What’s the standard counter overhang? Discover the standard commercial bar dimensions for proper countertop overhang for seating and ergonomics.

BAR DIMENSIONS – STANDARD COUNTER OVERHANG FOR ERGONOMICS

When it comes to bar tops, many people have a misconception of what’s the standard counter overhang. Designing a bar for a basement is one thing, but in commercial bar design, we’re dealing with customers and bartenders. One thing’s for certain: we want to maximize the experience of those sitting at the bar as well as those working behind the bar. There’s greater leeway on the customer’s side of the bar, since the range for comfort is actually pretty wide. For the bartenders, however, we need to design for ergonomics so we can reduce back fatigue. In fact, our commercial bar designs are expressly geared for maximum bartender comfort and efficiency – which translates into maximum profits for the bar owners.

WHAT’S THE STANDARD BAR TOP OVERHANG?

For the customer-side of the bar, the standard counter overhang is between 6” – 9” from the face of the finished bar to the outer edge of the bar top. For the bartender’s side of the bar, we recommend 11” from the face of the finished bar to the inside edge of the drink rail. The depth of the finished bar base (referred to as the “bar die”) is a function of its construction. Some prefer using 2” x 4”’s or 2” x 6”’s, while others prefer using modular bar die. Both are adequate. Depending on the details of the exterior bar finish (the side customers see), the depth of the finished bar die can vary quite a lot. The following examples demonstrate various finishes, bar bases and bar top depths of some recent design projects of ours: