It’s one thing getting the appearance of your bar right by buying attractive furniture and creating an Instagram-worthy décor, but if the layout is left unorganised and unconsidered, problems will arise.
The bar may well look appealing but the ‘oohs and ahhs’ that guests make as they come in will soon turn to frustration when they realise how non-functional the dynamics of the bar are. The layout is an integral part of any establishment’s success and is an important factor in a customer’s experience at a bar.
Making the most out of available space
In a bar, there should be more space to walk around than there would be in a restaurant. Unlike in a restaurant, guests understand that they may have to potentially stand and enjoy their drink. While there will always be some seating in a bar, customers won’t necessarily leave if there isn’t any seating spaces, like they would in a restaurant.
Allowing for standing space in your pub
Bars should always allow for standing space in other areas than the bar. Nobody wants to be enjoying their drink at a busy bar at peak times. A wooden ledge for holding drinks and snacks that runs around certain walls of the bar promotes people to stand and enjoy their drinks with friend or perhaps pull up a bar stool.
For the areas where there are seating and tables, there should be adequate distance and space between seating. Generally speaking, we suggest leaving at least 45cm between seating at different tables so that customers have plenty of room to get in and out at their table. Not only does this help guests, it also helps your waiting team to maneuverer easily.
Enabling effective socialising in your bar
Bars are predominantly considered as spaces that are free to move around. They are social spaces and guests should be encouraged to do so.
To inspire a social environment for guests, there can be a mixture of large, communal tables and smaller intimate tables. Communal seating is a popular choice for millennials and gives them the opportunity to engage with new faces.
Not everyone will be so forthcoming though and some will prefer to sit in a space just with their friends or family.
Poseur tables dotted around the venue immediately create a relaxed, social impression for new guests. The tables are also great for making full use of space: customers won’t mind standing next to them with their drink, and you can fit plenty of people around just one small poseur table.
Making room for large party areas
Bars should always be prepared to have large groups arrive every now and again, whether they come unannounced or are booked in, and there should be a designated area for a large group to sit if they wish. Tables and chairs can always be pushed together but an always-ready area works better and won’t disrupt the bar’s layout.
This area should have a mixture of sofas and chairs with coffee tables to allow plenty of people space to sit.
Buying the right pub and bar furniture
At Trent Furniture we have a bar furniture selection that incorporates many styles of tables and chairs in traditional and modern designs all of which are suitable for use in any commercial environment.
Browse our bar furniture selection or get in touch with our team on 0116 2985 852 to get ideas on how best to optimise your bar’s space with furniture.