Our Favourite Bar Tops
Greenway Associates have been providing cost consultancy and project management for the Hospitality industry for over 25 years. Many of the bars we have worked with are very memorable and continue to be in good service! Here’s 4 materials that we think make for a great bar top - Pewter, Granite, Onyx & Pyrolave - as well as their typical costs.
PEWTER
A classic pewter finish on a Firmdale bar.
Over the last 20+ years, Greenway Associates have worked on the Firmdale Hotels brand across London and New York. (Read more about our partnership with Firmdale). Although every single Firmdale Hotel is unique, there is one thing you might have noticed about all of their bars - they all feature bars laden in pewter.
Pewter is the traditional alloy metal for bar tops due to its durability and malleability, which gives it a greater degree of flexibility in design. Polished pewter has a vibrant silvery hue and is low maintenance when left over time to naturally patina. Pewter, like zinc, is a living finish and it will develop a luxurious, muted gray or charcoal patina over time. Alternatively, pewter counters can also be maintained up to a mirror-like finish with regular polishing. Pewter is clad around a well finished, fully supportive hardwood sub top.
So, what will a pewter set you back?
The price of pewter varies, but will generally cost in the region of around £2,500 per linear metre, for an average bar width, not inclusive of items such as formwork, shipping, fabrication and installation.
GRANITE
The dial8 bar in Denmark St, Soho.
In 2023, Greenway Associates worked with Chateau Denmark on their Thirteen and dial8 bars, designed by Darren Grapes of Grapes Design. Both bars form part of the Denmark St regeneration project in Soho. Darren specified a black and gold granite called Magma Gold. Granite is naturally hard and durable as well as acid, sunlight and heat resistant. In an industrial setting, it is usually sealed to resist all stains and liquids. Because granite is a hard and heavy material that comes in huge slabs which require expert installation, it adds to its expense.
So, what will a high quality Granite bar top set you back?
Typically, granite such as this black and gold variety will cost around £2.5 - £3K per linear metre, but this is very dependant on wastage, and does not include shipping or installation.
ONYX
The bar in the Rose Room at Annabels.
Back in 2015, Greenway Associates had the pleasure of working on relocating the renowned Mayfair private members club Annabels into its current position in Berkeley Square. Martin Brudnizki, the projects’ interior design specified a bar for The Rose Room made entirely of rare pink onyx, back-lit and inset with brass filigree.
Onyx is a type of natural stone, mostly made up of calcite. Since onyx is a derivative of marble, it can be lit from underneath to reveal the unique identity of every piece. Onyx is cut in smaller slabs, as it tends to be a lot more fragile than granite. This is why the ‘rose petals’ that make up the Annabel’s bar work so well. Subsequently, the crafting process involves a high level of artistry, with skilled artisans undertaking tasks such as hand-carving and polishing to enhance the stone's aesthetic appeal and quality. The ethereal result is testament to excellent design and craftsmanship.
When onyx is used as a bar top, it is professionally sealed with a food resistant sealant. Onyx countertops can last up to 100 years when cared for and maintained properly, by applying a special stone cleaner regularly to keep scratches and stains at bay.
So, how much will Onyx set you back?
We asked Lynn Lavenac, Commercial Manager at Spectra Stone to elaborate. “Onyx stands out as an exceptionally rare and prized natural stone, boasting a rarity that elevates its raw cost above that of any other stone. The purity of Onyx directly correlates with its price, with the purest variations commanding the highest values. The material alone will vary between £100 to £1000 per sqm. Beyond its initial cost, the utilization of natural stone incurs additional expenses related to sourcing, engineering, finishing, and fitting. The intricacy of design elements, as well as the inclusion of extensive features like an immense bullnose, can significantly influence the overall cost.”
PYROLAVE
The glazed lava stone bar top at Sexy Fish, London.
In 2015 Greenway Associates also had the opportunity work on the opulent Mayfair restaurant “Sexy Fish”. The interior designer was also Martin Brudnizki, whose choice of material for the bar top was an unusual lava stone, glazed in a vibrant shade of red.
Pyrolave is an enamelled natural lava. It has an amazing strength, both in relation to its breaking load and its degree of frost resistance. It is also wonderful for bar tops, due to its natural size and shape and because it is easy to maintain with water and a pH neutral liquid detergent. Lava stone pieces offer wide freedom of use for any projects, as the slabs can be cut perfectly to a minimum thickness of 1 cm and a maximum length of about 3 metres. In its natural state, lava stone comes in a distinctive gray color which presents an array of different shades, from silver to brown. As well as the abundance of enamelled glazes available, depth and character can be given to pieces through different effects. Tone variation is an intrinsic part of the glazing process, and is a distinctive indication of the hard work done by hand on what is an incredibly unique and unpredictable material.
So, what will pyrolave set you back?
There are varying degrees of cost and finish but a high end finish such as at the bar at Sexy Fish, will cost between £6-7K linear metre, not including shipping and installation.
Greenway Associates keep a detailed record of costs for many different types of bar materials, and are experts in cost planning and project management for luxury bar and hospitality spaces. Feel free to get in touch with our team for more information.