Here are a few tips to help you along the way.
Work out who your market is
Before you decide on a theme or decor for any bar, there's a very big factor to consider – location. If your bar is situated in a low income area, you’re not going to set up a high end vodka bar. Your immediate area will shape the kind of bar you should create. Is there a university or technical institute nearby full of music-loving students? Are there major construction projects in the area likely to feed hot, thirsty workers into your bar for some years to come? Are there middle income office workers? Work out where your likely traffic will come from and then mould your bar into an irresistible detour.
Go for longevity
In other words avoid fads. Themes such as Australiana, Polynesia, Retro, Americana and live sports have legs and will always have a ready market. Themes based on movie franchises or music genres are more prone to the fickleness of their audience. Also avoid cultish themes unless the local population or itinerant clientele is large enough. While you may be a Star Wars freak, being served by Dr Spock won't necessarily be a weekly must for most.
Assess seats versus stools
Are you going for a more working class, high density bar or something more spread out and upmarket? Stools allow for more patrons around a single high table as those seated are still at an acceptable height for conversation with others standing. Tables, not so. Stools work well in sports bars or venues with live music as numbers for big events are less dictated by the amount of furniture. Chairs, tables and couches should be confined to areas where standing patrons are unlikely to cause in-your-face offence.
Pay for good eyes
You may have some talent for interior design, but this is a professional establishment you're creating and amateur design won't cut it. If your concept is well researched and the market is ready and waiting, proper design work done by architects and interior designers will ensure your bar passes muster with canny patrons.
Consider the extras
Aside from tables and chairs and couches, what other important furniture will your bar contain? Do pool tables fit your theme? Juke boxes? Slot machines? Such side earners can often be hired for a percentage of the profit and if they aren't incongruous, they can be well worth having.
Lighten the mood
Your choice of lighting will have a huge impact on the atmosphere you create. Most bars don’t want to be lit up like McDonalds; even pool bars will focus lighting directly over the tables and keep the mood a little dimmer and intimate elsewhere. Table lamps are a great option for lounge bars.
