Bar Culture in the UK: Bar Counter Design
The UK licensed trade is an evolving and fluid industry that employs nearly 600,000 people in England and Wales alone, according to the British Beer and Pub Association. The Association also claim that over 15 million people actually drink in a public house at least once a week, whilst these figures are staggering they do not actually include the number of individuals drinking in nightclubs or hotels bars which when considered would increase these figures dramatically. The point I am trying to make is that the industry is huge and although recent government rulings have had some impact on both the numbers of licensed premises and the ways in which the British public use them, institutions such as the public house, karaoke bars, nightclubs and gastro pubs are likely to remain part of our social lives.
There are many different types and styles of bar in the UK from traditional pubs or taverns that sell good pub grub and cask ales, to more slick and sophisticated nightclubs with late opening hours and a large selection of cocktails. Bar and clubs can also be categorised according to the clientele that drink and socialise in them, for example, salsa bars are aptly named due the salsa music and dancing that takes place there. However, what all bars, nightclubs and pubs have in common is the bar area itself. The term bar is used to refer to the counter top area from which the drinks and money is served and taken. Although it is important to note here that the term bar is now often used to describe an establishment as a whole, for example, a sports bar or a singles bar.
In many licensed premises the bar area is the focal point of the whole venue and is usually the hub or busiest area, especially during happy hour or near peak entry times. The bar is also the point at which bar owners and landlords take the majority of money so a lot of thought is put into the layout and design of the bar in order to ensure maximum efficiency and boost profits. A bar that is poorly laid out or too small is likely to hinder bar staff and prevent them from working at full speed. For example, if at peak times bar staff are queuing in order to use the till or getting under each other’s feet when reaching for ice of glassware it is unlikely that they will be able to serve everyone waiting in the minimum amount of time potentially affecting your profits.
It is also necessary however, that your bar looks aesthetically pleasing to your customers and that it fits in with the style and theme of the rest of your décor. Most venues are designed to fit around certain themes or colour schemes and there are a number of professional bar fitters who possess the skills and expertise you need to create and build a bar that not only suits your tastes but that is also practical and useable. One of the most important features of any bar counter, as mentioned above, is the use of space and the amount of available storage. A well qualified professional bar fitter will take on board all of your needs and requirements and come up with a bar counter design that will work best for you.
Contemporary bar design is not just about building a bar but about creating an atmosphere. Appropriate lighting, colour schemes, and material choices are important components and must compliment each other. Bar counters are thus available in a number of different styles and finishes, but if its high quality classic bar counter designs you are after then you may want to pay a visit to www.counter-fit.co.uk.
