Choosing the Right Colors to Suit Your Bar
Table of Contents
Why Bar Colors Matter
Colors make people feel things. The colors in your bar can make people want to buy more. They can make people stay longer. They can make people come back.
When you pick colors for your bar, think about:
- What your bar is about
- Who comes to your bar
- What your bar sells
Good colors help your bar make more money. Bad colors can make people leave fast.
Colors and How They Make People Feel
Colors make our brains work in funny ways. Let’s see what each color does:
Warm Colors
Red, orange, and yellow are warm colors. They make people:
- Feel hungry
- Feel excited
- Feel like time is going fast
If you sell a lot of food or want people to drink fast, warm colors work well. Many whiskey bars and cocktail bars use warm colors.
Cool Colors
Blue, green, and purple are cool colors. They make people:
- Feel calm
- Feel relaxed
- Feel like time is slow
Wine bars often use cool colors like green. It helps people sit and talk for a long time. [^4]
Neutral Colors
Black, white, gray, and brown are neutral colors. They make people:
- Feel like your bar is fancy
- Feel like your bar is clean
- Feel like your bar is simple
Fancy bars often use a lot of black to look rich.
Best Colors for Different Types of Bars
Not all bars should use the same colors. Here are good colors for different bar types:
Cocktail Bars
Cocktail bars look best with:
- Metallic colors like copper and gold
- Bold colors like navy blue and dark red
- Shiny surfaces that catch the light
One study showed that cocktail bars with copper and navy blue made people think the drinks were worth more money!
Beer Bars and Brewpubs
Beer bars and brewpubs look best with:
- Earth colors like green and brown
- Wood on walls and floors
- Simple designs that don’t look too fancy
Wood and green make people think of nature. This makes them think your beer is more real. A test showed that brewpubs with pine green and oak wood got 18% better scores for being “real.”
Nightclubs
Nightclubs look best with:
- Bright colors that glow in the dark
- Neon signs on walls
- Changing lights that make the room look different all night
Neon orange and cyan blue lights made 27% more people come to bars after 10pm in big China cities.
Colors That Hide Dirt and Last Long
Your bar gets dirty every day. Some colors hide dirt better:
- Dark floors hide spills
- Pattern walls hide scratches
- Brown tables hide stains
You should use strong paint that won’t come off when you clean it. Bars that used special epoxy-acrylic paint spent 60% less money fixing their walls.
How Different Lights Change Colors
The lights in your bar change how colors look. This is very important:
| Light Type | How It Changes Colors | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Yellow lights | Makes red and orange look stronger | Whiskey bars, Cozy bars |
| White lights | Shows all colors as they really are | Modern bars, Craft beer bars |
| Blue lights | Makes blue and green look stronger | Nightclubs, Wine bars |
| Changing lights | Makes your bar look different all night | Dance clubs, Young crowd bars |
Test tip: Always look at your wall paint or bar mat under the same lights you’ll use in your bar. What looks good in a store might look bad in your bar!
Success Stories: Bars That Changed Their Colors
Wine Bar Gets More Customers
A wine bar in China changed from beige walls to sage green walls with brass lights. People stayed 22% longer after the change! When people stay longer, they buy more drinks.
Sports Bar Sells More Beer
A sports bar painted one wall red. On game days, people sitting near the red wall bought 15% more beer than people sitting far from it.
Tourism Bar Blends With Culture
Bars in Lijiang and Yangshuo used earth colors like brown and orange to match old buildings nearby. Tourists liked these bars more because they felt more special.
Tools for Picking Perfect Bar Colors
Here are tools that help you pick the right colors:
- Pantone Color Guide: This book shows all colors so your menus, signs, and walls all match perfectly.
- Paint Samples: Always put paint on a small part of your wall first. Look at it at night and day before you paint everything.
- Custom Color Matching: 43% of bar owners want their bar equipment to match their walls exactly. You can get custom logo bar mats in any color.
- Color Wheel Apps: Phone apps can help you find colors that look good together.
Bar Areas That Need Special Colors
Different parts of your bar need different colors:
Bar Top
The bar top is where drinks sit. It gets very dirty. Good colors for bar tops are:
- Dark wood
- Black stone
- Patterns that hide spills
Many bar owners choose to add custom bar runners in dark colors that help hide spills while protecting the bar top.
Floors
Floors get very dirty too. Good colors for floors are:
- Dark brown
- Gray
- Black and white tiles
Walls
Walls are big and make people feel things. Good colors for walls are:
- Dark colors behind the bar
- Light colors where people sit
- Bold colors on one wall only
Bar Equipment
Your ice buckets, bar mats, and other tools should match your bar colors. Metal ice buckets in copper or gold can add a touch of luxury to any bar color scheme.
Popular Bar Color Combinations
Here are color sets that work well in bars:
- Classic Pub: Dark wood + green + brass
- Modern Bar: White + black + one bright color
- Tiki Bar: Brown + green + orange
- Wine Bar: Purple + cream + wood
- Sports Bar: Team colors + wood + TV screens
How to Test Colors Before You Decide
Before you paint your whole bar, you should:
- Put paint on a small part of the wall
- Look at it when it’s busy and empty
- Ask your best customers what they think
- Take pictures and look at them later
- Try at least three different colors
Color Trends for Bars in 2023
Bar colors change with time. Right now, these colors are popular:
- Earth tones: Browns, soft greens, and terracotta colors
- Dark blues: Navy and midnight blue walls
- Plants: Real green plants on walls and shelves
- Mixed metals: Using gold, silver, and copper together
- Bold backgrounds: Dark walls behind shelves of bottles
For a stylish look, try custom champagne buckets that match these trending colors.
Colors Based on Your Drinks
The drinks you sell should match your bar colors:
| Main Drink | Best Colors | Why It Works |
|---|---|---|
| Beer | Wood, green, gold | Feels natural like beer ingredients |
| Wine | Purple, red, black | Matches wine colors |
| Cocktails | Bright colors, white, black | Looks clean and fun like cocktails |
| Whiskey | Brown, red, gold | Looks old and rich like whiskey |
| Tequila | Blue, white, orange | Feels like Mexico |
Making Your Final Color Choice
When you pick your final colors, think about:
- Who comes to your bar?
- What drinks do you sell the most?
- How long do you want people to stay?
- How often will you clean?
- What colors are in your logo?
The best bar colors make people feel how you want them to feel when they’re in your bar.
Simple Rules for Bar Colors
Follow these simple rules:
- Use no more than 3 main colors
- Make sure colors look good in low light
- Pick colors that hide dirt
- Use brighter colors in small spots
- Match your bar mats and equipment to your walls
Many bar owners are adding rubber bar mats in colors that coordinate with their overall design scheme.
Last Tips From Bar Experts
Bar color experts say:
“The best bar colors make people forget they’re spending money.” – Bar Design Expert
“Colors should get darker as the night goes on. Bright in day, dark at night.” – Bar Owner
“Always match your bar mats, coasters, and menus to your walls.” – Bar Supply Expert
Conclusion
The right colors make your bar a place where people want to stay. They help people remember your bar. They help you sell more drinks.
Think about:
- Who comes to your bar
- What you want people to feel
- What drinks you sell
- How to hide dirt
With the right colors, your bar will look good and make more money!
