What’s a TLD, Anyway?

Let’s start simple. Every website you visit ends with a TLD, short for Top-Level Domain.

It’s the part that comes after the dot:

.com in google.com

.org in wikipedia.org

.edu in berkeley.edu

For decades, businesses only had a handful of “official” options: .com, .org, .net, or country-specific endings like .co.uk (United Kingdom), .au (Australia), or .mx (Mexico). These worked fine — but they were limited. As more businesses came online, it became harder (and more expensive) to find short, relevant names.

A New Era for Branding Online

Around 2012, something big happened: the Internet opened up to hundreds of new TLDs. Suddenly, instead of being locked into .com or a country code, businesses could use endings that matched their industry, idea, or brand personality.

Think of it like moving from a tiny street with only a few buildings to a whole new city full of neighbourhoods. You could finally find an address that fit you perfectly.

Some popular examples:

.tech for startups and software companies

.art for galleries and creatives

.shop for e-commerce

.BAR and .REST for hospitality, food, drinks and much more!

Introducing .BAR & .REST

Among this wave of new TLDs, .BAR and .REST stand out for one simple reason: they’re universal.

• .BAR works across languages — from English to Spanish, French, German, Portuguese, and more — instantly understood as a safe space or place to enjoy or obtain something, from drinks to clubs, entertainment, or even broader concepts like nail bars, juice bars, or idea bars.
• .REST connects with “restaurant” in multiple languages — short, simple, and elegant. It also plays beautifully with the idea of rest, relaxation, and retreat.

Both extensions are managed by Punto 2012, an Internet registry dedicated to bringing relevant, creative, and trustworthy domain options to the global market. Over the years, .BAR and .REST have become home to thousands of businesses worldwide — from local cafés and cocktail lounges to tech startups and wellness brands. And the list keeps growing.

Why They Matter for Your Brand

Choosing the right domain name isn’t just about being online. It’s about:

• Clarity: instantly showing what you do.
• Memorability: shorter names are easier to remember and share.
• Relevance: matching your industry or personality.
• Differentiation: standing out in a crowded digital space.

With .BAR and .REST, your domain can double as your brand name:

• Instead of mezcalbar.com → mezcal.bar
• Instead of tokyorestaurant.com → tokyo.rest
• Instead of luxuryliving.com → luxury.rest

Shorter. Cleaner. Easier to type. More memorable.

Legitimacy & Trust

Some people wonder: “Are these new domains safe?”

The answer: absolutely.

Like .com or .org, all new TLDs are approved and overseen by ICANN, the global organization that coordinates the Internet’s address system. Registries like Punto 2012 are accredited and audited to ensure domains are reliable and secure.

• In other words: .BAR and .REST are not just trendy — they’re here to stay.
  

The Future of Online Branding

We live in a world where your online presence is often the first impression. Choosing a domain that’s short, clear, and relevant can be the difference between being remembered… or forgotten.

With .BAR and .REST, you’re not just registering a domain. You’re investing in your brand. You’re claiming a name that tells your story in one glance. And once it’s taken — it’s gone.

So whether you’re opening a bar, launching a restaurant, starting a wellness project, or creating something completely new, the right domain is waiting for you.

Visit www.ideas.bar/explore