How to Design the Perfect Outdoor Bar for Your Oklahoma Outdoor Kitchen
The outdoor bar is what separates an outdoor kitchen from an outdoor entertainment destination. A well-designed bar section creates a natural social gathering point, keeps guests occupied and comfortable while the cook works, and elevates the entire outdoor experience. Here’s how to design one that actually works — not just one that looks good on a render.
Bar Height vs Counter Height
Standard residential countertops are 36 inches tall — the height that works for food prep and most appliances. Standard bar height is 42 inches — the height that accommodates bar stools and a standing-or-seated conversation height.
In most outdoor kitchen designs, the primary prep and cooking area runs at 36 inches and the bar section — the area facing guests or outward from the kitchen — raises to 42 inches. This height change serves two purposes:
- It creates a clear visual separation between the working kitchen zone and the guest zone
- It provides a slightly raised overhang that screens the back of the kitchen from guests — no one at bar height is looking directly into the prep area
Bar stools for a 42-inch bar should be 28 to 30 inches in seat height. Verify seating dimensions before purchase — a few inches of mismatch is the difference between comfortable and uncomfortable bar seating.
Bar Refrigeration: The Most Important Decision
An outdoor bar without refrigeration is just a counter. The refrigeration system determines how the bar actually functions during entertaining.
Dedicated beverage refrigerator: The most common bar refrigeration choice — a single-zone or dual-zone beverage refrigerator with glass or solid door. True Manufacturing, Perlick, and Blaze all make excellent outdoor-rated beverage refrigerators in 24-inch undercounter format. Keep this unit separate from the primary food refrigerator in the kitchen zone.
Kegerator / draft beer dispenser: A built-in kegerator with a beer tap transforms the outdoor bar into a real draft beer service. Perlick makes some of the finest outdoor bar dispensing equipment available, and True Manufacturing’s commercial-heritage draft systems are built for decades of service. A single-tap kegerator in 24-inch format takes one appliance space and delivers draft beer continuously for parties without refilling or managing individual cans and bottles.
Outdoor ice maker: A continuous-production outdoor ice maker positioned at the bar — True, Scotsman, or Marvel — ensures you never run out of ice during an event. Far more practical than buying and storing bag ice. Plan a dedicated drain for ice maker water discharge during construction.
Wine cooler: A dual-zone wine cooler keeps reds at serving temperature and whites chilled — a thoughtful addition for homeowners who regularly serve wine outdoors.
Bar Sink: Worth the Investment
A small bar sink — typically 9 to 12 inches square — at the bar section provides:
- Rinsing glasses before use
- Disposing of ice and drink remnants
- Quick handwashing between tasks
- A glass-rinser bowl (installed adjacent to the sink) for rinsing draft beer glasses before filling
The bar sink requires a water supply line and a drain. Both must be planned during construction — retrofitting water lines and drain runs after the CMU structure is built is a significant additional cost. Winterize the supply line before the first freeze each year to prevent pipe damage.
Bar Material Considerations
The bar top should be the same countertop material as the rest of the outdoor kitchen — granite or quartzite. This creates a cohesive visual unit and ensures the bar surface handles drinks, ice melt, and direct sun equally well. The bar overhang — the part that extends toward the guest side for knee clearance under bar stools — typically extends 12 to 15 inches beyond the face of the CMU structure, supported by the countertop cantilever or concealed steel brackets.
Lighting the Bar
The bar section benefits from specific lighting treatment:
- Pendant lights above the bar create an intimate focal point that separates the bar visually from the rest of the outdoor kitchen
- Under-counter LED strip lighting illuminates the face of the CMU cabinet below the bar top — creates a floating effect at night
- Recessed downlights in the pergola above the bar provide functional task lighting for bartending in the evening
Build Your Outdoor Bar with VistaScapes
We design and build outdoor bars as integrated elements of every outdoor kitchen project. Call (918) 779-1317 or visit 413 N Walnut Ave Suite A, Broken Arrow, OK 74012.
