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How much space BEHIND the bar? |
chase_317
Tiki Centralite
Joined: Jan 04, 2004
Posts: 25 |  Posted: 2007-06-25 10:31 am Permalink
I'm finally putting the bar down in the basement, but I am having some trouble with the placement. How much space do I need BEHIND the bar? The back wall will not have any shelves, etc.
I apologize in advance if this has been discussed many times before. I'm new here.
Thanks!
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Haole'akamai
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Jul 07, 2005
Posts: 2269
From: The Polynesian Port of NOLA
| Posted: 2007-06-25 10:45 am Permalink
You may want to rethink the back wall not having shelves on the wall behind the bar. That's usually where people put their "Top Shelf" spirits. It doesn't have to be very wide, just wide enough for fatter bottles, like Pusser's and such.
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Swanky
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Apr 03, 2002
Posts: 4806
From: Hapa Haole Hideaway, TN
| Posted: 2007-06-25 10:54 am Permalink
That's a vague question really. Too many factors to consider. You have to have room to work and only you know what that will entail. You gotta have room for a garbage can, a place to mix, a floor you can spill on and clean up, room to bend over and get things under the bar or in cabinets, etc. That's probably your best answer. Room enough for you to bend over and get things out comfortably without hitting anything behind you.
There are online resources for planning a bar area, but they are for professional bars and not many of us need all they are required to have.
Think about what you will be doing and managing everything back there including the clean up afterwards.
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Tipsy McStagger
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Nov 21, 2004
Posts: 3388
From: HELL
| Posted: 2007-06-25 11:00 am Permalink
legally a bar must have at least three feet of clearance behind it for employees to pass through..this applies to all public bars. as for home bars, depends on how much space you need to comfortably operate.....
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Johnny Dollar
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Oct 01, 2003
Posts: 2916
From: Baltimore, Maryland, PNG
| Posted: 2007-06-25 11:11 am Permalink
this suggestion may sound a bit daft at first, but i know that i have run across plans for building home bars in old 'popular science' and such type publications. you might be able to run something like that down in your public library... perhaps maybe.
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chase_317
Tiki Centralite
Joined: Jan 04, 2004
Posts: 25 | Posted: 2007-06-25 11:17 am Permalink
Quote:
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On 2007-06-25 10:45, Haole'akamai wrote:
You may want to rethink the back wall not having shelves on the wall behind the bar. That's usually where people put their "Top Shelf" spirits. It doesn't have to be very wide, just wide enough for fatter bottles, like Pusser's and such.
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The reason there are no shelves protruding from the rear wall is that there are built-in shelves already on the side wall. I really need a picture of the space.
[ This Message was edited by: chase_317 2007-06-25 11:18 ]
[ This Message was edited by: chase_317 2007-06-25 11:20 ]
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Haole'akamai
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Jul 07, 2005
Posts: 2269
From: The Polynesian Port of NOLA
| Posted: 2007-06-25 11:29 am Permalink
Righty-o, then I'm jumping on the Swanky bandwagon an seconding everything he said.
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"If you can't be a good example -- then you'll just have to be a horrible warning."
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tikiskip
Grand Member (6 years) 
Joined: Nov 26, 2005
Posts: 2085 | Posted: 2007-06-25 11:33 am Permalink
You need to look at all of the stuff you have and want behind the bar.
Now think about where you want to put all that stuff.
Then make shelves for TWICE that amount of stuff, you will need it.
They only need to be 4 inches wide. Maybe 8 inches for two bottles deep.
You can never have enough shelves in a bar.
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ikitnrev
Grand Member (8 years) 
Joined: Jul 27, 2002
Posts: 1298
From: D.C. / Virginia
| Posted: 2007-06-25 12:06 pm Permalink
Also think of the entrance/egress paths from the main room to behind the bar. You, and possibly drunken guests, will be making this trip often, often with bottles/glassware in your hands. You want enough room so you don't feel squeezed, or your hips and elbows don't bump or sweep any glassware to the floor.
Another consideration is the available vertical space/path between your head and the ceiling/decorative elements - the corridor your head travels in must remain open. Nothing looks sillier, than a bartender repeatedly bumping his head into a pufferfish light.
[ This Message was edited by: ikitnrev 2007-06-25 12:06 ]
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Swanky
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Apr 03, 2002
Posts: 4806
From: Hapa Haole Hideaway, TN
| Posted: 2007-06-25 12:30 pm Permalink
All that said, I think I had about 3-4 feet behind my last bar. The width of a door and frame. That was fine.
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Chip and Andy
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Jul 13, 2004
Posts: 2079
From: Corner table, Molokai Lounge, Mai-Kai.
| Posted: 2007-06-25 12:32 pm Permalink
Quote:
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On 2007-06-25 10:54, Swanky wrote:...Room enough for you to bend over and get things out comfortably without hitting anything behind you... |
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Enough room to bend over and get something off of the bottom shelf/floor and then add about 6 - 8 inches. I have moved my bar forward almost 16 inches since I placed it it the lounge. That works for me because mine is not built in. Yours is a build in so get it right the first time. It is better to have a bit too much space than too little.
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TikiJosh
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Feb 01, 2005
Posts: 735 | Posted: 2007-06-25 12:46 pm Permalink
I agree with Chip and Andy. Better to have extra space than not enough. Especially since it's a build in. Also, I've had some difficulty finding enough space to keep all my bottles. I got a liquor cabinet, and some shelves under my bar, and I still haven't got enough. Adding more shelves than you think you'll need is a good idea. Your liquor collection might grow pretty fast!
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Martiki-bird
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Mar 23, 2007
Posts: 135
From: Blue Lory Lounge, NJ
| Posted: 2007-06-25 4:01 pm Permalink
The short answer is enough space to be able to bend down and grab stuff comfortably.
Here's the info I use when designing a floor plan for a client.
The absolute minimum space allowance behind a bar should be 30", 36" (3 feet) being the commercial minimum. If a mini fridge or under cabinet doors will be installed, be sure to allow for the door swing. If a wall bar (back bar) will be installed, add a minimum of 6" to your dimension (36" total residential, 42" commercial) to allow for easy access and minimal breakage (via elbow swing).
I personally see no problem with not having a back bar, but if you're planning on doing lots of mixing at parties, a simple 6-8" shelf where you can put a single row of bottles ready for grabbing will really help keep things flowing!
Martiki-bird (Gina)
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McTiki
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Aug 22, 2004
Posts: 1936
From: Sunny Florida
| Posted: 2007-06-25 4:25 pm Permalink
40 inches! (that way, if a larger component like meself, would like to tend the bar, they won't feel so closed in)
Nuff said.
Welcome to TC
Mahalo
McTiki
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TikiLaLe
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Feb 09, 2006
Posts: 891
From: Largo, Floriduh
| Posted: 2007-06-25 4:52 pm Permalink
How big is your waist? Then add 10 inches !!!!
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