29 Small Outdoor Bar Ideas That Look Amazing

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There’s nothing like enjoying a fresh drink in a scenic or vibey location.

That’s why having a small outdoor bar is an excellent idea and we’ve gathered 29 of the best design ideas to help you get started on yours.

Wooden Bar With Built-In Shelves

Firstly, we’re presenting this bar design with built-in storage that lets you store as many drinks as you want!

On one side, you get a gorgeous wooden shelf display for your drinks and their glasses. Then, you have a built-in niche in the preparation area that keeps the counters clear.

Tracklights or downlights would go so well with this design. Just choose between a warm or cool bulb to establish your desired ambiance.

Looks like we’ve got another awesome wooden bar with built-in shelves. This time they’re on full display occupying the back wall and showcasing the liquor collection.

It has a really simple layout with an elegant aesthetic, thanks to great lighting on the shelves.

I recommend installing more lighting on the counter space too to distribute the light along the whole structure.

Open Bar Design

Wooden sheds often have a small appearance, so if you want a more spacious aesthetic, go for an open design.

By eliminating a wall, you have fewer restricting structures and the eyes can wander a bit farther, creating the illusion of a wider space. 

Just make sure you’re extra careful where you place your items and reinforce the storage to hold them more securely.

Here’s another great example. This refreshing wooden outdoor bar uses the lush greenery to its advantage, letting it shine through its more open design.

There’s nothing like enjoying a soothing drink in the cool evening breeze.

The roof of this bar can also function as a trellis to create some shade on sunny days. So, if you’ve ever considered getting more plants and vines, this design will let you display them nicely.

Light Wooden Shed

We have one more wooden shed design up our sleeves. Why not try one in lighter wood material for a young and fresh aesthetic?

It can also blend in with your garden better and is easier on the eyes.

I still recommend incorporating some contrast, for example with the furniture or storage, just to give the shed more depth and dimension.

Wooden Mini Bars

You can also get a cute and compact structure for your backyard. Exhibit A: this adorable mini bar!

Despite its limited size, the design truly packs a punch and aesthetically stores everything you need for a night filled with good drinks.

Adding a cooler to this mini bar would just be the cherry on top of the design. Consider incorporating a storage space for it inside the counter area.

Another brilliant idea would be this delightful pop-up design. It’s so quick and easy to set up plus it can efficiently fit into smaller spaces.

You can either get a customized piece to fit all your needs or repurpose an old cabinet to save a few bucks!

To pull off a different aesthetic, try painting it in a different color–just make sure it’ll complement the rest of the yard too.

Wooden Bar Cafe

Diversify your wooden outdoor bar by putting a coffee station in it too! That way, you can serve a variety of drinks and host different occasions.

Make your outdoor bar a day-to-night feature with this compact industrial wooden design. 

I suggest putting in a small fridge in here too to keep the ice for your hard liquor and the milk for your coffee.

Take a look at our top picks for wine storage, here.

Here’s a wider version to let you accommodate more people. It’s perfect for bigger families and friend groups.

It also fits a high-quality coffee machine so you can pull your next best espresso shot in the great outdoors.

You can add a pastry display to play into the cafe theme and to have a snack ready at all times.

Kitchen Pass-Through Windows

INSTAGRAM @camdenconstruct

Just so you can have a few designs that are literally closer to home, here are some bar designs on the kitchen pass-through windows.

First up is this beautiful white and blue bar area that lets you sit right outside your kitchen. If you ever need anything, all you have to do is reach inside!

You can do this with any kitchen window that connects to the outdoors, given that the window is big enough and there is ample space opposite it for a ledge and a couple of chairs.

INSTAGRAM @ethancharlesdesign

Now for a simpler all-white version of the design–perfect for the al fresco experience. Instead of having the feature stand out, this example aims for a seamless look.

It’s an easygoing and laidback design that will help maintain a bright facade for your yard.

Of course, you can’t leave it too bare. Decorate with some luscious greenery to accentuate the bar.

INSTAGRAM @telegraphluxury

This design gives you a great view of the kitchen and easy access to the sink so you can conveniently wash your hands.

Apart from that nifty advantage, you end up with a beautiful little area to bask in the morning light and enjoy a good cup of coffee.

It’s ideal if you’re more of a breakfast person than a late-night drinker. You can also invite a few loved ones to hang out with you here.

INSTAGRAM @homebunch

Moving on to a completely different aesthetic… check out this all-wood facade! It even has log seats to complement the exterior.

This design would be better for cabin-inspired houses or those that just have a more homey and rustic wooden vibe.

Small trees would look impeccable on either side of the window. They also go so well with the wood.

INSTAGRAM @sabaitalia

Here, we have a charming and romantic outdoor bar with a Tuscan touch and a breathtaking view of the indoor living space.

It contains a lot of delicate features including overhead flowers, tall wicker chairs, and light marble counters.

You can see how the design beautifully frames the inside of the house and complements the interior design as well.

Rustic Corner Bar

INSTAGRAM @wolfhomeproducts

How about a little rustic corner shack? This design cleverly sections off a corner of the house and repurposes it into this neat serving area,

It’s an open and airy design that doesn’t overcomplicate things. It’s great for a subtle modification that will also make your home look more cozy.

I suggest mounting a few more wooden shelves or a small cupboard on the wall so you can keep drinks and glassware handy.

Modern Industrial Design INSTAGRAM @currinoutdoor

Retreat into an urban paradise a few steps outside of your house with this stunning design that mostly uses stone and wood to complete an industrial aesthetic.

Host a few barbecues, potlucks, and family gatherings in this sleek design. Don’t forget to match the furniture to the modern style too.

I recommend installing some cool lighting fixtures to really set the mood, especially when you’re going to be spending time here at night.

INSTAGRAM @ericabryendesign

Here’s a lighter alternative if you want to maintain a bright space. It uses many of the same materials but in a different color scheme.

For this design, I recommend going for backlighting as your lighting option. It’ll elevate the overall look and give the space a nice glow.

It could use some more decorating with stylish pieces to liven and cheer up the entire design.

Villa-Inspired Theme

INSTAGRAM @ourhomeinthehillz

Escape to a tropical break by just stepping out of your house with this villa-inspired outdoor bar design.

It uses a lot of woven elements to embody the holiday feel. It also comes in such a refreshing motif to help you truly unwind.

I think adding small palm trees along the perimeter would really complete the design and establish the aesthetic.

Open Patio Kitchen

INSTAGRAM @rtaoutdoorliving

Why stop at just having an outdoor bar? Make your covered patio the perfect venue for hosting with an outdoor kitchen too!

Extend the bar area and add grills, stoves, and an old-fashioned oven and you can enjoy tons of events on your patio with your loved ones.

Make the design extra festive by decorating it more. You can add more plants, lights, and ornaments to fill up the space.

Fold Down Bar

INSTAGRAM @forestgardenltd

Not all outdoor bars have to be grand or require major renovation. If you’re looking for a quick and easy solution, nothing can get simpler than this improvised fold-down bar.

Just pick a cozy corner of your backyard and mount one of these innovative fold-down tables that have a shelf attached to the wall and you’re done!

The best thing about it is the effortless clean-up! When you’re done, your backyard reverts back to its more spacious state too.

Small Black Shed

INSTAGRAM @forestgardenltd

On the topic of improvised solutions, here’s one you can do on a larger scale. Repurpose your garden shed into this amazing outdoor bar.

It requires a bit of polishing of your shed, but nothing too fancy. You can give it a new paint job, carve out a window and it can be good to go!

Remember to optimize the inside of the shed with storage for your drinks and glassware.

Bars With Bricks

INSTAGRAM @designerappliances

If you want a lavish look but you’re on a budget, consider incorporating bricks into the design of your outdoor bar.

Bricks are an affordable material that also happens to look stylish and is perfect for the outside environment–just take a look at this example!

I recommend decorating with more plants around the counters to give off an enchanting ambiance to the bar.

INSTAGRAM @bowerswilkins

In this version, you get a nice tall brick oven wall and a brick floor to match, making it the perfect place for cooking pizza the traditional way and enjoying it with your family.

The design is also filled with cozy terracotta and earth tones to make it an even more comforting area.

If you want to break up the brick look, you can always use cobblestone instead. They emit the same allure and look equally great!

Customized Trellis Structure

INSTAGRAM @countrydecking

One of the things we might have in our small gardens is a trellis. The magnificent structure can serve more than one purpose by displaying your plants and being a modified table area.

It really is as easy as it looks.

Find a spot in your trellis where you can incorporate a plank for a table and just add a few chairs!

Adding stringed lights along the trellis would really take the design to the next level by creating a magical atmosphere.

Let’s largen up a bit with this design. This outdoor wooden bar uses the trellis concept in its roof design to create this magical output.

The all-dark wood interior makes this bar more sophisticated. The stringed light bulbs wrapped around the paneling in place of plants are also a brilliant addition to this space.

I advise putting some flowers into the design too. They’ll complement the romantic ambiance amazingly!

We can also tone it down with this smaller wooden bar with just enough space to fit in all the essentials.

It does come with a stone wall to contrast the rest of the wooden features and provide more variation in the design.

I suggest lining the shelves with LED light strips so you can highlight your best bottles of liquor better.

Contemporary Wooden Bars

INSTAGRAM @greengenielandscapes

Here’s what you can do if you prefer a slightly more enclosed space. This tiny feature packs its bar into the corner, and places the furniture tightly around it, making everything farther from the open area.

This also means you get more central floor space where you can place a vibrant carpet to serve as the dancefloor.

The LED signage is a notable touch that really establishes the theme of the bar,

INSTAGRAM @my_fave_things_and_more

Or you can consider a more formal design like this one. It’s a straightforward all-wood interior with minimal features and decor.

If you’re looking for a safe and reliable design, this is your best bet. It’s also incredibly easy to pull off since the look is uniform all throughout.

To enhance the interior, I recommend changing the window placement into a skylight to also make the space brighter.

Modern Lounge With Fireplace And Firewood Rack

INSTAGRAM @tonyledirealestate

Last on our list is this world-class outdoor lounge that can guarantee luxurious and toasty nights.

The design features a stunning fireplace to warm up the cold nights and you can keep the flames going with the abundance of firewood on the rack that also serves as a partition.

I love how there are two separate areas so you can cater to more people and let each group do their own thing in a different space.

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