Tobin Ellis, founder and principal of Studio Barmagic, has spent nearly 30 years designing and operating bars around the world. Through his new book Bar Design Essentials, Ellis shares why workflow, hospitality, and beverage strategy matter more than ever in the modern restaurant business.
Watch now to learn why most bars are designed backward, how hospitality is changing as people drink less, and why great service still drives the restaurant business.
Sponsored by:
• TOAST – All-In-1 Restaurant POS: https://bit.ly/3vpeVsc
Chapters:
[02:11] – Why Most Bars Are Designed Wrong
[10:18] – Learning Hospitality Behind the Bar
[18:12] – The Rise of Non-Alcoholic Drinks
[22:41] – The Hidden Importance of Bar Backs
[26:33] – Opening vs. Closing a Busy Bar
SPONSORS:
RESTAURANT INFLUENCERS IS PRESENTED BY TOAST —
Restaurant Influencers is brought to you by Toast, the powerful restaurant point of sale and management system that helps restaurants improve operations, increase sales and create a better guest experience.
• Toast All-In-1 Restaurant POS: https://bit.ly/3vpeVsc
Episode Links:
Tobin Ellis LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tobin-ellis-81640810/
Tobin Ellis Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tobinellisdesign/
Barmagic: https://www.barmagic.com/
Bar Design Essentials: How to Design Bars That Work for Everyone: https://www.amazon.com/Bar-Design-Essentials-Bars-Everyone/dp/1732648255
Key Takeaways:
Bar Design Impacts Profitability: Tobin Ellis believes too many restaurants prioritize aesthetics over functionality, leading to bars that slow down service, frustrate staff, and leave money on the table during peak hours.
Hospitality Matters More Than Ever: As guests drink less and dine out less frequently, Ellis argues that restaurants must create stronger experiences through hospitality, efficient service, and thoughtful beverage programs.
Great Bars Are Built for People: From bartenders to bar backs, Ellis says the best bars are designed around workflow, empathy, and real operational needs, not just what looks impressive in photos.
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ABOUT TOBIN ELLIS —
Tobin Ellis is the founder and principal of Studio Barmagic (est. 1997) and also proudly formerly a veteran bartender of 25+ years who started his foodservice & hospitality career as a dishwasher in Upstate New York. His work as an innovation specialist and hospitality generalist over the decades has spanned from bar & beverage consulting to designing and developing equipment, concepts, prototypes, brands, systems, and spaces. Tobin maintains two modest design studios in Las Vegas and Brooklyn including a prototyping workshop.
ABOUT RESTAURANT INFLUENCERS —
Restaurant Influencers is a weekly video podcast series presented by Entrepreneur Media and Cali BBQ Media. Every week host and restaurant owner Shawn Walchef (@shawnpwalchef) talks with business leaders like Shaquille O’Neal, Rob Dyrdek, Emeril Lagasse, Mayim Bialik, Jon Taffer, Robert Irvine, Toast co-founder Aman Narang, and more, about their secrets to Smartphone Storytelling, marketing, branding, and how to show up where customers are engaging online.
Published by Entrepreneur Media – https://entreprenuer.com
Produced by Cali BBQ Media – https://betheshow.media
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I7zChncbMVE
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