When starting a bar, it’s important to create a full menu, design the bar top and tables carefully and hire a friendly staff that can provide a positive experience for visitors. But one element that can really tie everything together tends to get overlooked too often – lighting.
The right lighting design can make your bar cozy, vibrant or inviting – whatever vibe you’re trying to create for your business. It can also enhance the bar space by directing your customers’ eyes to the most visually appealing part of the space, thus creating a focal point and improving the overall design.
Jon Taffer of Bar Rescue said in an interview, “It’s also essential to decide what the focal point is going to be in the room. It shouldn’t be a bright light on top of the POS station or a bad wall or an ugly piece of art. The brightest thing in a room should be a beautiful Wicker display or an open display kitchen something that merchandises and creates appeal with lighting as a key.”
Understanding Bar Lighting Basics
Bar lighting is a crucial aspect of creating an inviting and functional space for patrons. It involves understanding the different types of lighting, including ambient, accent, and task lighting. Ambient lighting provides overall illumination, setting the general mood and ensuring the space is well-lit. Accent lighting highlights specific features or areas, such as artwork, architectural details, or the bar counter, drawing attention to these focal points. Task lighting, on the other hand, provides focused illumination for specific tasks, such as reading menus or preparing drinks. By combining these types of lighting, bar owners can create a unique and welcoming atmosphere that enhances the customer experience. Whether you’re aiming for a cozy, intimate setting or a vibrant, energetic vibe, the right mix of lighting can make all the difference.
Bar Lighting Ideas
If you’re designing a new bar or trying to improve the look of an existing one, here are some of the top bar lighting ideas to consider.
Pendant Lights
Pendant lights hang down from the ceiling and often include unique shades or glass orbs that turn them into focal point pieces. They’re perfect for arranging along a bar or placed over tables. These pendant lamps from Niche Modern provide some visual interest and illumination over the top of a bar area in Austria’s Hotel Dollerer.
Track Lighting
Track lights are arranged along one long line, making them perfect for accentuating the area directly above a bar. They come in many different styles and levels of brightness. This image from DecorPad shows track lighting mixed with pendant lights over the top of a bar.
Wall Sconces
This type of light fixture is mounted to the wall and often serves both as a source of illumination and a unique decor feature. They don’t often throw a ton of light, but they can work for bars that want to include old-fashioned or dramatic lighting schemes. This Yii product is a modern example of this format. But there are also plenty of vintage inspired and industrial options.
Industrial Lighting
Industrial styles are particularly popular in today’s bars. This type of light fixture can come in a variety of formats, from hanging lamps to wall mounts. But they usually include exposed bulbs, metal and unfinished surfaces. This one from SaveLights is an example of a statement light fixture that fits with this style.
Chandeliers
Chandeliers come in many sizes and styles. There are traditional ones, like this one at the Chandelier Bar in Christchurch. And there are also modern and dramatic options. Chandeliers are best suited for bars that want to really make a visual statement. But many of these fixtures can throw a lot of light as well. They should also usually be placed over tables or bars.
Stained Glass Lamps
Stained glass lamps are perfect for traditional bar decor. They come in a variety of colors and styles. So you can choose the ones that fit with your aesthetic goals or just add an entire array of them throughout the space. These lights serve more as decor than practical lighting, but they can certainly supplement overhead lights or work in a dramatic bar setting. This option is from AliExpress.
Pool Table Lights
Plenty of bars have pool tables or similar activities that may require their own special lighting. Pool table lights tend to have their own unique style. These large lights are often statement pieces that feature stained glass and beer or liquor brand names or images. Others, like this example from Amazon, feature images or visual designs.
Ambient Lighting
Bars ambient lighting is crucial for creating an inviting atmosphere. Some bar lights are a bit more subtle. With ambient lighting options, like the options included in this example from Lightology, you can illuminate spaces like the area underneath the bar and along the edge of the floor. This can serve as supplemental lighting or as a dramatic option for bars that prefer a dark vibe.
Uplighting
Make your bar top stand out with light that actually illuminates from the top of the bar. You can even make it stand out with colorful uplights like those pictured here from Ice and Lime. This option may be best suited for trendy bars or nightclubs. Uplighting can also be used to enhance a dance floor, creating a vibrant and energetic atmosphere.
String Lights
String lights are usually better suited as decor than as your main source of light. They can enhance the ambiance of an outdoor bar, making it more inviting for customers, especially during evening hours and special events. But they do add some variety and visual interest to a variety of spaces. They can even work for bars that have outdoor patio spaces. You can find small twinkle lights or strands of lights with large statement bulbs. This example comes from PartyLights.com.
Energy Efficiency
Energy efficiency is an essential consideration for bar owners, as it can help reduce energy costs and minimize environmental impact. One of the most effective ways to achieve energy efficiency in bar lighting is by using LED options. LED lights are twice as efficient as incandescent lighting and have a long lamp life, making them a cost-effective and environmentally friendly option. By switching to LED lights, bar owners can significantly cut down on their energy consumption and lower their utility bills. Additionally, LED lights produce less heat, which can help maintain a comfortable temperature in the bar, reducing the need for air conditioning. Investing in energy-efficient lighting not only benefits the environment but also enhances the overall sustainability of your business.
LED Options for Bar Lighting
LED lights are a popular choice for bar lighting due to their energy efficiency and versatility. They come in a range of colors and can be used for everything from ambient lighting to decorative features. LED strips can be used under the bar counter or along shelves to create a dynamic and modern look. These strips can be programmed to change colors, adding a lively and engaging element to the bar’s design. Additionally, LED lights can be used to create a specific mood or atmosphere in a bar, making them a great option for bar owners looking to create a unique and inviting space. Whether you want a warm, cozy glow or a vibrant, colorful display, LED lights offer endless possibilities for customization.
Smart Lighting Systems
Smart lighting systems are a great way for bar owners to take control of their lighting and create a unique and dynamic atmosphere. These systems allow for remote control of the intensity, color, and pattern of lights, making it easy to adjust the lighting to suit different events or times of day. For instance, you can dim the lights for a relaxed evening ambiance or brighten them up for a lively weekend crowd. Smart lighting systems can also be used to adapt to different events or times of day, creating various atmospheres as the bar’s energy evolves. With the ability to schedule lighting changes and create preset scenes, smart lighting offers unparalleled flexibility and convenience for bar owners.
Integrating Smart Lighting
Integrating smart lighting into a bar’s lighting system can be a straightforward process. Bar owners can start by installing smart lighting fixtures, such as LED lights or smart bulbs, and then connect them to a smart lighting system. This can be done using a smartphone app or a dedicated control panel. Once installed, bar owners can use the smart lighting system to adjust the lighting to suit different events or times of day, creating a unique and dynamic atmosphere that enhances the customer experience. With features like voice control, motion sensors, and automated schedules, smart lighting systems make it easy to create the perfect ambiance for any occasion. Whether you’re hosting a quiet dinner or a lively dance party, smart lighting ensures your bar always looks its best.
Image: Depositphotos.com
