What are the characteristics of a good bar?

The Ivar's thread got me thinking about this. Obviously, there are many different types of bars, including old watering holes, sports bars, bar and grills, college bars, night clubs/dance clubs, Cougar bars, country bars, etc. Of course there's lot's of overlap on those catagories.

One important factor that is often poorly understood is something I'll call "personal space". Different types of bars do better with more or less "personal space". The space between tables, bar stools, the size of the ailes between tables and the bar. Included in this perception is the sight lines and "nook spaces", and the lighting of a bar.

There have been times that I walk into a place and think it looks too crowded, even when there aren't a lot of people in there. It gives me an uncomfortable feeling, especially if the crowd is somehow different than me (younger, older, grungier, dressier, etc.) I've only been to Finn McCool's one time because of this. I just didn't get a good vibe. It seemed too dirty/crowded.

Other places seem too wide open, like you're out on a stage. This is especially true if there aren't too many people in there. Big dance clubs can feel this way if they are only half full, but seem to get a good vibe going when they get full.

Some places just seem to have a really good mix of lighting, space, sight lines, nook spaces, etc, that they are just comfortable. To me, the old Bengal on North Highland was that kind of place. A very comfortable place to be.

I think that Ivar's, for all of it's current dirtiness, high prices, and general crappiness, still has the proper balance of personal space, sight lines, and lighting for the size of the place, and I think that is what keeps attracting people to it.