How to Pick the Jockey Box That's Right for You

The search results from Googling “different types of jockey boxes” can be confusing and sometimes misleading if you don’t know what you’re looking at or for. We assure you that our buying process is actually quite simple. Regardless of cooler type, all of our jockey boxes are built with the same high-quality materials and components.

Whatever your situation, we’ll help you cut through the noise and guide you in the right direction so you can make an informed decision with confidence.

FIRST, THINK ABOUT...

Before trying to decide which jockey box is right for you, you should first consider the primary purpose for which you’ll be using it. Who you are and what you need a jockey box for will help frame how to pick the one that makes sense for you.

Are you a budding hobbyist or enthusiast? A caterer or mobile bar service? A brand that does a dozen festivals a year? Or, maybe even a group of friends who reunite at deer camp or tailgating to drink about the good ‘ole days?

Then, ask yourself the following 3 questions, which will quickly narrow down your search. 

ASK YOURSELF 3 QUESTIONS

1) From an aesthetics standpoint, would you like your jockey box to have a polished, stainless steel look or do you need something a little more rugged that can withstand the rigors of challenging environments?

2) How many taps do you want? Would you like to be able to serve 1, 2, or up to 4 different kegs at the same time from a single jockey box?

3) Who’s going to be pouring, or operating, your jockey box—a bartender, or guests serving themselves?

FURTHER CONSIDERATIONS

AESTHETICS

• Our stainless steel belted editions lend themselves well to controlled environments, where style and branding are appreciated. They also include the option to custom-wrap them in permanent vinyl (think: vehicle wraps) or removable magnetic decals. 
• Our heavy-duty Roto-molded models are sturdy enough to withstand challenging terrain (think outside, off the beaten path).

TAPS

• Our stainless models are available with 2 or 4 taps. Our Roto editions have 1, 2, or 4. 

WHO'S POURING
This is going to influence whether having the inputs on the front or rear of the jockey box will work better for you and your guests. 

FRONT INPUTS

• Inputs on the front (i.e., the same side as the faucets/taps) are the ideal scenario for bartenders facing the guests and doing all the pouring, handing full cups over the jockey box to the guest.

• There are two major benefits to this: 1) the guest experiences a clean look when they approach the bar and jockey box, and 2) the bartender has all the hookups and kegs on their side, allowing them to manage all aspects of service without having to move.

REAR INPUTS

• Inputs on the back (i.e., the opposite side as the faucets) are perfect for when guests are serving themselves or when a jockey box is integrated into a mobile bar or beer trailer, for example. If a guest is pouring their own drinks, they won’t see nor have to worry about the hookups and beverage tubing that would otherwise be on the bartender’s side.

• And, if your jockey box is mounted to any sort of mobile bar, having the inputs on the back allows the host to conceal the hookups behind its facade.

OKAY, SO WHAT NEXT?

When you're ready to dive in further, continue onto our complementary blog post, A Guide to Different Types of Jockey Boxes. In it, we compare options for each scenario prompted above.

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