1. With a difficulty rating of average, this type of project generally takes about 6-8 weeks depending on specifications.

2. First of all you want to check your liquor license agreement. Some licenses can cover all the alcohols but some are only good for beer and wine. If you are one of the contracts covering solely beers and wines you probably want to build a smaller service bar. If you are planning to serve hard liquor as well as wines and beers, you should map accordingly for a larger, full service bar.

3. Take measurements of the entire interior space and determine how much space you have for a full service bar.

4. Make an educated decision about where to place the bar. Remember, a bar has double functionality as a second waiting staff area. For the waiting staff, a bar in the center of the dining room is an ideal spot, especially during the dinner rush. For a more intimate, inviting setting, placing a restaurant bar at the back of the building be keep it away from the hustle and bustle of the streets. Think about where your restrooms are and how your staff operate when deciding the best place to put your bar.

5. Stock your bar with all the necessary equipment. Not only does that mean the coolers, the ice bins, the dispensers, and glass racks. That also means bar stools that are fitting with the theme of your restaurant, the necessary décor to set the mood and the ample amount of space for rowdy crowds.

6. Set the tone with the perfect lighting. The lighting in a bar setting should be very subtle. Not so dark that the costumers can’t read the menus but definitely not too bright. For the ideal lighting situation you may want to invest in recessed lighting and track lighting both which come with dimmer switches that allow you to control the intensity of each light.

7. Keep in mind that your wine and beer salesperson can always supply you with free merchandise. This includes decorative mirrors and beer décor, glasses, cubs, and neon lights. Figure out what you can snag for free before buying any sort of decorative items for your restaurant bar.

The main thing to think about when designing a restaurant bar is your guests. Ask yourself questions before you put your floor plan into action. Is the center really the right spot for my bar? Will the guests be comfortable in these heightened bar stools? Does the décor I chose match my restaurant’s theme? When you are thinking about getting the perfect accessories and décor check out the bar stool collection on this website. After all, bar stools are probably the most important physical aspects of any successful bar.