Creating a Profitable Back Bar Design

The most successful back bars are well-thought-out spaces where adults can enjoy their favourite drinks. As a bar owner, think of your back bar as a showcase. It must attractively display what's on offer and be functional, making it easier and more efficient for your staff to work.

Thought, planning, time, and effort are required to ensure your back bar layout is profitable. Profitability is not just about the number of drinks sold but also how comfortable people feel.

1. Customer-Friendly Layout: Group similar items together and keep everything within easy reach. Large bars may require multiple sections.
2. Meet Customer Preferences: Offer what your customers want. Don't waste space on unpopular items.
3. Promotional Areas: Position products to get full attention, especially those you want to move quickly. Place the most profitable items at eye level.
4. Proper Lighting: Ensure your products are visible and highlighted, adding aesthetic value.
5. Quality Equipment: Invest in quality equipment to ensure reliability and present a professional image. Fresh ingredients and comprehensive service are also crucial.
6. Good Product Selection: Offer a variety of drinks to cater to different tastes, but avoid overstocking.

7. Order and Organisation: Keep drinks organised and avoid overcrowding. Ensure visibility for customers. Arrange bar elements like ice, garnishes, and glasses efficiently.
8. Keep Customers Informed: Use posters, flyers, beer mats, and chalkboards to give customers information about what's available.
9. Bespoke Design: Consider creating a design tailored to your premises for a unique touch.
10. Practical Equipment: Use equipment that works for your space, like sliding door bottle coolers for small areas. 
11. Cleanliness: Maintain a clean, uncluttered environment. Clear away detritus quickly and clean surfaces, equipment, and bottles regularly.

A well-thought-out back bar design, cleanliness, and organisation will instill confidence in customers and encourage them to return, ultimately boosting your profits.

The British pub culture is evolving, with approximately twenty-eight pubs closing every week. Since 2000, 17% of UK pubs have shut down. According to Tom Stainer from the Campaign for Real Ale, and the British Beer & Pub Association, the concept of a local pub no longer fits modern lifestyles.

Younger drinkers seek new environments and experiences, favouring artisan-style beers and gin, whose sales have surged. Traditional pubs often fail to attract a diverse clientele, unlike modern venues that promote inclusivity.

The decline of traditional pubs is seen as a massive loss, as they have long been community hubs. The government even appointed a Community Pubs Minister who historically introduced legislation for communities to protect their local pubs.

So how can new bars move with the times while still paying homage to traditional values?

New or refurbished bars need to offer unique experiences to stand out. While modern bars use open-plan seating designs, new materials, and cutting edge bespoke bar designs such as the Gamko Flexbar as supplied by FFD, they can still retain the essence of traditional pub atmospheres without the outdated elements of ripped barmats and sticky bar tops.

Successful bars, like BrewDog, blend classic and modern design features. A welcoming atmosphere and a genuine community connection are key. Bars should cater to various experiences, from communal spaces to intimate settings to appeal to all demographics.

Traditional pubs are always seen as the centre of local communities, but new bars can also foster this same sense of community. The definition of a community pub is changing, and all social spaces where communities gather can now be considered part of this evolving culture.

It’s not only changing landscapes and new bar concepts that are influencing the rise and fall of the hospitality trade, but also a change in the country’s habits. As more young people, often with the most disposable income, ease up on alcohol or even go tee-total, and those that did spend any free cash down their local feeling the strain of the cost of living crisis, many pubs across the UK have closed and so adapting to changing trends is vital. 

Pubs and bars must adapt and this may be by offering more than just standard alcohol choices. A focus on the atmosphere, food, and non-alcoholic drinks to make everyone feel welcome. This may be introducing a wider array of choice beers and ales; the variety driving profits by attracting customers eager to try new options. Also encourage people to try new beverages, including healthier cocktails, non-alcoholic mocktails, and even introduce a diverse range of snacks.

Pubs and bars that successfully blend tradition with modernity, providing a welcoming atmosphere and a variety of offerings to attract all demographics, will hopefully continue to thrive.

Commercial refrigeration is vital for any food service business, whether in the kitchen, for optimising beverage storage areas as with cellar cooling, or as part of bar design such as ice machines. Bottle coolers are crucial behind any bar, chilling drinks and displaying them attractively in pubs, bars, nightclubs, restaurants, bistros, and cafes.

Size and Capacity: Consider size and capacity based on available space and customer volume. Options include single, double, or triple doors and undercounter or upright models. Choose a cooler with a higher capacity than needed to ensure ample stock.

Design and Aesthetics: Bottle coolers come with sliding or hinged doors, each with pros and cons. Hinged doors take up space but are less likely to be left open. Sliding doors save space but may collect dust in the runners which can hinder performance. Various colours and finishes are available to match any decor.

Brand and Price: Bottle coolers range from budget Ecomatic bottle coolers to premium Gamko bottle coolers. Finding one to suit your budget should be easy. Entry level bottle coolers may not operate as efficiently as premium models and typically have a shorter lifespan, so always weigh up initial investment against longevity and running costs.

Shopping on a budget? Read our Top 3 tips on cheap bar fridges - are they the best option?

With so much choice on offer, finding the perfect bar fridge is easy.

For more information about choosing the perfect bottle cooler for your bar, read our comprehensive buying guide detailing everything you need to know before making a purchase.