reputation for creating products that last the test of time. With proper care and maintenance, these shoes will be cost-effective in the long run and will be well worth the cost.
Pros:
- Ankle support
- Elegant style
- Durability
- Customized insole
Cons:
- Pricey
- Requires maintenance
Recommended: Red Wings Round Toe Lace-Up Boots
5. Converse Chuck Taylor High Tops
Converse Chuck Taylor High Tops are very popular shoes in the service industry. These shoes blend style with comfort and functionality, making them great work shoes.
Due to its high-top design, the Converse Chuck Taylors offer great support around the ankles. This is handy for those bartenders who have to move kegs and other heavy items.
Since Converse are non-slip shoes, they are a great option for working around wet surfaces.
Pros:
- Good support
- Non-slip design
- Stylish look
Cons:
- Not as comfortable as other shoes
- Could be too casual for certain workplaces
Recommended: Converse Chuck Taylor High-Tops
6. Adidas Stan Smith
When it comes to the best bartending shoes, it’s impossible not to mention the Adidas Stan Smith sneakers. These classic shoes are perfect for bartending!
Stan Smiths offer good supper, have a slip-resistant sole, and are extremely comfortable. If you’re looking for shoes that look great with a pair of denim jeans, then look no further than the Adidas Stan Smiths.
The Adidas Stan Smiths perfectly mix classic leather shoes and athletic shoes. They have all the elegant qualities of a leather sneaker while being as comfortable as a running shoe.
Pros:
- Slip-resistant sole
- Versatile look
- Comfortable shoes
Cons:
- Not as durable as other shoes
Recommended: Adidas Stan Smith (see over 3,000 positive reviews on Amazon)
7. Blundstone 510 Chelsea Boots
If you’re looking for a pair of boots offering comfort and support, look no further than the Blundstone 510 Chelsea Boots. These boots are hiker-approved, and they have a lifetime warranty!
These boots have a slip-on design, which makes them easy to take on and off. The leather upper is water-resistant, so you don’t have to worry about getting your socks wet while you’re on the job.
The slip-resistant sole makes the Blundstone 510 Chelsea Boots a great option for all bartenders. They have a versatile and classy look, so these boots will be appropriate for any bartending job.
Pros:
- Lifetime guarantee
- Unique style
- Removable footbead
- Ankle support
Cons:
- Expensive
- Some people find them heavy
Recommended: Blundstone 510 Chelsea Boots
8. Vans SK8-Hi Canvas Sneakers
The Vans Sk8-Hi Canvas Sneakers are the perfect shoe for a bartender on a budget. These shoes are stylish, they have a lightweight design, and they are around $60.
Since these are high-top shoes, they offer great support around your ankles. This comes in handy when you are lifting heavy objects like a KEG!
Since Vans are non-slip shoes, you don’t have to worry about slipping on wet surfaces during your shift. These shoes will offer you a good amount of traction on slippery surfaces!
The Vans Sk8-Hi shoes are one of our top picks because they are a great value and have a cool look!
Pros:
- Affordable
- Stylish
- Lightweight design
Cons:
- Not waterproof
- Not as durable as other options
Recommended: Vans Sk8-Hi Canvas Sneakers (see over 5,000 positive reviews on Amazon)
9. Dansko Walker Shoe
If you’re looking for a classic work shoe, check out the Dankso Walker Shoes. These shoes have a clog design, perfect for working behind the bar.
You will not have to worry about getting dirty when you purchase a pair of Dansko shoes. These shoes are easily washable, and the materials take a long time to get worn out.
Since these are slip-resistant shoes, you won’t have to worry about falling on wet or oily surfaces.
Overall, these are great shoes for a bartender who wants something durable and comfortable. The only downside is that they are not the most attractive shoes!
Pros:
- Durable
- Removable sole
- Slip-on design
- Slip resistant
Cons:
- Not very stylish
Recommended: Dankso Walker Shoes
10. Adidas Original NMD
Adidas Original NMDs are good shoes for bartenders who have long shifts and are standing for long periods of time. With the Adidas Original NMD, you will never have to worry about having soar feet after your shirt.
These shoes have a stretchy mesh upper and thick soles, making them great work shoes. Right now, NMDs are very popular in the bartending world, because they are comfortable, stylish, and lightweight!
The Adidas NMDs come in different colors, and the shoe has multiple unique styles!
Pros:
- Lightweight design
- Extremely comfortable
- Unique design
Cons:
- Not slip-resistant
- Not as durable as other shoes
Recommended: Adidas Original NMD (see different colors on Amazon)
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Final Thoughts On Best Shoes For Bartenders
As a bartender, finding a good pair of shoes is essential!
This list included everything from leather work boots to affordable and comfortable styles. What’s important is that you find a pair of shoes that are stylish, comfortable, and suitable for your work environment.
In this post, I shared a list of the best shoes for bartenders.
The Adidas Samba, much like every human I have ever known who wears them, is 100% pure class. That is one of the greatest shoes of all time.
One of the things I love most about this website/blog is the total Z-style randomness of it all – I mean “Best Shoes for Bartenders” is like literally the last topic I ever expected to see next in your feed ha!
Like so many others in your gen, you literally know something about everything – I love that – and its really awesome and amazing how those of you in your 20’s already have so much relevant knowledge, kindness, and wisdom to share. By the time you guys take on your 40’s, I just know you will have totally transformed this entire planet into the smartest and chillest place ever imaginable, and then the generation that you bring into this world after you is going to be even light years more beyond legendary – thanks entirely to all of you.
You Z’ers, though, will always own and occupy one of the greatest and most well-deserved places in history as the original pioneers of the new millennium and a kinder, better future – and nobody can ever take that distinction away from you.
My “Mall Mission” for later this week lol, inspired in full by this article: to finally try out a pair of those cool Adidas NMD’s you highlighted for myself!
So I tried on a pair of those NMD’s you spoke so highly of here – you do not lie, sir – those are some really nice shoes!
Unfortunately though, I had more pressing things going on – the Nike Blazers that I had purchased and fell totally in love with last week turned out to be way too narrow for me. Sadly, I had to return them yesterday 😓
However, this story has an even happier ending, thanks – as usual –
to another helpful member of the ranks of Gen Z! The Z’er who processed my return must have noticed how down I was, because he gave me a tip about a style of Nikes that a different store in the mall had – they’re called the Nike Court Royale 2, and they are literally like Blazers on steroids lol.
If you love the look and feel of Blazers but your feet are too wide for them, you will definitely want to check out the Court Royale 2! The ones I purchased are white leather high tops with a black swoosh. They look so similar to the Blazer, but they are a little bit wider – just the right amount for me. As Nikes go, the all-white leather is premium – solid and supple with not a single crease in the toes after a full day of wearing them!
The comfort and support are legendary, and they look so sharp! I’m definitely on the tall side so I really appreciate having a pair of good looking high tops to help balance out my long legs a bit. I love these shoes even more than the Blazers, and it’s their outstanding quality that really impresses me the most – they are so solid. I love them so much that I even bought a shoe cleaning kit for white leather to keep them looking good lol.
I was also looking for some new Nike quarter socks to wear with them. I always buy new socks when I buy new shoes – it’s like a rule with me lol. I needed the XL socks for shoe sizes 13-15, but the two Z’ers working there said they were pretty sure they didn’t have any. As I was walking back to my car in the parking lot, I heard the door to the store fly open and one of the Z’ers literally shouted across the parking lot in this epic voice at me like – “YOOOO MUH MANNNN! WE FOUND THEM!!!” Ha! 😁🎉 I ran back to the store like hellz yeahhh and they were both laughing. They said they felt bad and had run to the back to take a quick look at that day’s new shipment and found some! See what I mean? Who else would have done that? Z’ers are total legends that can make just about anything happen!!! The. Realest. Humans. Ever.
So yeah, yesterday was just……a really great day 👟 😁