Running a bar or a pub can be a rewarding and profitable experience. However, your success will really depend on your ability to attract customers, particularly regulars. To win customers you need a solid marketing plan that includes ideas on brand development. A logo design should be an integral part of this plan.

We set out to take a closer look at pub and bar logos and how businesses in this industry typically go about incorporating a logo into their branding strategy. We also offer some tips on how to go about getting the best possible logo design for your bar.

Why is a Logo so Important?
A professional looking logo design can help you to make the positive first impression on people that you need to get them in the door. It can also help you to stay prominently placed in their minds so that they will often return.

Success for a bar or pub comes down to the quality of the experience that your customers have while they are with you. This depends on the quality of the food and beverages that you sell, your service level and the atmosphere that you create.

It is also important to create the right image as different people are attracted towards different kinds of bars. You need to first understand how preferences in your local market are divided by age, socio economic status or even musical tastes among other factors. Once you know what kind of customer you want to target you can then work on getting a logo design that will appeal directly to this group.

Multiple Uses
Probably the most important use of a bar logo design is on exterior signage. You can also have it displayed on your menus, coasters and possibly even on staff uniforms. Lastly, you can use it on a wide range of marketing materials from business cards through to printed advertisements. To suit all of these purposes you will need a logo that can be scaled up or down so that it is clear and effective no matter what size it is.

Common Bar Logo Images
Bar and pub logos are usually most effective when they combine an image or symbol with text in a way that both parts fit together well and compliment each other.

While there are really no rules here it is common for bars and pubs to try to convey a message through their logo about what kind of establishment they are. Make it obvious so that newcomers know what to expect.

It is easy if you have a strong theme like sports bars or Irish pubs do. There are numerous options when it comes to choosing an image for these kinds of logos. Other bars and pubs have used imagery that relates to their name, their location, the kind of music that they play or the kind of drinks that they specialize in.

Think about the kind of impression that you want to give people. Do you want to project the image of a rowdy pub that serves mostly beer or a sophisticated wine bar? Ideally your logo will be the perfect visual representation of what your establishment has to offer.

The best way to get some inspiration is to take a look and see what other bars around the world have done with their logos. Do a Google image search for ‘bar logos’ and you will find numerous examples that include images that people typically associate with alcohol and good times.

Color Choice
A good designer will limit the number of colors used on your logo to two or three. This usually makes for a design that is simple and uncluttered while also lowering printing costs.

Style of Font
The style of font that is used should compliment the overall design and enhance the image that the logo projects. The style of lettering or typeface that is used can lead people to make many assumptions about a business. Some pubs use classical looking cursive fonts to show that they are well established for example.

Working with a Designer
There are numerous logo companies online that can customize a design for your bar. Many have large portfolios on their websites so you can go through and look at other projects that they have done for bars, pubs taverns and restaurants. You can then refer your designer to some of the designs that you like and some of those that you really dislike so that they have a better idea of what you want.

When you order a custom logo design online you will have to fill out a briefing form so that the design team have an idea of what kind of bar or pub you are and the kind of customers that you are trying to attract. Give them as much information as possible about your business and how your bar or pub is different from all the others. Let them know how you want to shape public perceptions.

With a little bit of research and planning you could soon be on your way to getting a cool bar logo that will be working hard for you for many year. The right design will help to convince people that your bar of pub is the place that they want to hang out.

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