As I sit down to analyze what truly makes a football club the best in England, I can't help but reflect on how this question has evolved throughout my years following the beautiful game. The debate isn't just about trophies or financial power—it's about something much deeper, something that resonates with the very soul of football culture. I remember watching countless matches from packed stadiums to local pubs, and what strikes me most is how the definition of "best" changes depending on who you ask. Some fans value historical prestige, others prioritize current success, while many cherish the intangible spirit that makes their club unique.

When we talk about greatness in football, it reminds me of that powerful statement from a fighter who moved up a weight class: "I went up a weightclass at 135 pounds to try for greatness [on] short notice; my head is held high." This mindset perfectly captures what separates truly exceptional clubs from merely good ones. Manchester City's recent dominance under Pep Guardiola embodies this pursuit of greatness against all odds. Since their 2008 takeover, they've invested approximately £1.5 billion in transfers alone, transforming from a mid-table team to winning 6 Premier League titles in the last 11 seasons. Their Etihad Campus represents one of football's most advanced training facilities, costing over £200 million—a testament to their commitment to excellence.

Yet Liverpool's story under Jurgen Klopp presents a compelling counterargument. Their 2019-20 Premier League triumph ended a 30-year wait, generating emotional celebrations that money simply can't buy. I've always been partial to clubs that build through strategic vision rather than pure financial power. Liverpool's net spend of approximately £250 million over the past five years compared to City's £500 million demonstrates how different paths can lead to similar success. The electric atmosphere at Anfield, especially during European nights, creates an advantage that statistics can't fully capture—I've witnessed opponents visibly shaken by the intensity.

Then there's Manchester United, whose commercial dominance remains staggering despite recent sporting struggles. With 20 league titles and global revenues exceeding £600 million annually, their brand power is undeniable. But as someone who values current competitiveness over historical prestige, I find their recent trajectory frustrating. Their £1.1 billion spent on transfers since Sir Alex Ferguson's retirement in 2013 has yielded inconsistent results, proving that money alone doesn't guarantee success.

What fascinates me about Arsenal's resurgence under Mikel Arteta is how it mirrors that fighter's mentality—taking on challenges when others doubt you. Their 2022-23 title challenge, while ultimately falling short, demonstrated remarkable progress from finishing 8th just two seasons prior. The £105 million signing of Declan Rice represents strategic ambition, not just spending for spending's sake. Having visited the Emirates numerous times, I've noticed how their recruitment strategy has shifted toward younger, hungrier players—the average age of their starting XI has dropped from 28.7 to 24.2 over three seasons.

Chelsea's rollercoaster ownership transition presents another fascinating case study. Their £1 billion spending spree under Todd Boehly feels both ambitious and reckless—a stark contrast to more measured approaches. While I appreciate bold moves in football, sustainability matters too. Their strategy of signing young players to long-term contracts represents either genius innovation or catastrophic mismanagement—only time will tell.

The magic of clubs like Brighton cannot be overlooked either. Their rise from nearly dropping out of the Football League in 1997 to European qualification represents football's romantic side. With a transfer profit exceeding £200 million over three seasons, their data-driven approach has revolutionized how smaller clubs compete. I've always had a soft spot for clubs that punch above their weight—there's something special about watching a well-run organization succeed against financial giants.

Looking beyond traditional metrics, fan culture and community impact significantly influence my rankings. Newcastle United's transformation under Saudi ownership brings both excitement and ethical questions. Their Champions League return after 20 years demonstrates how quickly fortunes can change, yet the human rights concerns surrounding their ownership cannot be ignored. As someone who believes football should represent community values, this creates a moral dilemma in evaluating their place among England's best.

Tottenham's consistent competitiveness without major trophies presents another interesting dimension. Their state-of-the-art stadium generates approximately £120 million annually from non-football events, showcasing impressive business acumen. Yet their trophy drought since 2008 highlights the difference between being well-run and being truly great. Having spoken to numerous Spurs fans, I sense their frustration—they deserve silverware for their unwavering support.

When I step back and consider all these factors, Manchester City currently sits at the pinnacle of English football. Their domestic dominance, combined with finally capturing the Champions League in 2023, creates a compelling case. Yet football's beauty lies in its subjectivity—what makes a club "best" ultimately depends on what you value most. For me, it's the perfect blend of current success, sustainable strategy, and that intangible quality that makes you catch your breath when watching them play. The pursuit of greatness, much like that fighter moving up a weight class, requires courage, vision, and the willingness to risk failure—qualities that separate truly legendary clubs from temporary contenders.

LIGHTING, LIGHTING, AND MORE LIGHTING
People are typically drawn to bars solely based on their atmosphere. The best way to knock your next commercial bar design out of the park is using the perfect amount and type of lighting. Use standout light fixtures as their very own statement piece, track lighting for adjustable ambiance, hanging pendant lights over tables, and ambient backlighting to display the alcohol. Bartenders need to serve and customers need to order, so make sure it’s just functional as it is attractive. 

CHOOSING YOUR BARTOP
What may seem so obvious, is often so overlooked in commercial bar design- the material of your actual bartop itself. While we realize stone and marble are as classy and elegant-looking as can be, the reality is that they just aren’t your best option for a durable and long lasting bartop. They crack, have no grip, and break way too many glasses. Opt for a high-quality wood bar instead. Oaks, maples, mahoganies, and ashes are sturdy and provide your customers with a firm grip for their glasses. 

THEME 
In a sea of millions upon millions of bars, how can you make your commercial bar design stand apart from the rest? The answer is to pick a unique, centralized theme and run with it. Whether it’s your next sit-down restaurant bar design, or remodeling the small, locally-favorite gem, you have to find out what your clientele wants. Survey the neighborhood of your establishment and find out what the demographics are there. Maybe a gritty, western bar would be a hit. Or maybe a more modern, sleek design is what’s missing in the area. Whatever theme you decide upon, hit it out of the park with the perfect lighting, wall art, music, and furniture. It’s all in the details. 

THE GUIDE TO YOUR NEXT RESTOBAR 
You’ve got the food, you’ve got the restaurant, you’ve got the customers, now all you need is a beautifully designed bar to top it all off.  Small bar designs for restaurants have a tendency to be a little thrown together and incohesive with the rest of the establishment. Stay on brand- create consistency with tying in the same color scheme, furniture, art, and overall ambiance of the pre-existing restaurant. Make sure the placement of your bar makes sense as well, have it in a place where it’s visible and easy to navigate but not in the way of servers and other guests. If the bar is going to serve food, be sure to consider the location of the kitchen to not obstruct traffic flow. Consider all of these small tips as you work through your next restaurant bar design. 

SPACE CONSTRAINT 
It’s no secret that bars have the reputation of being a little cramped, and in some cases- way too cramped. Consider all of the space constraints while designing your next commercial bar design and we can change that bad rap that bars have been holding for far too long. First and foremost, be sure to measure your bar, barstool, cabinet, and equipment height. Generally, a bar is 42” in height while a stool is 30” in height. Also be sure to allow at least 3’ of space between the bar and the alcohol for the bartender’s functionality and efficiency. Consider multiple register and drink-making stations for bartenders as well. Allowing 2’ between patrons is going to give them enough space to eat and drink, and most importantly, simply be comfortable. All of these considerations are especially helpful if it is a restaurant bar design, where the space is even more valuable.