6 Essential Things that Make a Great Pub/Bar

Clubs and bars have always been a great place to socialise and let your hair down. They provide a relaxed place to have a drink, catch up with friends and even meet new people. But there are obviously the good bars and the bad bars - often it’s not completely clear what makes a place great, it’s as much a combination of factors. Let’s take a look at some of the more important features.

A Range of Beers

Not to discriminate again spirits, cocktails and wines, but beer is the number one consumed beverage in the pub environment. Obviously it’s important that there are plenty of drinks to choose from and a range of prices both cheap and expensive if the occasion calls for it. If a bar has a nice selection of local and imported beers on tap it’s always a plus.

The Atmosphere or Vibe

Obviously the busiest bars are usually the best, precisely because they are busy. When there’s plenty of people around you’re more likely to make new friends and there’s always going to be something going on. People watching is one of the biggest drawcards for many people out on the town. The atmosphere also depends on things like the staff and the level of service.

The Venue

People want to hang out in a comfortable venue where there is plenty of seating and enough space to move around and maybe do a lap of the joint if the occasion calls for it. Furniture and décor come into the occasion here and the bar that does it right is sure to be noticed.

Music

This is a tricky one because everyone’s idea of great music is different. But a good bar will understand the crowd it draws or the market it caters to and play the music that fits. This may actually be a ‘chicken and the egg’ situation as people may be drawn to places with certain music, however that is beside the point.
You’ll usually find that the best night spots have live music or skilled DJs playing regularly; some will even have both depending on what night of the week it is.

Food

Particularly in the pub environment, good food is a big one. Having a good menu means that people can come for dinner and drinks early in the night and spend the rest of their time at the same venue.

Events

People get bored with the same thing over and over, that’s why you see so many bars and clubs stay open for only a short stint only to close again.

The ones that survive will often have regular events from week to week, some ticketed acts, some just for fun - things like trivia nights, poker night, etc - to keep the people entertained.

Can our readers think of anything else that comes into the equation of what makes a great bar!?


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