Top Trends in Commercial Bar Design for 2025
The bar is more than just a drink-dispensing area—it’s a brand statement, a gathering hub, and in many cases, a showpiece that drives foot traffic. As we move deeper into 2025, these design trends are reshaping commercial bars across the UK. If you’re planning a bar fit-out or a refresh, read on to learn what today’s operators—and tomorrow’s patrons—expect.
1. Seamless Indoor-Outdoor Integration
Retractable Walls & Bi-Fold Doors
Venues are maximizing usable space by installing industrial-grade retractable walls that open onto patios or courtyards. This not only increases capacity but also creates dynamic atmospheres during warmer months.
Why It Matters: Studies show that pubs and bars with a strong outdoor seating strategy see up to 20% higher revenue during peak months.
2. Tech-Enabled Bars: Speed, Efficiency & Engagement
Integrated Mobile Ordering & Payment
QR-code menus and contactless payment kiosks reduce wait times and free bartenders to focus on craft.
Smart Back Bars
Digitally controlled refrigeration behind the back bar ensures every bottle is stored at the optimal temperature. LED displays can highlight featured spirits or cocktails, rotating in “happy hour” specials automatically.
Interactive Cocktail Walls
Touchscreen panels allow patrons to scroll through drink menus, customize cocktails, or learn about tasting notes—enhancing guest engagement and upselling premium pours.
Pro Tip: Installing an IoT-enabled keg monitoring system helps prevent stockouts by sending real-time alerts when a keg is low—saving you lost sales and customer frustration.
3. Craft & Sustainability: Eco-Conscious Design
Locally Sourced Materials
Reclaimed wood bar tops, upcycled metal stools, and natural stone backsplashes not only look great, but also tell a story of sustainability.
Energy-Efficient Equipment
Underbar refrigeration units with inverter compressors and low-flow hand wash stations reduce utility bills and demonstrate your commitment to eco-friendly practices.
Draft & Bottle Programs
Supporting local microbrewers and distilleries reduces your carbon footprint and taps into the growing “shop small” ethos. Display signage highlighting “Local On Tap” or “Craft Spirits Only” attracts eco-conscious patrons.
Statistic: 68% of UK consumers say they are more likely to visit a venue that emphasizes sustainable practices—making eco-friendly bar design a strategic advantage.
4. Multifunctional Layouts: Adapt to Every Occasion
Modular Bar Stations
Install movable island bars on casters that can be reconfigured for private events, live music nights, or pop-up tastings.
Integrated Grab-and-Go Corners
A small refrigerated unit stocked with bottled craft cans or pre-batched cocktails caters to on-the-go consumers without disrupting full-service flow.
Convertible Furniture
High-top tables that drop to standard height, or bar benches with removable cushions, allow spaces to switch between standing crowds, seated banquets, or lounge-style events within minutes.
Advice: Engage a specialized design team to map traffic flows during different service modes—happy hour crowds move differently than seated dinner guests. Planning for flexibility up front avoids costly post-build modifications.
5. Experiential Touchpoints: Creating “Instagrammable” Moments
Feature Lighting & Neon Signage
Bold, neon-accented logos behind the bar or art installations with dynamic LED strips encourage patrons to snap and share, effectively turning them into brand ambassadors.
Feature Walls & Brand Storytelling
A curated display of vintage bar tools, distillery artifacts, or a “Wall of Awards” for local brews not only educates patrons but also sparks conversation.
Live Prep & Tasting Stations
Incorporate a small “mixology alcove” where bartenders craft signature cocktails in view of guests. Seeing a drink made from scratch adds theatre and perceived value.
Remember: Every visual element—from the grain of your timber bar top to the font on your menu—reinforces your brand identity. Consistency drives recognition and repeat visits.
The Hunter & Brown Approach: Expert Design, Flawless Execution
At Hunter & Brown Ltd, our bar-design specialists begin every project with a detailed brief: Who are your target guests? What’s your concept’s price positioning? Do you need a high-capacity draft system or a specialized rum library? We produce photorealistic 3D fly-throughs so you can preview sightlines, lighting, and customer flow before any steel is fabricated.
Whether you need a turnkey bar for a boutique hotel, a retractable “garden bar” for your gastropub, or a tech-driven craft-taproom, we handle equipment procurement, full mechanical and electrical coordination, and final commissioning. Our UK-wide service network keeps your bar running smoothly—because downtime is lost margins.
Ready to lead the pack in 2025? Schedule a discovery call with Hunter & Brown and let’s design a bar that buzzes—literally and figuratively—with energy, efficiency, and style.
