Why Bar Coolers Can Make or Break Your Budget
When I presented one of my clients with a premium Krowne bar equipment quote, his face turned pale. He feared his entire project was doomed. And I understood why — the bar coolers alone represented 41% of his equipment costs. That’s the silent budget killer no one warns you about.
The solution? Offshore bar coolers. By carefully selecting alternatives, I shaved nearly $15,000 off his equipment bill — without compromising on the Krowne underbar stainless system he had his heart set on. That single decision kept his dream alive.
To see just how much impact bar coolers can have on your bottom line, consider this snapshot from real-world projects:
In one recent project, that insight alone allowed me to rework the cooler package and save my client nearly $15,000 — proof that smart substitutions can keep a dream bar within reach.
How to Choose the Right Bar Coolers
The world of bar coolers is riddled with confusing nomenclature. Here’s how to separate marketing fluff from reality:
- Depth: The true industry standard for built-in bar coolers is 24 inches deep. Don’t be fooled by suppliers who mislabel deeper cabinets as “standard.”
- Door Styles: Glass doors are ideal for visibility; solid doors save money but hide inventory. Choose based on your service style.
- 72″ Narrow Door Units: At this size, all major U.S. players — Krowne, Glastender, Perlick have reduced (narrow) door widths on their standard bar coolers because of their larger compressors. This means U.S. half-barrels won’t fit (sixtels and slim quarter barrels are compatible). To get around this, each of these companies offers a 72″ direct draw cooler designed with doors that can facilitate half-barrels. While Avantco also offers kegerators, their “narrow” coolers have been designed with smaller compressor cabinets, and therefore, their door openings can accommodate half-barrel kegs.
Depth matters: In professional back bar design, the true industry standard cabinet depth is 24 inches (nominal). Any spec calling a deeper case “standard” is misleading — it does not match the built-in format used by Krowne, Glastender, or Perlick.
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Avantco Bar Coolers: The Professional Budget Leader
If you’re serious about value without losing professional credibility, Avantco is the name to know. Owned by Webstaurantstore, Avantco offers the most complete lineup of bar coolers on the market:
- Models: 36″, 48″, 60″ and 72″.
- Finishes: Black vinyl with glass or solid doors, stainless with glass or solid doors.
- Depth: Avantco’s so-called “narrow” models are in fact the correct 24″ built-in standard. Those are the ones you want.
Webstaurantstore sweetens the deal with its exclusive Plus Member Pricing, which unlocks discounts, free shipping, extended warranties, and even financing — a rarity in the foodservice world. For independent operators and start-ups, that flexibility can be the difference between shelving the dream or opening on schedule.
With those advantages in mind, let’s take a closer look at a few standout Avantco back bar coolers that deliver real value without compromising professional standards:
For operators weighing every dollar, that combination of breadth, price transparency, and member perks makes Avantco hard to ignore. It’s the kind of lineup that quietly outmuscles higher-priced competitors by offering the right depths, finishes, and financing flexibility in one place.
With those advantages in mind, here are four standout Avantco back bar coolers that deliver real value without compromising professional standards.
Avantco UBB-36G-HC
AVANTCO UBB-48G-HC
AVANTCO UBB-60G-HC
AVANTCO UBB-72GT-G
These four models show how Avantco delivers professional-grade capacity at approachable price points — a reminder that smart equipment choices can stretch a bar budget further than most owners imagine.
Amazon Value-Engineered Bar Coolers
Not every operator is sourcing through foodservice distributors. More and more small bar and restaurant owners are looking at Amazon-sold imports as a way to stretch their budgets. While these don’t offer the breadth of Avantco’s lineup, they can be smart gap-fillers when space or budget are tight.
Not every operator has the budget for Avantco. That’s where Amazon-sold imports come in — compact, affordable, and sometimes offering sizes the big players ignore.
EUHOMY 15"
⭐ 4.2 (75 reviews) — $329.99
Ultra-slim and ultra-affordable. Best used to fill tight gaps or secondary storage — not a workhorse unit.
EUHOMY 24"
⭐ 4.4 (244 reviews) — $589.99 Compact and budget-friendly. Perfect for small bars or satellite service stations where every inch counts.
EUHOMY 36" BAR COOLER
⭐ 4.7 (715 reviews) — $799.99
A crowd favorite with over 700 reviews. Ideal for shallow-depth installs, this cooler saves space without breaking the bank.
COOLSKI 36" BAR COOLER
⭐ 4.4 (51 reviews) — $899.99
A mid-size option with a professional look at half the price of premium brands. Great for startups or light-duty applications.
Final Thought on Amazon Bar Coolers
While these offshore models can’t match Avantco or the premium U.S. brands for durability, they shine in specific use cases: ultra-tight spaces, startup budgets, or as secondary coolers that keep a project affordable. For operators who need to stretch every dollar, Amazon picks like Euhomy and Coolski can make the difference between compromise and completion.
Bar Cooler Comparison Chart: Avantco vs Amazon Picks
If your budget’s tight but you still want reliable gear, these four Amazon bar coolers — all under $900 — are the ones worth a serious look:
Brand / Model | Size (W×D×H) | Capacity | Price* | Rating | Best For | Trade-Offs |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Avantco UBB-48G-HC | 48″×24″×35″ | ~13 cu. ft. | ~$1,469 | N/A | Professional installs; modular fit | Higher cost; distributor only |
Avantco UBB-60G-HC | 60″×24″×35″ | ~17 cu. ft. | ~$1,569 | N/A | Mid/large bars; 24″ alignment | Same as above |
Euhomy 15″ Cooler | 14.9″×22.5″×34.3″ | ~3 cu. ft. | $329.99 | ⭐ 4.2 (75) | Tight gaps; micro-bars | Very limited capacity |
Euhomy 24″ Cooler | 23.4″×22.6″×34.3″ | ~4.5 cu. ft. | $589.99 | ⭐ 4.4 (244) | Small bars; satellite stations | Limited warranty |
Euhomy 36" Cooler | 35.4″×19.4″×35.4″ | ~7.4 cu. ft. | $799.99 | ⭐ 4.7 (715) | Shallow backbars | Light-duty build |
Coolski 36″ Cooler | 36″×21″×33″ | ~8 cu. ft. | $899.99 | ⭐ 4.4 (51) | Mid-size startups; pro look cheap | Warranty/service limits |
*Prices from Webstaurantstore (Avantco) and Amazon (Euhomy, Coolski).
YOUR BRAND BELONGS HERE
Advertise in Bar Design with Cabaret Design Group. We partner with only a handful of select brands whose products align with serious bar design decision-makers.
Advertise with us →Final Thoughts: Stretching Your Bar Design Budget
Bar coolers aren’t glamorous. Guests will never compliment your choice of back bar fridge. But they will notice if you’ve blown the budget and cut corners elsewhere.
The lesson? Spend smart. Use Avantco for backbone refrigeration that lines up with premium underbar stainless. Use Amazon picks like Euhomy or Coolski when space or dollars are tight. And remember — these choices can make or break your project.
As I tell my clients: the right bar coolers don’t just keep product cold. They keep dreams alive.
The bottom line? Choosing the right bar coolers isn’t just about saving a few dollars — it can mean the difference between shelving your dream project or making it a reality. I’ve seen clients save tens of thousands simply by knowing where to compromise and where not to.
❓ FAQ: Bar Coolers
Q: What’s the standard depth for commercial bar coolers?
A: The true built-in standard is about 24 inches deep. Some suppliers mislabel deeper cabinets as “standard,” but 24″ ensures your back bar equipment lines up neatly.
Q: Can a 6′ bar cooler hold a U.S. half-keg?
A: No. On 6′ models, the doors are narrower, preventing half-kegs from fitting. These units are best used for bottles and cans.
Q: Are cheaper Amazon bar coolers worth it?
A: They can be — especially for light-duty use or tight spaces. Euhomy and Coolski offer budget-friendly models with solid reviews, though they don’t match Avantco for durability.
Q: Which brand offers the best balance of price and performance?
A: Avantco’s 24″ standard depth models offer the best professional balance. For ultra-budget cases, the Euhomy 7.4 cu. ft. cooler (⭐4.7 from 700+ reviews) is a standout value.
Q: How much should I budget for bar coolers?
A: Expect $1,400–$1,800 for Avantco’s professional units versus $329–$899 for
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