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How to Buy Outdoor Kitchen Sinks & Bar Centers
Key Takeaways
- Outdoor bar sinks are compact and efficient for washing glasses, prepping drinks, and saving counter space
- Bar centers combine sinks, ice bins, speed rails, and storage to create a complete backyard drink station
- Stainless steel bar sinks and faucets offer durability, easy cleaning, and strong resistance to outdoor conditions
- Ice bins keep drinks cool and include drains to remove melted water during parties
- Outdoor bars can include refrigeration, kegerators, and accessories to create a fully stocked entertainment space
Step into the world of outdoor living where every gathering is a celebration, and your backyard transforms into a haven of hospitality. While the allure of glamorous cocktail parties and soirées is undeniable, the key players here are outdoor sinks and bar centers that add a touch of elegance to any outdoor kitchen. Join us on this informative journey to discover the perfect outdoor sink and bar center that seamlessly blends functionality with the beauty of your outdoor space.
How difficult is building a home outdoor bar?
With ready to assemble BBQ Island cabinetry and drop-in outdoor bar components, it has never been easier or less expensive to assemble your own backyard bar. Snapping together your very own outdoor kitchen bar doesn’t take much time or money — just a little know-how and elbow grease! Once that’s done, it’s simply a matter of customizing your outdoor bar island with components and applying countertops and finishes.
We speak with authority here, because we’ve been helping our clients design and build their fantasy outdoor kitchens for over 20 years. We’ll point you to the components you may want to include in your build, as well as a few examples of what you can reasonably accomplish in your own backyard.
Outdoor Bar Essentials
The easiest way to build an outdoor bar is to start with bar island frame kits, which are storage components that form the base of your island. From there, you’ll fill them with the bar accessories that are right for you, from sinks and refrigeration to beyond. The most crucial components will be the wetworks (think sinks, bar centers, and ice bins) — these should form your overall centerpiece, surrounded by key elements of outdoor refrigeration.
Outdoor Bar Sinks
If you are truly surprised by a sink being the heart of this design, you may need to brush up on your bar plans — you wouldn’t patron a bar where they house out glasses in the sprinkler, right? Sinks allow you to quickly wash glasses, store ice, and rinse out your handy bar rag. While there are more sink types than you’d imagine, bar sinks make the most sense for your plans: just big enough for washing up glasses without devouring counterspace. Should you hate ample counterspace but find more washing space endearing, consider a slightly more ambitious kitchen sink.
Outdoor Bar Centers
A sink is great. You know what’s better? An all-in-one solution! Enter the humble bar center: it comes equipped and prepared to transform your regular old outdoor kitchen island into the beating heart of any party. If you really had to choose, forget the sink (sinks are so last paragraph) and get one of these instead. Bar centers take the sink concept, slam back a few shots, and go wild with ice bins, towel holders, bottle openers, speed rails for mixers, and even blender stations. Add a compact refrigerator and kegerator or wine cooler for a complete starter bar.
Outdoor Ice Bins
Picture a sink. Insulate the walls. Ditch the faucet and give it a great big lid. Congrats — there’s your ice bin. They keep ice chilled (surprise!) and whisk away the melt through a central bottom drain. If you love entertaining, these come in handy to help you swiftly mix drinks for those thirsty guests. Pair your ice bin with an ice maker and you’ll keep a summer party rocking all day. Furthermore, you might have realized by now that an empty ice bin also makes for quality dry storage. Hand towels, dishes, or even extra glassware are always hungry for space!
What Kind of Sink is Right for Your Outdoor Bar or Kitchen?
Choosing the ideal sink for your outdoor space is very straightforward. Basic kitchen sinks provide good water flow and drainage, while outdoor bar sinks save counter space. Explore outdoor bar centers for a complete bar setup or opt for a versatile utility sink for heavy-duty cleaning.
Outdoor Sink Styles
When selecting your sink style, there are a few options to consider. Undermount styles tucked beneath the countertop offer a seamless look, whereas drop-in sinks with a rim have a more open feel and farmhouse sinks have a timeless charm. You can also choose a sink that offers the best of both worlds—undermount simplicity or drop-in mix-and-match flair. Your sink can be as unique as your outdoor space.
Outdoor Faucet Styles
Cast-Spout Faucets
Sometimes known as “gooseneck faucets”, these are usually cast from metals such as stainless steel or brass with designs that incorporate a high arch spout, which often swivels from side to side, making them a great option for use in double basin sinks. Some manufacturers include a deck-mounted pull-out sprayer with separate attached cast spout faucet.
Pot-Filler Faucets
These faucets are a convenient choice when faced with cleaning a large pot in a small sink. Comprised of swivel-jointed segments that expand or collapse to reach across your countertop, pot-fillers “unfold” to fit generously sized cookware and should be a consideration in any kitchen with limited space.
Outdoor Sink & Faucet Materials
Let’s take a look at the diverse materials that contribute to the functionality and style of outdoor sinks and faucets. Stainless steel is a classic choice that offers durability and resistance to various elements. On the other hand, brass faucets resist rust and corrosion, making them a solid alternative.
Stainless Steel Sinks & Faucets
- Complements other stainless steel in your kitchen island
- Cleans like a dream with just a hot, soapy sponge
- 304 stainless steel is unparalleled for outdoor longevity
- Will need to be cleaned often to prevent steel from discoloring
Brass Faucets
- Excellent faucet material overall
- Another solid option for older aesthetics
- Highly similar to copper in anti-rusting properties
- Brass patina is not a popular design choice
Outdoor Bar Accessories
Sinks or bar centers alone aren’t a complete outdoor bar. There are many other essential appliances to add—such as refrigeration appliances, storage components, and a host of accessories meant to turn any outdoor island into a fully stocked barroom.
How Do You Run Hot Water to an Outdoor Sink?
When it comes to ensuring your outdoor sink delivers warm water, a hot water strategy is essential. Connecting to the interior hot water line is a straightforward solution, provided it's well-insulated. Alternatively, installing a small, dedicated water heater is a practical consideration, best addressed by a licensed plumber.
Examples of DIY Outdoor Home Bars
Ofttimes, we mention our amazing outdoor experts — and why wouldn’t we? For over 20 years, they’ve helped our clients build the outdoor bars and kitchens of their wildest daydreams. Our incredible outdoor design team alone has plotted out thousands of outdoor spaces throughout the nation. Available 7 days a week, they’ll answer your questions, guide you through the planning process, and ultimately provide you a perfect outdoor kitchen or bar design. Here’s a small taste of their work.
Affordable DIY Outdoor Bar
First up, we have a simple outdoor bar with some key components and a flagstone façade — it includes a sink, compact refrigerator, ice maker, double access doors, and bar-height outdoor stools. This one’s simple to assemble with just 2 people and a single weekend. Even better, an island of this size with these components should be an easy fit for those budgets in the four-figures range. Special requirements will include electricity for the refrigeration components and plumbing for the sink and compact refrigerator. As always, check with local code and permit offices before you get cracking!
Luxury Entertainment Outdoor Bar
How about we raise the bar? If you throw the best cocktail parties in town, you might want to dream a little bigger — such as this entertainer bar design. The design features a wine cellar, compact refrigerator with freezer, cocktail station, double access doors, an ice maker, kegerator, and bar-height outdoor stools… all installed around a gorgeous stone island (Lynx appliances pictured). Now, bear in mind: ambitious in mind, ambitious in budget. While this could certainly be a DIY job, consider hiring a professional contractor to install that luxury outdoor bar. There’s no dollar tag that matches complete peace of mind.
Feeling inspired? We sure hope so! Our talented outdoor design team would love to hear your ideas for your dream project—and they’ll help you make those ideas real. They can even connect you to trustworthy, top-rated contractors all over the contiguous United States through the BBQGuys Pro Team. What are you waiting for?
Advantages of a Home Outdoor Bar
Easy to DIY
It’s never been easier to assemble your own backyard bar with ready-to-finish cabinets and drop-in components. Just think… pallets on Friday, bar by Monday!
Affordable
You can save your entertaining space some serious budget by building your own outdoor bar island, as opposed to hiring a contractor.
Stocked With Your Favorites
Curate your own selection of your favorite beer and wines. Forget the old you! The new you never settles for “whatever’s on tap” again!
No Last Call
When it’s your backyard bar, that means you’re calling all the shots — and guess what? Suddenly, closing time runs on your time!
Control the Guest List
Owning a home bar keeps the rules at your fingertips. Enjoy the intoxicating power of deciding both max capacity and the VIP list.
Long-Term Savings
Think of all those bar tabs you’ll save buying by the keg or bottle, rather than the pint or glass. They add up fast!
Need help choosing the best bar equipment? Our talented outdoor living experts are standing by. Give them a call at (877) 743-2269 to get more information on all things outdoor sinks and more.
