Restaurant Bar Construction: Planning the Space Behind the Guest Experience

Key Takeaways

• Design restaurant bar layouts around bartender workflow, service volume, and equipment needs before construction begins.
• Plumbing, electrical, equipment, storage, seating, and code requirements must be coordinated together to prevent costly revisions.
• Early collaboration between the owner, designer, General Contractor, and specialty vendors creates a more functional and predictable build.

A Great Bar Experience Starts Behind the Counter

All good restaurants employ at least a little theatricality in how they function. They reveal only what is necessary to customers, while keeping internal operations behind the curtain. 

A bar is the perfect example of this. Often there is a large contrast between the polished countertop guests see and the technical workspace just on the other side. When a bar isn’t planned properly, it can create issues such as slow service, staff congestion, insufficient storage, utility conflicts, or inspection problems.

That is why bar planning needs to happen early in the restaurant design process. Successful restaurant bar construction requires a coordination of these key elements:

• Design
• Infrastructure
• Operations
• Equipment
• Compliance

Start with the Bar’s Operational Purpose

How will the bar function as part of the restaurant design? This is the first question to answer before designing the physical space. For example, will it support: 

• Full-service dining
• High-volume cocktails
• Beer and wine service
• Takeout or event service
• Dedicated bar seating

Other areas to consider before restaurant bar construction starts include expected guest volume, bartender count, menu complexity, and service style. 

All of these decisions play a major role in size, layout, infrastructure, and the equipment package.

Design the Bar Around Staff Workflow

Workflow is an essential focus of restaurant bar construction. It’s important to map the bartender’s movement between all touchpoints, including:

• POS terminals
• Ice
• Sinks
• Liquor
• Refrigeration
• Glassware
• Garnishes
• Service wells

Experienced restaurant bar builders understand both construction and day-to-day operations. 

They minimize unnecessary walking and crossing between staff members and set up service areas so drink pickup doesn’t interfere with bartenders or seated guests. They can also plan multiple workstations for high-volume concepts.

Plan Plumbing and Drainage Before Construction

Comprehensive restaurant construction services ensure that before any sort of work begins on a bar, all plumbing needs have to be identified for:

• Hand sinks
• Dump sinks
• Glass washers
• Ice machines
• Soda systems
• Floor sinks and drains

Before concrete, flooring, or cabinetry work begins, drain locations must align with the equipment plan. 

In addition, hot and cold water requirements have to be addressed, along with backflow considerations. Any late equipment changes can force expensive plumbing revisions.

Coordinate Electrical, Lighting, and Technology

Restaurant bar construction needs to give consideration to anything that requires electricity, including: 

• Refrigeration
• Glass washers
• Ice equipment
• POS systems
• Blenders
• Lighting
• Specialty equipment

A restaurant building design has to plan outlet and circuit locations around the final bar equipment schedule. It needs to coordinate task lighting for staff with ambient lighting for guests. 

When applicable, it also needs to plan for data connections, charging areas, POS infrastructure, and audiovisual needs.

Select Equipment Before Finalizing the Layout

Another integral part of restaurant construction services involves choosing the right equipment. This involves finalizing: 

• Undercounter refrigeration
• Beer systems
• Ice bins
• Sinks
• Speed rails
• Glass storage
• Dishwashing equipment

Document dimensions, clearances, utility connections, and installation requirements. It is also important to clarify which equipment is owner-furnished versus contractor-installed. 

The equipment schedules created by restaurant bar builders should inform millwork, counters, plumbing, electrical, and flooring. These can’t just be added after those elements are designed.

Balance Guest Seating with Employee Movement

Of course, guests can’t be overlooked during a restaurant building design, as well as how employees move amongst them. There needs to be a plan in place for: 

• Bar stool spacing
• ADA-accessible seating
• Aisles
• Server pathways
• Circulation around the bar

A thoughtful layout contributes directly to the overall guest experience, which is why restaurants shouldn’t cram seats in at the expense of their comfort or staff productivity. 

The bar needs coordination with adjacent dining areas, service stations, restrooms, and waiting areas. 

Build Storage into the Design

Restaurants often require a lot of storage area, and this is another essential component of restaurant bar construction. Space needs to be planned for:

• Wine and liquor
• Glassware
• Garnishes
• Cleaning supplies
• Kegs
• Backup stock
• Daily operating supplies

Even in well-designed bars, inadequate storage can create clutter. Employees need to restock as needed without disrupting service.

Address Health, Safety, and Code Requirements Early

Health and safety are other areas that can’t be overlooked during restaurant construction services. 

This involves:

• Planning handwashing access, cleanable surfaces, equipment clearances, drainage, and sanitation requirements
• Coordinating fire safety, accessibility, occupancy, and egress requirements with the larger restaurant plan
• Accounting for health department inspections and local permitting requirements
• Reinforcing that code and operational requirements should inform the design from the beginning rather than being addressed after construction

Coordinate the Owner, Designer, Contractor, and Vendors

Before restaurant bar construction begins, responsibilities need to be clarified, and this entails asking these questions: 

• Who selects equipment?
• Who provides utility specifications?
• Who purchases and delivers specialty systems?
• Who installs and connects equipment?
• Who schedules inspections?

Experienced restaurant bar builders understand how to coordinate restaurant-specific vendors and infrastructure. 

The General Contractor is in charge of bringing all the different pieces together and managing sequencing. 

Frequently Asked Questions About Restaurant Bar Construction

Let’s explore a few common FAQs we hear from customers designing and building restaurant bars.

How much space should be behind a restaurant bar?

The space behind a restaurant bar depends on several factors, including the equipment used and the number of bartenders working there at the same time. 

What plumbing does a commercial bar need?

A commercial bar may require plumbing for components like different sinks, ice machines, glass washers, and soda systems.

When should bar equipment be selected?

Select bar equipment before finalizing the layout to account for dimensions, utility connections, and installation requirements.

Who installs commercial bar equipment?

The installer of commercial bar equipment could be the building owner, contractor, or vendors, which is why this needs to be determined early. 

What should restaurant owners finalize before bar construction begins?

Many components need to be finalized before bar construction begins, including layouts, plumbing, electrical, seating, and storage. 

Build the Bar for the People Working Behind It

While the bar is for customers, restaurant bar construction is really meant for the people on the other side. 

Strong restaurant bar design should serve employees and operations just as effectively as it serves the guest experience. It’s impossible not to overstate the importance of workflow, infrastructure, equipment, storage, seating, and compliance.

When planning a bar, it is essential to work with a partner capable of coordinating the technical and design requirements. This is why so many owners choose RPC for restaurant construction services. 

While you may have a strong design idea for your restaurant, you can’t forget about the bar. 

Contact RPC to discuss your construction project and how we can help give both your customers and employees a terrific experience.