Pinzon 9-Piece Stainless-Steel Cocktail Bar Set

Looks good but shaker starting rusting after first use. The bottle opener bends when using. So, I guess it's safe to say, I'm not a satisfied customer.

I'm writing this review because I want you to know what to expect if you order this.

The shipment does not come in a nice retail box with pictures and description of the contents. That probably doesn't matter if you're buying it for yourself, but if you're giving it as a gift (or worse, having it shipped directly to someone else) you should know it's just an ugly brown box with non-fitted loose styrofoam filler.

It also does not come with instructions or a product description sheet. Again, it doesn't really matter if it's for you and you know what all the tools are for.

The bar set is nice. All the pieces are well made and sturdy. The shaker is a pain the arse to use unless you have really strong hands. Getting the lid off while it's full of booze (without spilling the precious drops of ambrosia) is a real hassle. I almost considered getting the friggin' tool box out and grabbing some pliers. This might not matter to you if you're drowning your sorrows alone... but if you're entertaining and your friends have any class, bracing the shaker between your knees, pulling and twisting at the top till you eyes are about to pop out during a dinner party just so everyone can enjoy a fabulous appletini might be a little embarrassing. So just keep that in mind.

I am going to go buy a different shaker put the one that came with this set away 'for emergency use only'... or use it as a vase (I still haven't decided yet).

Oh, before I forget, there's one more thing. I don't know if it was because they rattled around so much during shipping or if it's a quality issue but my set arrived with surface scratches and a small spot of rust on one item. If I had paid $99 (today's price 3/19/08) or the $150 list price I'd probably be furious and giving this a 1 star screaming and howling review. But I got the set a week ago for $39.99 so I don't really care about the blemishes.

awesome product!! gave this as a gift and the recipient loved it. it looked great and had everything needed to bring that finishing touch to your home bar.

This is one of the best bar sets I found after looking for several others (believe me, there were many many many others!!. Its elegant and low-maintenance. Would definitely recommend.

This set arrived in a the worst packaged box. It came as a bunch of random pieces all thrown together with broken pieces of Styrofoam. It was as if the bar set had been purchased, poorly repackaged and returned before I got it. But the sad thing is, it was new. I had planned on giving this as a gift, but would have been embarrassed if I had. You can find better quality stuff at Walmart. I wish I had never even considered ordering these products and I'll never by anything from Pinzon again. It's garbage!