BLE BAR BUSINESS
By TATIANA VALENZUELA
The hotel bar offers a social experience : a place to sit , relax , converse with fellow guests or locals . It ’ s the latter cohort that many hotel operators are focusing on to design bars and generate extra revenue .
" The main challenge of a hotel bar is getting it to be a destination ,” said Cullen Wyatt , restaurant developer at Indigo Road Hospitality Group . “ Many hotels have bars , and while some have nicely designed bars , the hotels need to market them as destinations for people not staying at the hotel .”
Designing something that feels inclusive yet special at the same time can be tough . Hotel bars must provide something unique that is also connected to the overall guest experience . Some hotel bars offer special musical events , others focus on a great view and decor , while others offer a special cocktail program or food-specific concept .
“ If you are a hotel that has a specific type of food and shares a lobby bar , the bar program should always complement the restaurant ,” Wyatt said . For example , it wouldn ’ t make much sense to have an Italian restaurant connected to the lobby of a hotel with a bar with an “ island style ” decor and a rum-focused tiki menu connected to it . Also , the hotel guests need to feel like they can grab a drink without making a reservation or feel like it ' s a totally separate experience .
May 2023 hotelsmag . com 59