Bar Interior Design that is highly connected to your brand story

To design a restaurant bar you must first consider the space you have to work with. This can be best done by creating a general arrangement. A general arrangement is a drawing which helps to create clarity in terms of the dining space available, kitchen space, sanitary rooms, and in this case the restaurant bar. Once the space has been determined you can start to create a design concept for the bar. A bar usually consists of a front bar and back bar and in some cases a gantry too. A restaurant bar has to be functional but also aesthetically pleasing too. 

A restaurant bar consists of a front bar, a back bar and in some cases a gantry too. It is important that this is a practical and functional space. This workstation needs to be visually dynamic but also provide all the essential tools required for staff to properly prepare drinks. Typically the bar will contain fridges, bar pumps, dishwashers, shelving and storage, ice chests, sinks and any other items depending on the type of bar or restaurant. For example a cocktail bar would require some more specialist equipment. 

The restaurant brand concept should have a direct impact on the design of the restaurant bar. The space should be reflective of the brand and support the brand’s narrative. The design of the bar, material choices, drink selection, customer experience, lighting, seating and music all contribute to the overall experience and ambiance for the customer. Design consideration for each of these elements all help make a restaurant bar unique. 

Creating a commercial bar requires planning.
Consideration needs to be given to the following: 

• What type of bar is it? 
• Who would want to go there? (i.e. who’s it for?) 
• Where would it be located? 
• What size site are you going to require? 
• What kind of ambience do you want to create? 
• How will you identify it? (i.e how will you come up with a name?) 
• What will make it different to the other offerings currently available?

Typically a bar requires a front bar, a back bar and in some cases a gantry which helps to create a particular look and feel but also provides valuable storage. Most bars will notably need some form of power source and access to services too. Most bars need the ability to run dishwashers, sinks, ice machines, drink pumps (which also requires access to a cellar) and other electrical items subject to the type of bar. 

The typical height of a commercial bar ranges from 900mm (90cm) to 1050mm (105cm). The bar concept is usually determined in the design phase of a commercial interior design project. 

Each of the following will impact the atmosphere you create in a bar. 

• Lighting 
• Music & entertainment 
• Customer experience  (overall) 
• Menu & Drink offering 
• Seating 
• Art & Pictures 
• People – staff and other patrons 

To bring all of the above into alignment you need clarity around the atmosphere you wish to create. The atmosphere should be determined by your brand concept and brand strategy. 

Coming up with a bar concept is like creating any new brand concept. 

• What is it that you’re passionate about? 
• What will make you different from the other offerings available? 
• What will the brand stand for? 
• What do you wish the customers to experience? 

Gaining clarity around these questions will help you to move in a direction that builds the foundation of your brand strategy. Your brand strategy then drives the design of an identity and bar interior concept which will connect with your ideal customers.