Designing Drink Menus That Get People to Order Another Round
- Laura Kuhn
- Jul 18
- 3 min read
Let’s raise a glass to something every bar, lounge, and restaurant owner wants: Guests who keep ordering.
A well-designed drink menu isn’t just functional—it’s seductive. It should whet the appetite, tell a story, showcase your signature pours, and guide your guests toward that second round without a single word from the server.
At Midnight Boheme, we know how to craft cocktail and wine menus that not only reflect your brand, but sell your drinks. Let’s toast to the techniques that make your beverage offerings both beautiful and profitable.
🍹 1. Create a Flow—Not a List
Your drink menu shouldn’t feel like a spreadsheet.
We design layouts that:
Group drinks by style (e.g. Signature Cocktails, Classics, Zero-Proof, Wines, Spirits)
Use headers and dividers that invite browsing
Allow the eye to drift from one drink to the next effortlessly
🧭 A good menu guides, not overwhelms. Browsing should feel like a journey, not a chore.
🍋 2. Stir in Some Storytelling
Every cocktail has a story—don’t let it go untold.
We use:
Flavor descriptions that evoke sensory appeal (e.g., “bright citrus with a smoky finish”)
Ingredient highlights that pique curiosity (e.g., “charred pineapple syrup” or “hibiscus tea-infused rum”)
Playful or themed names to reflect your brand (e.g., “French Quarter Fizz” or “The Bourbon Boheme”)
✍️ Names hook attention. Descriptions close the deal.
🖼 3. Design That Reflects the Experience
Your bar’s personality should shine through every part of the menu.
A moody speakeasy calls for rich textures, serif fonts, and dark elegance
A beachy rum shack might lean into bold colors, playful illustrations, and casual script
A wine bar may use clean lines, minimalist layouts, and warm earth tones
A New Orleans jazz lounge? Gold trim, art deco flourishes, and vintage typography, darling
🎨 The goal: make the drink menu feel like part of the cocktail experience.
📈 4. Use Visual Hierarchy to Sell Smart
Want guests to try your signature creations or higher-margin cocktails? Use design to lead them there.
We strategically:
Highlight featured cocktails with frames, icons, or standout placement
Use eye-catching names and graphic dividers to draw attention
Format premium pours and wine flights in an “elevated” layout section
Avoid “wall of text” layouts that bury your best-sellers
💸 Menu design is quiet upselling—done tastefully.
🍷 5. Wine List = Brand Extension
A wine list deserves more than a typewriter font and 20 bullets.
We enhance wine menus with:
Region-based groupings and tasting notes
Elegant typographic pairings for old-world vs. new-world options
Icons for pairing suggestions or by-the-glass availability
QR options for deep-dive vintage details or sommelier notes
🍇 A beautiful wine list makes wine feel more approachable and intriguing—not intimidating.
🧾 6. Print vs. Digital:
Both Can Spark a Sip
We design both:
Printed drink menus with luxe finishes (think textured paper, leather wraps, or metallic ink)
QR-coded menus with a branded mobile-friendly layout that still feels designed, not default
Mini bar cards or table tent drink specials for upsells
Seasonal inserts that promote limited-time cocktails and themed pours
📲 Whether it’s in your hand or on your phone, your menu should be as delicious as the drinks themselves.
🌙 Midnight Boheme: Drink Menus That Make an Impression
We’ve designed sip-worthy menus for:
The Carousel Bar – Vintage cocktail glamour in the heart of New Orleans
ROMA Café & Pizzeria – Chic inhouse and delivery menus for an Italian-inspired experience
Mosaic & Evergreen – Casual fine dining restaurants located in Downtown Ocean Springs, MS
Eleven & Red Apple Lounge – Nightlife hotspots on Government Street in Downtown Ocean Springs, MS
From layout to language, we make sure your drinks get noticed—and reordered.
Midnight Boheme🎨 Cocktail & Wine Menu Design | New Orleans, LA
Menus that sparkle with personality and pour sales by the glass. Let’s design a drink menu worth toasting ➝