What are the bar design seating guidelines and dimensions for restaurant chair and tables? In commercial restaurant bar design we need to plan for proper seating and aisle clearances.
SEATING DIMENSIONS FOR RESTAURANT CHAIR AND TABLES
Confused about how many seats and tables your bar or restaurant can accommodate? How wide should the aisles be? These are common questions in bar and restaurant design. As you’ll see later in this story, there are many possibilities. Here’s an example of a bar with an adjacent area designed for casual dining and general entertainment. The focus of this discussion concerns the area to the right of the bar, and the question is how many dining seats that space can yield.
TWO APPROACHES FOR LAYING-OUT RESTAURANT TABLES
To illustrate the issue, I’m going to demonstrate two approaches. The first concept features two tables of six seats each and one table of ten seats, yielding a total of 22 seats. An alternate seating arrangement, shown here, features seven 3’ x 3’ tables with four seats each, yielding a total of 28. On the other side of the bar we’re showing three two-tops along the wall, which yields dining for six. Another way of utilizing that 22’ long space would be as a drink rail for 10, but this wouldn’t be conducive for dining. The same holds true for the banquette seating along the opposite wall, which can seat 14-16. The long banquette and drink rail are great complements to the bar. You may decide to choose one or both, but just realize their limitations.
DESIGN TIP:
When planning for comfortable dining seating, allocate 15 square feet per person.
The Elusive Perfect Bar How to build the perfect bar in 2024? Hello, fellow hospitality friends! The following is the transcript from my webinar with Ian Purcell of BarTrack from…
HOW TO PLAN FOR PROPER RESTAURANT TABLE SEATING
To achieve the goal of planning 15 square feet per person, architectural standards are the key to planning bar and restaurant seating. When space-planning, we need to use the following architectural standards referenced in the sketch shown at the right (downloadable below):
- 2-top table planning: 66” – 78” depth x 24” – 30” width.
- 4-top table planning: 66” – 78” depth x 48” – 54” width.
- Access aisles: 18” of space is needed from the backs of chairs on adjacent tables.
- Customer activity zone: 30” from bar edge on all sides of the bar and 10” from the edge of dining tables.
- Service aisles: 36” aisles for wait staff and ADA.
PLANNING A RESTAURANT/BAR?
Discover how our “Magnificent 7” team of F&B consultants can ensure your return on investment (ROI) is optimized and turn your dream into reality domestically or globally…
My favorite reference book for architectural standards:
https://amzn.to/38q3piJ
DISCLAIMER: The above video and description contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links, I’ll receive a small commission. This helps support the channel and allows us to continue to make videos like this. Thank you for the support!
Need Help with your bar plans?
RELATED POSTS
CALCULATING MAXIMUM OCCUPANCY FOR BARS
UNCOVER THE SECRET TO THE PERFECT BAR TOP
HOW TO PLAN YOUR BAR AREA FOR PATRON CAPACITY
Curved Bar Design – How to Design a Bar with Equipment
The Secret to Designing a Bar for a Pizza Restaurant
Top 5 Ideas about Bar Countertops
Small Bar Design Ideas and Tips
Most Popular Articles
INTEGRATED BAR DESIGN PROVIDES SINGLE-SOURCE CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS
ERGONOMIC EFFICIENT BAR DESIGN INCREASES PROFITS
HOW TO BUILD THE PERFECT BAR IN 2024
HOW MUCH DO DRAFT BEER SYSTEMS COST?
WHAT IT COSTS TO BUILD A COMMERCIAL BAR
BAR EQUIPMENT COST TO BUILD A COMMERCIAL BAR
BAR DESIGN IDEAS – HOW TO DESIGN COMMERCIAL BARS FOR ADA
