While many people don't need a particular reason to grab a pint after work, there are plenty of experiential bars that fuse an activity with casual libations. Whether you are looking to work on your ping pong skills while sipping a beer or enjoying a martini while getting a manicure, clever business owners are realizing the potential in creating an experience that appeals to all senses.
The progression toward experiential bars can be compared to the movement toward experiential retail. As consumers can enjoy their alcoholic beverage of choice at home just as consumers can do the majority of their shopping online, the retail industry and hospitality and entertainment in particular are tasked with finding unique ways to draw people in.
28 Experiential Bars
From Poolside Champagne Bars to Detective-Themed Speakeasies:
Rebecca Byers — May 7, 2015 — Lifestyle
28
Password-Protected Bars
Bourbon & Branch is an Unmarked San Francisco Bar Serving Craft Cocktails
27
Automotive Martini Bars
Grey Goose's Bar on Wheels Will Take a Mixologist Across the Country
26
Shoe Department Portable Bars
Selfridges Put a Portable Bar in One of Its Shoe Departments
25
Industrial Hidden Bars
The Victoria Brown Coffee Shop Features a Hidden Bar
24
Self-Serve Wine Bars
This Machine at Park 112 Automatically Serves Wine to Patrons
23
Rustic Dockside Bars
The Dockyard Bar's Reclaimed Materials Design Uses Authentic Finishes
22
Hidden Speakeasy Bars
Flask is a Lounge Found Behind a Vintage Coke Vending Machine
21
Antiquated Alleyway Bars
This Shanghai Punch Bar Resembles an Old World Establishment
20
Experimental Cocktail Bars
This Unique Cocktail Bar in Dallas Serves Unconventional Drinks
19
Gun Range Bars
Wilshire Gun Range was Granted a Liquor License
18
Lawn Bowling Bars
Toronto's Track & Field Venue Fuses Lawn Sports and Liquor
17
Rustic Atmospheric Bars
Donny's New York Style Loft Style is Dark and Deliciously Grungy
16
Poolside Champagne Bars
Moët & Chandon Designed a Luxurious Mobile Champagne Bar
15
Styling Cocktail Bars
Her Majesty's Pleasure is a Three-in-One Hotspot for Ladies
14
Floating Oyster Bars
The Grand Banks Oyster Bar is Located on a Boat
13
Chilly Ice-Made Bars
The Minus5 Ice Bar is Made Entirely of Imported Canadian Ice
12
Folksy Pop-Up Bars
The Mumford & Sons Pop-Up Bar Launches a New Album and an Exclusive Beer
11
Portable Irish Pubs
The Shebeen is a Nifty Pub On Wheels
10
Drinking Pinball Events
Toronto's First-Ever Beer & Ball Festival Will be Held at Handlebar
9
Southern Festival Bars
The Snake and Jakes Christmas Club Barn at Bonnaroo is a Tribute to NOLA
8
Exotic Pirate-Themed Bars
San Francisco's Smuggler's Cove Channels Caribbean Bootlegging Culture
7
Detective-Themed Speakeasies
Wilson and Wilson is a San Francisco Bar Hidden Within Another Bar
6
Multi-Sensory Scented Cocktails
The Ritz-Carlton Berlin Will Serve Perfume Themed Alcholic Drinks
5
Elegant Jailhouse Eateries
The 'Poczekalnia' Conceptual Restaurant Design Comes From Karina Wiciak
4
Interactive Theater-Bars
Play/Date is a Theater Bar Experience Where Actors Interact with Patrons
3
Video Game Bars
Battle and Brew is a Video Game-Themed Bar in Atlanta
2
Relaxing Ping Pong Bars
SPiN Toronto Creates an Engaging Place for People to Compete and to Relax
1
Mechanized Wine Bars
The Hostile Grape Wine Cellar Offers 160 Wines By the Glass
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No-Wait Coffee Shops
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Pouring the Perfect Pint
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Charming Barn Homes
This Charming Barn Residence Features an Additional Level
Interactive Light Business Cards
Adrian Tan's Card Plays Tricks on Your Eyes
Elegant Swan Superyachts
Vasily Klyukin's White Swan Boat is a Luxury Yacht Design Concept
Undulating Timber Coffeehouses
The Six Degrees Cafe is a Cozy Retreat
Vibrant Upscale Hostels
The Generator Paris Hostel Boasts Private Balconies and Hammocks
Authenticity-Driven Lounge Bars
Tipping Point Brewery and Bar by Arboit is Warm and Consistent
Chic Charismatic Canteens
This Moscow Wine Bar is a Quiet Eatery with a Chic Industrial Aesthetic
Contemporary Cottage Escapes
This Boathouse by Weiss Architecture is in the Canadian Wilderness
Mobile Nail Salons
La Lacquerie is a Mobile Nail Salon That Caters to Women on the Go
Airport Food Halls
This Helsinki Airport Restaurant is Almost a Vacation in Itself
Pub-Inspired Offices
The New Office Design of Airbnb Dublin Resembles an Irish Pub
Cozy Cat Pubs
Tokyo's Cat Pub is Like a Grown-Up Cat Cafe
Eclectic Pop Culture Interiors
Designer Maxime Jacquet Brings Youthfulness into This LA Apartment
Stunning Regal-Patterned Interiors
The Design Scheme Used for This Amsterdam Home is Uniquely Bold
Virtual Beer Pouring Stations
Heineken's Virtual Draught Display Lets Beer Drinkers Get Electronic
Expansive Glossy Wine Displays
The Mistral Wine & Champagne Bar is Every Enophile's Dream
Neon Automobile Installations
The Bonnaroo Art Cars Event Features Art, Music and Dance Pop-Ups
Artisanal Tea Bars
Samovar's San Francisco Location Seeks to Elevate the Tea-Drinking Experience
Modern Paddle Steamer Yachts
Vasily Klyukin's Mississippi Luxury Boat Concept Updates a Classic
Conceptual Saran Wrap Captures
Glassbook Magazine's Dissect Me Editorial is Visually Vivid
Hidden Speakeasy Bars
Flask is a Lounge Found Behind a Vintage Coke Vending Machine
Antiquated Alleyway Bars
This Shanghai Punch Bar Resembles an Old World Establishment
Installation-Inspired Shops
Architect Jordana Maisie Created the New FEIT Flagship Store in NYC
Pure Timber Interiors
Minimalism Meets Rural Chic in the Ritto House
Stationed Yacht Hotels
Foster + Partners Designs the Yacht Club de Monaco
Gold-Encrusted Hairstyles
The Sara Hegazy Cleopatra Collection is Full of Dramatic Fashion
Mock Off-Road Kits
Volkswagen Supplies the Essentials for the Look of an Off-Road Adventure
Rotating Ping Pong Doors
This Ping Pong Table Door Makes Furniture Fun
Ultra-Exclusive Bottle Coolers
This Aston Martin One-77 Bottle Cooler is Rarer Than the Car
Gun Range Bars
Wilshire Gun Range was Granted a Liquor License
Distinguished Venetian Attire
Canali's Latest Ad Campaign Features Top Model Bastiaan Van Gaalen
Employee Ping Pong Tournaments
Trend Hunter Got Competitive for its Tournament at SPiN Galactic
Urban Rooftop Bars
The Balmori Rooftop Bar Offers a Place of Respite and Relaxation in Mexico
Shipping Container Bars
North Arrow Studio Set Up a Trendy New Hotspot Called 'Container Bar'
Lawn Bowling Bars
Toronto's Track & Field Venue Fuses Lawn Sports and Liquor
Rustic Atmospheric Bars
Donny's New York Style Loft Style is Dark and Deliciously Grungy
Minimalist Manicure Salons
Missy Lui is a Toxic-Free Nail Salon With a Warm and Clean Aesthetic
Poolside Champagne Bars
Moët & Chandon Designed a Luxurious Mobile Champagne Bar
Subterranean Espresso Bars
This Toronto Espresso Bar is Located in the City's Underground PATH
Bagged Brazilian Cocktails
This Ready to Drink Cocktail is Made with Natural Ingredients
Cosmopolitan Espresso Bars
'West 4' is a Moscow Coffee Bar is Inspired by Manhattan
Sponsored Charging Stations
Windex Booth Lets You Clean Screens, Boost Batteries and Take Selfies
Ramshackle Barnyard Eateries
The Barnyard Restaurant is an Agricultural Dream
Re-Imagined Table Tennis Paddles
The Ping Pong Posters Depict Unorthodox Racquet Materials
Cocktail Making Machines
This Party Robotics Bartender Robot Creates Perfectly Measured Cocktails
Purifying Environmental Towers
The Phoenix Towers are Impressive yet Functional
Sacred Communal Facilities
The Temple at Lightning in a Bottle Fest is a Spiritual Space
Social Enterprise Cafe-Bars
No. 178 is a Spot in London Town to Chill Out and Eat Well
Futuristic Oriental Tea Houses
Archi-Union Architects Designed This Inspiring and Tranquil Space
Cairo Cabaret Photography
This Cabaret Photo Series is Candid and Fascinating
Obsessed Gamer Editorials
The Game Boys Fashion Story for F****** Young! Online is Designer-Clad
Female-Only Football Pubs
Benefit Cosmetics' Gabbi's Head Pub is a Women's World Cup Bar
Glitzy Disco Stir Sticks
These DIY Stir Sticks are Great for an Elegant Cocktail Party
Sorrow-Filled Vodka Packaging
This Misery Vodka Design is Minimalist and to-the-Point
Theatrical Hotel Lobbies
These Unique Hotel Lobbies for W Hotel are Mysterious
Tiny Understated Bars
The Simplistic Chez Bar in Germany is Extremely Small in Size
Parametric Table Tennis
The Deceptor Ping-Pong Table is 3D-Printed for Futuristic Functionality
Aviation-Themed Airport Bars
This Heathrow Restaurant and Bar is Inspired by Vintage Jets
Samurai Sword Haircuts
This Salon in Vietnam Lets You Get a Haircut with a Samurai Sword
Explosive Eccentric Interiors
This Eclectic Home in LA is Bursting with Colors and Textures
Craft Beer Shops
This Craft Beer Store in London Fosters a Close Relationship with Local Breweries
Drinking Pinball Events
Toronto's First-Ever Beer & Ball Festival Will be Held at Handlebar
Egg White Cocktails
This Creative Cocktail Called the Mead of Poetry Calls for an Egg White
Timber Boat Wine Facilities
These Old Boats Get Remade into an Expansive Wine Facility
Glowing Amber Bars
This Jean Nouvel Design Revives Century-Old Structures in an Old Brewery
Afro-Caribbean Music Fiestas
Jammin DC Features Diverse Music From Ethiopia and the Caribbean
Bespoke Provencal Salons
This Hair Salon Design is Chic, Unique and Stunning
Elegant Arboreal Salons
The Glass + Wood Building Accommodates a Salon and Office
High-Class Champagne Bars
The Flute Bar Boasts a VIP Bottle Service and Lavish Atmosphere
Bacon-Offering Beer Festivals
Beer Bacon Music Festival Provides Craft Beer Samples and Bacon
Opulent Glass Eateries
The Guilhermina Restaurant in Sao Paulo is a Rectangular Glass Structure
Thai Turkey Meatballs
This Meatball Recipe Blends Thanksgiving and Thai Flavors
Dynamic Geometric Bars
The Piece of Paradise Bar in Bulgaria Features a 3D Geometric Interior
Nostalgic Music Festivals
Cowra's Australian Music Festival Targets a Baby Boomer Audience
Palace-Like Champagne Bars
Pedro Manuel Araujo and Michael Oliveira Win the AC-CA Competition
Detective-Themed Speakeasies
Wilson and Wilson is a San Francisco Bar Hidden Within Another Bar
Skylighted Wooden Cafes
OpenScope Studio has Designed an Independent Coffee House
VR Action Movie Experiences
This Insurgent Film Short Gives Fans an Immersive Experience at SXSW
Poetry-Infused Restaurants
The Atelier Crenn Restaurant Blends Poetry and Culinary Excellence
Booze-Baring Coffee Brands
Starbucks Beer Will be Available at Certain Locations
Instantaneous Glass Chillers
The 'Beer Glass Froster' Creates a Frosted Glass in Under 10 Seconds
Cocktail Pop-Up Menus
Savoy Hotel’s Beaufort Bar Provides a Fun Visual of Its Drinks
Smile Currency Campaigns
Teatreneu's Pay with a Smile Only Charges for Laughs at a Comedy Show
Robotic Petting Zoos
The SXSW Robot Petting Zoo Will Host a Variety of Drones and Robots
Authentic Wizardly Pubs
The Leaky Cauldron Pub Will Open Soon at Universal Studios
Artisanal Baiju Bars
China's Capital Spirits Bar Offer Authentic and Cultural Cocktails
Competing Barkeep Events
This Long-Term Toronto-Based Cocktail Competition Showcases Local Bars
Theatrical Taxi Rides
This Friendly Cab Driver's Life Story Sounds Like the Plot of Othello
Great Wall Music Festivals
The YinYang Music Festival is Held At the Great Wall of China
Sophisticated Speakeasy Editorials
GRIND Magazine Showcases the Wacko Maria SS 2014 Collection
Intimate Wooden Bars
The Mash Bar Offers a Cozy Atmosphere
Ballerina Street Art
French Artist JR Uses Shipping Containers as His Canvas
Green Tomato Cocktails
This BLT Green Bloody Mary Drink Comes in an Unusual Emerald Color
Palliative Care Wine Bars
The French Hospital Has Wine on the Premises For Terminally Ill Patients
Female-Focused Festival Lounges
The Ipsos Girls' Lounge Celebrates Beauty and Pampering
DIY Cannabis Cocktails
Food Beast Posted an Extensive Tutorial for Making Marijuana Vodka
Phone Charger Rescue Dogs
The Mophie Battery Rescue Dogs Save Dead Devices at SXSW
Vintage Wooden Boutiques
The Visvim Flagship Store Houses a Coffee Shop
Nordic-Themed Beer Bottles
The Nordic Carlsberg Beer Bottles Pay Tribute to Its Danish Heritage
Multifunctional Hair Salons
OHArchitecture Builds an Engaging Spot to Cut One's Hair
Decadent Hotel-Branded Desserts
The Ritz Carlton Cake Provides a Taste of the Hotel's Quality
Cinematic Festival Cocktails
Grey Goose Created a Custom TIFF-Inspired Cocktail Collection
Celebrity-Inspired Cocktails
The Bill Murray Cocktail Tastes Just Like Coffee and Cigarettes
Video Game Bars
Battle and Brew is a Video Game-Themed Bar in Atlanta
Jetliner Festival Shuttles
The Delta SXSW Party Plane from LA to Austin is Invite Only
Festive Blood Orange Beverages
This Cinco de Mayo Margarita Recipe is Full of Citrus Flavors
Liquor Candle Packaging
These Detroitwick Soy Candles Come in Upcycled Vodka Bottle Holders
Girl-Empowering Tech Festivals
Singer Robyn is Launching an Event to Promote Women in Technology
Play-Encouraging Game Subscriptions
The Wildstar MMO Will Let Gamers Pay with In-Game Earnings
Big City Bar Maps
'Pop Chart Lab' Reveals the Best New York City Bars in a Map
Industrial Chinese Eateries
Beijing's Liang Shi Restaurant is Located in the City's Art District
Vinyl Subscription Services
A Vinyl Record Club Offers Monthly Music Paired with Cocktail Recipes
Sophisticated Event Venues
The Proud Galleries Event Space is Multi-Functional
Boozy Mint Floats
This Mojito Float Turns the Popular Mint Cocktail Into a Boozy Ice Cream Treat
Cozy Vegan Pubs
This Toronto Vegan Restaurant Serves Exclusively Vegan Fare
Comedian Brew Brandings
The Tom Green Beer is a Milk Stout Inspired Crafted by the Canadian Actor
Modernized Historic Homes
This Georgian Townhouse in London is an Update on a 1860s Design
Family-Friendly Light Festivals
Toronto's Luminato Festival Zones in on Activities for All Ages
Health-Conscious Libations
Jana Pijak Counts Down her Favorite Healthy Drink Recipes
Charitable Beer Fundraisers
This Craft Beer Event Raised Money for Not-for-Profit Autism Speaks
Relaxing Ping Pong Bars
SPiN Toronto Creates an Engaging Place for People to Compete and to Relax
Botanical Monarch Headpieces
This Oversized Floral Crown is Festival Ready for Bonnaroo
Wonderful Wheat-Infused Liquor
Guillaume Jubien Explains His Love for Grey Goose Vodka
Curvaceously Canopied Clubs
This Renovated Beach Club is Courtesy of Erginoğlu & Çalışlar
Exceptional Cognac-Infused Spirits
The New VX By Grey Goose Consists of a Vodka Cognac Blend
Youthful Preacher Festivals
The Festival of Young Preachers Connects Aspiring Christian Preachers
Coconut Chai Lemonades
This Refreshing Chai Lemonade Drink is Infused with Coconut