11 Creative Outdoor Bar Ideas for Relaxing and Entertaining

Are you tired of walking inside to make cocktails while everyone else is having fun outside? Do you find pre-made cocktails boring and want to enjoy the DIY process? If so, consider building an outdoor bar in your backyard.

However, you may not have very clear ideas for outdoor bars. What style of outdoor bar would you like? What element can truly elevate your bar to new heights? Let's read on. You'll find out everything!

11 Modern Outdoor Bar Ideas for Your Backyard and Patio

Backyards and patios vary widely in size and shape. How do you find the perfect match for yours? We'll introduce 11 modern outdoor bar ideas to inspire you.

Stand-Up Bar

One of the useful small outdoor bar ideas is setting up a stand-up bar with no seats. Place a high table for making cocktails and let your friends lean on it for a more comfortable experience. You can use just a narrow area of your backyard to create a bar, saving space.

Single-Sided Bar

Another idea for a small venue is a single-sided bar. Build it by adding an extension countertop or high table next to a wall or fence. This design not only saves space, but also provides room for chairs. This way, your friends can sit down and enjoy their drinks.

Corner Bar or L-shaped Bar

You can put a corner of your yard to good use. Building a corner or L-shaped bar is one of the great backyard bar ideas to maximize the utility of a small corner. Then, you will have a large, complete area of your backyard available for other activities.

Create a Shade Oasis with Patio Tent

On a hot summer day, being outside can be torture because of the intense heat and stinging sunlight. Let this frame tent be your shady tree, and it will be a brilliant outdoor patio bar idea.

This kind of patio tent has UV-proof top fabrics that block UV rays and keep out heat, creating a relatively cool space. It can also serve as a shelter in case of a sudden rain, thanks to its waterproof tarps and wind-resistant aluminum alloy structure. Moreover, since the components are prefabricated in the factory, setting up the tent is simple and won't take all day.

Private Space

If you're not a fan of an open bar, consider using curtains or screens to block others' view. Place the screens on the outer edge to avoid the view of your neighbors or passersby. Curtains can be hung as a gate between the bar and the patio because they are easier to open than screens.

Built-in Bars

A built-in bar is a delicate but troublesome option. Building it costs so much money and effort, including the sink, the plumbing, and the cables, or it won't work perfectly. Besides, it requires more room than a simple small stand-up bar, so be sure that your patio has sufficient space.

Cocktail Cabinet

You need a cabinet to store your alcohol, glasses, and tools. Buying one could be expensive. How about making one instead? It would be a practical DIY outdoor bar idea that not only provides storage, but also adds to the decor. You can remodel old furniture using materials like wood and metal to transform it into a unique cocktail cabinet.

Portable Bar Carts

Bring a portable bar cart to your backyard and turn it into a real bar! This creative outdoor bar idea will impress your friends and make your patio bar extra special. The job would be done properly by any normal bar cart with wheels. However, if you want convenient storage, choose a foldable cart that can easily be stored in a garage.

Outdoor Kitchen and Bar

One outdoor kitchen and bar idea is to combine these two elements into one functional area. This way, you can efficiently serve your friends grilled food and drinks, and join their conversation quickly. However, make sure the two worktops are separate so your friends don't touch a greasy glass.

Backyard Poolside Bar

Your friends must love summer pool parties, and a poolside bar is the perfect topping. It's surely one of the best backyard pool bar ideas. There's no need for tables to set down cocktails.

Instead, use floating drink holders like mini lifebuoys to deliver drinks to your friends. If your budget permits, a floating cooler would be great so your guests can enjoy an icy cocktail at any time.

Rustic Outdoor Bar

If you don't appreciate the modern, fancy style of the bars, there are also some rustic outdoor bar ideas for you. Use the reclaimed wood to make a countertop and open shelves, creating a rough, rustic sense. Add some decors like string lights, barrels, and mason jars to add more rural flavor.

Ideas for Updating Your Outdoor Bar

You have learned some ideas about configuration, layout, and decoration in the preceding paragraph. This is not the limit of what you can do with your bar. We will continue introducing you to some outdoor bar ideas for upgrading.

Beverage Coolers

A beverage cooler is designed to hold more beverages than a regular refrigerator. It has a glass door so guests can see the beverages inside, which a normal refrigerator doesn't have. Your friends will enjoy this decorative change and the refreshing cocktails it provides.

Lighting

Classic strip lights in a warm color are always a popular choice for creating an intimate vibe. They can be strung up and placed wherever you like. In addition, decorating with table lamps is a great outdoor bar idea.  If your backyard bar countertop is next to a wall, consider installing wall sconces for beautiful lighting.

Outdoor Heater or Fire Pit

Don't let winter cool down your bar's atmosphere! Set up some outdoor heaters to let your guests stay here and have fun. If you want more rustic decor, installing fire pits is a suitable outdoor bar idea, for their rough appearance and practical function.

Set up a Theme

Selecting a theme that suits the surroundings would make it a cohesive background for your bar. Simple, minimalist decorations of the bar suit the modern metal-color outdoor kitchen. A rustic, wood-made bar  blends into the natural landscape. And a tropical cabin-style bar makes a perfect match to the stunning beach.

Conclusion

Now, you probably have some ideas about the layout, decorations, equipment, and updates for your bar. As you begin to bring your outdoor bar ideas to life, remember to provide shelter for your guests.

However, you may be unsure about how to set up an outdoor bar. Don't worry! We're not only offering a variety of bar ideas, but we're also recommending Sheltent,  a professional shelter manufacturer with nearly ten years of experience in tent solutions.

Our tents are made of high-quality aluminum alloy and PVC tarpaulin, so you can rest assured about the quality. Then don't hesitate, come and contact us today to start building your own outdoor bar!