Transforming Your Bar's Interior: A Guide to Evaluating and Improving Your Space to Boost Your Business

The look and feel of your bar's interior can have a significant impact on your customers' experience and, ultimately, your bottom line. Whether you're looking to modernize your space or make it more comfortable for specific customer groups, taking a strategic approach to your bar's interior design can help you achieve your goals.

To start, it's essential to map out your aims and goals for upgrading your bar's interior. Think beyond general objectives like tidying up your space or giving it a facelift. Consider SPECIFIC goals that will enhance your customers' experience and help you achieve your business objectives. For example, you might want to make your venue more family-friendly, appeal to female customers, or cater to a 30+ crowd.

Once you've identified your goals, it's time to evaluate your bar's interior elements to determine how they can help you achieve them. Here are ten essential interior design elements to consider:

1. Zoning/Layout:

   Think about whether your venue would benefit from more defined zones for different occasions or customer groups. Consider the optimal split between drinking and dining areas to cater to different activities and occasions.

   
   

2. Furniture:

   Assess the condition of your existing furniture and whether it needs to be replaced or refurbished. Ensure that your furniture style reflects your concept and brand, and caters to the key occasions you plan to offer.

3. Colors/Materials:

   Evaluate the condition of your walls, floors, and ceilings. Ensure that your color and texture choices align with your brand and concept while being practical, safe, and hygienic.

4. Lighting:

   Consider how light levels impact your venue's atmosphere at different times of the day. Ensure that lighting accents your key features, helps customers see to carry out tasks, and reflects your brand and concept.

5. Acoustics:

   Evaluate whether your noise levels are appropriate for your target customer groups and occasions. Ensure that noise levels don't impede conversations or make customers feel uncomfortable.

6. Signage:

   Assess whether your signage aligns with your brand and concept, is easy to see, and attractive. Ensure that signage is consistent across your venue, using the same colors, fonts, and styles.

7. Bar/Backbar:

   Consider whether your bar is eye-catching and attractive, helps customers with purchasing decisions, and facilitates staff efficiency.

   
   

8. Artwork/Styling:

   Evaluate whether your art pieces or styling elements align with your brand and concept, add visual appeal and wow factor, and help create your desired atmosphere.

9. Bathroom Facilities:

   Assess whether your bathrooms are clean, tidy, and comfortable, with functional sanitaryware. Ensure that your bathrooms' decor and signage align with your brand and concept, and enhance the extra touches like mirrors, soap dispensers, and hand dryers/towels.

10. Outdoor Areas:

    Consider whether you can enhance your outdoor spaces, such as adding weatherproofing or using other design elements discussed above to make your outdoor areas more attractive and comfortable.

By considering each of these elements and how they contribute to the specific goals you’ve set, you can identify where to focus your efforts and make the most significant impact on your customers' experience. Whether you're looking to make your venue more family-friendly, cater to a specific customer group, or enhance specific occasions, a thoughtful approach to your bar's interior design can help you achieve your goals and boost your business.