Bar & glassware
In short
Best overall: Elite Remedy Polycarbonate Rocks Tumblers 7oz / 200ml (Case of 36), £44.99 at Drinkstuff.com. Best value: Endessa Hiball Tumblers 12.25oz / 350ml (Case of 12), £23.99. Premium pick: Islande Hiball Glasses 7.7oz / 220ml (Case of 48), £47.99.
Across the 1,788 matching listings we screened from 1 UK suppliers, most cost £20–£91 and the middle price is £48. Prices checked 27 October 2026.
Pubs, bars, cafés and event caterers buy glassware by the case, and the right choice depends on breakage, washing, licence conditions and measures law. This shortlist compares glass and polycarbonate drinkware from UK trade feeds, so you can see the market spread per case.
Glassware suppliers sell on style and strength claims. Below we cover the licensing and weights and measures points they usually leave out.
| # | Product | From | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Best overall Elite Remedy Polycarbonate Rocks Tumblers 7oz / 200ml (Case of 36) | £44.99 | Details |
| 2 | Elite Penthouse Polycarbonate Rocks Tumblers 9oz / 255ml (Case of 36) | £43.99 | Details |
| 3 | Premium pick Islande Hiball Glasses 7.7oz / 220ml (Case of 48) | £47.99 | Details |
| 4 | Granity Iced Tea Tumblers 14.8oz / 420ml (Case of 24) | £41.99 | Details |
| 5 | Vigne Nordic Tumblers 7oz / 200ml (Case of 24) | £44.99 | Details |
| 6 | Elite Premium Polycarbonate Champagne Flute Black 7oz / 200ml (Case… | £29.99 | Details |
| 7 | Perception Sherry Glasses 4.25oz / 120ml (Case of 12) | £29.99 | Details |
| 8 | Best value Endessa Hiball Tumblers 12.25oz / 350ml (Case of 12) | £23.99 | Details |
1 · Best overall
Sold by Drinkstuff.com
Glassware breakages will be a thing of the past with these Polycarbonate Rocks Tumblers. With a classic design, the Remedy is ideal for serving up a whisky on the rocks. Made from reusable and highly durable plastic, they are ideal for both domestic and c
2
Sold by Drinkstuff.com
For a practical way to drink your favourite bourbon on ice, the Elite Penthouse Polycarbonate Rocks Tumblers offer a virtually unbreakable solution. Made from durable polycarbonate plastic, these reusable plastic tumblers are ideal for busy events and out
3 · Premium pick
Sold by Drinkstuff.com
The Islande Hiball Glasses gives you the simplicity of a standard hiball, but in a taller, slimmer style with a heavy base design. These durable glasses are perfect for any occasion, from large parties to quiet afternoon drinks. Ideal for serving up juice
4
Sold by Drinkstuff.com
Despite the name, the Granity Iced Tea Tumblers are ideal for a wide variety of drinks, from soft drinks to beer and lager. Made from tempered glasses, these durable hiball tumblers make drinks service a doddle with less chance of broken glass ruining you
5
Sold by Drinkstuff.com
Utilising Arcoroc's patented Kwarx Advanced Material, the Vigne Nordic Tumblers are ideal for serving up a tot of whiskey, while having a robust construction that makes them some of the most durable glasses on the market.
6
Sold by Drinkstuff.com
Bringing a touch of mystery to your celebration, the Elite Premium Polycarbonate Champagne Flute is finished in solid black. Made from highly durable polycarbonate plastic, this 20cl flute is virtually unbreakable making it a safer alternative to breakabl
7
Sold by Drinkstuff.com
Serve up a stylish dram of sherry with the 12cl Perception Sherry Glasses. Made from heavyweight glass for everyday use, these stemmed drinking vessels are covered by Libbey's Safedge Rim & Foot guarantee which covers chips cracks and damage.
8 · Best value
Sold by Drinkstuff.com
The perfect addition to your table or bar, the Endessa Hiball Tumblers are ideal for serving up a variety of beverages and feature Libbey's SheerRim guarantee. The tall, curved shape of these 35cl glass tumblers make them ideal for cocktails, soft drinks
Toughened glass is heat-treated to resist knocks and temperature changes. Supplier Easy Equipment says it still needs careful handling and advises against plunging hot glasses into ice-cold water, and recommends a commercial glasswasher with proper racks. Discard chipped or cracked glasses straight away.
Polycarbonate is a plastic, and licensing authorities ask for plastic or polycarbonate vessels in some settings, often outdoor areas or when the police request it. Toughened glass keeps a glass feel for everyday service.
Premises licences in England and Wales can include conditions on drinking vessels. Wigan Council's model conditions include using only plastic glasses, plastic bottles or toughened glass in outside areas, and using plastic or toughened polycarbonate glasses when requested by Greater Manchester Police.
Courts have backed these conditions. In 2010 Nottingham City Council required a bar to use polycarbonate after a police review over injuries from glasses and bottles, and the operator's argument that toughened glass was enough was rejected. Check your premises licence, and any event licence, before ordering.
Bromley Trading Standards says all equipment, measures and glasses used to determine the quantity of alcohol sold must be government stamped. Newer glasses may be CE or UKCA marked. Glasses can be brim measures, filled to the top, or lined, with space above the line for a head.
Draught beer and cider must be sold in a third, half or two-thirds of a pint, or multiples of a half. Wine by the glass must be sold in 125 ml or 175 ml or multiples, and the mandatory licensing conditions require a 125 ml glass of still wine to be available and shown on the menu or price list.
On our shortlist, the Elite Remedy Polycarbonate Rocks Tumblers 7oz / 200ml (Case of 36) is the best overall pick at £44.99 from Drinkstuff.com. For a tighter budget, the Endessa Hiball Tumblers 12.25oz / 350ml (Case of 12) (£23.99) is our best-value choice.
Most of the 1,788 UK listings we screened sit between £20 and £91, with a middle price of £48. Trade suppliers often show prices before VAT, so add 20% if you can't reclaim it.
A VAT-registered business can usually reclaim the VAT on equipment bought for business use, as long as it holds a valid VAT invoice from the supplier. Ask the seller for one at checkout.
The picks here come from Drinkstuff.com. Most UK trade suppliers offer next-day delivery and VAT invoices; some offer credit accounts for regular orders.
Only if it includes that condition. Many councils use model conditions requiring plastic or toughened glass in outside areas or when the police ask, so read your licence.
Glasses used to determine the quantity of beer sold must be government stamped, which on newer glasses may be a CE or UKCA mark. They can be brim measure or lined.
Yes, but avoid sudden temperature changes such as putting hot glasses into ice, and use proper racks, as supplier guidance advises.
Yes. The mandatory licensing conditions require still wine by the glass to be available in 125 ml and customers to be made aware of it.