Outdoor Patio Bars For Sale
Buy the best outdoor patio bars for sale selected and recommended by interior designers. By Tara Gosselin.
Have you ever wanted a tiki hut in your backyard? Of course you have. It is an epic staple of any fun barbeque. And now, you can get one of your very own, with built in bar attachments and a cooler for those drinks. But maybe you prefer something a little less flashy. Well, we have those too, and they will make your backyard stand out from the neighbor's. That is a sure thing.
Outdoor Patio Bars For Sale
Buying Guide
Tara Gosselin
Interior Design Expert
Tara is a San Antonio-based award-winning landscape architect, writer and educator, passionate about eco-friendly solutions and growing her own food. She knows all it takes to help you create a sustainable backyard retreat that combines blissful charm with a modern take on landscaping.
Are you looking for outdoor patio bars for sale? There are a few ideas you might want to consider before settling on a model. Outdoor patio bars can be a fantastic thing to have by your pool or on your patio, and they come in all sorts of designs. They can be useful for garden parties and barbeques as a place to put ice, drinks of all kinds and even servings of finger food.
Regardless of the outdoor patio bar that you are able to locate, these handy units make a place to display and dispense food and drink for gatherings. They can have stools that can be pulled up to the bar, or they can be set up with a matching table and chair units to encourage mingling and conversation. They make it far easier for the host or hostess to enjoy time with their guests by eliminating some of those annoying trips back to the kitchen to pick up trays of food or drink. Add a basket for digital devices and several sets of lawn games to encourage a day of face-to-face interaction.
Rolling Carts
There are many advantages to your patio bar being a rolling cart. It can be loaded before the party and put in a secure place where it will not be attacked by wandering children, pets or swarms of insects. It is easy to load it up in your kitchen, then wheel it out to the patio when the time is right. You aren’t limited to those old three-shelf aluminum carts, either. The rolling carts can include wicker weave carts, folding carts made with wood slats, and even stylish serving carts that include a food prep space, shelves for ingredients, a towel rack and a place to hang pot holders and more.
Tiki Bars
Add an exotic touch to your next garden party with a tiki bar. They come in all sorts of shapes, sizes and color schemes ranging from the classic tiki set up with palm thatch over the bar to mod-tourist, complete with a corrugated roof and beach signs. Stock it with the drinks you prefer. Alcoholic beverages are traditional, but you can just as easily stock your bar with fruit juice and soft drinks – especially if you are hosting an under-age group. Scooby-Doo fans are likely to appreciate the tiki theme, thanks to the Scooby-Doo movie that was set in an island amusement park.
More Permanent Bar Arrangements
You can add a patio bar as a permanent installation. You just need to make it of something that is weather resistant. This can include an ordinary patio table, a built-in slatted bar, or even a charming metal Sicily bar unit. Good choices for a permanent patio bar include recycled plastic planks, cedar or redwood milled lumber, or metal. They can be a narrow counter-style positioned at one edge of the patio, or they can be a central unit that features curves and has an area for attractive bar stools to be added.
You have a wide variety of choices when it comes to the materials that patio bars are made out of. Each imparts its own unique style. Some of the most common materials include:
Wood
Wood creates a timeless base for a home bar. Choose a wood style if you want a piece that can fit in with just about any home style. Non-painted wood, especially in the slatted bar designs, can give your outdoor space a more rustic look. Bamboo is a common wood texture that gives a tropical island party feel. especially in slatted bar designs.
If your wooden patio bar is going to be exposed to the elements a lot, either choose dense wood varieties that are naturally decay-resistant, such as Western Red Cedar, white oak, teak, and bald cypress, or seal the piece adequately with coating of polyurethane, varnish, or lacquer.
Metal
Patio bars also come in lightweight metals for easy transportation, like aluminum. Metals are common in sleek, modern patio bar styles. Though some metal designs are good in classic patio arrangements, as they come in vintage styles with complex patterns. Wrought iron bars with beautiful scrollwork and mesh design are one such example. The downside of such bars will be their weight, though.*
Resin wicker
For a classic, textured appearance and increased durability, you can also find patio bars in wicker styles. Resin wicker, also known as all-weather wicker, is a material that resembles natural woven designs, but has been manufactured for use in outdoor patio furniture. Wicker, whether natural or synthetic, is a favorite among homeowners as it offers great versatility and weather-resistance. Light colors will beautifully complement casual, boho, and beach style patio bars, while dark grays or dark browns will add a bit of formality and elegance to your outdoor entertainment space.
Fiberglass
These models are often made to look like another material, such as marble or granite, but are lighter and thus easier to move. Choose this material if you want durability, function, sleek elegance, and a certain textured style, all at an affordable price.
It's also worth noting that it's common to see patio bars made using multiple materials. For instance, a patio bar may have a metal base and a plastic counter for easy cleaning. It's important to keep function and style in mind, rather than looking for a piece this is only one material.
Beyond the style imparted by certain materials, there are also several different themes to choose from.
- Bold and colorful: Many patio bars come with a colorful base and a white countertop. Some styles even allow you to choose a base from a wide variety of colorful options. Choose this style if you want a bold and artsy look.
- Wrap design: Some patio bars have external wraps you can put around the base of the bar itself, usually made of a polyester fabric wrap. These allow you to customize the design of the bar, often going for themes like beach images. Choose this style if you want a customizable option that helps you design a certain party theme.
- Faux stone: Since the point of a patio bar is to have a piece you can easily set up at a moment's notice, you won't find a patio bar made of stone. However, some styles have an outer wrap with a stone design or are textured like stone. Choose faux stone for an upscale, permanent-looking feature.
- Text styles: Some patio bars have text on the front, usually related to a drink theme. It might have the word martini or Margaritaville, for example. Choose text for a playful, party theme.
- Distressed and rustic: If you're going for a rustic look, you can find certain styles that have distressed paint jobs. These are often in wood materials for a further rustic look. Some get even more creative and look like they are made out of barrels.
Patio bars also have a few additional features that can come in handy:
- Umbrella: Some styles come with an umbrella and the holder to keep it in place. Choose an umbrella style if you plan to place the patio bar where there is no shade.
- Wheels: Many patio bars actually have wheels on the bottom that allow you to move the bar around. Wheels come particularly handy if your bar is extra large or made of heavier materials such as wrought iron.
- Light up: Some styles actually light from within. Light up styles are good if you're going for a modern or night club theme.
- Storage: It's important to assess what you'll need functionally. It can be convenient to find a model with an ice holder behind the bar or a sink built into the counter. Be sure to assess how much storage is behind the bar, as well. Most models have shelving built in behind the bar itself. Some have drawers, wine racks, cabinets or buckets included. If you serve many guests, more storage and space is key.
A major feature of patio bars is that they tend to be straight or L shape.
- In L-shape designs, the counter itself is long with a shorter L-wing. As an example, the counter might be 63 inches long and the L-wing might be 41 inches long. This gives the appearance of a conventional bar people can sit around and allows guests to face each other more while they talk. Choose an L shape if you want people to sit around the bar.
- Straight styles, which are more just for serving, tend to be around 36 inches high by 39 inches wide by 15 inches deep. Though you might also find larger and more involved straight styles with a sink. Larger straight styles can run around 35 inches high by 67 inches wide.
- More rarely, you might also find patio bars that are curved for a more elegant style. These may be around 41 inches high by 70 inches wide by 16 inches deep.
You can store the same things in an outside home bar as you can an indoor one. Many outdoor home bars contain refrigerators, which allow storage of anything that needs to remain cold, such as beer, sodas, and other mixers. Alternatively, if they are unopened, you can store them in a darkened cabinet and place them in the refrigerator hours before guests arrive.
Store hard liquor outside as the various weather elements won’t cause damage or deterioration. However, for those containing dairy, like Irish Cream, keep refrigerated or indoors.
If you plan to store wine outdoors, it needs to be placed in a dark area and at a proper angle to prevent oxidation. A good option is to install a wine cooler in your outdoor bar if you find you and your guests often prefer white wine.
Drink mixes can go bad, so store them in cabinets away from direct sunlight and avoid extreme heat. Drink garnishes, such as salt, sugar, and bottled cherries or olives, keep well outdoors. Just be sure to store them in airtight containers to avoid attracting bugs and animals.
In addition, you can store sealed snacks, serving ware, and glasses of various sizes in drawers or cabinets with glass doors to avoid dust buildup. Avoid keeping anything on open shelves long-term as the exposure leaves them vulnerable to damage.
Outdoor bars can be weatherproofed by applying a weather-resistant finish. The type of finish you use depends on the material of the bar. Look for finishes that don’t contain harsh chemicals since you will be preparing food and drinks on these surfaces.
Most outside home bars are made of wood. Examine your bar first and fill in any cracks or open ends with an epoxy sealer. Next, apply a coat of stain or other water seal finish. If you plan to paint all or some parts of your outdoor bar, use a primer, then add a paint designed for outdoor surfaces.
If your bar is made of wicker, add two coats of paint or stain. Next, consider adding a layer of spray marine varnish to protect it from moisture. Wicker can easily trap moisture which leads to damage.
For metal outdoor bars, treat with a specialized metal spray primer, then paint as necessary.
Every outside home bar needs a couple of essentials to guarantee a fun and entertaining time with your family and friends.
If your home bar doesn’t already come with a refrigerator, you’ll need an outdoor cooler to keep all your ingredients and beverages fresh for when it’s hot out. Don’t forget about ice makers too!
An adequate seating arrangement is also a must-have. This way, everyone can enjoy their food and drinks without feeling uncomfortable on a hard seat. Opt for stools with cushions and high backs for maximum comfort. If you often host large gatherings, have at least 6 stools so that no one gets left behind.
Of course, an outside home bar isn’t complete without its accessories. Always keep your cocktail shakers, towels, glasses, straws, and bottle openers within reach when preparing drinks. Include some decor and lighting into the mix to elevate the look of your home bar.