How do you plan a commercial bar layout? In this post I’ll review thestandard dimensions and interior space requirementsforbar and facility layout design.
HOW DO YOU PLAN A COMMERCIAL BAR LAYOUT?
Consideringbuilding a barand not sure if you have enough space? At times it can be challenging at the onset to know if a facilitycan indeed meet all of one’s design criteria. As an example, here’s a plan of a recent project. The new addition to this building, which earmarked 1,000 square feet for the prospective bar, appears large enough to accommodate nearly any bar. However, the Owner also wanted a drink rail with seating on three sides of the room. The space for the prospective bar was beginning to appear marginal, because island bars require a significant amount of aisle space. As I mentioned in an earlier video about bar planning, the first goal is to draw a preliminary cross section of the proposed bar.
STANDARD UNIVERSAL BAR CLEARANCES
My sketch for standarduniversal bar clearances– shown here – will enable one to make a preliminary validation of nearly any bar concept. At the core of everybar design layout, we need to make space accommodations for all patrons and staff and each respective allotment must include a factor for comfort; these are collectively referred to as human dimensions for interior spacesand can be summarized as follows:
- Theback barrequires from 24” – 29”.
- Back bar aisleneeds to be from 31” – 37”.
- Theunderbar equipmentrequires 24”.
- Thebar topshould be between 24” – 30” deep and needs to overhang the inside face of the bar die by 11”.
- Thecustomer activity zonefor those seated at the bar is 24”.
- Theactivity zone for servers and ADAneeds to be 36”.
- The customer activity zone for patrons seated in front of a drink rail should be 24”.
- Drink railsshould be 10” – 12”, but at least 14” for dining.
Krowne Launches Revolutionary Adaptive Bar Stations
Krowne Launches Revolutionary Adaptive Bar Stations
Looking for that perfect bar station for your new bar? How would you like to convert one of your existing bartender stations into a coffee bar during the morning hours? Traditional bartender stations are static – once installed, it’s game over. That is, until today. Again, Krowne continues to…ahem… raise the bar! With Krowne’s …
STUCK ON YOUR BAR DESIGN? CALL US NOW…
- (866) 846-7681
SOME FACTS ABOUT BAR TOP DEPTH THAT MIGHT SHOCK YOU
Quite frankly, I’m shocked at all of the inaccurate information I read on the Internet about standard bar dimensions! The craziest story I read recently is that commercial bar tops can range from 20″ – 28″ in depth. Folks, I’ve never designed a commercial bar with a top that’s only 20″ deep! The narrowest bar top depth shouldn’t be less than 24″. On the other hand, some clients prefer extra overhang (on the customer’s-side of the bar).
HOW TO CALCULATE THE CORRECT BAR TOP DEPTH
To calculate the correct bar top depth, simply add the following dimensions (refer to the sketches below):
- Inside overhang (including drink rail) is always 11″ from the inside face of the bar die (bar support wall).
- Add the depth of the bar die. This is typically 5″ for 2″ x 4″ stick-built bar die and 7″ – 8″ for modular bar die.
- Use 6″ – 8″ for exterior overhang.
One can quickly see that the minimum depth is 24″. However, 26″ is by far, the most common size I specify. Remember, it doesn’t matter what size drink rail one selects, as the interior overhang is always 11″ for ergonomic reasons. Occasionally, I need to specify 30″, but that’s usually for curved or elliptical-shaped bars.
BARTENDER AISLES DON’T HAVE TO BE WIDE
Whenever proving a commercial bar layout concept, I usually plan to the smallest acceptable backbar aisle clearances. As you’ll see in the preliminary section view, I’m only allotting 31” bartender aisles for this bar, but in spite of that, the clearances all worked – barely!
ALWAYS INCLUDE PROPER AISLES FOR BUILDING EGRESS
Now that the concept for an island bar is proven, we can commence designing the bar plan. In the grand scheme of all commercial bar design projects:
BAR DESIGN TIP:
Always remember that building codes require that egress must be maintained at all building exits.
Therefore, the final bar layout can’t encroach the egress zone on the open end of this plan. As you’ll notice, we’ve maintained all clearances.
BAR DESIGN TIP:
Island backbars need to be at least 26” deep, as this correlates to the shallowest of pass-thru coolers.
POPULAR DOWNLOADS:
2018_UNIVERSAL_BAR_CLEARANCES_WITH_ADA.pdf
ADA GUIDE FOR SMALL BUSINESSES
BAR_AND_RESTAURANT_SEATING_GUIDELINES.pdf
DISCLAIMER: This video and description contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links, I’ll receive a small commission. This helps support the channel and allows us to continue to make videos like this. Thank you for the support!
Need Help Planning Your restaurant and bar?
Planning a restaurant and bar? Our team of F&B consultants can help you from planning to construction documents and hiring. Contact us today!
CONTACT US NOW
RELATED POSTS
PLANNING A RESTAURANT/BAR?
CALCULATING MAXIMUM OCCUPANCY FOR BARS
UNCOVER THE SECRET TO THE PERFECT BAR TOP
HOW TO PLAN YOUR BAR AREA FOR PATRON CAPACITY
Curved Bar Design – How to Design a Bar with Equipment
The Secret to Designing a Bar for a Pizza Restaurant
Top 5 Ideas about Bar Countertops
Small Bar Design Ideas and Tips
Most Popular Articles
INTEGRATED BAR DESIGN PROVIDES SINGLE-SOURCE CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS
ERGONOMIC EFFICIENT BAR DESIGN INCREASES PROFITS
THE STANDARD BAR LAYOUT DIMENSIONS FOR DIY
HOW MUCH DO DRAFT BEER SYSTEMS COST?
WHAT IT COSTS TO BUILD A COMMERCIAL BAR
BAR EQUIPMENT COST TO BUILD A COMMERCIAL BAR
BAR DESIGN IDEAS – HOW TO DESIGN COMMERCIAL BARS FOR ADA
TOP LIST OF COMMERCIAL BAR DESIGN FINISHING IDEAS
PLANNING A RESTAURANT BAR – HOW MUCH SPACE DO YOU NEED?
