Product Description

A toast to the world's most dazzling nightspots.

Once simply places to kick back and relax with a little drinking and dancing, bars and clubs have developed into stylish arenas at which to see and be seen. From slick "style bars" specializing in high-end spirits and wines to late-night lounge bars that provide a relaxing alternative to warehouse clubbing, cocktail culture is experiencing a tremendous revival. With every design element--from layout to lighting--considered vital to the success of any "scene," competitive designers continually push the limits of style, theme, and materials to create ever more spectacular spaces.

In Bar and Club Design, more than 40 visually intoxicating restaurant bars, hotel bars, independent bars, and clubs from all over the globe are featured in more than 200 stunning photographs and detailed floor plans. In each short chapter, author Bethan Ryder delves into enticing spots like Las Vegas' Rumjungle and Copenhagen's Nasa, covering each venue's remarkable history, layout, furniture, lighting, and accessories. She also provides insight into the individual designer's strategy for maximizing client pleasure, and in her engaging introduction sets recent bar and club development within its social and historical context.

Showcasing the best after-dark playgrounds, this invaluable reference for architects and designers is also an indispensable guide for anyone seeking the perfect party.

Other Details: 210 illustrations, 160 in full color. 10 1/4 x 10 1/4" trim size. Published 2002.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1331919 in Books
• Published on: 2004-05-15
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 192 pages

About the Author
Bethan Ryder is a London-based writer specializing in design and leisure topics, such as bars, restaurants, hotels, and clubs. She has contributed to numerous publications and is currently editing the bar and hotel sections of a new series of city guides.

Customer Reviews

Author strikes back....
Re: San Antonio reader.

As author of Bar & Club Design, with (evidently) currently too much spare time , I should like to point out a few things to the San Antonio reader who posted a review. Firstly, that I know none of the other readers who have posted reviews, they are not my bribed friends! And secondly, this book is actually a source book primarily aimed at architects and designers, many of whom find such books a useful tool for inspiration and ideas; it is not meant to be a step-by-step guide to how to design a bar or club.

Just wanted to get that straight for other readers of this page, so don't let Disparaging of ST dissuade you if that sounds up your street. And if you like this book, look out for 'Restaurant Design' due out this August (2004).

As the author I had no idea what to grade myself, so obviously put 5 stars...at least it'll grab your attention right?

an HONEST assessment
I bought this book based upon the posted reviews. I have often wondered if the regular buying public actually contributed these or if the author or their friends wrote em to increase sales. I now know. Bar and Club design is a lot of sizzle and no steak. The photographs are nice if you are in to super slick Euro looking clubs where you can visually hear the techno trash music in the background. The pictures are amusing only because you look at them once and think why? I guess that is why they were selected for this book. There are no ideas anyone spending their own money would care to emulate; unless you are spending Euro's or Yen. I did not get even one idea from this book and I am an open minded guy looking for ideas. May I suggest 'Successful Restaurant Design' and 'Restaurants That Work.' Even though they say restaurant in the title they show many more pictorial ideas, floorplans and insight for bars than this disappointment.

For commercial interior designers and club owners
Bar And Club Design by London-based interior design and leisure expert Bethan Ryder is a simply gorgeous, amazing, and occasionally inspiring showcase of countless possibilities to create the perfect ambience for bars and clubs that feature drinking and dancing. Stunning color photography captures an eclectic variety of differing layouts covering internal moods from relaxed to energetic to post-modern. Supplemented by an exhaustive and informative text, as well as artistic perspectives and simple layout diagrams, Bar And Club Design is a superb and strongly recommended reference and a first-class source book for commercial interior designers and club owners seeking remodeling ideas.