Hotel and Bars

Whether it’s The Grand Hotel Brighton or a cozy Oxfordshire pub, Holmes has supplied bars, underbars, back bars, serving counters, and kitchen equipment across a wide range of venues and sectors.

Our projects range from ultra-long, highly durable stainless steel and solid timber events bars; slatted laminated mobile entertainment bars for museums; to sophisticated stone-clad champagne bars and hotel breakfast counters for well-known brands like Mercure, Novotel, Millennium, and Premier Inn.

Holmes offers practical solutions for any hotel or bar design, whether guided by architects, design consultants, branding briefs, or just a simple concept or feel—which we’re happy to help develop. Bars, whether in pubs, hotels, nightclubs, airports, sports venues, casinos, or theatres, share similar functional needs that must be tailored to suit different spaces, operations, and brand images. Whatever style you’re after, Holmes can help you bring it to life.

The main bar is often the focal point of any venue. It sets the tone while being highly functional, easy to clean, and housing vital services like hot and cold water, drainage, pumps, electrics, data, and beer lines. Today’s bars often serve much more than alcohol—they may offer food, coffee, and seating or be designed to encourage a fast customer flow.

Built to last, Holmes bars feature stainless steel or solid timber frames, with bar tops available in timber, metals like zinc, stainless, or brass, stone, or composite materials. You can customize details like edges, fittings for fonts, pay points, bar rails, and more. Bar fronts are limited only by imagination and practicality—they can be traditional timber, wallpapered, made from recycled materials, fitted with feature lighting, or equipped with floor rails, coat hooks, and other furniture.

Sometimes bars include overhead structures to enhance aesthetics and functionality—like glass storage—with traditional round brass frames or modern painted designs to complement any style.

Behind the scenes, the serving bar’s rear and underbar areas are designed for efficiency and ergonomics. Holmes’ underbars are crafted from high-grade stainless steel and can include ice wells, payment points, rinse stations, drains, cocktail stations, speed rails, and more—selected from standard designs and tailored to your needs.

The back bar forms an important visual and functional backdrop. Above the countertop, it supports bar operations and often houses optics, graphics, or display areas. Below countertop height, it’s commonly used for ambient or chilled storage. The countertop itself can provide extra prep space or showcase offerings, while also being a popular spot for coffee machines with associated knock-out stations and prep areas.

Supporting the bar, back-of-house prep, kitchen, and storage areas can also be fully equipped by Holmes, with tailored stainless steel and shop-fit units and equipment to suit your requirements.