Did you miss our first and second installments? Check out Bar Design: Why it Matters to Your Bottom Line and Bar Design: Best Practices and Biggest Mistakes.
The third and final installment in our series on bar design covers 10 trends in bar design that were presented at the “Bar Design 101” class held at E3 Commercial Kitchen Solutions and hosted by bar and beverage equipment manufacturer Perlick.
Presenter Corrinne Walenda, corporate training manager & Perlick brand ambassador, took attendees through a series of trends and influences currently affecting bar design.
1. Clean, Safe, Comfortable
Walenda said that first and foremost bars must evoke a sense of cleanliness, safety, and comfort. In the wake of COVID, this should come as no surprise as guests are looking for not only a unique experience, but a safe one as well.
Walenda recommends making the space light and bright with visible cleanliness.
Biophilic design, which increases connectivity to the natural environment through the use of natural elements, is also key. Biophilic design can be used to add elements of nature but also to create natural and designed barriers in a venue.
2. Offer a Variety of Options
The way guests dine out has changed, and you need to make sure your venue has options beyond traditional indoor seating, such as outdoor seating and a designated area for delivery/carryout orders.
In fact, in a recent webinar, Wade Hanson, principal at Technomic, a company providing data and insights for the foodservice industry, found that while on-premise orders rose to 47% in July 2022, this is still below the 58% of on-premise orders bars/restaurants were seeing pre-pandemic. Hanson says it’s unlikely the industry will regain that percentage as off-premise channels like drive-thru, pick-up, and delivery continue to grow and take order share.
3. Texture
Amp up your design by mixing and layering textures and finishes to create a comfortable and clean look. Currently, chrome and brass (especially matte brass) finishes are once again trending in bar design.
4. Local Flavor
Locally sourced food, regional breweries and distilleries, and neighborhood artists are all in demand. In fact, according to the National Restaurant Association’s 2022 State of the Restaurant Industry report, 38% of surveyed consumers said they’re more likely to choose a restaurant that offers locally-sourced foods over one that doesn’t. Restaurants that serve locally-sourced wines and beers are also appealing, especially among younger generations. The research finds 48% of millennials and 40% of Gen Zs favor the local approach.
To translate this local flavor into your bar design, consider creating an experience that evokes the local area, or hire local artists to provide art and design elements.
5. Brand Design
With consumers demanding an experience when they go out, the goal should be to create a memorable space with lasting impressions.
Your brand should be conveyed as soon as a guest walks in and repeated throughout the entire experience. Read this article for more information on crafting your brand.
6. Color Palette
Consider the lighting in your establishment. Warmer color palettes make everyone look good, create a comfortable and cozy atmosphere, and stimulate appetite. Try using lighting in 2500K.
7. Instagrammable Spaces
Social media is a driver for diners' decisions on where to go. In fact, MGH, a full-service marketing communications agency that specializes in restaurant franchises and more, recently released a survey on TikTok users about the social media platform's influence on their dining behaviors. The survey revealed that more than half (53%) of TikTok's millennial users in the U.S. have visited and/or ordered food from a restaurant after seeing it on TikTok.
Make sure your bar’s design stands out and draws guests to want to take pictures and share it with friends on social media.
8. Outdoor Bars
The pandemic led to a large increase in outdoor dining, and Walenda suggested making these outdoor bars permanent through the use of mobile bars. For one, it fulfills the need for multiple dining options, as mentioned above. It also increases capacity on busy nights. Finally, this bar can serve as a way to highlight smaller, more unique menus at your venue.
9. Dining Out as a Mini Vacation
Experience has come up a lot, and when consumers dine out, they are looking to be transported. This is especially true in the current times when many cannot afford to take a vacation due to rising costs.
Consider serving exotic drinks and food most people can’t produce at home and do so in a setting that creates a transportive, escapist vibe. Adding games to your bar’s layout also helps to create a fun atmosphere.
10. Design Your Storage Space
Don’t forget about your back bar, your liquor display space, when designing your bar. Creating a premium display for your liquor bottles is not only aesthetically pleasing but also useful in marketing your top-shelf liquor to guests.
Consider adding lighting around the back bar and using unique shelving options. Some bars have even gone as far as to add motion to their back bar by creating bottle displays that come down from above on hydraulics. Talk about dinner and a show!
Plan to Attend or Participate in Bar & Restaurant Expo, March 27-29, 2023
To learn about the latest trends, issues and hot topics, and to experience and taste the best products within the bar, restaurant and hospitality industry, plan to attend Bar & Restaurant Expo, March 27-29, 2023 in Las Vegas. Visit BarandRestaurantExpo.com.
To book your sponsorship or exhibit space at Bar & Restaurant Expo, contact:
Veronica Gonnello (for companies A to G) e: [email protected] p: 212-895-8244
Tim Schultz (for companies H to Q) e: [email protected] p: 917-258-8589
Fadi Alsayegh (for companies R to Z) e: [email protected]p: 917-258-5174
Also, be sure to follow Bar & Restaurant on Facebook and Instagram for all the latest industry news and trends.