Use at least 42" to enter and behind the bar. 36" is too tight for people to pass each other comfortably.

I like the idea of getting a box and feeling what that walkway is like.

A quick way is to measure the width of your shoulders (arm to arm) and at least double it. So that you can have 2 people walk by comfortably.

And you need 2' of space for each bar stool. So I think you will have to decrease the number of bar stools also.

I knew the 2' of space per bar stool. The stools weren't drawn quite to scale. I'm debating whether I care if 2 people can walk by comfortably behind bar. Behind bar I want room but to get in, who cares? It's not a commercial bar but want to be practical too.

True. But, sometimes it is best to plan for what ifs. What if you have a good friend that likes to "put on a show" for drink mixing? And someone else wants to get a beer? Short changing space can make an awesome area look.....meh.

I'd say 3' is enough there. Behind the bar we have 40" and it's more than enough space

Just to be clear, I'm not talking about the space behind the bar but rather the side in between the end of the bar and the wall along the top of the picture above.

Latest design.

You need a sink and a fridge in the back bar area, which means adding plumbing.
You don’t need two people behind the bar.
The entry needs to be wide enough for you to walk through it carrying a tray (elbow to elbow width entry).

You need a sink and a fridge in the back bar area, which means adding plumbing.
You don’t need two people behind the bar.
The entry needs to be wide enough for you to walk through it carrying a tray (elbow to elbow width entry).

Oops!

Do you have anything on the wall behind other than shelving?

For the fridge, if there is no ice, there is no need for plumbing

I really appreciate everyone's input. Not a wet bar. I have another smaller walk-up bar with plumbing in the basement. Cost was too high to get plumbing to this new spot. I'll deal with it. There are 15" floor cabinets and shelving or enclosed glass cabinets along back wall.

New layout looks good. Is that a kegerator at the inside corner? Should it be more accessible??

Good question on the kegerator. Yes it was put there intentionally. I’m not too concerned about accessibility. I wanted the refrigerator and the kegerator on separate sides so I had better support for the countertop which is going to be granite.

My design book for a bathroom shows a 32" door. Your door-equivalent is 36" wide. It also recommends a 27" minimum "activity zone" behind a sink. You've allowed 38+" between your bar and the rear shelves.

If you are concerned about granite support, you can get your cabinet man to install steel supports to your cabinets. They lay across the top of the cabinets and the countertops are installed on top of them. We have them on our bar area. It is amazing the difference it provides.

We have steel support for the counter. The overhang is about 10" I think and we needed support for that. Our bar is 10' long

32" seems tight. I just thought of this. If someone stands at the end of the bar (top of picture), someone can still get by to get behind bar. I see that being a reality.

You will have a lot of traffic to and from the kegerator, I think. Is the fridge an under-counter fridge? Can you put the kegerator beside it between the trash and fridge?

Good location for the trash and I would have it a pull out door and have it pull out side ways instead of into the bar area.

Wet bars are nice, but not necessary. We use ice cube trays in the fridge for small scale entertaining and buy $1.25 bagged ice for large parties or bring down ice from our main refrigerator. For water for mixing, bottled water in the fridge. And since we are not going to do dishes during our parties, we don’t need a sink. The fridge is more important than a sink.

Easy, stand in the corner like a punished 3rd grader. Ask yourself does this feel right when you reach out and can touch everything. Do you need to get by a second person. Are you afraid of having to pull a TJ Hooker to get out in a sticky situation like a bar fight? Do you have a 40inch+ waistline? Are you taller than 6 feet? (Think bending down or crouching) Can you do it in a confined space? Any answer yes/no will decide for you whether too big or too small.

I designed quite a few bars, the most comfortable set up for a home, or even a commercial bar the isle should be anywhere between 31-37", the commercial bar would need to be closer to 36-37" to accommodate 2-3 servers in a busy setting, home bars the isle width could be reduced to 31-32" for 1 server usually and maybe someone else in and out with enough room for a sideway passage.

You just need to be able to easily get the fridge through the opening in case you need to switch it out. Measure the fridge.

The width of an average door opening should be sufficient for an average person.

This project has been done for a year now.

Lets see pics

pics, please.

I’m designing my home bar and it is so similar to your design. Would you mind uploading pictures? Also pictures of where you put your wine refrigerator. And if you’re happy with the amount of space you left behind the bar and on the side of the bar.
Thank you so much!!!

I know I am late to the thread, but share the sentiments of others that it would be great to see pics and get feedback on how the spacing turned out, I am facing similar questions for a basement bar design.

Terry- what program did you use to draw this out?