People frequently go into bar hopping or drinking sprees but little did they know what’s in a bar. It is uncommon to just say a bar is simply a bar – a place for alcoholic drinks they say. But what lies inside a bar. Is just a small room with cupboards and an area to take your cup of beverage? Does every part of a bar has different functions?
Technically, a bar is consist of three major parts, the Front Bar, Back Bar and the Under Bar. Each of the three major parts has their respective sub-parts and also has their respective functions. A bar is a fast place and should its design also be. Its parts must not hinder speed and productivity thus it must help on improving service speed and customer experience.
Hardwoods Incorporated delineate these parts according to functions and the appropriate design. The front bar, it is also referred to as the ‘customer’s area’. It is the meeting point of the customer and the bartender. It is where the customer order for their drink and are served by the bartender. The front bar must have enough room for the bartenders to move conveniently. The height of the front bar is normally 42-48 inches with a width of 16-18 inches. Its surface should be waterproof and alcohol proof for easy cleaning. An armrest should be provided for the guest with around 8-inch of space and should be padded for comfort. The front bar is supported on a vertical structure called “bar die” which separated the customers from bartenders’ work area. A footrest runs the length of the counter on the customer side from the floor of about 9-12 inches provided with a high stools with about 2-feet length of the front bar.
While the back bar, is located at the back of the front counter. It consists of a display rack set over the storage cabinet which provides the storage as well as the display or décor. Often, the back bar is lined with mirror at the back which reflects the bottles stored in the rack. It also acts as a merchandising device by displaying the bottles. It may sometimes include pictures, posters, tainted glass, plants, antiques, etc. to make the back bar more attractive and to break monotony. In most bars, the overhead slotted racks are fitted to store the stemware which makes the bar very attractive. The base of the bar may accommodate special equipment, such as bottle cooler, espresso machine, non-alcoholic beverage dispenser, cash register, etc. The design must blend with overall décor of the bar according to hospitalitynU BlogSpot.
The under bar, refers to the area under the front bar of the bartender’s side. It is the work area of the bartender. It is designed keeping in mind the kind of drinks to be made, equipment required, and mixes needed for the drinks. Work flow must be considered top priority while designing the under bar. It is the main center for the entire bar operations as the bartenders will be facing the guests while preparing their drinks.
Each part of the bar plays a very important role in guest service sequence. Each part has combined décor and functionality which could not stand without the other. Décor without its function will just be consuming work space and there for will sacrifice productivity while functionality without décor may turn your bar’s ambiance into an industrial factory plant producing liquor. That is what these three parts of a bar is all about, its significance and functionality which every bar goer should know.
By: Mr. Wrence Nichols Y. Dizon | Instructor | Philippine Women’s University
