There’s no question that the last few years have been brutal for the bar industry. But today, as life begins to return to normal following the COVID-19 pandemic, we’re all looking to make a fresh start.
If you’re a bar owner, that may well mean that you’re looking to make updates that enable you and your guests to move into better and brighter days. However, whether you’re looking to make a few updates or to go for a full-scale remodel, there are some factors you should consider.
Assessing Benefits and Risks
As we emerge from such a difficult period, it can be tempting to splurge on every amenity, every luxury, every comfort possible. The reality is that while this may feel good to you and your guests in the short term, it may not be the wisest path during this period of recovery.
For this reason, planning your updates and remodel must begin with a thorough assessment of the business risks of completing a remodel. You will need to consider, foremost, whether the financial investment of a specific change can reasonably be expected to yield a necessary return, even if your bar’s post-COVID recovery isn’t as speedy as you had hoped.
As you weigh the benefits and risks of your proposed updates, it’s also imperative to objectively assess whether the work you are considering can be done by you and your crew, or whether the safest and most efficient route is to call in a professional.
In general, cosmetic changes can be handled internally, but when the updates involve the structure of your building or more complex systems, such as plumbing and electrical, then outside experts may be needed.
Flooring and Floor Plans
Every bar owner knows that flooring tends to take the most punishment from day to day. Because of that, your floors are also the first to show wear and tear. So if you want to make a significant upgrade to the appearance of your bar without blowing the budget, then updating your flooring can be a wise investment.
Best of all, redoing your floors also gives you the ideal opportunity to change up your floor plan. This can be a great way to redesign your layout for the post-COVID era, maybe allowing you to have tables or a kitchen for the first time and traffic flow that supports social distancing. With a bit of strategy, the new floor plan can be incorporated into an overall rebranding strategy that reassures your guests of your establishment’s commitment to their health and safety.
Light It Up
When it comes to ambiance, lighting is everything. If you are looking to make significant changes to the look and feel of your bar without draining your bank account, updating your lighting can be a perfect option. You may even choose upgrade options that allow for programmable lighting effects, allowing you to change the entire atmosphere of your bar based on the time of day or the occasion.
Bathrooms Matter
When it comes to a make-or-break experience for your guests, you can’t get much more important than the bathrooms. Particularly in this post-COVID era, your diners are going to want restroom facilities that are comfortable, clean, and safe. Additionally, with increasing awareness of the needs of gender fluid, transgender, or nonbinary persons, having options for a gender-neutral bathroom can be an important way to ensure that all your guests feel safe and welcome. So if you have a more expansive budget and a bit of time to invest, then a bathroom remodel may well be worth your while.
Choosing a Theme
By far one of the best ways to make the most of your updates and remodel is to choose a theme and stick to it. If every modification is aligned with that theme, your bar will feel more cohesive and harmonious for your guests. Best of all, you will be able to integrate this theme into your branding and marketing, giving your bar a signature style that your customers will instantly recognize and respond to.
Maybe you’ve decided to change the color of the walls in your bar. Be sure you don’t make the same mistakes you would make when choosing paint colors at home: don’t ignore that brand new lighting you just purchased and be sure to take into account the new floor layout when choosing your new color. Once you’ve picked the right shade of blue or purple, you can incorporate that into your theme.
Your chosen theme should reverberate throughout your bar, from your menus to your furnishings to your employees’ uniforms. You might even commission a mural or other artwork to truly set your bar apart.
The Takeaway
The bar industry has suffered a great deal in the past 30 months. Now, however, the clouds seem to be clearing and hope is appearing on the horizon at last. That means that this may be the perfect time to update or remodel your bar. However, such decisions must be made strategically and deliberately, focusing on modifications that will likely yield the best returns in revenue, growth, and post-pandemic recovery.
Special thanks to Jori Hamilton for this Great Beer Now guest post!
Very interesting. This was very helpful and I thank you so much!
I agree, bathrooms really do matter especially in this pandemic. Hygiene is important! A lot of good points were made here.
This was a really interesting read. I love that you included bathrooms in this. More than any other part of a bar, I think bathrooms need to be on point.
I only can imagine importance of a bar’s post-COVID recovery. Really interesting read.
Hihi….I must applaud Jori on the “bathrooms matter” section! Back then, I always wondered why so many bar owners and administrators never cared about their toilets! It really bothered me.
Great tips and points for bar owners looking to remodel. It is amazing what a little change like flooring and lighting can make.
Lighting is very important. Having ones that can be adjusted to create a mood can work well.
I enjoyed reading this post. Bathrooms are always matter! And yes lightning effects are giving more vision in the bar.
The bathroom is all that matters to me when I go to a bar or a restaurant. Everyone would love a clean and comfortable bathroom.
Lightning is important. It really helps improve a place’s ambiance! Thank you for the tips.
As a business owner, it is so important to keep up with the times. These are all good points and things to think about for keeping and building a customer base.