Outdoor Bar Ideas: 7 Covered Bar Designs and Sizes
The best outdoor bar ideas pair a covered bar with the base you already have. If you have a solid concrete patio, a lean-to bar with a tile, tiki or Mediterranean look can sit right on it; if you do not, a bar built on skids or its own deck can stand on firm, level ground. Every design below has a 42" high bar top and a roof, so you can use it in sun and light rain.
Here are 7 covered outdoor bar designs with the real sizes, roof styles and base requirements from each plan. For step-by-step building advice, read our guide to building an outdoor bar.
How do you choose an outdoor bar design?
- Check your base. Several plans require an existing concrete slab or patio at least 4" thick; others bring their own deck or skids.
- Decide how many people should sit at the bar, then compare the lengths below.
- Pick a shape: a straight lean-to bar along a wall, an L-shaped corner bar or a U-shaped bar that people can gather around.
- Choose a style that matches your pool, patio or garden.
- Check your skill level: one plan here is rated advanced, the rest intermediate.
Outdoor bar ideas compared
All sizes come from the plans. Every bar top is 42" high.
| Design | Size | Roof | Base | Skill |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Green roof garden bar | 21' 10" x 10' between posts | living sedum green roof | concrete slab or patio at least 4" thick | advanced |
| Tiki bar | 16' x 8' between posts | synthetic thatch, 4/12 | concrete patio or pool deck at least 4" thick | intermediate |
| Mediterranean bar | 14' x 8' between posts | 4/12 roof | concrete patio or terrace at least 4" thick | intermediate |
| L-shaped beach bar | 14' x 7' posts and deck | 4/12 metal | firm, well-drained site | intermediate |
| Bar on skids | 12' x 8' skids and deck | 3/12 coral-red metal | firm, level ground or patio | intermediate |
| U-shaped beach bar | 12' x 7' floor and posts | 3/12 metal | level, well-drained site | intermediate |
| Modern slat bar | 10' x 8' posts and deck | 3/12 metal | firm, level site | intermediate |
Outdoor bar ideas for a concrete patio
These three bars attach their posts to an existing slab. Check that your patio is at least 4" thick before you buy a plan; a wooden deck is not a substitute.
Green roof garden bar (22' x 10')
Our green roof outdoor bar plan is the showpiece here: a lean-to with a living sedum roof, emerald zellige tile bar walls, terracotta fiber-cement panels and light oak trim. It is the largest of these seven and the only one rated advanced, planned for a crew of three.
Tiki bar (16' x 8')
The outdoor tiki bar plan uses synthetic thatch over a single-slope roof, bamboo fence panels and a dark walnut-stained frame. It suits a pool deck or tropical garden.
Mediterranean bar (14' x 8')
Our Mediterranean outdoor bar plan pairs white panel siding with Aegean-blue corner boards and shutters under an oak-stained timber frame, a look that works on a terrace or beside a whitewashed wall.
Freestanding beach bar ideas
These four plans carry their own floor or skids, so they do not need a concrete slab. They still need firm, level and well-drained ground.
L-shaped beach bar (14' x 7')
The L-shaped outdoor bar plan wraps the bar around a corner, so guests can face each other while the bartender works inside the L. Board and batten walls and a 4/12 metal roof keep it simple.
Bar on skids (12' x 8')
Our outdoor bar on skids plan is built on skids and its own deck, which means you can place it on firm, level ground without pouring concrete. Navy shiplap, white corner boards and a coral-red metal roof give it a harbor look.
U-shaped beach bar (12' x 7')
The outdoor beach bar plan uses a U-shaped bar under a 3/12 metal roof, so guests can sit on three sides. It fits a beach or any level, well-drained site.
Modern slat bar (10' x 8')
The smallest design here, our modern outdoor bar plan, combines a black-stained timber frame with horizontal cedar slats and a 3/12 metal roof. It suits a modern patio where space is tight.
More outdoor bar styles
If you want a bigger bar or a different material, three more plans in our collection are worth a look: the 27x10 copper roof outdoor bar with a Corten steel front, the large 20x9 modern bar with a polycarbonate roof and the 15x8 stone bar with a cedar shake roof.
Which outdoor bar suits your yard?
- Pool area: the tiki bar or the U-shaped beach bar, both built for a relaxed, coastal feel and easy to wipe down.
- Small patio or balcony-sized corner: the 10' x 8' modern slat bar or the L-shaped bar, which tucks into a corner.
- No concrete yet: the bar on skids, the L-shaped bar or the U-shaped bar, since they carry their own floor or deck.
- Garden or courtyard: the green roof bar or the Mediterranean bar, which look like part of the landscaping rather than a party stand.
- Entertaining large groups: the green roof bar, the 27x10 copper roof bar or the 20x9 large modern bar, for the longest bar tops.
Whichever you pick, sketch the bar on your site plan with walkways around it, so guests on stools do not block the path to the house or the pool.
Planning tips for an outdoor bar
- Put the bar where you can reach water and power, or plan the trench before you pour or level the base.
- Face the open side away from the afternoon sun, so the bartender is not working in glare.
- Leave room behind the bar for a cooler or under-counter fridge and space to move.
- If you want shade for a whole seating area, pair the bar with an open structure from our backyard pavilion ideas.
Browse every design in our outdoor bar plans collection.
Images are illustrative renders of the plan design.
FAQ
How tall should an outdoor bar be?
Standard bar height is about 42", and every plan in this article uses a 42" high bar top. Pair it with bar stools of about 28" to 30" seat height.
Can I build an outdoor bar on a wooden deck?
Not the patio-mounted designs above, which need a concrete slab at least 4" thick. Choose a bar with its own deck or skids, or check that your deck framing can carry the extra load.
What is the easiest outdoor bar to build?
A small lean-to bar with a single-slope metal roof, such as the 10' x 8' modern bar or the 12' x 8' bar on skids, has the fewest parts and simplest roof framing.
Do I need a permit for an outdoor bar?
A roofed structure often needs one, especially with electrical or plumbing work. Check with your town before you start.
What roof is best for an outdoor bar?
A metal single-slope roof is the most practical: light, low-maintenance and quick to drain. Thatch and green roofs look striking but need more care and, for a green roof, a stronger frame.
About the author: KRMPLANS designs DIY building plans for backyard structures, from chicken coops and sheds to greenhouses and cabins. Each plan is an instant-download PDF with step-by-step drawings, a shopping list and a cut list.
