The Hawthorne Strainer MATTE BLACK [THE BARS] is a professional cocktail strainer designed for direct straining from a shaker and for the working rhythm of a professional bar station. Its metal coil spring helps retain ice and solid ingredients, while the classic Hawthorne shape gives the bartender control when pouring into the serving glass.

The strainer is part of the professional barware portfolio of THE BARS, an Italian brand specialising in the development and manufacture of tools and equipment for bartending. Its MATTE BLACK finish adds a modern, understated appearance and makes it particularly suitable for building a coordinated professional bar station.

THE BARS – Italian barware since 1999

THE BARS is a brand of the Italian company World Group S.r.l., with a history dating back to 1999. Based in Cavaglio d'Agogna in the province of Novara, Italy, the company focuses on products and solutions developed for work behind the bar.

The THE BARS portfolio extends beyond cocktail strainers to include shakers, jiggers, bar spoons and numerous other bartender tools, accessories and solutions for organising professional bar stations.

From design to manufacturing

An important part of THE BARS' identity is its involvement throughout the product development process. The company describes its activity as covering design, engineering, manufacturing and packaging, allowing products to be approached not only from an aesthetic perspective but also in terms of practical professional use.

This is particularly relevant for bartender tools, where ergonomics, construction, materials and the way an item performs during repeated service can be just as important as its appearance.

Developed with professional bartenders in mind

THE BARS also develops products in collaboration with professional bartenders, using practical experience from behind the bar to identify the requirements of real-world service.

The brand's approach focuses on continuous development, exploring materials and production solutions to create equipment suited to professional bartending.

What is a Hawthorne Strainer?

A Hawthorne Strainer is a cocktail strainer characterised by its flexible metal coil spring. It is primarily used to strain drinks directly from a cocktail shaker before they are poured into the serving glass.

The spring sits around the edge of the vessel and forms the main straining area, helping keep ice and larger solid ingredients inside the shaker.

Why is the coil spring important?

The spring is not simply a characteristic part of the Hawthorne design. It performs a direct functional role during straining.

Depending on the cocktail and ingredients used, it helps retain:

• ice cubes;
• larger ice fragments;
• pieces of fruit;
• herbs;
• solid ingredients remaining in the shaker after shaking.

Very small particles can still pass through a Hawthorne Strainer. A Fine Strainer is used when a finer level of filtration is required.

More control during pouring

In professional use, a Hawthorne Strainer does more than simply separate ice from a drink. Correct positioning on the shaker helps the bartender control the pour and adapt the movement to the cocktail being prepared.

This becomes particularly relevant during busy service, when the same operations are repeated continuously and every tool needs to integrate naturally into the bartender's workflow.

Why choose a MATTE BLACK Hawthorne Strainer?

The MATTE BLACK finish offers an alternative to the traditional appearance of polished stainless steel, giving the bar station a modern, professional and understated character.

The choice becomes particularly interesting when the strainer is combined with a shaker, jigger, bar spoon or other tools in matching dark finishes, allowing the bartender or venue to create a visually coordinated workstation.

Build a professional bar station with THE BARS

THE BARS produces an extensive range of bartending equipment, allowing this Hawthorne Strainer to be combined with other professional tools from the same Italian brand.

Depending on the workstation, a professional setup can include:

• Boston Shaker;
• Jigger;
• Bar Spoon;
• Fine Strainer;
• Mixing Glass;
• cocktail preparation and garnish tools;
• bar station organisation solutions.

For bartenders and hospitality managers, this makes it possible to select tools intended for the same professional environment while also creating a consistent visual identity behind the bar.

Hawthorne Strainer or Fine Strainer?

These two tools perform different functions and should not be considered interchangeable.

• Hawthorne Strainer: provides the primary filtration, retaining ice and larger solid ingredients;
• Fine Strainer: uses a fine mesh to catch pulp, seeds and smaller particles;
• Hawthorne + Fine Strainer: allows Double Straining.

If the cocktail primarily contains ice and larger ingredients that can be retained by the spring, the Hawthorne Strainer may be sufficient. Drinks prepared with fresh citrus, fruit or herbs can benefit from an additional fine-mesh filtration depending on the desired final texture.

When should you Double Strain?

Double Straining means filtering a cocktail through two different strainers during the same pour.

The Hawthorne Strainer sits on the shaker and performs the primary filtration. The drink then passes through a Fine Strainer held above the serving glass, which catches smaller particles.

This technique is useful when a cleaner texture is desired or when fresh ingredients used during shaking leave pulp, seeds or other fine particles in the drink.

Which cocktails can it be used for?

A Hawthorne Strainer can be used for numerous classic and modern cocktails prepared by shaking, including:

• Daiquiri;
• Margarita;
• Whiskey Sour;
• Cosmopolitan;
• Gimlet;
• Sidecar;
• Clover Club;
• Espresso Martini;
• Pornstar Martini;
• Signature cocktails.

Whether an additional Fine Strainer is required depends on the ingredients and the desired texture of the finished drink.

Hawthorne Strainer vs Julep Strainer

A Hawthorne Strainer features a metal coil spring and is primarily associated with straining cocktails from a shaker.

A Julep Strainer has a perforated, spoon-like body without a spring and is commonly used for drinks prepared by stirring in a Mixing Glass.

The appropriate choice depends on the vessel, preparation technique and the bartender's preferred working method.

Designed for a professional bar station

In a well-organised bar station, every tool should have a clearly defined purpose. The Hawthorne Strainer is one of the essential tools used repeatedly for shaken cocktails and should allow the bartender to strain quickly and with control.

This THE BARS model combines the classic Hawthorne function with a distinctive MATTE BLACK finish, making it suitable for professional cocktail bars as well as enthusiasts building a premium Home Bar with professional-grade tools.

Care of the MATTE BLACK finish

To help preserve the appearance of the MATTE BLACK finish, we recommend washing the strainer by hand with water and liquid detergent.

Avoid abrasive sponges, metal cleaning tools and aggressive cleaning products that could scratch or damage the surface. After cleaning, dry the strainer with a soft cloth.

The coil spring should also be rinsed thoroughly after use, as small pieces of fruit, herbs or other ingredients can remain trapped between the coils.

Ideal for

• professional bartenders;
• cocktail bars;
• restaurants and bistros;
• hotels and hospitality venues;
• high-volume bars;
• events and catering;
• bartending schools and training;
• mixology enthusiasts;
• premium Home Bars.

Key features

• Brand: THE BARS
• Brand origin: Italy
• Company: World Group S.r.l.
• Brand history: since 1999
• Type: Hawthorne Strainer
• Category: Cocktail Strainer
• Straining system: metal coil spring
• Finish: MATTE BLACK
• Dimensions: 20 × 8 cm
• Weight: approx. 0.12 kg
• Primary use: straining cocktails from a shaker
• With Fine Strainer: Double Straining
• Recommended care: hand wash

Frequently Asked Questions

Is THE BARS an Italian brand?
Yes. THE BARS is a brand of the Italian company World Group S.r.l. Its history dates back to 1999, with a focus on tools and equipment for professional bartending.

Is THE BARS only a distributor of bar accessories?
No. THE BARS presents itself as a manufacturer involved in product development, from design and engineering through manufacturing and packaging.

Does THE BARS develop products with professional bartenders?
Yes. The company highlights collaboration with professional bartenders as part of its approach to developing tools suited to practical work behind the bar.

What does a Hawthorne Strainer retain?
Its primary role is to retain ice and larger solid ingredients inside the shaker while the cocktail is being poured.

Does it completely remove fine pulp and seeds?
No. For fine pulp, seeds and small particles, an additional Fine Strainer is recommended.

What is Double Straining?
It means using a Hawthorne Strainer together with a Fine Strainer during the same pour to provide two successive levels of filtration.

What is the difference between a Hawthorne Strainer and a Julep Strainer?
A Hawthorne Strainer uses a coil spring and is primarily used with cocktail shakers. A Julep Strainer has a perforated body without a spring and is commonly associated with drinks prepared in a Mixing Glass.

How should I care for the MATTE BLACK finish?
Hand wash with liquid detergent and avoid abrasive sponges or aggressive cleaning products. Rinse the spring thoroughly after use and dry the surface with a soft cloth.