Bar height hides kitchen sink clutter. Who wants to see dirty dishes. This way, you can enjoy your guests, or family, without thinking you have to rush to the dishes.

Our sink on a peninsula is open to our living room - I love having continuous counter, especially behind the sink (easy for cleaning). We have a very deep sink that holds a lot of dishes but even when they’re piled around, it doesn’t bother me (i know they’re there, where I can see them or not) - and if I just entertained, they know there’s dishes too lol It’s never been an issue

What will you use that area for? A pass through for serving from the kitchen? Additional seating? So many homes are now built with open floor plans, so I guess that a view to the kitchen is not an issue for many people. If it is for you, then counter height is not your friend.

damiarain- is your peninsula adjacent to a wall or other cabinetry? Do you mind sharing a pic?

flopsycat1 - additional seating due to limited room in living area. The bar area has never been used in any house we’ve lived in besides Collecting junk lol

You could keep the short wall between countertop and EITHER a lower countertop (bar) or a lower (desk height) "bar" ( rather than a bar height bar) by adding a" backsplash" above it.

What you choose should depend on how you want to use it.

If you remove the short wall between the two parts of your countertop, you will need to move or remove the electrical outlet so add that potential cost/effect to your reno calculations.

so if you don’t use it for seating then why have it if closed that wall would give you space for 2 chairs I honestly hate pass throughs between kitchen and LRs

You might consider making your "bar" wider -- the full width of the wall -- perhaps w/ shallow cabinets beneath the part of the countertop that is not beneath the opening -- both sides. Think bookshelves (perhaps with glass front doors for use as curio) and/or "china"/"bar" related cabinet.

You could put room chairs in front of a wall of cabinets at a height even with the current opening AND have all the benefits of the top of it for lamp/buffet use.

It’s all personal taste. I have had both and prefer bar height when the sink is in the counter. Also if counter height you will see everything you normally keep on the counter.

I don’t know what mess you think you’re hiding with that. Look at your picture. Id just close it up. It’s in an awkward spot.

If you don’t use the bar, remove the bar, but leave the opening. Most people like to see the living room from the kitchen if possible.