Global branding, interior design, and architecture specialist Harrison has unveiled Bar Tap, a new state-of-the-art bar at Wembley Stadium.
In partnership with hospitality and foodservice management company Delaware North, Bar Tap opened for the Carabao Cup final on 25 February as a frictionless venue that allows customers to purchase drinks quickly and conveniently.
At Bar Tap, customers can use a bank card or contactless payment on entry to pick up their purchase and leave, improving speed of service and reducing the need for guests to stand in line to purchase refreshments. The technology tracks customer movements to calculate what they have purchased.
Bar Tap’s design draws inspiration from the essence and ethos of Wembley Stadium, with its rich sporting history and heritage. Bold neon signage and clean LEDs are front and centre, with sturdy elements such as stainless steel, metal mesh, and industrial resin flooring alongside a refreshing colour palette for a ‘durable yet iconic’ design.
This is the first time a national stadium in Europe has introduced a frictionless retail service, according to Harrison.
Ionut Mateas, interior designer at Harrison, comments: “The mission of creating Bar Tap extended beyond crafting a mere design scheme; it involved creating an identity that seamlessly integrates with the exhilarating atmosphere of Wembley.
“Within the confines of a compact space and a well-defined directive, we embraced the potential of A.I. to create a distinctive vision. However, we knew the space needed to be functional as well as looking good. Clear arrows and graphics incorporated throughout the design have crafted an intuitive, swift, and seamless experience for visitors. Going beyond that, we wanted to continue this futuristic feel which comes with A.I. technology, so to distract from the open back of house kitchen, we fashioned a background mural wall design which essentially hides the pints being hand-poured while seamlessly resonating with the Wembley energy and adding another layer to the Bar Tap brand identity.”
Lewis Blake, head of concessions for Delaware North at Wembley Stadium, commented: “The concessions team at Wembley Stadium have delivered something truly revolutionary with Bar Tap. The frictionless technology used means that fans can shop, pay, and get back to the action in a matter of seconds”.
