Bartender Pro expands beyond the menu bar with notch widgets, activities & music controls

Bartender Pro, the newly launched premium version of the Bartender app for macOS, introduces a set of features for users seeking expanded control. Building on the original app’s focus on keeping the menu bar organized, Bartender Pro now aims to broaden what the menu bar and the Mac itself can accomplish.

At the heart of this upgrade is Top Shelf, a tool that utilizes the otherwise unused notch area to house file storage, widgets, live activities, clipboard management, and AirDrop. Top Shelf integrates mini-apps like live weather updates for different locations, music controls for Apple Music and Spotify, and a calendar display. It also provides quick access to live activities, letting users monitor active sessions and receive alerts for meetings.

Following the introduction of Top Shelf, the developers plan to continue expanding both this feature and the overall Bartender Pro suite. Bartender Pro is available as a subscription at $15 per year, including Bartender 6 and all future upgrades. For users preferring a traditional license, Bartender 6 remains available at $20. In addition, the Mega Supporter plan still offers lifetime access, but now with Bartender Pro included.