The opposite of the sports bar aesthetic: Upscale cocktail lounge aesthetic

People associate sports bars and the aesthetic with a noisy, casual, high-energy area for people to drink and watch sports. The sports bar aesthetic is widespread across the United States, given the many sports bars scattered across the country. The opposite of this is somewhere that is quiet, formal, and intimate. An aesthetic that pushes forward high-end and subtle vibes is the opposite of the sports bar aesthetic.

These factors lead me to the upscale cocktail lounge. Upscale cocktail lounges are an aesthetic in their own right, but most have multiple aesthetics blended to make unique aesthetics associated with individual lounges. Upscale cocktail lounges often have luxury decorations, unlike sports bars with memorabilia and bright decorations. Some typical decorations are high-end light fixtures, dark wood, velvet, or other materials.

Photo 1: The J-Bar, Hotel Jerome

This cocktail lounge is an excellent example of the luxury design that differentiates it from a sports bar. The green tiling, dark wood, and chandeliers are some of the luxury aspects that highlight the upscale cocktail lounge aesthetic. Another example is below, where dark lighting adds ambiance and plays into a luxury aesthetic.

Photo 2: Picture provided by Cherish Spirits Bar

While décor is different, different food and people go to these areas and contribute to the aesthetic. Sports bars often have greasy and cheap bar foods, like burgers, wings, mozzarella sticks, etc. Upscale bars and cocktail lounges often have small and expensive dishes that vary greatly between the bars.

Another difference between the aesthetic made in the two aesthetic bars is music. Sports bars often have classic rock music that encourages a lively atmosphere. The music in sports bars ranges from many different artists, but it is frequently upbeat and popular songs. Cocktail lounges often have more niche jazz or Lofi music, allowing for a more intimate atmosphere and upscale aesthetic.

Another important distinction is the way people dress in these establishments. Because of the difference in attire, customers push different aesthetics forward. In sports bars, people wear casual clothing, such as jeans, t-shirts, jerseys, and sneakers. Cocktail lounges often do not have a specified dress code. There is usually a blend of casual and formal, like button-up shirts, nicer shoes, dresses, and, generally, nicer clothes.

Picture 3: A Picture of a section of the Tatarian menu

The picture above shows a small food menu from the Tatarian, a popular cocktail bar in Denver. The menu section shows “bites, beer, and wine.” Unlike a sports bar, which encourages anyone to come in and grab a meal, the food at Tatarian is much smaller dishes or things to share. The small plates add to the aesthetic of these somewhat upscale dishes with fancy plating. For example, a cheeseboard gives off an upscale aesthetic and is shared by many people over drinks, unlike a basket of buffalo wings found in sports bars, which are also shared over drinks but are messy.

Multiple factors contribute to the overall aesthetic of sports bars and upscale cocktail lounges. The most obvious contrast in sports bar aesthetics is the decoration, the food, and the music. The overall environment of upscale cocktail lounges is inherently different from sports bars. While they are different, many people enjoy the aesthetics and environments they supply.

References:

Feature Picture and Picture 1: https://www.5280.com/15-of-colorados-best-hotel-bars/

Picture 2: https://www.denverpost.com/2019/06/11/cherish-lounge-cherry-creek-denver/

Picture 3: https://www.thetatarian.com/