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HomeBlog Top Five AV Tips for Bars and Restaurants in 2026

Top Five AV Tips for Bars and Restaurants in 2026

February 20, 2026 By Chad Jimenez No comments yet

Commercial AV tips for better sound, smoother video, and happier guests at bar or restaurant installations – plus expert picks from Vanco.

Opening a new bar or restaurant is an all-consuming experience. Between kitchen equipment, permits, staff, and décor, it’s no wonder AV systems sometimes get treated like an afterthought. But that decision can haunt you later: nothing kills a great vibe faster than blank screens, blaring speakers, or guests watching the same game on a delay.

If you’re planning a new venue (or finally upgrading that “temporary” setup from opening week) here’s what to know. We’ll start with the five biggest traps operators fall into, then share five expert tips to create an experience that makes your staff’s lives easier and keeps guests coming back.

The Five Most Tempting AV Traps

  1. Thinking consumer gear can handle commercial life

That big-box TV might look great on your wall today, but it’s not built for 12-hour duty cycles, bright rooms, or commercial cleaning. Consumer gear overheats, warranties often don’t apply to commercial use cases, and your “savings” vanish the first time a screen dies mid-playoff.

Pro tip: Commercial-grade displays and amplifiers are designed for daily use, higher brightness, and easier control. They’ll pay for themselves in longevity and reliability.

  1. Blasting the volume instead of designing for sound

If your guests have to yell over their nachos, the problem isn’t necessarily the crowd—could be your audio coverage.  A lot of venues skimp on the number of speakers and then crank them up make up for it. It sounds awful: fewer speakers running hot creates harsh, uneven sound. If you have a few more speakers, you can turn down the volume and still get better intelligibility.

Pro tip: Distribute sound evenly with 70V pendant or ceiling speakers that deliver clear audio without deafening anyone.

  1. Forgetting who’s running the show

Hospitality has high turnover. Complex remotes and multi-step controls only lead to frustration. The bartender shouldn’t need an IT degree to turn on the TVs.

Pro tip: Keep it simple. A clearly labeled keypad or wall-mounted controller beats a nested control menu any day of the week in a hospitality setting. A web-based GUI the staff can operate from a standard tablet or smartphone is great too: worst case scenario, your most experienced manager can control the system from anywhere.

  1. Ignoring lag and sync

Few things kill the energy faster than one side of the bar cheering before the other. That’s what happens when different TVs receive signals through different routes or with inconsistent latency.

Pro tip: Prioritize a low-latency video platform for smooth, in-sync feeds across every screen. You want your patrons to see every play before they get an ESPN app alert, whether you’ve got five displays or fifty.

  1. Hanging and Banging

You mounted the TV in your living room. Why not your bar? Famous last words. Even a modest commercial system is a lot more complex (and changes more frequently) than a typical residential system.

Pro tip: Hire a professional integrator, preferably with a CTS certification. You want professional mounting, clean cable management, a well-planned service access for all your AV gear – plus a number to call, just in case.

Five AV Tips to Create a Great Guest and Employee Experience

So how do you get it right without breaking the bank? Prioritize the elements that build the foundation of a great experience now while futureproofing your venue for upgrades and expansion.

  1. Aim for even, immersive sound

Good sound is invisible: it blends into the background and makes people feel comfortable. When they choose to pay attention, though, you customers should be able to discern every word or note. The secret is balanced coverage, not brute volume.

Vanco recommends:

  • Beale Street 70V In-Ceiling Speakers (6.5″ or 8″)
  • Pendant Speakers & Enclosures (6.5″ Pendant) for open ceilings
  1. Tune once: Enjoy it for years

With DSP-enabled amplifiers, you can dial in perfect EQ, volume, and balance for every zone, ensuring consistent performance night after night. Paired with well-designed, simple controls, the right amp will let you lock down preset volumes and sources for dead simple operation.

Vanco recommends:

  • PA6X Amplifier Series (120W / 240W 6-channel)—powerful, efficient, and equipped with built-in DSP for clear sound and easy zoning.
  • Beale Street Amplifier Series (4-channel / 2-channel)—high-power amps with DSP for custom tuning and crystal-clear output.
  1. Go outdoors and extend the vibe

Patios, beer gardens, and open-air seating are integral now. The right speakers effortlessly extend your atmosphere those zones.

Vanco recommends:

  • Beale Street Outdoor Speaker Kit with Landscape Subwoofer—an outdoor-rated kit built for harsh conditions, with full-range sound and reliable longevity.
  1. When it comes to video, have a growth mindset

Today you might have eight TVs. Tomorrow you might add a video wall, a private event space feed, digital signage, or a new zone of screens. Design with growth in mind. A modular system will support you as you grow without forcing you to overspend at the outset.

Vanco recommends:

  1. Mount for serviceability, not just aesthetics

Your installation should look great—but it also needs to be practical. Easy access to the TV back, cable paths, and wall plate saves hours when something needs service.

Vanco recommends:

The Vibe Is Everything

Your AV system isn’t just tech: it’s part of your brand. It’s the soundtrack of the night, the image that catches the eye, and the tool your staff uses to deliver. Choose commercial-grade gear, design for scalability and serviceability, and avoid the typical traps. Do it right, and your bar or restaurant won’t just look good. It’ll feel good for guests and staff alike.

Ready to build smarter?

Explore Vanco’s full commercial AV lineup to find the displays, amplifiers, mounts, and distribution tools that keep your bar or restaurant running strong for years to come.