Bar Furniture Key Terms

Get to know the terms that will help you furnish your bar or cocktail lounge

When you're getting ready to open a new cocktail lounge or bar, your mind is probably on making sure you're stocking the right liquors and hiring the right staff. But bar furniture, though it may be low profile, plays a key role in establishing the atmosphere you want and making your customers comfortable. Bar furniture includes everything from the bar itself, which you'll need if you aren't fortunate enough to have one already in the space, to railings and seating options. Keep these bar furniture key terms in mind when making your selections.

 

Bars

The bar itself, which gets its name from the wooden bar or counter from behind which drinks are served, is the most important item of bar furniture. Bars are traditionally fashioned from wood, sometimes ornately carved and decorated, though modern bars may be constructed from polished metals or laminates like Corian. The back bar, or gantry, usually a separate item of furniture, serves as storage and display for liquor and may incorporate built-in lighting features and mirrors.
Try: See a gallery of custom-designed commercial bars and back bars, including traditional and contemporary styles, at Wallace & Hinz.

Bar rails

Bars can be customized with a number of railing options. Service rails divide the at-bar seating area from the space needed to supply drinks to wait staff serving customers at bar tables or in a restaurant area. Foot rails allow customers seated on tall bar stools to rest their feet. Glass racks, either wall-mounted or suspended overhead, may also be constructed from rails. Most bar railings are made of brass, though other finishes, including wood, can be chosen.
Try: See various styles and functions of bar rails at BuyRailings.com.

Bar stools

Bar stools are the traditional seating option for customers drinking or having meals at the bar. The standard bar stool is backless, but options include chairback styles and even upholstered seating with armrests. Bar stools may swivel to allow easy access, and some are available with pneumatic adjustable heights or built-in foot rails.
Try: Bar Stools & Barstools features a catalog of various types of at-the-bar seating.

Booths

Booths are stand-alone or built-in seating and table arrangements. For bars and cocktail lounges, booth choices tend to run toward the cozy and intimate 2-top or large-party options like circular or corner booths, rather than the standard restaurant 4-top booth. Booths can be customized to reflect the decor or theme of the bar.
Try: Kurt Peterson offers a primer on booth design and selection.

Bistro table, pub tables

Apart from booths and at-the-bar seating, bars and cocktail lounges often feature free-standing tables. The most popular options are the round or square high-rise versions sometimes called pub tables or bistro tables. Bar tables are generally smaller than restaurant tables to allow more informal gathering.
Try: ModernLineFurniture illustrates several contemporary options for bar tables. See examples of bistro tables and pub tables at Restaurant Bar Furniture.

Lounge chairs, loungers, club chairs

Seating options at bar tables often include comfortable armchairs upholstered in leather, vinyl or other easy-care fabrics. Known as lounge chairs, loungers or club chairs, these bar furniture choices are available in regular height or high-rise versions that may be used at the bar counter or bistro tables. Club chairs usually feature casters for easy reconfiguring of seating groups.
Try: American Chairs illustrates a variety of lounge and club chairs for bar use.

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