A bar or nightclub sells atmosphere. Not drinks.

The drinks are what guests pay for on the receipt. But the atmosphere is what they came for. It's the atmosphere they talk about. And it's the atmosphere they return for.

It is the job of design to create it. It is a completely different design task than a restaurant or an office. It requires understanding how light, materials, sound levels, flow and density interact to create an environment that feels right, alive and inviting to stay in.

Lighting as a mood creator

In a bar or nightclub, lighting is the most important design tool. Absolutely the most important.

Strong, cold light sources kill the atmosphere. It's like turning on the ceiling light in the living room in the middle of a party. The light exposes too much, creates a harsh impression and counteracts the intimate character that most evening venues want.

Soft, warm lighting with clear accents is the standard approach for a reason: it works. It creates depth, contrast and intimate zones without making it too dark to work. In nightclubs and dance floor scenarios, dynamic lighting, spotlights, LED rigs and possibly laser effects are added. It is its own technical field and requires a separate design strategy for that surface.

The bar counter as the center of the room

The bar counter is the center of a bar for social, functional and aesthetic reasons. Social because it is the place where people gather, talk and see each other. Functional because it is the workplace for the bar staff. Aesthetic because it is the surface that forms the primary design statement of the room.

A well-designed bar counter in the right material, with the right lighting and the right height, sets the tone for the rest of the venue. It is the element we place the most importance on in bar design. The choice of material for the bar counter must withstand intensive daily traffic with moisture and impact. Wood, concrete, steel and stone in various combinations are common choices, each with their own advantages and requirements.

Acoustics and sound level

Acoustics in a bar is not about minimizing noise. It's about designing a sound that's right for the place.

A cozy bar with intimate conversation has a different acoustic ideal than a dance bar with loud music. This requires that the acoustic design is linked to the business concept, not to a general standard. In a cocktail bar with a focus on conversation, the room's acoustics should allow for a normal conversation level without guests having to shout. In a nightclub, high volumes should be possible without damaging the surroundings, which requires acoustic insulation in the ceiling, walls and floor.

Flow and density

How people move in a bar, and how close it is possible to have it without it feeling crowded, are design issues with a direct effect on turnover.

Too high a density creates an unprofessional sense of chaos. Too low a density means that the atmosphere never lifts, the venue feels half-empty even when it has a decent occupancy. The right density is a balanced design decision: how many guests give a lively feeling without giving a sense of pressure? The flow, how guests move between the entrance, the cloakroom, the bar and any seating, affects the experience and how effectively the staff can work.

Outdoor space and outdoor dining

A bar with a well-designed outdoor seating area doubles its appeal during the summer months in Sweden. This requires that the outdoor seating area is well thought out as part of the whole: furniture that matches the interior design concept, lighting that creates the right atmosphere in the evening, and a boundary to the street or sidewalk that feels well thought out rather than added.

A well-booked and well-designed outdoor seating area draws guests in in a way that no advertisement can.

Branding and identity in bar design

A bar with a strong identity is told about. Without identity, it is just any bar. This means that the design should take a stand. Is it a craft cocktail bar with an emphasis on craft tradition? Is it an urban dance bar with energy and international inspiration? Is it a classic beer pub with local roots? Each of these communicates with its specific target group through the design.

Are you planning to open, renovate or reposition a bar or nightclub?

Fill out the form below with your name, email address, and a message about your project. We'll get back to you.

Message

Send