1954 Practical Bar Management by Eddie Clarke

PLANNING THE BAR

welcome"to its clientele, but it is useless to provide for this ifthe cold air in its many forms is allowed a free passport in from the exterior. Precautions must be taken to exclude draughty avenues, thereby at the same time insuring that the heat within is retained. Central heating is the ideal method of distributing warmth evenly throughout the room, but where radiators are installed, have them encased in attractively designed grilles in keeping with the decoration of the surrounds. Some Hints on D^cor A discourse on the decor could be a lengthy subject,and unless one is familiar with the position in which the bar is to be situated it is absolutely impossible to advise. However, there are a few common factors which experience has taught, and which are passed on for interest. Endeavour to design the Cocktail Bar to the taste of the antici pated clientele, meaning as a glaring example,it would be madness to install a smart West End of London type of bar up in the mountains of Scotland where the guests are either fishermen or climbers, who would prefer simplicity and comfort to ornamenta tion and smartness. The room which is to house the bar is nearly always in existence before it was ever decided to convert it to its new employment. Probably the ceiling may appear too low, or too high, in which case it is always well to remember that height can be given a disguise, and either increased or reduced by a skilled designer experienced in the contrast of colours. Walls must not lack interest; where there are vast expanses they can be broken by artistically arranged vases offlowers or some other pleasant attraction. Careful consideration must be given to the choice of colouring for walls, should the hue be too exotic there is the danger that it will distract from the furnishings. Pastel shades and tints are particularly suitable ; light coloured walls will give a fresh and airy look to a room,they will also tend to make the smaller place seem much larger, and dimly lit rooms much brighter. Colour is always an item of importance: few people realize that it has a psychological effect on most humans— with many it is capable to some extent of influencing moods and changes in their behaviour. One views with alarm the red rag when approaching the proverbial bull, beware then of the colour

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