10 Sports Bar Design Ideas to Attract Customers

With cheering crowds and intense excitement, the atmosphere inside a sports bar is one of the main draws for its clientele. Although enthusiastic patrons add to the energy, it all starts with the organization and décor. If you’re not sure how to foster a high-energy environment in your pub or tavern, these 10 sports bar design ideas will help you create the exciting mood you need to attract and retain customers.

Theme Integration

One of the most important elements of a sports pub is the theme. Do you want to cater to fans of a college football team, or maybe pay tribute to your city’s NBA stadium? Whatever you choose, be sure to integrate your theme into all aspects of your design. For example, a bar branded around a football team might paint the walls in the team’s colors, while a basketball-themed bar may have wood floors with court lines. If patrons see the theme in your bar’s architectural elements, you’ll be well on your way to creating the right atmosphere.

Merchandise & Memorabilia 

If you need sports bar design ideas, consider showcasing team merchandise. Flags, pennants and banners make otherwise empty walls come alive, as do logo wall decals or neon signs. Memorabilia can be good décor, too; in fact, a display case with ticket stubs from past tournaments or trading cards of famous players can take customers on a trip down memory lane that helps them build a connection with your business and encourages them to come back.

Plentiful Screens

As a general guideline, sports bars need 6-12 TVs in total and each customer should always be able to see at least 3 screens at any time. So, remember to place your large screen TVs in multiple locations and at different heights, positioning them to avoid glare as much as possible. Additionally, consider installing a sound system so that all your guests can clearly hear the announcer commenting on the game.

Comfortable Seating

Seating is important in any foodservice establishment, and sports taverns are no different. Make sure your bar stools, large tables and private booths are sturdy enough for frequent use while also comfortable enough to encourage guests to stay longer. If possible, try to integrate your bar’s theme into the seating as well; for instance, if your bar pays tribute to your city’s baseball stadium, add some stadium-style seating for those who want a truly immersive experience.

Games & Billiards

Although most customers will come to your pub or tavern to eat, drink or watch, some might want to play. For nights when there aren’t any good games or the home team isn’t winning, be sure to have some pool tables, dart boards, foosball tables and other activities to keep your guests entertained. These sports-themed games will contribute to the energetic atmosphere of your bar, as well as allow you to host special events like a pool or foosball tournament.

Bar Focus

Even though a sports bar’s menu can be profitable, drinks are usually the big money-makers: that’s why you want to design your establishment so that the focus is on the bar. Besides placing the bar in the center or against the largest wall, using accent lighting to highlight the bar and displaying top-shelf spirits where they’re clearly visible are all good ways to draw patrons towards the bar and encourage them to order something.

Strategic Lighting

From hanging lights and wall sconces shaped like soccer balls to neon signs and marquee lights with team logos, getting creative with the lighting is a good way to integrate your theme into your pub’s design. In addition to sports-themed fixtures, you may also want to consider how overall light levels will affect customer behavior. For example, if low ambient light makes the light emanating from big screen TVs stand out, your patrons’ eyes will be drawn to them, helping your guests focus on the game and have the full sports bar experience.

VIP Lounge

If you’re looking for sports bar design ideas that’ll help your business make more money, consider adding a dedicated area for private parties. With more comfortable seating, larger TV screens and extremely attentive staff, customers looking for a party venue will be willing to pay a good amount to reserve the room, making it a great semi-passive revenue stream.

Outdoor Seating

With increased capacity and natural ventilation, outdoor seating would be a fantastic addition to your bar. To make the most of your outdoor area’s design, be sure to install retractable umbrellas so patrons can still sit outside on hot days, as well as portable TV screens that can be moved inside during bad weather. Whether you have a ground-level patio or a rooftop terrace, you can promote your bar on social media by sharing photos and videos: people who like eating and drinking al fresco will definitely want to give your place a try when they see your content.

Appealing Exterior

Although most sports bar and grille owners focus on enhancing the interior, don’t forget about integrating your theme into the exterior design, too. If your bar roots for a specific team, spell out their name with lighted marquee letters; for a tavern that celebrates sports history, vintage-style awnings with dark stripes can add a touch of nostalgia. Even if you have to spend a bit more, an attention-getting exterior that represents your brand is sure to draw in potential customers.