REDBAR Case Study | PoE Lighting for All-Day Dining

Hospitality & Entertainment Case Study

Coffee by Morning, Food by Day, Bar by Night

REDBAR Espresso & Market in Mobile, Alabama uses GENISYS PoE lighting to shift atmosphere on demand - from bright espresso mornings to event-ready color for private celebrations.

“Most small businesses neglect the details, but at REDBAR, every detail matters - because a great experience is about more than just great food and drinks. When guests walk in and see our lighting customized to match the colors of their event, they’re blown away. GENISYS PoE lighting lets us deliver that unforgettable vibe.”
- Dr. Michael Bucknell, Co-Founder and Owner, REDBAR Espresso & Market

The Opportunity

What started in 2012 as a humble local coffee spot has grown into REDBAR Espresso & Market - a vibrant, day-to-night destination for everything from morning espresso runs and working lunches to cozy dinners, live music, and private events. Founded by chiropractor and health advocate Dr. Michael Bucknell, REDBAR stays true to its core philosophy: R.E.D - Responsible, Experience, Deliberate.

When Dr. Mike set out to build a brand-new space after the restaurant weathered the COVID pandemic, he wanted every detail to reflect that ethos. That meant offering a menu packed with organic, wholesome ingredients while designing an engaging, social, and eco-friendly hub built to connect people. To bring this vision to life, REDBAR needed an atmosphere as dynamic as its menu. Enter the GENISYS PoE lighting system - the ultimate tool to transform the guest experience through seamless automation, custom aesthetics, and smart energy control.

The Solution

Inside REDBAR, bright whites, energetic reds, and an inviting wrap-around bar set the scene for high-energy mornings and relaxed evenings. Lighting plays a starring role in the design - suspended GENISYS SmoothLite fixtures trace a funky geometric pattern across the ceiling, while ColorTune troffers behind the bar and in the kitchen deliver the ideal color warmth and brightness for any task or time of day. Overhead, four statement-making LED bowl lights anchor the bar area, while outdoor GENISYS RGB downlights wash the building’s exterior in thousands of customizable color combinations.

Behind the curtain, the entire setup runs effortlessly. Powered and managed by GENISYS IntelliDrives, the system maximizes energy savings using automated scheduling, daylight harvesting, and occupancy sensing - keeping sustainability front and center without sacrificing an ounce of style.

The Impact

Dynamic scenes and memorable guest experiences that turn visitors into regulars.

Pairing a state-of-the-art audio system with a spacious, laid-back outdoor patio featuring ping pong and cozy fire pits, REDBAR has quickly become the ultimate local venue for private gatherings - from weddings and reunions to graduation bashes and birthday celebrations.

As day shifts into night, the space shifts right along with it. Using the intuitive GENISYS PoE lighting control software, staff can instantly change the entire mood on the fly, crafting custom color palettes for holidays, themed nights, or private celebrations with just a few clicks. The result is a fully immersive environment that looks as good as the menu tastes.

“Most small businesses neglect the details, but at REDBAR, every detail matters - because a great experience is about more than just great food and drinks,” says Dr. Bucknell. “When guests walk in and see our lighting customized to match the colors of their event, they’re blown away. GENISYS PoE lighting lets us deliver that unforgettable vibe.”

When guests walk in and see our lighting customized to match the colors of their event, they’re blown away. GENISYS PoE lighting lets us deliver that unforgettable vibe.

Dr. Michael Bucknell Co-Founder and Owner, REDBAR Espresso & Market

On site

Day-to-night atmosphere

SmoothLite geometry in the dining room, ColorTune behind the bar and in the kitchen, and RGB color for events after dark.

REDBAR dining room with suspended GENISYS SmoothLite PoE fixtures in a geometric ceiling pattern

REDBAR wrap-around bar with red pendant lights, ColorTune troffers, and red under-counter accent lighting

REDBAR kitchen with GENISYS ColorTune PoE troffer lighting

REDBAR evening service with guests, SmoothLite ceiling fixtures, and red under-counter PoE accent lighting

REDBAR Espresso & Market exterior at night washed in GENISYS RGB downlight color

REDBAR dining room at night with red ambient GENISYS PoE lighting and SmoothLite ceiling lines

Ready to set the scene for every guest?

Talk with us about GENISYS PoE lighting for restaurants, bars, and entertainment venues.

Get in touch Explore hospitality