Installing Sound Systems for a Bar: Everything You Need to Know

Music in bars and pubs can significantly enhance the overall experience for guests by setting the tone, creating a specific atmosphere, and gently yet purposefully influencing the mood and energy levels of the space. It can make the environment feel more vibrant and lively, encourage social interaction, and even improve the perception of the food and drink offered. However, none of this matters if the sound is poorly distributed, indistinct, or overwhelming.

How do you achieve the perfect sound energy in a bar, pub, or lounge? It all starts with selecting the right sound system for bars, ensuring it meets all the space’s and its patrons’ needs. Today, we’re exploring bar sound system installation, including factors to consider during planning, the common components involved, and more.

According to this 2022 study, atmosphere and music are a big part of what keeps patrons returning to the establishments that they frequent. Furthermore, especially among the millennials surveyed, music is the second most important feature they consider when selecting a bar or restaurant. This survey and other research emphasize what bar owners already know – the music matters.

However, music is just one aspect of an establishment’s sound ambiance. After all, how guests hear the music is directly linked to the sound system and installation techniques. In our experience setting up sound systems for bars, we’ve found that most owners want an easy-to-use interface, high-quality sound, intuitive audio distribution control, and system flexibility. That being said, there is no one-size-fits-all solution, as every venue is unique. From space size to structure types, there are many factors to consider when deciding how to install a sound system for a bar.

Planning an effective, high-quality sound system for bars involves careful thought and several considerations. From venue size to speaker arrangement to cabling management, each factor relates to another when efficiently blending audio and aesthetics to create the least intrusive, best sound system for a bar. It’s no wonder most owners seek the help of professional audio installers to ensure the job is done correctly.

The Venue Size

The venue size is critical when installing a sound system for a bar. The venue size will contribute to the number and type of speakers and their positioning throughout the space.

Speakers & Positioning

It’s important to consider the number of speakers and their positioning when considering how to install a sound system for bars. For example, how does traffic flow throughout the venue during the day and night? The speaker positioning should complement patron patterns, optimizing zoned sound where applicable. For example, if there is food service during the day, a sound system for a restaurant/bar should incorporate zoned speakers. These speakers can support distributed sound, like amplifying TV sound for seats at the bar while emitting muted music for table patrons in another zone.

Type of Space

The type of space is critical to planning a sound system for bar spaces. Depending on the venue’s construction and area of town, special considerations often apply. Bars located in residential areas may need professional sound dampening to comply with noise ordinances. Bars with extensive glass or metal surfaces usually need special acoustical adjustments to temper reverberation or sound distortions. Installing audio systems for a bar can be complicated in certain spaces, which is when professional installers are necessary to problem-solve and execute the best sound solution.

Connectivity

Connectivity once meant plug-in or outlet availability, which is still critical. However, today’s connectivity expands to streaming capabilities when installing a sound system for pub or bar spaces. Not only do you need ample outlets for wired speakers, but there also needs to be robust WiFi connectivity to support the wireless speakers and components in the sound system for bars. Insufficient bandwidth can sabotage even the best sound systems, which is most definitely not a crowd-pleaser.

Cabling

Cabling is a whole other beast when configuring a bar sound system installation. First and foremost, safety should always be a top priority. Not only should a qualified electrician manage cable installation, but commercial spaces should adhere to the National Electrical Code (NEC) and local building codes, especially regarding fire safety and proper installation practices. Again, unless you are installing a simple wireless sound system for small bar spaces, professional audio installation is best to ensure all cabling, wiring, and other electrical components are up to code and safely installed.

Cabling Methodology

Cabling methodology is the organization and installment of cables associated with sound systems for bars. When planning the sound system cable pathways, there is a lot to consider from both audio quality and safety standpoints – including specific types of cables, labeling, pathways, grounding, shielding, strain relief, and more. We recommend handling this aspect of setting up a sound system for bar spaces before space construction begins. Unless you are a sound engineer, it’s better to let professional AV installers handle the cable methodology planning and installation.

Now that we have covered the conceptual aspects of planning and installing audio systems for a bar – let’s turn to the components themselves. Although every bar space is unique, the following are parts commonly incorporated into commercial audio designs.

Sound Source

Commercially played music in a bar, restaurant, or other commercially operated venue must be provided by a licensed provider (e.g., Cloud Cover Music or Rockbot); it cannot be your personal Spotify playlist. Therefore, the licensed music provider often determines the sound source, such as laptops, iPhones, or tablets, used in sound systems for pubs and bars.

Amplifier

The amplifier is critical to commercial sound system distribution. It receives the electrical signal from the audio source, controls the volume and tone of the signal, and sends it to the speakers. When installing audio systems for a bar and selecting an amplifier, consider its reliability, power (to feed sound to speakers), and impedance (to ensure it matches the speakers) to provide efficient sound distribution throughout the space.

Volume Control or Mixer

Mixers are critical to sound systems for bars that desire a tailored sound experience and multiple audio source management. For example, in larger bars with numerous zones (e.g., main bar, outdoor patio, dining area), a mixer provides independent volume control for each zone, ensuring the sound levels are appropriate for each space’s function.

Cables

Although wireless systems are gaining popularity in residential audio setups, most commercial sound systems require cables to transmit signals. Therefore, most bar sound system installations will require cabling.

RCA

RCA connectors are commonly used to connect various audio sources when setting up sound systems for a bar. For example, bar TVs can use RCA connectors to feed audio into the central sound system, ensuring even sound distribution to the speakers throughout the bar.

TS / TSR

Also commonly referred to as jack connectors, TS/TSR plug-ins offer versatile and reliable connections for a variety of audio equipment.

XLR

XLR cables are mainly used in bar sound system installations to support concerts and live performances. They offer a balanced connection for electronic and musical devices, such as powered speakers, microphones, instruments, or PA systems (sound reinforcement).

Speakers

No sound system for bar venues is complete without the main ingredient: speakers. Many speaker types, including wireless and wired, must be considered when selecting the best sound system for bar spaces. There are also different arrangements to choose from, such as in-ceiling, pendant, or surface-mount speakers. The number and type of speakers will depend on the size and type of bar space.

Sound systems for bars are vital to creating the perfect ambiance and pleasing patrons. The right system will entertain guests while subtly influencing the space’s energy. However, the configuration, components, installation, and overall design are critical for achieving the desired effects. Although modern audio technology, like wireless audio distribution, makes precise audio distribution setup easy in homes, a commercial stereo system for a bar is rarely just plug-and-play.

For over 30 years, MIR Audio Video has designed and installed state-of-the-art sound systems for commercial clients in Southern California. Our extensive roster includes the Los Angeles Lakers, ESPNLA Studios, and countless other commercial audio clients, we excel at designing, configuring, and installing sound systems for bars, pubs, and other entertainment venues. With MIR, you can expect advanced technical expertise and top-quality equipment delivered with the exceptional customer service we have built our reputation on.