Bars are great places to relax, connect with people and have fun. One of the things that makes them a great space to socialise is the atmosphere that’s created by the background music. Music helps to set the mood by calming things down or livening them up, depending on the type of bar it is.

Music has a number of benefits in general, but particularly so when it’s played in social places such as bars. It can set a positive mood and help people to relax and unwind, help to facilitate conversation, create a shared experience, and encourage interaction.

This article focuses on the ways you can legally play background music in bars and the best types of playlists to encourage socialising.

bar with waiter pouring a drink with background music for bars playing

What Are the Options for Playing Background Music?

To legally play music in your business, whether that’s a bar, retail premises or something else, you need to make sure you have the right type of licence. Playing the radio or music via a streaming service you will need to have a music licence from PRS PPL.

The cost of a music licence varies depending on several factors such as the size of your premises and the number of people it holds. For example, if you want to play the radio in your bar that’s under 390m2, the cost of a music licence is going to be approximately £420.06 + VAT just to press play. That’s a lot, particularly when the cost of everything is going up.

Royalty-Free Music for Bars

A more cost-effective way of playing quality music in your bar is to use royalty-free music. Background Sounds specialises in royalty-free music for bars. Providing a simple way to stream high-quality tunes in your bar via an affordable subscription package.

You can play our music in your bar because PPL and PRS don’t collect royalties for the artists we use. Instead, they get paid through a music licensing company, which is why you can play our music legally in your bar without a PRS PRS Music Licence.

Our music subscriptions can be taken out monthly or annually and will save you over £350 on the cost of a music licence (using the example given above). We can also send you a certificate to satisfy PPL PRS requirements that you are playing our music legally giving you peace of mind.

Licence-Free Music for Bars: Popular Playlists

Our extensive playlist library enhances your customers’ experience, keeping them engaged and entertained. With over 50 playlists to choose from covering over 15 genres, there’s something for all tastes, so no need to play the same tracks on repeat! 

You can create a relaxing ambience during the day, spice it up a bit and create a lively atmosphere during happy hour, or create a more intimate setting for couples at the touch of a button with our easy-to-use system.

Background Sounds – Bar Playlists

We supply a variety of bars, pubs and restaurants across the UK with a wide variety of music. Take a look at some of their go-to playlists:

music for bars

VIBRANT LOUNGE

FUNKY AMBIENT LOUNGE

Music for bars

LATIN MIX

RICH, RHYTHMIC LATIN

A line of musicians playing royalty-free audio tracks on a range of wind instruments

LAID BACK SELECTION

LAID BACK JAZZ

music for bars

JAZZ PIANO

UPBEAT PIANO JAZZ

Bistro Playlist

WARM BISTRO

JAZZ, LATIN & BOSSA MIX

Soul playlist

SUNDAY SOUL

RELAXED EASY SOUL

Instrumental soul and funk playlist for bars

COFFEE CLUB

INSTRUMENTAL FUNK & SOUL

classical playlist for bars

CLASSICAL PIANO

DELICATE PIANO TRACKS

Soulful funky lounge playlist

SOULFUL FUNKY LOUNGE

SOUL WITH HOUSE BEATS

But don’t just take our word for it, try our music for yourself. You can access all our playlists with a free 7-day trial so you and your staff can check out the tunes and make sure we’ve got the right selection for you.

There’s no need to add your card details and there’s no hard-sell from us. If our music isn’t for you, or it isn’t compatible with your system, there’s no need to cancel anything. Your trial will expire after 7 days.

How our Music Subscription Service Works

Subscribe ➡ Select Your Playlist ➡ Press PlayStream Music

computer, tablet and mobile view of Background Sounds music subscription for business

Music for Bars

Music streaming subscription service

Stream our playlists using your PC, laptop, mobile or tablet device.

We’ll add new music every month and new playlists throughout the year. Keeping them fresh for you.

All you need to do is press play!

We’re here to save you money and take the headache out of organising your music.

A subscription to Background Sounds is a one-stop shop. Join us and say goodbye to paying increasing PPL PRS  music licence renewal invoices. Our system is compatible with a number of devices so you can stream our playlists using your PC, laptop, mobile or tablet device.

We add new music every month and new playlists throughout the year, so there’s always something new to try. All you need to do is press play!

Music for Bars – Subscription Packages

You can cancel anytime with our monthly subscription. The best value is our annual subscription so you save when you pay upfront. The amount you save compared to buying a music licence will depend on the size of your premises.

details of the cost of Background Sounds music subscription for business

Background Sounds Subscription Benefits

Convenience

We’ll keep your playlists fresh and add new playlists throughout the year so you don’t have to keep up with the latest trends – we do the work for you.

Cost Effective

Save on the cost of your music when you switch to playing royalty-free music. 

Top Tip: If you currently have a music licence, make sure you give the necessary notice to PRS PPL before you switch to ensure you don’t have to pay renewal charges.

Music Choice

There are 50+ playlists to choose from and new playlists are added throughout the year. We even have Christmas music!

Peace of Mind

We can provide a certificate of subscription to all paid members that satisfies PRS PPL’s requirements. Please request yours after checkout.

Support

We have a friendly, responsive support team if you need help or support.

Royalty-Free Music for Bars

We’re passionate about our music and understand the tunes you play in your bar need to be right. That’s why we offer a free 7-day trial, giving you full access to our library of music for bars so you can make an informed decision about whether we’re the right provider for you.

Enhance your customers’ experience and save £££ with a royalty-free music subscription from Background Sounds.

Questions?

Need a little more guidance or want to chat? Email support@backgroundsounds.co.uk

Background Sounds is a specialist provider of royalty-free music. Working with small businesses looking to play music without the need to buy a PRS PPL Music Licence.

The service is offered via online streaming and can be accessed when you take a subscription. You can find out all you need to know on our home page here.