It’s pretty much a given at this stage that, to stay relevant and popular, you’ve got to keep your bar up to date with the clientele you’re trying to attract. Unfortunately, people are fickle beasts, so change may be on the horizon more often than you’d otherwise prefer. But fear not, if you read on, we’ll take you through some of the key bar trends of this year, keeping you up to date, and your establishment full of eager customers.
Wine by the Glass
In the hippest, most up to date establishments, technology is making a big impact on how drinks are being served. For example, a wine-sampling device created by Coravin ensures that bars never have to worry about an expensive bottle of wine turning into vinegar again, as it can take measures from the bottle without opening it. A hollow needle passes in through the cork, so the wine can be sold by the glass, rather than just by the bottle.
Remaining on the subject of wine, London bars are now starting to copy their American competition by serving wine on tap from kegs. This trend is rising in popularity not only because it sounds cool, but because it allows wine by the glass to be sold at a lower price than normal. Rex & Mariano in Soho now has eight wines sold on tap from kegs, and with wine suppliers such as Bibendum supporting the trend, wine on tap is set to become a big thing this year.
Casual Dining
With quirky establishments such as the Cereal Killer Café’ popping up all over the UK, it’s clear that the food and drinks industry is undergoing a serious change. Even London’s top chefs have acknowledged this movement towards casual dining, and so have opened sister sites alongside their more formal restaurants.
However, it isn’t just the food and drink served at these premises that has become more casual and unusual, the décor is changing too. Formal is on the out, so if you want your bar to attract the young and trendy, get rid of those stiff old chairs and bring in the funky, brightly-coloured stools.
Quirky Bars
There are already a number of quirky bars in the capital, including Christabel’s Cocktail Bar, Aeronaut, and Bar Soho, to name a few. Each has its own fun, unique look, from fairground ride chairs and giant playing card placemats, to rustic wooden bars and cocktails served in teapots. Brits all across the UK are itching to find those small, out-of-the-way bars that offer them something a little bit more than just over-priced cocktails. If your bar’s looking a little bit worse for wear, it could be time to update its look.
Need inspiration? It’s not a bad idea to check out your competitors in the flesh to see how they’ve created their unique look. Try to think about the audience you’re trying to attract too – what are their likes and dislikes? And can you incorporate the former into your establishment?
Multi-sensory Dining
We can thank experimental chef Heston Blumenthal for the popularisation of multi-sensory dining. In his restaurant, The Fat Duck, diners who choose the ‘Sound of the Sea’ dish are given a recording of the ocean to listen to whilst they eat. This apparently enhances the flavours of the seafood.
Indeed, Oxford professor Charles Spence recently found that the flavour of sweet and sour foods can be enhanced by high-pitched music, and bitter flavours can be boosted by low-pitched sounds. Just like good wine is matched with good food, Professor Spence now hopes to do the same with sounds and flavours. He is working on something called ‘sonic seasoning’, which could play a big part in this year’s bar trends.
It’s not just sounds that should be matched with flavours though, the décor will have a big impact on your winer’s and diner’s sensory experience. Ultraviolet in Shanghai changes the imagery, lighting and temperature of the premises according to what’s being consumed. You might not want to take it quite that far, but it’s worth paying attention to what your furniture is currently saying about your establishment.
This year, it’s fair to say that the most quirky, individual and unusual bars will reign supreme in the fight for Friday and Saturday night drinkers. The hip and young don’t just want to head to any old bar; they want to go somewhere that serves affordable booze with an atmosphere worthy of sharing on Instagram. It’s therefore vital to ensure your furniture and décor catches people’s eyes and keeps bringing them back to your establishment; not your competitors’. If you’re looking for furniture companies that can aid you on your makeover, companies such as Trent Pottery can help your bar find a new look and offer a sample service so you can be sure you’re getting exactly what you want.
