Bar Design Ideas to Create a Stunning Venue

Whether you’re opening your bar or redesigning an existing venue, bar design plays a big role in your success.

Not only does your bar space need to be designed so it’s appealing and creates a unique atmosphere, the design also needs to be functional, so your bartenders and servers have enough space to do their job effectively.

We’ve put together some bar design ideas and tips that can take a bar from mediocre to outstanding – both in customer appeal and efficient functionality for you and your employees.

Your Unique Bar Concept

Before focusing on specific bar design, you need to have a theme for your bar – a concept that becomes your signature brand.

Once you’ve decided on the right bar concept based on your model customer, you’ll be able to connect with patrons by sticking to this theme throughout the bar. Think of your concept as an expression and reflection of your bar, helping to build your brand.

When choosing a concept, the sky’s the limit all the way from contemporary to chic cocktail bar. Here are some successful bar concepts for inspiration:

Traditional pub

The traditional pub is comfortable and cozy. Offering a good selection of beer paired with pub food such as burgers and fries, a neighborhood pub typically pulls in a regular crowd of customers on any evening of the week.

Source: Freepik

Modern and sleek

With a focus on sophistication, a modern bar concept embraces elegance and often draws in the younger crowd.

By Felipe Assadi

Vintage

Vintage is making a comeback. The retro look of the past can make your bar look as though it belongs to a different era and create a unique atmosphere for your customers to drink and socialize.

Source: Dreamstime

Cocktail bar

Cocktail bars are still trending in 2020, moving away from dark and small venues to brighter and larger rooms with a casual atmosphere.

Source: Make Me a Cocktail

Bar Entrance

The entrance to your bar is just as important as the rest of the interior. When your customers walk into your bar the first thing they’re going to see is the entrance. This is your chance to make a great first impression, giving people a feel for the atmosphere and style for the rest of the bar.

Depending on your bar concept, design the entrance with eye catching décor that extends throughout your establishment. Use lighting, color, and artwork to create a focal impact that makes your bar inviting and “the” place to be.

Source: Pixabay

Lighting

Lighting is a great way to augment the character of your bar. Choose lighting that’s bright enough for your customers to be able to read the menu but not glaring and harsh. Opt for attractive and unique lighting that adds to the theme of your establishment such as:

Track lighting

You can arrange track lighting to highlight the area right above the bar, making it easy for your bartenders to see what they’re doing. You’ll find track lighting available in many different styles and with varying levels of brightness that can be easily be adjusted.

Source: Unsplash

Wall sconces

Using wall sconces mounted to the walls lets you illuminate seating areas and creates a unique décor feature to any space. Sconces are a good option for bars with a traditional theme – look for vintage sconces that act as a showpiece.

Pendant lights

Also known as drop lighting that hangs down from the ceiling, you can find pendant lights in a wide range of styles, such as simple glass orbs or those with a unique shade cover. You can place pendant lights over tables or the bar, adding visual interest as well as light.

Industrial lighting

A big trend in bar design is industrial lighting. Typically made from metal or unfinished surfaces, the bulbs are usually exposed to give the fixture an industrial and modern feel.

Source: Pixabay

Ambient lighting

Looking for subtle lighting? Choose ambient lighting that can be installed along the tops of walls, around the floor edges, and beneath the bar for a creative lighting solution.

Source: Unsplash

Bar Tops

One of the biggest focal points of any bar is the bar itself. To make the bar the centerpiece of the room, choose materials that make the bar top stand out while still being durable and constructed for safety to avoid glass breakage.

The best bar top materials are granite and wood. Other good bar top options include ceramic tile, resin, and stainless steel.

Granite

High end and classy, granite is durable and comes in a wide variety of colors and patterns. Match the bar top with the rest of the décor to keep a running theme throughout your bar. Keep in mind that a granite bar top will require sealing at least once a year.

Source: Scorpion Patriot Place – Foxborough, MA

Wood

Wooden bars can be designed to be unique, adding both a classic and traditional feel to your bar. Best wood choices are ash, mahogany, maple, and oak. Or consider using reclaimed wood for a rustic look. If you decide on a wooden bar be sure to seal it to protect against damage.

Tables and Seating

Great seating and feeling at ease is what’s going to keep customers in your bar for that one more drink – and keep them coming back to a place they feel at home. This means seating at the bar, around tables, and in booths is designed for both comfort and functionality to make the most of your bar space.

Bar seating

Sitting around the bar and enjoying a few drinks will always be in vogue. Be unique when choosing bar seating, selecting distinctive bar stools that make a statement while still being comfortable.

Source: Pixabay

Tables and chairs

Table sizes should vary to accommodate all customers from couples to larger groups. Consider both low and high tables arranged in an attractive seating arrangement.

For low dining tables, choose chairs that keep to the concept of your bar with a focus on comfort.

Source: Scorpion Patriot Place – Foxborough, MA

High tables are a good option as a place for your customers to set down their drinks when standing on a busy night. Use the same chairs here as you do around the bar to maintain a consistent design.

Source: Unsplash

Booths

Booth seating can save you a lot of floor space and lets you seat more people, building a cozy and intimate area for each group of customers.

Source: Guy’s Foxwoods – Mashantucket, CT

Bar Décor

You’ll want décor throughout your bar that’s in line with your theme – this includes what you’re putting on the walls. Select wall art and objects as décor throughout your bar that aren’t just trendy but that also help create your signature brand.

Source: Scorpion Patriot Place – Foxborough, MA

Posters

Unique and individual, posters can be artistically framed and complement the rest of your décor or make a creative statement of their own.

Source: Freepik

Wallpaper

Whatever your bar concept is, you’ll find commercial wallpaper that fits into your theme. Be bold and daring with your design or choose subtle wallpapers that blend in and make a gentle impression.

Source: Scorpion – Boston, MA

Ceiling décor

Don’t forget the ceiling. Whether it’s hanging plants, chandeliers, or tin ceiling tiles, you can design your bar ceiling to give the room a bright and airy or dark and intimate feeling.

Source: Unsplash

Bar Design Inspirations

Ready for more inspiration? Here are some of the best bar concepts that put a variety of design ideas into play:

The Grand – Boston, MA

With leather, plush, and gold décor, The Grand is the place to go in Boston if you’re looking for elegance and sophistication.

Source: The Grand – Boston, MA

The Scorpion Bar – Mashantucket, CT

For great drinks and Mexican cuisine, the Scorpion Bar has a busy and bustling interior with a rustic design that includes Mexican crosses and wrought-iron windows.

Source: The Scorpion Bar Mashantucket, CT

Versus – Boston, MA

An arcade bar in downtown Boston that’s inspired by the pop culture of the 80’s, Versus has a bold and high-energy concept that is reflected in the pop art murals decorating the walls.

Source: Versus Boston

Conclusion

Designing your bar takes a lot of planning and forethought. Be creative and use some of the design ideas listed here to create a bar that stands out from the rest and keeps your customers coming back.