Buying guide for Best patio bar sets
Patio bar sets are ideal for al fresco hangouts, providing a place to eat, drink, and relax with friends and family outside. Backyard tiki hut bar sets made of bamboo and thatch still exist in all their vintage glory. Or you can select an all-weather wicker set that looks like it fell out of the pages of an island resort brochure.
The two main types of patio bar sets are high-top tables paired with bar stools or traditional table and chair sets that are rugged enough to withstand the outdoor elements. There are a number of considerations when shopping for patio bar sets, including materials, size, and assembly, not to mention whether or not you’d like an umbrella.
Our buying guide has everything you need to know when choosing a patio bar set for your outdoor space, including how much you should pay. For our five favorite bar sets on the market, see the matrix above.
Key considerations
Size
Most patio bar sets come as three-piece sets that include a table and two stools. That size is perfect for small patios, balconies, and decks. Larger sets may come with four or six stools or chairs. With larger tables and more seating, the table may not have shelving to store items as the middle portion is used for legroom and to house the stools or chairs when not in use.
Materials
Just like other outdoor furniture, patio bar sets come in various materials. However, the bulk of the offerings are designed with all-weather resin wicker. This material is affordable, in demand, and easy to maintain. You’ll also find teak, aluminum, and stone patio bar sets at higher price points.
Assembly
Most patio bar sets come unassembled. Though it may seem like an easy assembly job, there are plenty of holes that need lining up and screws that need tightening so that the whole set comes together and is even and sturdy. Power tools will make assembly easier, and you may want to hire someone to do it for you.
Features
Glass bar top
If you’re considering an all-weather resin wicker patio bar set, note that the top of the bar will be textured because of the wicker weave. A number of sets come with tempered glass bar tops instead. Some are clear, and others are smoked or tinted black. If you’re contemplating a patio bar set without a glass topper, just add a decorative tray and coasters so glasses and other items sit flat.
Cushions
Some patio bar sets come with stool cushions, others don’t, but cushions are readily available to purchase separately. It’s rare to find bar stools or bar chairs that are comfortable without a cushion, but it’s possible. For those stools and chairs that need a bit of cushioning, always remember that the cushion adds a couple inches of height. Look for patio bar sets with cushions made with Sunbrella or solution-dyed acrylic outdoor fabric covers because they won’t fade as fast in the sun. Most cushions strap onto the stool or chair so they don’t fall off.
Shelves
Some patio bar set tables have shelves to hold barware and bottles. Shelves may be made from steel or heavy-duty plastic. They’re also likely non-adjustable and non-removable. Tables may have one or more shelves. Note how much weight each surface can hold. Bottles can weigh quite a bit, so look for a durable bottom shelf.
Did you know?
Elevated bar stools are conducive to conversation. The higher up you sit, the more likely you’ll be to lean into others around a patio bar set’s table.
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Accessories
Adjustable patio umbrellas: Patio bar sets typically don’t have a hole for an umbrella, but an adjustable patio umbrella offers plenty of shade.
Weatherproof covers: A fitted cover will keep your patio bar set in good shape during the colder months.
Cushions: Not every patio bar set comes with cushions for the stools or chairs, but you’ll want them for hours of comfort outside.
Outdoor bar cart: If you want to become a bartender for your backyard get-togethers, an outdoor bar cart will keep all of your tools and ingredients handy.
Patio bar set prices
Inexpensive
In the $150 to $275 range, you’ll find the bulk of three-piece patio bar sets in all-weather resin. The sets in this range may be bistro pub tables with built-in ice buckets or semi-enclosed tables with storage shelving.
Mid-range
From $300 to $550, you’ll find larger all-weather resin sets that come with four or six chairs or stools. In this price range, there are a number of high-top tables with two to four chairs in all-weather resin wicker, wood, or metal. You’ll find a few acacia wood patio bar sets as well.
Expensive
For around $1,500, you’ll find powder-coated aluminum patio bar sets in antiqued bronze with four padded swivel chairs or stools. Jump up to $4,000 and beyond, and you’ll find premium teak and metal patio bar sets with six or more swivel chairs or stools.
Tips
- Breakable glassware is never a good idea for outdoor use. If plastic barware isn’t your style, consider copper mugs, also known as Moscow Mule mugs. Copper mugs are durable, and they keep drinks at an optimal chilled temperature, which is especially helpful in the summer. You can enjoy any beverage in a copper mug, but if you’re interested, the classic recipe for a Moscow Mule is a mix of 2 ounces of vodka, 4 ounces of ginger beer, plus a squeeze of fresh lime juice, served over ice.
- Don’t let bugs prevent you from enjoying your outdoor patio bar set. Use citronella candles or essential oils to shoo them away. Citronella candles will give your bar set a welcoming glow at night. Mosquitoes and gnats also hate the smell of lavender. Place some lavender buds in a vase, spray lavender essential oil over your bar set, or put drops of lavender oil in a mason jar of water as a centerpiece. Add a floating citronella candle for a double-whammy bug control solution.
- Keep your patio bar set from tipping over on windy days. If your bar is fully exposed to the elements, you may need to do a little fine tuning to secure your bar so it doesn’t go sailing into your pool or neighbor’s backyard. There’s an array of outdoor furniture weights and anchors you can use on any type of ground. Outdoor bag weights, for example, can be filled with sand and attached to furniture legs. There are also anchor kits for furniture on decks, and eye-bolt kits to attach bar sets to concrete floors.
FAQ
Q. Can I leave bar supplies inside my patio bar set?
A. You probably won’t want to haul all your supplies and barware back and forth from inside the house to your outdoor bar. If you have a patio bar set with shelving, you can store items outside. For outdoor storage, consider using stackable airtight plastic storage containers and durable plastic baggies. You can always leave plastic glassware, plates, bowls, cutlery, and other serving items outside in your bar. For safety reasons, you’ll likely want to take in liquor bottles and anything edible to avoid attracting wildlife and curious merrymakers who may sniff out your supplies. Or you could invest in a lockable weather-safe cabinet to place next to your bar set for storing items you don’t want to lug back indoors.
Q. What’s the difference between bar-height chairs and counter-height chairs?
A. Patio bar set chairs and stools come in three heights: dining height, counter height, and bar height. Dining tables range between 28 and 30 inches tall. Dining chairs have a standard height of 18 to 20 inches from the ground to seat. Pub tables, also called counter-height tables, are typically 34 to 36 inches tall. Counter-height chairs that measure between 24 and 28 inches from floor to seat pair best with pub tables. Bar tables run about 40 to 42 inches tall. Bar-height chairs measure 28 to 30 inches from ground to seat. Extra-tall bar stools are 34 inches from floor to seat.
Q. How do I choose a style of patio bar set for my outdoor space?
A. When you select a patio bar set style, consider your surroundings, your house’s architectural style, and also the style of your other patio furnishings. If you’re buying a bar set for a beach house or bungalow, you might want an Adirondack-style wood bar set. If you have a traditional home nestled in a woodland setting, teak, wrought iron, or brown-toned all-weather wicker sets will fit in perfectly. A contemporary house looks at home with a sleek, streamlined powder-coated aluminum patio bar set, which can be softened by colorful stool cushions.
