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Home Bar and Speakeasy Size Calculator
Tell us how many stools, the bar shape and your room. Get the bar length, the space it takes front to back, bar and stool heights, how many taps and what size kegs, how much ice a party needs, the hidden door size for a speakeasy, and a matched kit that fits under the counter.
Updated Oct 16, 2026
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- See the math behind every number
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Every kegerator, fridge, ice maker, stool and bar accessory this tool can recommend
Taps, couplers, bottle and can counts, ice output and seat heights come from each listing.
EdgeStar KC2000 Full Size Kegerator
- 20.2 in wide
- Fits a 1/2 barrel
- Temp low 30s to mid 40s F
A freestanding single-tap kegerator for one standard half barrel, quarter or two sixth barrels.
- Holds a 1/2, 1/4 or two 1/6 barrel kegs
- Converts to a refrigerator
- 5 lb CO2 tank included (ships empty)
- Freestanding only, not for building in under a counter
- Does not fit Coors, Miller or rubber kegs
$500 to $1,000, live price on Amazon
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Kegco HBK309S-2 Homebrew Kegerator, 2 Tap
- 23.6 in wide
- Three 5 gal corny kegs
- 32 to 75 F
A two-tap kegerator set up for homebrew: ball lock couplers for Cornelius kegs, and a 32 to 75 F range so it doubles as a fermentation chamber.
- Holds three 5 gal ball lock kegs
- 32 to 75 F, so it can ferment too
- Deep chill mode
- Ball lock couplers will not tap commercial D system kegs (buy a D coupler separately)
$500 to $1,000, live price on Amazon
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Kegco K309SS-2 Dual Tap Kegerator
- 24 in wide, 33.25 in tall
- D system couplers
- Deep chill mode
A freestanding two-tap kegerator with D system couplers for two sixth barrels or one full size keg.
- Two taps, D system couplers included
- Holds any full size keg, or two 5 gal D kegs
- Down to 32 F with fan-forced cooling
- Freestanding: rolls on casters, not rated for building in
$500 to $1,000, live price on Amazon
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Kegco HK38BSU-2 Undercounter Kegerator, 2 Tap
- 24 in undercounter
- 32 to 59 F
- Converts to a fridge
The two-tap version of Kegco's 24 in undercounter kegerator, for a built-in bar that pours two beers.
- Built-in or freestanding
- Two-tap stainless direct draw kit
- Holds a full size keg or three 5 gal kegs
- Two taps need two kegs that fit side by side (sixth barrels or quarter slims)
$1,000 to $2,000, live price on Amazon
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Kegco HK38BSU-1 Undercounter Kegerator, 1 Tap
- 24 in undercounter
- Stainless tower and kit
- Converts to a fridge
A 24 in undercounter kegerator made to build into bar cabinetry, with a one-tap stainless direct draw kit.
- Built-in or freestanding
- Holds a full size keg, two quarter slims or three 5 gal kegs
- 32 to 59 F digital control
- Costs about twice a freestanding single tap
$1,000 to $2,000, live price on Amazon
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EdgeStar KC7000SSTRIP Triple Tap Built-In Kegerator
- Front venting
- Air-cooled tower
- D Sankey couplers
A front-venting built-in kegerator with an air-cooled three-tap tower and three D Sankey couplers.
- Front ventilation, made to build in
- Three taps, three D couplers included
- Air-cooled tower keeps the first pour cold
- Curbside delivery only
Over $2,000, live price on Amazon
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Ivation 18 Bottle Compressor Wine Cooler
- 41 to 64 F
- Compressor
- Lock
A small freestanding compressor wine cooler for a starter collection.
- Compressor cooling, 41 to 64 F
- Door lock
- Removable racks
- Freestanding only, not for building in
- Single zone
$250 to $500, live price on Amazon
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Wine Enthusiast 18 Bottle Compressor Wine Cooler
- 30.5 x 13.75 x 17.75 in
- 1.8 cu ft
- 41 to 64 F
A slim 13.75 in freestanding compressor cooler for 18 bottles.
- 13.75 in wide
- 41 to 64 F, compressor
- 3 year sealed system warranty (maker)
- Freestanding only
- Too shallow for 13.75 in Riesling bottles
$250 to $500, live price on Amazon
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NewAir 19 in Dual Zone Wine Fridge, 28 Bottles
- 19 in wide
- 41 to 64 F
- Exterior digital thermostat
A compact dual zone compressor wine fridge for 28 bottles, reds below and whites above.
- Two zones: 41 to 54 F and 54 to 64 F
- Compressor cooling, UV double-pane glass
- Only 19 in wide
- Sold as built-in or freestanding, but check vent clearance before closing it into cabinetry
$250 to $500, live price on Amazon
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BODEGA 15 in 30 Bottle Dual Zone Wine Fridge
- 14.8 x 22.4 x 33.9 in
- 3.2 cu ft
- Dual zone
A narrow 15 in wine fridge for a single cabinet slot, built in or freestanding.
- Front vent, built-in or freestanding
- Dual zone, 41 to 68 F
- Fits a 15 in cabinet opening
- 30 bottles is the ceiling for a 15 in unit
$250 to $500, live price on Amazon
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Ivation 33 Bottle Dual Zone Wine Cooler
- 41 to 64 F
- Two zones
- Stainless trim
A freestanding dual zone cooler for about 30 bottles of reds and whites.
- Upper 54 to 64 F, lower 41 to 57 F
- Compressor cooling
- Door lock
- Freestanding only
$250 to $500, live price on Amazon
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Wine Enthusiast 33 Bottle Compressor Wine Cooler
- 33 x 20 x 16.9 in
- 3.3 cu ft
- 41 to 64 F
A 20 in freestanding single zone cooler with an upright rack for open bottles.
- Upright holder for 4 open bottles
- 41 to 64 F, compressor
- 3 year sealed system warranty (maker)
- Freestanding only
- Single zone
$250 to $500, live price on Amazon
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Kalamera 24 in 46 Bottle Dual Zone Wine Fridge
- 23.4 x 22.4 x 33 in
- 5.3 cu ft
- Safety lock
A 24 in built-in or freestanding wine fridge with two zones and wood shelves.
- Front vent, zero rear clearance (maker)
- Upper 40 to 50 F, lower 50 to 66 F
- Temperature memory after a power cut
- 23.4 in wide, leaves a small gap in a 24 in opening
$500 to $1,000, live price on Amazon
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EUHOMY 24 in 54 Bottle Dual Zone Wine Fridge
- 23.4 x 22.6 x 34.3 in
- 40 to 65 F
- Under 38 dB (maker)
A 24 in under-counter wine fridge that holds 54 bottles across two zones.
- 54 bottles on 7 wood shelves
- Upper 40 to 55 F, lower 55 to 65 F
- Reversible door
- 34.3 in tall, check counter height
$500 to $1,000, live price on Amazon
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BODEGA 24 in 46 Bottle Dual Zone Wine Fridge
- 24 x 22.4 x 33 in
- 41 to 72 F
- Compressor, 35 dB or less (maker)
A 24 in under-counter wine fridge with separate white and red zones for a built-in bar.
- Front venting, fits under a standard counter
- Whites 41 to 53 F, reds 53 to 72 F
- 5 slide-out beech shelves
- Needs 2 in top and back clearance (maker)
$500 to $1,000, live price on Amazon
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NewAir 24 in Dual Zone Wine Fridge, 46 Bottles
- 24 in built-in
- Two independent zones
- Adjustable shelves
A 24 in dual zone wine fridge for 46 bottles that installs into standard 24 in cabinetry or stands alone.
- Built-in or freestanding in a 24 in cabinet gap
- 46 bottles over two zones
- Double-pane glass door
- The listing gives no yearly energy rating
$500 to $1,000, live price on Amazon
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EdgeStar 15 in Built-In Dual Zone Wine Cooler, 23 Bottles
- 15 in wide
- Built-in
- Dual zone
A 15 in built-in dual zone wine cooler that fits the narrow cabinet gap at the end of a bar.
- Built-in, 15 in wide
- Dual zone
- 23 bottles
- Costs more per bottle than a 24 in unit
$500 to $1,000, live price on Amazon
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Whynter 92 Bottle Dual Zone Wine Refrigerator
- Beechwood shelves
- UV glass door
- Lock
A collector-size dual zone wine refrigerator with a lock and beech shelves.
- 92 bottles, two zones
- Cylinder lock
- Carbon filter and fan cooling
- Listing gives no width or temperature range
$1,000 to $2,000, live price on Amazon
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BODEGA 24 in 154 Bottle Tall Wine Fridge
- 40 to 65 F
- Carbon filter
- Temperature memory
A tall 24 in column wine fridge for a 150 bottle collection, front vented for building in.
- 154 bottles on 14 wood shelves
- Front venting, built-in or freestanding
- 0.413 kWh a day (maker)
- Single zone, 40 to 65 F
$1,000 to $2,000, live price on Amazon
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ORYMUSE 24 in 180 Bottle Wine Fridge
- 40 to 65 F
- Fan circulation
- Lock
A tall 24 in wine fridge for up to 180 Bordeaux bottles.
- 180 bottles on 14 beech shelves
- 40 to 65 F, compressor
- Lock and temperature memory
- Single zone
- Listing does not state front venting, check before building in
$1,000 to $2,000, live price on Amazon
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NewAir 15 in Built-In Beverage Fridge, 96 Cans
- 15 in wide
- 37 F minimum
- RGB interior light
A 15 in built-in beverage fridge for 96 cans, down to 37 F, for mixers, seltzer and canned beer.
- Built-in, 15 in wide
- Down to 37 F
- 96 cans, adjustable shelves
- Too warm for wine storage zones and too small for kegs
$500 to $1,000, live price on Amazon
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EUHOMY 24 in Undercounter Beverage Fridge, 180 Cans
- 23.4 in wide
- 34.25 in tall
- 0.84 kWh a day
A front-venting 24 in undercounter beverage fridge for 180 cans, rated at 0.84 kWh a day.
- Front ventilation for built-in use
- 180 cans, 37 to 65 F
- 0.84 kWh a day
- Single zone
$500 to $1,000, live price on Amazon
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Whynter UIM-155 Built-In Ice Maker
- 6 lb bin
- No drain required
- 25 ft water line included
A small front-venting undercounter ice maker that needs a water line but no drain: 12 lb a day into a 6 lb bin.
- Front venting, built-in or freestanding
- No drain needed
- 120 W
- 12 lb a day is enough for a few guests, not a party
$250 to $500, live price on Amazon
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EUHOMY 15 in Undercounter Ice Maker, 90 lb a Day
- 15 in wide, 34 in tall
- 24 lb bin
- Gravity drain
A 15 in undercounter cube ice maker rated at 90 lb a day with a 24 lb bin, for a bar that hosts big groups.
- 90 lb a day
- 24 lb bin
- Self-cleaning cycle and 24 hour timer
- Gravity drain: the drain must sit below the unit
$500 to $1,000, live price on Amazon
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EdgeStar IB450SSP Clear Ice Maker with Drain Pump
- 15 in wide
- 25 lb bin
- Drain pump
A 15 in undercounter clear ice maker: up to 50 lb a day into a 25 lb bin, with a drain pump.
- Clear, restaurant style ice
- 25 lb bin, 50 lb a day
- Built-in or freestanding, drain pump included
- Ice comes in sheets you break apart
- Needs a drain within 4.5 ft
$1,000 to $2,000, live price on Amazon
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VASAGLE EKHO 26 in Counter Stools, Set of 2
- Counter height
- Backrest
- Steel legs
Upholstered counter-height stools with a backrest and steel legs.
- 26 in seat
- 15 x 17.7 in seat, 3.9 in foam
- Adjustable feet
- Not swivel
Under $100, live price on Amazon
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Amazon Basics Saddle Seat Counter Stools, 24 in, Set of 2
- For 36 to 39 in counters
- Solid wood
- Backless
Backless solid wood saddle stools for a 36 to 39 in counter, the low-cost way to seat a counter-height bar.
- 24 in seat for a 36 to 39 in counter
- Solid wood, 300 lb capacity
- Backless, so they tuck fully under the overhang
- No back and no swivel
Under $100, live price on Amazon
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PrimeZone 26 in Saddle Counter Stools, Set of 2
- For 35 to 38 in counters
- Footrest
- 18.3 in wide
Backless saddle stools for a 35 to 38 in counter.
- For 35 to 38 in counters (maker)
- 400 lb capacity (maker)
- Solid rubber wood frame
- Backless
$100 to $250, live price on Amazon
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VASAGLE EKHO Swivel Bar Stools, 30 in, Set of 2
- Bar height
- Swivel
- Steel legs
Bar height swivel stools on splayed steel legs with a molded foam seat and low back.
- 30 in bar height
- 360 degree swivel
- Water-resistant synthetic leather
- Low back, less support than a full back
$100 to $250, live price on Amazon
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PrimeZone Swivel Counter Stools, 24 in, Set of 2
- For 35 to 39 in counters
- Swivel with back
- 16.3 in wide
The counter height version of PrimeZone's swivel stool: 24 in seat for a 35 to 39 in counter.
- 24 in seat for a 35 to 39 in counter
- 360 degree swivel, curved back
- 16.3 in wide, 300 lb capacity
- Faux leather
$100 to $250, live price on Amazon
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PrimeZone Swivel Bar Stools, 30 in, Set of 2
- For 40 to 43 in bars
- Swivel with back
- 16.3 in wide
Bar height swivel stools with backs for a 40 to 43 in bar: 30 in seat, wrap-around footrest.
- 30 in seat for a 40 to 43 in bar
- 360 degree swivel, curved back
- 16.3 in wide, 300 lb capacity
- Faux leather
$100 to $250, live price on Amazon
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Tebery Rubber Bar Mat, 18 x 12 in, 2 Pack
- Rubber
- Non-slip
- Black
Smaller rubber bar mats for a home bar top or drying glasses.
- 18 x 12 in each
- Heat resistant rubber
- Non-slip
Under $100, live price on Amazon
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Tebery 6 Compartment Bar Caddy, 3 Pack
- Plastic
- Black
- 9 in long
Organizers for napkins, straws, picks and stirrers on the bar top.
- 6 compartments each
- 9 x 5.4 x 4.25 in
- 3 pack
Under $100, live price on Amazon
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Jinmuxilll Extra Large Rubber Bar Mat, 28 x 16 in, 2 Pack
- Rubber
- Non-slip
- Rinse clean
Two large rubber service mats for the bartender side of the counter.
- 28 x 16 in each
- 0.33 in thick
- Non-slip back
Under $100, live price on Amazon
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Mixology & Craft 10 Piece Bartender Kit with Stand
- 24 oz shaker
- 15/30 ml jigger
- Gun-metal finish
A full cocktail tool set on a bamboo stand for the back bar.
- 24 oz shaker, jigger, strainer, muddler
- Pourers, corkscrew, ice tongs
- Slotted bamboo stand
Under $100, live price on Amazon
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Winco 32 in Stainless Single Speed Rail
- 32 in long
- Stainless
- Single row
A stainless speed rail that mounts to the bar front and holds 16 bottles.
- Holds up to 16 bottles
- Commercial stainless steel
- Mounting holes built in
Under $100, live price on Amazon
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Winco 22 in Stainless Double Speed Rail
- 22 in long
- Stainless
- Double row
A two-row stainless speed rail that holds 24 bottles in 22 in.
- Holds up to 24 bottles
- Two rows in 22 in
- Commercial stainless steel
Under $100, live price on Amazon
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VEVOR 57.8 Qt Stainless Drop-in Ice Bin
- 24 x 18 x 13 in
- Stainless
- Drain kit
A drop-in stainless ice bin with a sliding lid for a bar or outdoor kitchen counter.
- 57.8 qt
- Sliding lid, 24 hour hold (maker)
- Drain pipe included
- Needs a 24 x 18 in counter cutout
$100 to $250, live price on Amazon
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VEVOR 29.6 Qt Underbar Ice Bin with Bottle Holders
- 12 x 19 x 33 in
- 304 stainless
- NSF
A freestanding underbar ice well with sliding lid and bottle holders.
- 29.6 qt, NSF certified
- Sliding lid and splash guard
- Bottle holders
- Freestanding underbar unit, 33 in tall
$100 to $250, live price on Amazon
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Dicunoy 14 in Under Cabinet Stemware Rack, 6 Pack
- 14 in rails
- Iron, black
- Screws included
Under-cabinet hanging rails for wine glasses above the bar.
- 6 rails, 3 to 4 glasses each
- Two screws per rail
- 3.5 in stem opening
Under $100, live price on Amazon
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Glencairn Whisky Glass, Set of 4
- Lead-free crystal
- Tapered mouth
- Dishwasher safe
The standard whisky nosing glass, in lead-free crystal.
- Set of 4
- Lead-free crystal
- Dishwasher safe
Under $100, live price on Amazon
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JoyJolt Layla Red Wine Glasses, 17 oz, Set of 4
- Made in Europe
- Lead-free
- Dishwasher safe
A set of four 17 oz crystal red wine glasses.
- 17 oz bowl
- Lead-free crystal
- Dishwasher safe
Under $100, live price on Amazon
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Oster Cordless Electric Wine Opener with Foil Cutter
- Cordless
- Foil cutter
- Charging base
A push-button cordless corkscrew with a charging base.
- Up to 30 bottles a charge (maker)
- Foil cutter included
- Charging base
Under $100, live price on Amazon
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Vinturi Essential Red Wine Aerator
- Handheld
- Filter screen
- Base
A pour-through aerator with a sediment screen and base.
- Aerates as you pour
- Sediment screen
- Base included
- Red wine model
Under $100, live price on Amazon
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Jiaran 750 ml Wine Decanter with Built-in Aerator
- Lead-free crystal
- Aerator
- Hand blown
A lead-free crystal decanter sized for one bottle with an aerating filter.
- Holds a 750 ml bottle
- Built-in double filter aerator
- Slanted top for drip-free pour
Under $100, live price on Amazon
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Ivation Electric Wine Opener, Aerator and Preserver Set
- Vacuum pump
- Aerator
- LED base
An electric opener with a vacuum pump, stoppers and aerator on one charging base.
- Up to 30 corks a charge (maker)
- Electric vacuum preserver and stoppers
- Aerator and foil cutter
Under $100, live price on Amazon
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Coravin Pivot Plus Wine By-the-Glass System
- Argon
- Aerator
- 7 piece kit
Pour a glass and keep the rest of the bottle for up to 4 weeks (maker) under argon.
- Preserves an open bottle up to 4 weeks (maker)
- 2 argon capsules and 2 stoppers
- Aerator attachment
- Bottle is uncorked first, unlike Timeless
$100 to $250, live price on Amazon
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Coravin Timeless Three Plus Wine Preservation System
- Needle through cork
- Argon
- Aerator
A needle system that pours wine through the cork without pulling it.
- Pours without removing the cork
- 2 argon capsules
- Aerator and 2 screw caps
- Capsules are a running cost
$250 to $500, live price on Amazon
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InvisiDoor Hinge Hardware Kit
- In-swing or out-swing
- Instructions included
- Bronze finish
A hidden pivot hinge kit for a DIY built-in bookcase door, with installation instructions.
- Left or right hand, in-swing or out-swing
- Powder-coated steel
- Installation instructions included
- You build the bookcase door yourself
$100 to $250, live price on Amazon
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Murphy Door Hidden Hinge Hardware Kit
- In-swing or out-swing
- Left or right hand
- Ball bearing lower pivot
The same patented pin hinge Murphy Door uses in its bookcase doors, for building your own hidden door up to 300 lb.
- Holds a door up to 300 lb
- In-swing or out-swing, left or right
- Top and bottom hinge, pin tool and catch included
- Hardware only: no plans or dimensions provided
$100 to $250, live price on Amazon
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Murphy Door Book Latch and Lock
- Pull a book to open
- Locking
- Needs a door 8 in deep or more
The pull-a-book latch that opens a hidden bookcase door and locks it shut.
- Concealed inside the bookcase
- Locks the door
- DIY install
- Not for Murphy Door's Reversed or Shallow (under 8 in deep) doors
$100 to $250, live price on Amazon
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WOBANE Under Cabinet LED Light Kit, 6.6 ft
- 1,200 lumens
- Stick-on bars
- 12 V
Four 20 in stick-on LED bars on one plug-in adapter, for lighting under a bar top or a back bar shelf.
- Four 20 in bars, 6.6 ft in all
- 1,200 lumens at 12 W
- ETL listed 12 V adapter
- Plug-in: plan an outlet under the bar
Under $100, live price on Amazon
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Eocolz 11 Piece Bartender Kit with Stand
- 25 oz shaker
- Jigger and strainer
- Bamboo stand
A starter set of cocktail tools: shaker, jigger, bar spoon, muddler and strainer on a bamboo stand.
- 25 oz shaker, double jigger, strainer, muddler
- 18/8 stainless, dishwasher safe
- Bamboo stand keeps it on the back bar
Under $100, live price on Amazon
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Drphiru Drain Pump for Ice Makers, 6.6 ft Lift
- 110 V, 5 W
- Auto start and stop
- Quiet, 22 dB (maker)
An automatic drain pump that lifts melt water from a gravity drain ice maker up to a sink drain.
- 6.6 ft lift, 100 L an hour
- Maker lists under-counter ice makers
- Starts and stops on its own float
- Needs an outlet next to it
Under $100, live price on Amazon
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How this calculator works
- Bar length. 24 in of bar front per stool, the low end of the 24 to 30 in range in published bar standards (dimensions.com, Bar Details). L and U bars split the seats across their legs.
- Room depth. Back bar 24 in, work aisle 36 in, bar top 24 in, stools 24 in and a 36 in walkway behind them: 12 ft for a straight bar. Width is the bar length plus a 36 in pass at the open end.
- Heights. 42 in bar with 30 in stools, or 36 in counter with 24 in stools, 10 to 12 in between seat and top, footrest 7 to 9 in off the floor.
- Beer. About 3 beers a guest per party. One tap, two if you host weekly, one more for 30 or more guests. The keg is the smallest that serves a party per tap: sixth barrel 55 pours, quarter 82, half 165.
- Ice and wine. 1 lb of ice a guest, 2 lb for cocktails (Reddy Ice's 1 to 2 lb rule), against the maker's bin plus 4 hours of output. Wine: a bottle per 3 guests for two parties plus 12.
- Hidden door. Murphy Door's chart: stock sizes 24 to 36 in wide fit finished openings from half an inch under the size to the size, 79 to 81 in high.
- Cost. The beverage fridge uses its rated 0.84 kWh a day where listed. Kegerators and wine fridges use about 310 and 300 kWh a year (typical listed figures). Ice makers use about 10 kWh per 100 lb, remaking a quarter of the bin a day plus party ice. All at your state's average rate.
Worked examples
A 4-seat basement bar that pours beer
- 4 seats, straight, 42 in bar height
- 14 x 14 ft room
- Beer on tap, 12 guests, monthly
- US average rate, 17.3 cents/kWh
8 ft of bar, a room about 11 by 12 ft, one tap on sixth barrels. About $12 a month to run.
4 seats at 24 in is 8 ft of bar front (9 ft 4 in at a roomier 28 in), plus a 3 ft pass at the end to get behind it. Front to back: a 24 in back bar, a 36 in work aisle, a 24 in bar top, 24 in for the stools and a 36 in walkway, 12 ft in all. 12 guests at about 3 beers is 36 pours, which a sixth barrel (about 55) covers on one tap (when the 2 tap built-in costs less than the single tap model, we pick it and you get a spare tap). The kegerator, a 96-can beverage fridge and an undercounter ice maker use about 840 kWh a year, about $146.
A 6-seat L-shaped cocktail speakeasy
- 6 seats, L-shaped, bar height
- 16 x 16 ft room
- Cocktails, 20 guests, monthly
- Hidden door in a 30 x 80 in opening
12 ft of bar (8 + 4), a room about 15 by 14 ft, a 30 in bookcase door, 40 lb of ice per party.
The seats split 4 on the front and 2 on the return, 8 ft and 4 ft of bar. Cocktails over ice take about 2 lb a guest, 40 lb for 20 guests, which a 90 lb a day maker with a 24 lb bin covers over a 4 hour party. A 30 x 80 in finished opening is a stock 30 in bookcase door; out-swing keeps the bar side clear.
A counter-height wine bar in an 11 ft deep room
- 4 seats, straight, 36 in counter height
- 12 x 11 ft room
- Wine, 10 guests
8 ft of counter, 24 in stools, a 23-bottle built-in cooler. The room is 1 ft short of depth with a back bar.
With a back bar the layout needs 12 ft front to back. Put the wine cooler and ice maker under the counter itself instead and it fits in 10 ft. Ten guests at a bottle per 3 for two parties, plus a dozen on hand, is about 20 bottles: a 15 in, 23-bottle built-in fits the end of the run.
Frequently asked questions
How long should a home bar be for 4 stools?
About 8 ft. Allow 24 in per stool, or 28 to 30 in if you want elbow room. Six stools take 12 ft, eight take 16 ft. Add about 3 ft at an open end so the bartender can get behind the bar.
What is the standard height of a home bar?
42 in to the top for a bar height bar, with 30 in stools. A counter height bar is 36 in with 24 in stools. Either way the seat sits 10 to 12 in below the bar top.
How much space do you need behind a bar?
A 30 to 36 in work aisle between the bar and the back bar; 36 in is comfortable for one bartender. On the guest side allow about 24 in for the stools and a 30 to 36 in walkway behind them.
How deep should a bar top be?
18 to 30 in. Around 24 in is typical: about 12 in over the cabinet and a 10 to 12 in overhang for knees. A back bar is 24 to 30 in deep, which fits standard 24 in undercounter appliances.
What size room do I need for a home bar?
For a straight bar with a back bar, about 12 ft from the back wall to the far side of the walkway, and the bar length plus 3 ft of wall. A 4 seat bar fits in roughly 11 x 12 ft. Without a back bar you save about 2 ft of depth.
How many beers are in a keg?
A half barrel holds 15.5 gal, about 165 12 oz beers. A quarter barrel holds 7.75 gal (about 82) and a sixth barrel 5.16 gal (about 55). Sixth barrels suit home bars with two or three taps: you get variety and the beer is gone before it goes stale.
Can any kegerator go under a counter?
No. Only front-venting units are made to be built in. A freestanding kegerator exhausts heat from the back or sides, and closed into a cabinet it runs hot, works harder and fails early.
What keg coupler do I need?
Most US beers use a D system (American Sankey) coupler, which most kegerators include. Homebrew Cornelius kegs use ball lock or pin lock fittings, so a homebrew kegerator ships with ball lock couplers that will not tap a commercial keg.
How much ice do I need for a party?
About 1 lb a guest to chill and serve drinks, 2 lb if most drinks are cocktails over ice, and more outdoors in summer. An undercounter maker has its bin plus what it makes during the party; bag extra in the freezer the days before a big one.
What size hidden bookcase door do I need?
Measure the finished opening inside the existing jamb. Stock bookcase doors come in 2 in steps from 24 to 36 in wide for openings 79 to 81 in high; a 30 x 80 in opening takes a 30 in door. Other sizes are custom, or you build the bookcase on a hidden hinge kit.
Should a hidden door swing in or out?
Either works with a pivot hinge kit. The door is about 8 in deep and sweeps an arc as wide as itself, so pick the side that has clear floor. Out-swing keeps the bar side free for furniture; in-swing hides the door better from a hallway.
Marcus Reed
Founder and Editor, CrunchYourDollars
Marcus Reed builds the sizing tools on CrunchYourDollars. He is a software engineer with a long-running PC hardware and power supply habit, which is where the watts, watt-hours and surge math on this site comes from. Product specs are pulled from manufacturer data sheets, electricity rates from the U.S. Energy Information Administration, and water chemistry rules from the Water Quality Association. He is not a licensed electrician or plumber: the tools show the math and the matching models so you can make the call, and anything involving your electrical panel should be checked by a licensed pro.
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