Gone are those days when hotel bars were gloomy spaces. Today they gracefully embrace all of the lobby space, making every corner appealing and work as a social hub suited for work and fun. Ar. Khozema Chitalwala, Founder of Designers Group Mumbai, offers tips and tactics on designing hotel bars as lively, engaging spaces that are full of flair, thus providing a rich layer of social engagement.
The most significant shift in bar design is making the bar a more visible feature of the lobby. Taking down the dividing walls between the bar and the lobby would blur the boundaries between the two spaces, and would extend the energy from the bar area into the lobby space, stimulating it in an enjoyable way. For example, implementing a system similar to an eschewed check-in station and integrating it with the lobby bar would nearly let guests receive their room key and a complimentary drink while believing as though they had come to visit a cocktail lounge with a room above.
In a technological age, the question of how much technology to include in a hotel bar should be at the front of a designer’s consideration when planning a new design concept. Wall-mounted televisions are common; however, they might impede the overall aesthetic of the space. Yet, we can decide at a preliminary phase whether TVs or similar gadgets should be included, and if so, where the suited location would be. Adding in at a later stage may detract from the elegance of the existing design. However, it is now much simpler to include flat displays with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth in bar decor, which could open up a new set of dynamics and opportunities for a technology-driven bar area.
Bar furniture does not have to be confined to lounge chairs, barstools, and standard tables. A table can be designed to function as a resting place for a drink as well as a workspace with the intent of blending ideas of work and leisure. Another component that significantly contributes to amplifying a bar’s design is lighting, which acts more like a wall texture or piece of art.
Workstations for bartenders are also a feature of the bar, which draws attention from visitors. These are the game changers who stroll around the space, marking the dynamics of the design and whose visibility and operational mannerisms grab the interest of all occupants of the room. Designing components that demonstrate the bar crew, and their vitality also increases customer commitment to a place where they can look forward to a captivating encounter again.
Bar design challenges don’t necessarily have to be seen unfavorably. Their rather better competitive opportunities making way for the accomplishment of a new idea. The ambiance of a bar has the potential to either create or undermine the energy of a space that defines hospitality. To ensure that the visitors have a good stay at the hotels and an outstanding evening at the bar, it is crucial to use these settings as positive triggers.