Living Well At Home
Create an Oasis with an Outdoor Kitchen Bar
As the weather warms and the summer sun returns, we are ready and raring to go to spend more time outside. Living is more enjoyable on the patio. We can get fresh air and sun. We can also eat, snack, and drink while we relax. If you want a place to relax outdoors, consider an outdoor kitchen bar. It’s a great option for enjoying life’s simple pleasures. You can create your own outdoor retreat. Let’s explore how a bar table and patio accessories can turn your space into a summer fun spot you’ll love all season.
What Is an Outdoor Kitchen Bar?
Homeowners are serious about their outdoor kitchens. Research from the National Kitchen & Bath Association in 2019 found that the average outdoor kitchen project costs $13,000. This shows how serious the investment can be. You can learn more about it here. What’s more, 14 percent of homeowners spent $20,000 to $30,000, while 22 percent spent more than $30,000. These large projects often include propane ranges, wine chillers, refrigerators, TVs, and more for a complete outdoor dining area.
If those numbers seem high, don’t worry. There are many ways to enjoy an outdoor kitchen without spending too much. If those costs seem high, don’t worry. You can still enjoy the outdoor kitchen experience without the big price tag. It turns out, all you really need to create a winning outside cooking area includes:
- Cooking equipment: a grill, pizza oven, or smoker
- Storage for cooking tools, supplies, and more
- A bar height dining table
- Seating
- Bar cart
But if you really want to take your outside kitchen to the next level, add an outdoor kitchen bar. These bars are great for easy entertaining. You can serve your favorite cocktails to a crowd. Or you can just open a bottle of wine for a date night outside. They are flexible and can be placed anywhere you want. You can put them on the patio or inside a she-shed or man cave. No matter how you set up your outdoor kitchen bar, it will be a hit with friends and family.
Wet Bar vs. Dry Bar: Why Go Dry
What’s better than sipping a glass of wine or a delicious cocktail as you watch a summer sunset? With a patio bar, you can enjoy this experience from the comfort of your own backyard any evening of the week. Some homeowners may like the idea of a wet bar, but this option isn’t practical in many cases. First, running the necessary plumbing to add a sink can be costly. Second, cold falls and winters will limit the use of this investment for people living in the Northern half of the U.S. Even in the Southern states, outdoor areas are rarely used when temperatures drop in late fall, winter, and early spring.
For those reasons, a dry bar is often a better choice, what with their effortless installation and greater flexibility. You can place the bar anywhere you want on the patio since there are no waterline restrictions. Additionally, you’ll be able to easily move things around should your space needs change later on down the road. When you need more space for kids to play or a dance party under the stars, you can move your dry bar to the side. This will open up the area.
An Outdoor Kitchen Bar that Goes Beyond Cocktails
It’s very important to add a patio bar to your outdoor dining and entertaining space. It’s the perfect place to craft drinks for hosts who love to show off their mixology skills. You can create a stylish self-serve display. Use drink dispensers, garnishes, glassware, and other essentials to serve punch or big-batch cocktails.
That being said, spring and summertime foodies are sure to love having a bar as part of their outdoor kitchen setup, too. Just a few of the occasions when a bar area can make serving favorite dishes easier include:
- Mother’s Day brunch
- Cookouts
- Potlucks
- Taco Tuesday taco bars
- Dessert displays
- Build-a-burger bar
- And more…
Multi-functional Solution for Your Outdoor Kitchen Bar
On the other hand, a bar that is dual-function makes life even easier. The Catalina Bar Table Set with Cart and Basket (shown above) is a great solution for outdoor entertaining. Featuring Grey Stone HDPE wicker intricately woven, this set includes two main pieces that work together beautifully. The bar height table comes with a tempered glass top to make wiping up messes easy. And it’s the perfect spot to pull up a few stools and share good food and good times.
The trendy bar cart is another highlight of this set. It offers plenty of storage for your bar. You can also use it for extra table space. The top is made of strong, powder-coated aluminum. It can handle spills, stains, weather, and impacts. This means it looks great and lasts a long time. It comes equipped with wheels to be completely mobile and accessible or easily hidden away under the table. And the handy bonus basket helps you make the most of the bar cart storage.
A Spot for All the Essentials of Your Outdoor Kitchen Bar
Cooking outdoors is just like preparing a feast inside – you’ll need the right tools to create a meal to remember. Yet even the most spacious patios are often limited in size. That means savvy homeowners must find ways to maximize the available space without contributing to clutter or crowding.
To provide the perfect spot for every last grilling tool and margarita glass, consider sets that include a bar cart. Each cart offers ample room for your outdoor dining must-haves, from plates, glasses, and table settings to grill cleaning gear and barware. Don’t forget extra spirits, wine, and snacks to replenish your party supply on the fly. Because bar carts often have removable storage baskets, it’s easy to fit all your stuff and then some.
You’ll also appreciate your bar cart’s rolling design for easy movement from place to place. You can roll it by the pool for afternoon drinks. Or, put a cooler on top and roll it next to the dining table. This way, you can easily reach your drinks while you eat.
Get Ready for Outdoor Fun
If you enjoy being outside, an outdoor kitchen bar is a great way to enjoy the sun. It helps you make the most of every warm evening. Need even more tips for creating your perfect outdoor getaway? Visit Twin Star Home® to sign up for our newsletter today.
