North American bar culture is diverse, to say the least. A place known for its range of people and perspectives, there are many different types of bars to be found across the continent. That’s especially true in 2023, as emerging bartop technology has combined with the endless creative influences of the internet to inspire an entirely new generation of gathering places. From theme-driven destinations to futuristic concepts, we love seeing it all.
That’s why we’ve put together an article to showcase the very best.
Uncover what emerging trends and innovations are shaping the bar industry, with this rundown of the 30 most popular types in business today.
1. Dive Bars
How could we not start off our list of bar types with a quintessential classic?
Characterized by an unpretentious and community-oriented atmosphere, dive bars are widely beloved for their authenticity. The average establishment offers a reasonable offering of basic beers and simple drinks, often within the context of classic bar decor, showcasing items like a pool table or Jukebox.
Theme: Casual, unpretentious
Menu: Basic beers, simple drinks
Ambience: Relaxed, worn-in
Audience: Locals, budget-friendly crowd
Entertainment: Jukebox, pool table
Price: Low
2. Pubs (or Taverns)
Let’s go back in time to the origins of drinking with friends. Traditional taverns have offered beer, pub food, and often live music or games to patrons for centuries. Of course today, there are many types of pubs and taverns to be found within the category. Across the U.S. and Canada, most have draft beers, pub grub, TV, and darts.
Theme: Traditional, communal
Menu: Draft beers, pub grub
Ambience: Warm, friendly
Audience: Locals, families
Entertainment: TV, darts
Price: Moderate
3. Sports Bars
Forget exploring different types of bars – for the die-hard football fan, a sports bar is the only definition of what a great place to drink looks like. Athletic, team-centric, and of course fully equipped with big-screen TVs, these establishments are the perfect place to catch any kind of game. Both menu prices and offerings are usually pretty fair.
Theme: Athletic, team-centric
Menu: Beers, game-day snacks
Ambience: Energetic, many TVs
Audience: Sports fans
Entertainment: Live sports, trivia nights
Price: Moderate
4. Cocktail Bars
If classy, more expensive kinds of bars are more your thing, you can’t go wrong with a traditional cocktail bar. These establishments emphasize high-quality mixed drinks, with skilled mixologists at the helm. Their elegant menus feature sophisticated delights like cocktails, premium spirits, and if they’ve given our resources a read, the best espresso martini recipe ever brought to life.
Theme: Sophisticated, elegant
Menu: Crafted cocktails, premium spirits
Ambience: Chic, upscale
Audience: Urbanites, professionals
Entertainment: Ambient music
Price: High
5. Wine Bars
Although some people might not want to put them in the same league as craft beer and pub fare, wine bars are a notably popular type of bar across the U.S. and Canada. The differentiator is in the name – these places exclusively serve wine, sometimes alongside charcuterie boards. Count on them for a relaxing moderate to highly priced night out.
Theme: Refined, serene
Menu: Wide wine selection, cheeses
Ambience: Intimate, classy
Audience: Wine lovers, couples
Entertainment: Soft background music
Price: Moderate to high
6. Brewpubs
Rustic, industrial, and largely beer-focused, brewpubs offer patrons a uniquely broad selection of brewery drinks to choose from. They’re set apart from other bar types by their niche market and unmistakable ambiance. Brewery tours, live bands, and hearty meals are commonplace among these social spots. North America has no shortage of brewpubs to its name. Take Boscos Squared for example.
Theme: Brewery-focused, casual
Menu: Craft beers, hearty meals
Ambience: Rustic, industrial
Audience: Beer enthusiasts
Entertainment: Brewery tours, live bands
Price: Moderate
7. Speakeasies
#1 In our book of meaningful bar concepts, speakeasies originate from the United States’ prohibition era. They were a secret hideaway for people to drink and socialize, often with little knowledge of who was inside and what went on behind closed doors. Today, they’re just as great of a place to get vintage cocktails, minus the criminality.
Theme: Prohibition-era, secretive
Menu: Vintage cocktails, refined snacks
Ambience: Dim, classic
Audience: Hipsters, history buffs
Entertainment: Jazz, low-key performances
Price: High
8. Rooftop Bars
One of the more popular kinds of bars today, rooftop bars can be found in virtually every North American city. The panoramic and open-air setting mixes well with the type of experience urban crowds want, complete with entertainment, DJs, and unique cocktails. The only caveat is that it all comes at a relatively high price compared to other venues.
Theme: Panoramic, open-air
Menu: Cocktails, light bites
Ambience: Breezy, city views
Audience: Urban crowd, tourists
Entertainment: DJs, sunset views
Price: High
9. Beach Bars
Although you’ll find different types of bars in every city, those by the sea are almost always guaranteed to have at least one beach bar. Beach bars are great for kicking back and spending a day with friends or family while listening to live music and sipping on cold drinks. The Coast Guard House is a great example. Theme: Tropical, relaxed Menu: Cold beers, beach snacks Ambience: Sandy, sunlit Audience: Vacationers, beachgoers Entertainment: Live bands, beach games Price: Varies
10. Hotel Bars
Hotel bars blend sophistication and convenience in a way that no other type of bar can pull off. Usually situated within hotels, these establishments feature upscale menus complete with drinks from all four corners of the world. Popular places like Camellias at Hotel Bennett cater to a relatively posh audience made up mostly of travelers and business professionals.
Theme: Upscale, transient
Menu: International drinks, fine dining
Ambience: Elegant, posh
Audience: Travelers, business professionals
Entertainment: Pianist, soft music
Price: High
11. Karaoke Bars
Karaoke bars are one of those kinds of bars that people either love or hate. You know them well – vocalists competing on stage for cheers and applause from patrons, mixed drinks flowing freely in neon-lit rooms, and karaoke machines renting out to anyone brave enough to take center stage. Great, if you’re looking for a good, moderately priced time.
Theme: Vocal, participatory
Menu: Beers, mixed drinks
Ambience: Energetic, neon lights
Audience: Singers, party-goers
Entertainment: Karaoke machines, stage
Price: Moderate
12. Live Music Bars
Live music bars are like karaoke and different types of bars that play music, only they have stricter rules over who gets the mic. At a live music bar, patrons can always expect to see experienced musicians performing their own songs or covers. The atmosphere is lively and the drinks are affordable enough to keep everyone in the mood.
Theme: Performance-focused
Menu: Variety drinks, casual bites
Ambience: Loud, stage-centric
Audience: Music lovers, concert-goers
Entertainment: Live bands, open-mic
Price: Varies
13. Tiki Bars
Inspired by Polynesian culture, Tiki bars are a tropical escape from the mundanely similar different types of bars we’ve covered so far. Party-goers and vacationers alike love tiki-themed bars for their laid-back vibe and beachy island music. Usually moderately priced, the menu would be remiss to not include rum-based cocktails and fresh sea fare.
Theme: Tropical, Polynesian
Menu: Rum-based cocktails, island food
Ambience: Kitschy, colorful
Audience: Party-goers, vacationers
Entertainment: Island music, dance
Price: Moderate
14. Themed Bars
This category encompasses any type of bar that revolves around a specific concept. Popular examples include 80s, sci-fi, and even horror movie-inspired spaces. The menu at a themed bar will usually follow the prevailing concept, with drinks and food that play into the tone. These places are hotspots for special events, quizzes, and seasonal parties.
Theme: Varies (e.g., 80s, sci-fi)
Menu: Themed drinks, related food
Ambience: Decor according to theme
Audience: Enthusiasts, curious patrons
Entertainment: Themed events, quizzes
Price: Varies
15. LGBTQ+ Bars
Sure, regular concept bars are cool. But what about a place that embraces the concept of inclusivity? That’s exactly what an LGBTQ+ bar is. Flaunting a lively yet welcoming rainbow decor and a variety of drinks, snacks, and entertainment options like drag shows or dance events – these bars provide a safe space for the queer community to socialize.
Theme: Inclusive, LGBTQ+ centric
Menu: Variety drinks, snacks
Ambience: Welcoming, rainbow decor
Audience: LGBTQ+ community, allies
Entertainment: Drag shows, dance
Price: Varies
16. Sake Bars
The cool thing about North America’s many kinds of bars is that not all of them reflect the local culture. Sake bars are a great example – they draw inspiration from the Japanese drinking scene, specializing in their name-sake beverage. Sushi is often served alongside sake, adding an element of traditional Japanese cuisine to the mix.
Theme: Japanese, minimalist
Menu: Sake varieties, sushi
Ambience: Calm, wood-centric
Audience: Sake enthusiasts, couples
Entertainment: Traditional Japanese music
Price: Moderate to high
17. Nightclubs
Bar types and themes are generally intended to appeal to different audiences. Nightclubs, for instance, are tailored to the average young person looking for a loud and lively night out. Dance-centric layouts create an exciting atmosphere that encourages people to get on their feet and move, while cocktails and bottles service up the ante on the beverage selection.
Theme: Dance-centric, lively
Menu: Cocktails, bottled service
Ambience: Dark, strobe lights
Audience: Young adults, party-goers
Entertainment: DJs, dance floors
Price: High
18. Nostalgia Bars
The goal of a nostalgic concept bar is not just to serve drinks, but to transport guests back in time and provide them with an experience unlike any other. Nostalgic venues often feature classic cocktails from a certain era. Take, for example, The Sazerac Bar in New Orleans, Louisiana. This iconic spot is brimming with old-world, historic character.
Theme: Retro, bygone eras
Menu: Classic drinks, vintage snacks
Ambience: Memory-evoking, historic
Audience: Nostalgia lovers, older crowds
Entertainment: Old songs, vintage games
Price: Moderate
19. Country Bars
If only all kinds of bars let you stomp and cause as much of a ruckus as country bars do. The atmosphere at a country bar is one of fun, festivity, and toe-tapping tunes. The walls are often adorned with Western decor like cowboy hats, lassos, and memorabilia. Add beers and southern food in for a guaranteed great time.
Theme: Western, rustic
Menu: Beers, southern food
Ambience: Wooden, cowboy decor
Audience: Country fans, locals
Entertainment: Country music, line dance
Price: Moderate
20. Ice Bars
Back to the idea that some places are more likely to have different types of bars than others, Northern cities in the United States and Canada are perfectly suited to host a unique and chilly venue. An ‘Ice Bar’ is just that – a drinking establishment made entirely of ice! Very cool, but also very expensive to operate and maintain.
Theme: Icy, sub-zero
Menu: Vodka, cold snacks
Ambience: Frosty, LED lights
Audience: Adventurous, tourists
Entertainment: Ice sculptures, themed events
Price: High
21. Martini Bars
Martini bars are one of the most recognizable bar types out there, famous in part for their consistent presence in James Bond movies. A martini bar is characterized by its dedication to the art of making the perfect cocktail – if you can decide on one from our list of 21 Best Espresso Cocktails.
Theme: Modern, sleek
Menu: Martinis, upscale snacks
Ambience: Chic, sophisticated
Audience: Professionals, date nights
Entertainment: Soft lounge music
Price: High
22. Cigar Bars
Although vapes might be more commonplace nowadays, cigar bars remain incredibly popular among North American drinkers. Similarly to other more sophisticated bar types, cigar bars offer patrons an opportunity to enjoy a classic and masculine atmosphere with their drinks. They’re best characterized by dim lighting, leather seating, and, of course, a variety of cigars available for purchase.
Theme: Classic, masculine
Menu: Whiskeys, cigars
Ambience: Dim, leather seating
Audience: Cigar enthusiasts, business meetings
Entertainment: Jazz, discussions
Price: High
23. Specialty Bars
Next in our compilation of the many kinds of bars out there today is the specialized variety. This type of bar is focused on a specific type of beverage, such as spirits or whiskey. The menu will often feature an array of expertly crafted drinks made with the selective ingredients, along with small bites to pair and enhance the experience.
Theme: Unique focus (e.g., gin, whiskey)
Menu: Specialized drinks, paired bites
Ambience: Expert-focused, detailed
Audience: Connoisseurs, enthusiasts
Entertainment: Tastings, masterclasses
Price: Moderate to high
24. Concept Bars
Broadly defined, concept bars are any kind of venue that aims to enrich visitors’ experience with more than just drinks. Popular among trendsetters and adventurous individuals, their menus are creative and often include experimental drinks or novel foods. The ambiance is usually modern, edgy, and fashionable. Concept bars are known for unique attractions that add to the night’s fun.
Theme: Innovative, experiential
Menu: Experimental drinks, novel foods
Ambience: Cutting-edge, trendy
Audience: Trendsetters, adventurous
Entertainment: Unique attractions, interactive experiences
Price: Varies
25. Biker Bars
By now, we’ve established that pubs or bars can stand in many different places. Those who prefer locations peripheral to the open road turn to biker bars for a motor-infused getaway. The rugged décor of a biker bar often contains well-worn leather, vintage Harley Davidson signs, and pool tables. The menu comprises of standard beers paired with hearty meals.
Theme: Rugged, motorcycle-themed
Menu: Beers, hearty meals
Ambience: Raw, roadhouse style
Audience: Bikers, road trippers
Entertainment: Rock music, bike events
Price: Moderate
26. Comedy Bars
The best kinds of bars are the ones you know you’ll leave with a smile. Like comedy bars, which offer a unique, wise-cracking experience for their guests. These venues bring together comedic performers from all walks of life to entertain and make people laugh. Drinks and light snacks are served alongside live performances throughout the week.
Theme: Humorous, stage-centric
Menu: Drinks, light snacks
Ambience: Laughter-filled, casual
Audience: Comedy fans, groups
Entertainment: Stand-up acts, open mics
Price: Moderate
27. Dance Bars
Different types of bars have different types of music. But what if you’re in the mood to really bust a move? Dance bars make it easy with a rhythmic and energetic scene headlined by DJs. Cocktails, quick bites, and a variety of beverages make up the standard fare, while music choices range from classic and modern to funk and hip-hop.
Theme: Rhythmic, energetic
Menu: Cocktails, quick bites
Ambience: Loud, colorful lights
Audience: Dancers, party-goers
Entertainment: DJ, dance floor
Price: Moderate to high
28. Piano Bars
Piano bars are one of the more classy types of pubs on our list. As the name suggests, they are a venue solely devoted to the enjoyment of live piano music. The atmosphere is cozy and intimate, with dimly lit interiors that create a relaxed mood and ambiance perfect for couples or small groups looking for a unique evening out.
Theme: Musical, intimate
Menu: Cocktails, upscale bites
Ambience: Classy, soft lit
Audience: Music lovers, couples
Entertainment: Live piano, sing-a-longs
Price: Moderate to high
29. Pop-up Bars
Pop-up bars are temporary venues intended to serve crowds in a unique time and place. They often have a specific theme, such as a classic cocktail bar or an outdoor beer garden. These places tend to be more different types of bars, with unique menu items and entertainment options that align with the special occasion at hand.
Theme: Temporary, event-driven
Menu: Limited edition items
Ambience: Novel, changing
Audience: Trend chasers, locals
Entertainment: Special events, themed nights
Price: Varies
30. Tapas/Small Plate Bars
If you’ve enjoyed reading through the many different types of bars on our list, then chances are you’ll love tapas bars. They’re defined by variety, with small dishes that can be shared between friends or family. Whether you want to share a bottle of wine or choose smaller servings of beers and cocktails, tapas bars are always a good time.
Theme: Social, communal eating
Menu: Variety of small dishes, wines
Ambience: Modern to rustic
Audience: Foodies, social diners
Entertainment: Light music
Price: Moderate to high
Elevating Bar Experiences with Brood's Innovative Machines
Now that you’ve been fully acquainted with the various kinds of bars that exist today, we want to take a minute to emphasize that the theme isn’t the only thing that makes a drinking venue great. Beyond atmosphere and decor – which are always important – businesses are made successful by the quality of drinks they offer.
The ever-evolving bar industry is extremely competitive, with only the most innovative and engaging places gaining the upper hand.
This is where Brood comes in.
Brood offers a lineup of cutting-edge machines that are designed to help businesses modernize their operations and create more memorable experiences for customers. Any type of bar can benefit from our diverse catalog of products.
DNRX: The Drink Dispensing Dynamo
The DNRX espresso martini machine offers unprecedented convenience and efficiency for traditional bar types and creative alike. Its automated drink dispensing eliminates wait times, ensuring consistent pours even during peak hours. This enables staff to focus on other customer interactions, freeing up time to provide a better and more personalized experience to everyone who walks through the door.
Not only is the DNRX espresso martini machine efficient, but it also allows businesses to expand their menus with a greater range of cocktails and mixed drinks without increasing complexity. This system is an all-in-one solution, complete with everything needed to craft great beverages in less time.
DNRX Duo: The Portable Bar Companion
Different types of bars see varying levels of demand. If yours is on the higher side, DRNX DUO can help. This advanced machine expands upon the capabilities of DRNX with two taps that can dispense nitrogenic and flat output simultaneously. Its large capacity is more than enough to handle the needs of big crowds during special events or peak seasons.
The portability of DNRX DUO makes it the ideal choice for bars looking to serve customers on the go, whether it’s a pop-up bar at outdoor festivals, beach parties, or rooftop venues. Setup is effortless hassle-free.
DRNX BRW: The Nitro Coffee Maestro
The DRNX BRW Nitro Cold Brew Coffee Maker tops off BROOD’s catalog of game-changing beverage systems. We see many different types of bars use it to draw in new patrons who may not have considered a visit before. Nitro cold brew coffee has become an increasingly popular beverage choice because of its unique flavor profile and smooth texture when compared to traditional hot coffee. You can use this machine to serve not only cold brew coffee but also other nitro infusions such as beer or tea. Its multidisciplinary functionality makes it an incredibly versatile addition to any bar.
WRAPPING UP
The takeaway from all of this? North America is home to a litany of different types of bars. While the traditional bar scene still exists and is alive and well, the future looks to be even more vibrant. That’s especially true considering BROOD’s innovative lineup of machines, which hone the capacity to bring a new level of enjoyment to any venue. Explore what our groundbreaking nitro-cold brew machines can do for you today!
About author
