How to Design a Bar Menu

A bar menu is an abbreviated version of a full dinner menu that you would find at a restaurant. It lists snacks, appetizers and some of the most popular drinks that the bar offers. Because this menu represents food and drinks that will be served at a bar instead of a full table, the menu is very easy to format and design. All you need is a one-page, four-sided menu that lists a few key items.

Things You'll Need

• Layout program (preferably InDesign or Quark Xpress, but Microsoft Word will work also)

Instructions

1. Format the bar menu as an 11 by 17 sheet of paper, folded in half horizontally so that the final size is 5.5 inches wide by 17 inches tall.

2. Create two separate files in your layout program---one will have the front (right side) and back cover (left side) and the other will have the front inside cover (left side) and back inside cover (right side). Add a dotted line down the middle of both files.

3. Place the bar name and a descriptive picture on the front of the menu (right side of the first file). Add the address, phone number and web address. If your bar has a motto or saying, list that across the middle or bottom of the front cover as well.

4. List your specialty drinks and desserts on the back cover of the bar menu (left side of the first file). Type in the name of the drink, a short description of its ingredients and the price. Try to keep each entry at one to two lines.

5. List the bar appetizer menu on the inside cover of the menu. Pick your best five to seven appetizers and list the name of the food as well as an appealing description.

6. List the entrees that can be served at the bar on the inside back cover of the menu, in the same format as your appetizers. If you've decided not to serve full entrees, you can just make this side an extension of your appetizer menu. Include any specials on this side of the menu as well.

7. Add one or two photos to the layout of each inside cover as well as the back cover. Insert the photos inline with your text so that as patrons are reading they can refer to the photo. For example, for the drink list, use a picture of your most popular cocktail. The appetizer and entrée menus should contain pictures of your best dishes.

8. List the name, phone number and website address of the bar at the bottom of each inside menu page (as well as the back cover) if you have room. Add your logo to the top of each inside page also, if possible.

Tips & Warnings

• Remember that bar food should be items that aren't very messy, fancy or complicated. Finger food is ideal. Popular bar menu choices include buffalo wings, hamburgers, french fries and calamari.

References

• Sample Bar Menu (scroll down to "Bar Food")

Resources

• Food and Wine: Bar Food and Drink Ideas
• Print Place: Online Menu Printing Service