Bar Purpose & Design
Bar designs plays the most crucial role in defining its identity and atmosphere. A well designed bar should complement the quality of the drinks on offer and create a good ambience for its patrons.
A bar can also help reflect the overall feel of the place where the bar is located in. Most cities in the developed world, for instance, now have bars that can be identified as individual and particular to their city, even becoming an essential port of call for first time visitors.
Historically, bars existed as roman taverns or an Anglo Saxon ale house. Later, public house were houses that had been opened to the public as a ‘living room’ for the local inhabitants. Since then, of course, bars have surpassed their original refreshment function; being a place where alcohol was on offer, to something completely different. Many traditional pubs have been refurbished into bars with more focus on the atmosphere and the experience of the venue as opposed to simply being a “drinking house”. The word ‘bar’ in it’s modern context is the American or International idea of an establishment with a wider range of drinks & often cocktails, on offer.
Bar Design Longevity
Often bars will not just be a stand-alone bar with their own one-off design. Bars can be organised into categories: hotel bars, club bars and restaurant bars but with their own name and identity, while still being in keeping the venue’s general theme.
The life of the bar’s design will often be shorter than other commercial leisure venues. If we look at a bar design chronology it will often correlate with fads in fashion. Customers expect to see designers experiment and bring something new to a bar, with modern day clientele expected to experience a “wow” factor on walking in.
What does a good bar design provide?
A good successful bar design is achieved when the bar provides a platform for a leisurely experience and as an aid social life. Simply put, a great design is guaranteed to attract customers looking for an escape into a different environment. Great bar design can fulfil this desire using themes, colours and aesthetic furnishings. Bar design trends often emerge from cosmopolitan, nostalgic and futuristic ideas that are ever-changing to suit modern day tastes.
