Our Story
BARZ began with one disappointing night out, one simple question and the belief that choosing where to go should not be left to guesswork.
It Started With One Simple Question
On 6 December 2025, I was out in Newcastle with my niece.
We headed to a bar that was supposed to be the place to be. When we arrived, it was completely dead.
Later that evening, standing outside in the cold, we found ourselves asking the question people ask on nights out everywhere:
We could search for nearby venues. We could read reviews written days, weeks or even months earlier. We could scroll through carefully selected social media posts.
But none of that could tell us what was actually happening inside a venue at that moment.
Nightlife moves in real time. The information available to us did not.
That was the moment BARZ began.
A Better Way to Choose Your Night
People should not have to walk from venue to venue, rely on guesswork or spend half the evening trying to work out where everyone is.
BARZ was created to help people understand the atmosphere before they arrive.
Whether you are looking for somewhere buzzing, somewhere with a manageable queue or somewhere quieter to catch up with friends, BARZ helps you make a more informed choice.
Because the “best” venue is not the same for everyone.
It is the venue that feels right for you, right now.
Built From the Ground Up
I had worked in IT since 2010 and understood systems, logic and problem-solving—but I had never built an app before.
Within 48 hours of that night in Newcastle, I had secured the domain and started turning the idea into something real.
I taught myself the skills I needed, designed the platform and built BARZ from scratch as a solo founder.
What began as a question on one night out became a live platform available on both iOS and Android.
Not because building it was easy, but because the problem was worth solving.
More Than Finding the Busiest Bar
BARZ is not about sending everyone to the loudest or most crowded venue.
For some people, a packed bar is exactly what they are looking for. For someone else, that same environment can feel stressful or overwhelming.
Uncertainty can be one of the hardest parts of going out—particularly for people who are neurodivergent, experience social anxiety, dislike overcrowding or are visiting an unfamiliar city.
BARZ gives people more visibility before they arrive, helping them choose the environment that suits them.
The Bigger Vision
The vision for BARZ is to make nightlife easier to navigate, more inclusive and more connected.
For customers, that means better information and more control over their night.
For venues, it creates a new way to understand, communicate with and attract the people nearby who are looking for exactly the experience they offer.
This started with one dead bar and one simple question.
Now, we are building a better way to find the vibe.
Less guesswork. More control.
Your night, your vibe.
Ready to Find Your Vibe?
Download BARZ and see what is happening around you before deciding where the night takes you.