Opening a bar or looking to refresh your current venue?
Explore these 25 bar themes and concepts designed to transform any venue into a must-visit destination.
Whether starting fresh or updating, these ideas will help you craft a theme bar that keeps patrons coming back.
Key Takeaways
- Innovation Rules: Bars are no longer just places to grab a drink; they’re immersive experiences that transport patrons to different worlds and eras.
- Themes Are King: The right theme or concept can set the stage for an unforgettable night out, from speakeasy revival to time-traveler’s taverns.
- Immersive Experiences: Think beyond drinks – interactive elements, unique decor, and special events can elevate the bar experience.
- Pop-Up Magic: The concept of pop-up bars allows for ever-changing themes, ensuring customers always find something new and exciting.
- Nostalgia Sells: Bars that tap into nostalgia, whether it’s retro gaming or classic cars, can strike a chord with patrons.
How to Design a Bar?
Designing a bar that leaves a lasting impression involves a careful blend of ambiance, functionality, and innovation. Designing a bar involves several critical elements:
- Concept and Theme: Start with a unique concept or theme that sets the tone for your bar’s identity, from speakeasies to tropical escapes.
- Layout and Seating: Plan an efficient layout that maximizes restaurant seating without sacrificing comfort. Consider bar stools, lounge areas, and standing spaces.
- Lighting: Lighting can create the desired mood. Use a mix of ambient, task, and accent lighting to enhance the atmosphere.
- Color Palette: Choose colors that align with your theme, creating a cohesive and inviting environment.
- Bar Design: The bar itself should be the focal point. Design it for efficiency, ensuring that bartenders can work seamlessly.
- Furniture and Decor: Select furniture and decor that complements your theme, whether it’s vintage, modern, or eclectic.
- Music and Sound: Curate a playlist that suits the atmosphere, and consider live music or DJs for special events.
- Unique Features: Incorporate unique elements, like themed cocktails, interactive games, or art installations, to make your bar stand out.
- Menu and Drinks: Craft a diverse and appealing drink menu that matches your theme. Include signature cocktails and innovative concoctions.
- Outdoor Space: If feasible, create an outdoor bar area or a rooftop with scenic views.
- Accessibility: Ensure your bar is accessible to all patrons, including those with disabilities.
- Safety Measures: Implement safety measures, including responsible alcohol service and security personnel as needed.
25 Bar Ideas and Concepts
Bars today have evolved far beyond being just places to grab a drink; they are immersive experiences that transport patrons to different worlds, eras, and dimensions.
We’ll delve into 25 innovative bar ideas, themes, and concepts that redefine the traditional bar experience. From themed adventures to eclectic hangouts, these concepts will inspire you to elevate your next night out.
1. Speakeasy Revival
Concept: Recreate the allure of the Prohibition era with secret entrances, classic cocktails, and vintage decor.
Example: “Please Don’t Tell” in New York City offers an authentic speakeasy experience accessed through a phone booth.
2. Tiki Paradise
Concept: Transport patrons to a tropical oasis with tiki-themed decor, exotic drinks, and Polynesian-inspired ambiance.
Example: “Latitude 29” in New Orleans is a tiki bar known for its lush atmosphere and imaginative cocktails.
3. Virtual Reality Bar
Concept: Integrate virtual reality (VR) experiences into your bar, allowing customers to explore different worlds while enjoying drinks.
Example: “VR World NYC” combines VR entertainment with a bar setting for a futuristic night out.
4. Science Laboratory Bar
Concept: Create a bar that resembles a mad scientist’s lab, featuring cocktails served in beakers and interactive experiments.
Example: “The Aviary” in Chicago offers avant-garde cocktails and interactive drink experiences.
5. Time-Traveler’s Tavern
Concept: Design a bar that pays homage to different historical periods, with era-specific decor, music, and drinks.
Example: “Whitechapel” in San Francisco captures the essence of Victorian-era London with its gin-focused bar.
6. Rooftop Oasis
Concept: Elevate the bar experience with a rooftop location offering panoramic views, specialty cocktails, and a chic atmosphere.
Example: “The Rooftop Bar at The Standard” in Los Angeles provides stunning city views and craft cocktails.
7. Video Game Arcade Bar
Concept: Combine gaming and drinking with an arcade-themed bar featuring classic and modern video games.
Example: “Barcade” locations across the U.S. offer a nostalgic arcade experience alongside craft beer.
8. Upside-Down Bar
Concept: Challenge gravity by designing a bar where everything is suspended from the ceiling, creating an otherworldly atmosphere.
Example: “O.Noir” in Toronto offers a unique dining and bar experience in complete darkness.
9. Literary Hideaway
Concept: Create a bar that celebrates literature, with book-themed decor, author-inspired cocktails, and a cozy library ambiance.
Example: “The Library Bar” at The NoMad Hotel in New York City is renowned for its literary-inspired setting.
10. Retro Gaming Dive
Concept: Dive into nostalgia with a bar featuring retro video games, vintage pinball machines, and themed cocktails.
Example: “Emporium Arcade Bar” in Chicago combines craft beer with an extensive collection of arcade games.
11. Nautical Escape
Concept: Take patrons on a journey at sea with a maritime-themed bar, complete with boat decor, sailor uniforms, and seafood-focused menus.
Example: “The Ship” in New York City offers a maritime-inspired experience with a seafood-centric menu.
12. Artistic Expression Bar
Concept: Collaborate with local artists to create a bar that serves as a rotating art gallery, showcasing different art forms and installations.
Example: “Bar Moxy” in New Orleans partners with local artists for ever-changing art installations.
13. Desert Oasis Bar
Concept: Immerse customers in the ambiance of a desert oasis with sand dunes, camel decor, and Middle Eastern-inspired cocktails.
Example: “Shaker + Spear” in Seattle offers a desert-inspired cocktail called the “Sahara Sling.”
14. Fantasy Tavern
Concept: Bring the world of fantasy to life with a bar that features mythical creatures, enchanted decor, and fantasy-themed cocktails.
Example: “Storm Crow Manor” in Toronto offers a fantasy and sci-fi-themed bar experience.
15. Psychedelic Wonderland
Concept: Design a bar with trippy decor, UV lighting, and psychedelic art, creating a surreal and immersive experience.
Example: “Meow Wolf’s Omega Mart” in Las Vegas is an otherworldly supermarket with a hidden bar inside.
16. Retro Sci-Fi Bar
Concept: Pay homage to classic science fiction with a bar that resembles a futuristic spaceship or a retro sci-fi movie set.
Example: “The Satellite” in Los Angeles offers a space-themed bar experience with a nod to sci-fi aesthetics.
17. Underground Bunker Bar
Concept: Create a bar that replicates an underground bunker, complete with bunker-style decor and craft cocktails inspired by wartime eras.
Example: “The Bunker Club” in San Francisco offers a wartime bunker-themed bar experience.
18. Fairytale Forest Bar
Concept: Craft a bar that transports patrons to an enchanted forest with forest-themed decor, fairy lights, and whimsical cocktails.
Example: “The Lost Lady” in Chicago offers a fairytale forest-inspired cocktail bar experience.
19. Pop-Up Concept Bar
Concept: Keep the bar experience fresh by regularly reinventing your bar with pop-up themes and concepts that change every few months.
Example: “Miracle” is a pop-up bar concept with holiday-themed decor and cocktails that pops up in various locations during the holidays.
20. Sports Fanatic Bar
Concept: Create the ultimate sports fan’s paradise with multiple screens, sports memorabilia, and game-day snacks and drinks.
Example: “The Ainsworth” in New York City offers a sports bar experience with a stylish twist.
21. Haunted Speakeasy
Concept: Combine the intrigue of a speakeasy with haunted house elements, creating a spooky yet thrilling bar experience.
Example: “The Haunt at The Back Door” in Chicago offers a haunted speakeasy experience during the Halloween season.
22. Neon Glow Bar
Concept: Transform your bar into a neon wonderland with vibrant neon decor, UV-reactive cocktails, and a futuristic ambiance.
Example: “Nineteen26 Bar & Lounge” in Miami Beach offers a neon-themed bar experience.
23. Miniature Wonderland Bar
Concept: Create a bar that resembles a miniature world, with tiny furniture, mini cocktails, and whimsical decor.
Example: “Tiny Bar” in Bristol, UK, offers a playful miniature bar experience.
24. Classic Car Bar
Concept: Showcase classic cars or motorcycles as decor, creating a bar that feels like a retro car showroom.
Example: “The Automobile Bar” in Los Angeles features classic cars on display and offers themed cocktails.
25. Silent Disco Bar
Concept: Offer a unique nightlife experience with a silent disco-themed bar, where patrons wear headphones and dance to music of their choice.
Example: “Quiet Events” hosts silent disco bar nights in various cities, allowing patrons to choose their own musical adventure.
These 25 bar ideas and concepts showcase the creativity and innovation present in the world of bars and nightlife.
Whether you’re a bar owner looking for inspiration or a patron seeking a unique night out, these concepts are sure to spark your imagination and redefine your expectations of what a bar can be.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How to pick a theme for a bar?
When picking a theme for your bar, consider the following steps to guide your decision:
Assess Your Space: Whether you’re setting up in a basement bar, dining room, or creating your own home bar, the available space will influence your theme. A basement might lend itself to a cozy speakeasy or sports bar vibe, while a dining room bar might integrate well with a more refined or modern home bar theme.
Define Your Purpose: Consider how you’ll use the space. Is it for hosting casual get-togethers, throwing elaborate bar events, or enjoying quiet evenings with a drink? A cocktail lounge theme might be ideal for intimate gatherings, while a themed sports or basement bar could cater to larger, more casual events.
Incorporate Personal Style: Reflect your personal taste in the theme. Home bar ideas should resonate with what you enjoy—whether that’s a sleek, modern home bar with clean lines and contemporary decor, or a rustic pub-style bar counter that feels warm and inviting.
Consider Themed Drinks: Align your drink menu with your bar’s theme. For example, a tiki bar theme could feature tropical, rum-based themed drinks, while a cocktail lounge might focus on classic and craft cocktails.
Look for Inspiration: Research theme bars and successful bar owners for inspiration. See what works in other settings and adapt those ideas to suit your space and preferences. This might involve a unique decor style, a particular drink focus, or a signature atmosphere.
Think About Practicality: Ensure that your bar counter, seating, and storage work well with your chosen theme. A modern home bar might feature sleek, minimalistic counters and seating, while a rustic theme could include wooden bar counters and vintage decor.
What are the 8 types of bar?
Here are eight common types of bars, each offering a unique atmosphere and experience:
- Cocktail Bar: Focuses on crafting high-quality cocktails, often with a sophisticated and upscale ambiance. These bars emphasize mixology and creative drink presentations.
- Sports Bar: Centers around live sports events, with multiple screens showing games, a casual environment, and a menu featuring beers, wings, and other comfort foods.
- Pub: A traditional bar with a cozy, communal atmosphere, often serving a wide selection of beers, ales, and hearty food. Pubs can be themed around British or Irish culture.
- Dive Bar: Known for its unpretentious, laid-back vibe, often with inexpensive drinks, minimal decor, and a loyal local clientele. Dive bars prioritize simplicity and atmosphere over frills.
- Wine Bar: Specializes in offering a wide variety of wines, often paired with appetizers or small plates. Wine bars tend to have a relaxed, refined atmosphere.
- Tiki Bar: A themed bar inspired by Polynesian culture, characterized by tropical decor, exotic cocktails like Mai Tais and Pina Coladas, and a laid-back, vacation-like ambiance.
- Speakeasy: A bar with a hidden or secretive entrance, often styled after the Prohibition era. These bars focus on creating a unique, exclusive experience with craft cocktails and a vintage aesthetic.
- Hotel Bar: Located within a hotel, these bars cater to travelers and guests, offering a mix of convenience and elegance. They often serve a broad range of drinks and are designed to accommodate both casual and formal settings.
