I would do a counter level bar just for the additional counter space in the kitchen.
That being said 10" is a bit narrow for counter depth seating. We had 10" at our last house though and it was fine. It depends on what you use it for, i suppose. If you eat all your meals there maybe it won't be comfortable but if you only use it to perch it will be fine.

if you sat at the height of previous and liked it then keep it. People like one level as it is a better working counter . depends on what you want . I think if this were mine I'd get a 27 or 30 in sink base....single bowl sink and tighten up the distance across by ordering the base cabinets on this peninsula in question at full 24 in depth ....drawers....giving you standard depth counter space .....then perhaps keep the elevated bar.

@herbflavor I would prefer one level, just want to make sure it will work with the 10" Designer insists it will be fine. We are all of medium height in our family.

I would do one level if you want and 10" is pretty minimal but if you are used to it, it's fine for short term seating.

trying to give you a little more...the sink base could go to 27 or 30.....you still have 63 in across kitchen which is fine...and then you could get the full 12 in overhang. consider that. looks like the 15 in wide drawers are full depth: assuming that.

@herbflavor -This is all a compromise as we fight for space... in this small house. We had to move the trash drawer under the peninsula, it was the only spot for it, so no drawers there. Here's the entire layout... also, this is not a true custom kitchen, it's from an off-the-shelf store --this is what our insurance will cover, trying to do best we can.

Here's the design in full --and before you say to extend the peninsula to the left, we cannot because there is a vintage midcentury cabinet, not shown in the drawing that we are saving, that prevents it: We also have narrow blind spots that we are trying to deal with --given the limitations. We have drawers in the pantry near the fridge. It would take a true custom job to optimize this.

One big flat countertop. It will actually open up the space a bit, and will be a very useful workspace.

One flat space is trendy now. I prefer the tiered peninsula you currently have to provide visual separation (and keep things from rolling off the back side. It happens.). You'll probably need outlets on the peninsula if you're upping to current code and it's nice to have a place for them.

If your designer/contractor can get you cabinets that are actually 10" deeper inside (instead of the overhang) and you don't need seating, then flat will do.

Be sure you can access the corner cabinet from the other side!!

“One flat space is trendy now.”

No it’s not. It’s a design layout decision and has nothing to do with “trendy”. I had a one-level peninsula in my kitchen in the ’90s. Also in my childhood home’s kitchen in the ‘60s and ’70s. A flat one-level kitchen counter has been around for centuries. If anything, it’s the tiered counter that is a more recent development in kitchens.

Sometimes when people don’t like something on this forum, they dismiss it with the dreaded label of ”trendy” whether it’s at all trendy or not.

OK. Not "trendy". It's not currently POPULAR to have a tiered peninsula. Better?

I vote for one level counter. I agree with @ShadyWillowFarm's point that it will make the space appear more open. And it is more useful to have a larger area of counter space that one level provides.

Usually when I see on this forum or other design sites where people put in 2 tiers it is in a larger kitchen open to a living room, with a longer counter than what you have, and where the second tier is for the purpose of hiding a sink's dishes. The bottom line is your space is too small for a 2 tier counter. When you have the one level counter you will be much happier with it.

Contractors get calls to lower bars; they do not get calls to make them.

A note on the 33” lazy Susan. I would would seriously look at at least getting an asymmetrical lazy Susan, if not a full 36” lazy Susan. I just moved into a house with a 33” and very little fits through the opening. It just isn’t wide enough.

You can buy counter-height chairs.

What's on the other side of that peninsula? A dining room maybe. Do you actually go in and out those glass doors? Are they a main entry where you will be coming in with your arms full of parcels and a purse? I ask these questions, because, to me, they make a difference in what I would plan for the height of that peninsula.

If you actually come in there and would be dropping keys and things, I'd leave it two levels to provide separation from the counter.

“where you will be coming in with your arms full of parcels and a purse? I ask these questions, because, to me, they make a difference in what I would plan for the height of that peninsula.”

@julieste - wouldn’t it be easier to drop keys, supermarket parcels, purse, etc. on a one-level counter? Those things would be very crowded on the narrower counter that a 2-tier design has - they might even be hanging precariously on the edge. If that location will be used for a landing space when coming in (especially if for supermarket bags), that would seem to be more a vote in favor of the one-level counter.

Actually I think 2 level would be easier in terms of keeping cooking counters separate from general life clutter counters where the mail and keys and purses get dropped. Guess how I know.

@julieste --on the other side of the peninsula is a smallish dining area and large living room. The glass is a full wall of glass to the back of the house --you would never come in that way, it is just an entry to the yard.

I’m with Joe. I have seen no one doing bi-level these days. I much prefer the one-level expanse and find it more functional. Particularly so in this small kitchen. I am so sorry this happened to you. Must be very stressful. Good luck.