Quite frankly, I’m shocked at all of the inaccurate information I read on the Internet about standard bar dimensions! The craziest story I read recently is that commercial bar tops can range from 20″ – 28″ in depth. Folks, I’ve never designed a commercial bar with a top that’s only 20″ deep! The narrowest bar top depth shouldn’t be less than 24″. If anything, some clients prefer extra overhang (on the customer’s-side of the bar). 

BAR LAYOUT: THE CORRECT BAR TOP DEPTH

To calculate the correct bar top depth, simply add the following dimensions (refer to the sketches below):

• Inside overhang (including drink rail) is always 11″ from the inside face of the bar die (bar support wall).
• Add the depth of the bar die. This is typically 5″ for 2″ x 4″ stick-built bar die and 7″ – 8″ for modular bar die.
• Use 6″ – 8″ for exterior overhang.

One can quickly see that the minimum depth is 24″. However, for my bar layouts, 26″ is by far, the most common size. Remember, it doesn’t matter what size drink rail one selects, as the interior overhang is always 11″ for ergonomic reasons. Occasionally, I need to specify 30″, but that’s usually for curved or elliptical-shaped bars.