Bartender receives an update with the release of Bartender Pro, which introduces a new feature called Top Shelf. Top Shelf repurposes the MacBook’s notch area as a space for utilities, described as expanding the notch’s size similar to iPhone Dynamic Island behavior. Users can drag files to the notch to store them or send them via AirDrop, and Top Shelf provides clipboard access, including an option to automatically capture copied content (with settings to ignore passwords). The feature also includes controls for audio and a Now Playing music interface, along with alerts for upcoming scheduled events.
Top Shelf supports widgets for calendar, weather, and music applications such as Apple Music or Spotify, with widgets that can be customized. The update also adds a tracking or “Live Activity”-like element for AI agents, alongside system information such as volume, display brightness, and battery level. Bartender Pro works alongside the existing Bartender features, and Top Shelf is designed to hide when not in use. Bartender Pro is available as an optional subscription, while Bartender 6 remains available for users who want only the original functionality. Bartender Pro is priced at $15 per year and includes future updates during the subscription term.
