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Garden bar ideas: the best outdoor bars to make the most of your garden in 2024

We share the best outdoor bar ideas, from eye-catching tiki bars to fold-out garden wall bars for smaller spaces

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Published: March 31, 2023 at 9:40 am

As the weather warms up, those of us lucky enough to have a garden or yard will be eager to make the most of our outdoor space - whether that's simply relaxing with a drink after a hard day's work or hosting friends and family for summer garden party.

When it comes to entertaining in comfort and style, nothing beats an outdoor bar - not only do they look great in your garden, they save all those pesky trips inside to top up drinks and snacks, so you'll never miss any juicy gossip again! Pair them with a barbecue or pizza oven and you'll have an outdoor entertaining set-up to envy.

We've gathered some of our favourite garden bar ideas to get you inspired - we've got everything from tiki-style beach bars to a space-saving garden wall bar that folds up when not in use. Read on to find the right outdoor bar style for your space.

And if you're looking for more home bar ideas and accessories, check out our guide to creating your own home bar - we cover everything from choosing a bar to picking bar stools to finding those perfect decorative finishing touches. You can also learn how to make an outdoor kitchen for yourself from scratch with our step-by-step guide.

Best outdoor bar ideas for every garden

SunTime Rattan Tiki Bar

Amazon - https://www.amazon.co.uk/SunTime-Rattan-Tiki-Bar-Grey/dp/B0928TDF9N/

You'll sometimes find these kinds of outdoor bars listed as tiki bars, which technically refers to a specific style influenced by the culture of Polynesian islands, particularly Hawaii. Tiki bars became popular in the United States after World War II, and are recognisable for tropical motifs like waves, shells, carved masks, tiki mugs and palm trees, and for serving fruity rum-based cocktails like Mai Tai, Blue Hawaii and Zombie.

Habitat Beach Bar Gazebo with Stools

Photo credit: Argos

One of the most enjoyable parts of having an outdoor bar is that, with a cocktail in your hand on a sunny day, you can easily imagine yourself transported to a tropical paradise, so it's no wonder that beach bar styles are especially popular. Made of natural materials like untreated wood, bamboo and rattan, they are usually characterised by a grass roof.

Forest Garden Wooden Garden Bar/Shed with Bi-Fold Shutters

Photo credit: Wickes

A smart choice for gardens where storage space is at a premium, a garden shed bar features a serving hatch which can be opened for use as a bar, and then closed to turn the unit into a handy storage space for items like garden furniture during the colder months.

VonHaus Modular Outdoor Kitchen

Photo credit: Amazon - Amazon - https://www.amazon.co.uk/VonHaus-Modular-Outdoor-Kitchen-Interlocking/dp/B085P3F2T5/

If a cocktail party isn't complete for you without plenty of nibbles, why not consider an outdoor kitchen?

This model by Vonhaus includes the essentials of a garden bar, but is designed to make it easy to prepare food outside, too - whether that's snacks or a full on BBQ. The unit shown above comes with a host of built-in features including wine bottle storage, bamboo top surfaces that double up as chopping boards, a wire storage basket, 3 removable shelf sections, a condiments holder, a removable serving tray, an ice bucket, and a bottle opener.

We love the inclusion of the barbeque in this multi-function outdoor kitchen/bar, and you can hook the separate units together to tailor the kitchen to suit your needs, using each element independently if necessary.

Small garden bar ideas

Rowlinson Wooden Mini Bar

Photo credit: Furniture123

Just because you've got a smaller garden, doesn't mean you have to miss out on the fun! There are clever compact garden bars available, which offer the outdoor bar experience on a reduced footprint.

If you're particularly short on space, look for a model on caster wheels, like the one above from Furniture123, which can easily be moved to any convenient corner of your space.

Garden wall bar

Photo credit: Etsy

If you simply don't have the square footage for a traditional outdoor bar, why not consider a garden wall bar instead? This clever option is basically a shelf unit affixed to the wall, with a cover which folds down to act as an instant bar counter and drinks table.

Tarrytown Bar Set

Wayfair - https://www.wayfair.co.uk/garden/pdp/natur-pur-tarrytown-bar-set-u004226021.html

This sleek and stylish bar set includes a solid wood bar with ample storage space, and two matching stools to complete the look.

The bar itself boasts a spacious countertop, perfect for preparing and serving drinks, while the space below includes shelves for storing all your barware essentials.

This bar set is ideal for those with smaller gardens who want to add a touch of sophistication to their outdoor space. Its compact size makes it perfect for creating a cosy and intimate gathering area. Whether you're hosting a party or just enjoying a quiet evening at home, the Tarrytown Bar Set is the perfect addition to your garden décor.

Garden bar ideas on a budget

If you're a dab hand with DIY, you could have a go at making your own - they're relatively simple to put together, and there are plenty of tutorials online - and we love the one below made from a pallet.

However, if that's not an option, you'll find ready-made models on sites like Etsy which only need to be mounted to your wall of choice for you to start making the most of your compact new bar.

We also love this very simple and cost-effective idea made from a cable drum - check out more cable drum upcycling ideas

Keter Pacific Rattan Style Outdoor Ice Cooler Table

Amazon - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Keter-Pacific-Rattan-Outdoor-Furniture/dp/B0060HUFWU/

If you haven't got the space for a garden bar, this versatile table is the perfect alternative. It's lightweight and easy to move, making it ideal for use in a variety of outdoor settings, from backyard barbecues to poolside parties. This stylish and practical table not only serves as a convenient surface for drinks and snacks, but also doubles as a cooler, keeping your drinks perfectly chilled on even the hottest of days.

Crafted from high-quality materials, the Keter Pacific Rattan Style Outdoor Ice Cooler Table features a stylish rattan design that adds a touch of elegance to any outdoor setting. The durable, weather-resistant construction ensures that this table will stand up to years of use and look great for seasons to come.

The built-in cooler section can hold up to 40 330ml cans with ice, ensuring that your guests will never be without a cold drink. The easy-to-drain design makes clean-up a breeze, while the locking lid ensures that your drinks stay chilled for hours on end.


Garden bar accessories

Gold Metal Bar Tools Set

Oliver Bonas - https://www.oliverbonas.com/homeware/gold-metal-bar-tools-set-333991

Crafted from high-quality materials, the Gold Metal Bar Tools Set by Oliver Bonas features a durable and corrosion-resistant construction that is built to last. The set includes a cocktail shaker, jigger, muddler, strainer, and spoon, each expertly crafted to help you create a wide range of delicious drinks.

The stunning gold finish adds a touch of glamour to your bar setup, making this bar tools set a great gift for any cocktail lover. The set also comes with a handy storage box, making it easy to keep all your tools organized and within reach.

Whether you're an experienced mixologist or just starting out, the Gold Metal Bar Tools Set by Oliver Bonas has everything you need to create the perfect cocktail.

Bee Drinkware

Next - https://www.next.co.uk/style/st201517/c71594#c71594

We absolutely adore these cute bumblebee-inspired picnic glasses from Next. Made from acrylic, you needn't worry about these glasses smashing after taking a tumble - they're durable, shatter-resistant, and perfect for outdoor use. The set is available in tumblers or wine glasses, so you can enjoy a fruity mocktail or an Aperol spritz!

The Bee Drinkware by Next is perfect for both formal and informal occasions, adding a touch of nature to any table setting. Whether you're hosting a dinner party or just enjoying a glass of wine with friends, this drinkware set is sure to impress.

Fortnum's Bee Cocktail Picks, Set of 4

Fortnum and Mason - https://www.fortnumandmason.com/fortnums-bee-cocktail-picks-set-of-4

Continuing the bumblebee theme, these Bee Cocktail Picks by Fortnum and Mason are the perfect addition to any home bar or cocktail station. This set of four elegant and stylish picks features a delicate bee motif that adds a touch of nature to your cocktail presentation.

Crafted from high-quality stainless steel, Fortnum's Bee Cocktail Picks are both durable and corrosion-resistant, ensuring that they will last for years to come. These cocktail picks are perfect for enhancing your cocktail presentation, and are ideal for garnishing cocktails, holding olives or cherries, or even as a stylish way to serve appetizers at your next dinner party.

The set of four picks comes packaged in a sleek and stylish box, making them a great gift for any cocktail lover. Whether you're a seasoned mixologist or just starting out, Fortnum's Bee Cocktail Picks are the perfect addition to your home bar or cocktail station.

Kikkerland Reusable Ice Cubes, Set of 30

Amazon - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Kikkerland-Plastic-Cubes-Multicoloured-16-3/dp/B06XFKRJ8K/

Say goodbye to watered-down drinks and hello to perfectly chilled beverages with the Kikkerland Reusable Ice Cubes! This innovative and eco-friendly set of 30 reusable ice cubes are a great alternative to traditional ice cubes that can water down your drinks.

Made from high-quality food-grade plastic, the Kikkerland Reusable Ice Cubes are non-toxic and safe to use. Simply freeze them in the freezer for a few hours and then drop them into your drink for a perfectly chilled beverage without dilution. The set of 30 ice cubes comes in a variety of fun colours, which we think is perfect for drinks at a garden party.

We hope this article has filled you with inspiration for your summer garden plans - it's certainly made us thirsty! If you're looking for more exciting garden décor ideas, why not check out Aldi's best garden Specialbuys?

For even more outdoor entertainment ideas, check out our favourite pizza ovens, barbecues and our guide to the best rattan furniture

And why not dress up your garden with some garden wall art, an outdoor rug, outdoor cushions, or a chimenea. You could even build your own fire pit!

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