Trend Towards More Comfort In Bars

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30125, 8 May 1963, Page 14

Trend Towards More Comfort In Bars

The introduction of "leaner bars” (small, narrow tables of elbow height), the breaking up of “island bars," the preference for wall bars, wall-to-wall carpets, better lighting and brighter decorations in hotel bars followed what amounted to "public demand" for better drinking conditions by the public in Christchurch, said the president of the Canterbury Hotel Association (Mr A. McGregor) yesterday ‘‘The trend today is for conditions which minimise the crowding round long bars during rush hours," Mr McGregor said. "Over the last few years, hotels in Canterbury have been changing the lay-out of their bars to provide more comfortable drinking conditions and better furnishings. “Two or three hotels have introduced the ‘leaner bars’ and I feel that others will follow. This breaks up the crowded conditions round mam bars in peak periods It enables customers to form small schools, or groups of friends “The leaner bar has a rack underneath for coats and brief cases, ash trays, and room for jugs of beer. It provides something for the customer to lean on. It is mid-way between the longaccustomed breasting of the

main bar, and the sitting down at tables.”

Mr McGregor said that the wall bar (with the bar backing on to one wall of the barroom) instead of island bars, was a noticeable trend. It made for more room for leaner bars, tables and chairs, and, in general, for more pleasant drinking conditions after the customers had been served. “The Licensing Commission, in general, has recommended better drinking conditions and a move away from the crowding round central bars during peak periods. This has been followed by a public demand for changed conditions," he commented. Mr McGregor said the question of later licensing hours to enable evening drinking was a political one The change in bar lay-out and furnishing had not been made by the licensed trade m anticipation of the legislature making provision for 10 pm. closing. “The trade does not anticipate an overnight change to 10 o'clock closing. If this did occur, and it seems unlikely, the trend in hotel bars towards more comfortable drinking conditions would be a start towards conditions necessary for late-hour drinking."