Harry’s Bar

Harry’s Bar reopened in April 2025 after a major refurbishment. Following our previous work at the White Horse next door, the client asked us to deliver a full AV, network, CCTV, and control solution; this time with a particular focus on creating a PA system capable of hosting high-profile live acts.

Challenges:

The venue needed a professional PA system capable of supporting high-profile live acts such as Scouting for Girls and Pixie Lott, who had previously relied on bringing their own equipment. With low ceilings and limited stage space, traditional speaker layouts were not an option, demanding a more compact yet just as powerful solution. Equally important was ease of use, the system had to deliver pro-level performance while remaining intuitive and familiar for in-house staff to operate confidently during events.

Our Approach:

We knew the main performance area would be tricky because the ceilings were too low for traditional ceiling mounted vertical speaker setups. Instead, we got creative and designed a 6 meter horizontal speaker array that provided full sound coverage without affecting ceiling height thanks to the narrow profile of the K-Array Speakers used. Four K-Array subwoofers built into the stage wall added deep, powerful bass without taking up extra space.

The rest of the bar and TV areas were covered with discreet K-array speakers and in-wall subwoofers, while the outdoor beer garden received weather-resistant K-Gear speakers. Audio distribution ran over Dante, which was new for us, but it allowed incredible flexibility. We even built a mobile DJ setup that only needs power and an Ethernet cable to plug in anywhere in the venue, and the sound is instantly routed to the PA.

On the video side, the setup includes a giant 4K LED screen and several additional screens for sports, karaoke, and digital signage. A Blustream Video matrix that interfaces with the Dante audio system keeps both audio and video perfectly in sync, while making the whole setup easy to control.

Lighting, heating, and air conditioning are all integrated into a simple KNX system, which staff can manage from touchscreens, keypads, or tablets. We even interfaced with the alarm system at the venue which meant that when the alarm was unset in the morning it would automatically bring on the lights, the Tv’s and the music and then when it was set again in the evening it would turn it all off without any effort from the staff.

The Result:

The system not only met but exceeded expectations, delivering exceptional sound and visuals while remaining simple and reliable for staff to operate. Harry’s Bar has since transformed into a thriving live venue, regularly operating at full capacity on weekends and earning consistent praise from artists, staff, and patrons. What makes this project stand out is the level of customisation involved, from non-standard line array mounting and a bespoke mobile DJ setup to fully integrated audio and video routing via Dante. All completed on schedule despite the venue being five hours from our HQ. Our attention to detail