As the weather warms up, those of us lucky enough to have a garden or yard will be eager to make the most of our outdoor space - whether that's simply relaxing with a drink after a hard day's work or hosting friends and family for summer garden party.
When it comes to entertaining in comfort and style, nothing beats an outdoor bar - not only do they look great in your garden, they save all those pesky trips inside to top up drinks and snacks, so you'll never miss any juicy gossip again! Pair them with a barbecue or pizza oven and you'll have an outdoor entertaining set-up to envy.
We've gathered some of our favourite garden bar ideas to get you inspired - we've got everything from tiki-style beach bars to a space-saving garden wall bar that folds up when not in use. Read on to find the right outdoor bar style for your space.
And if you're looking for more home bar ideas and accessories, check out our guide to creating your own home bar – we cover everything from choosing a bar to picking bar stools to finding those perfect decorative finishing touches.
Read on to discover garden bar ideas to buy, as well as some outdoor bar ideas that you can make yourself.
Best outdoor bar ideas for every garden
1. SunTime rattan tiki bar
You'll sometimes find these kinds of outdoor bars listed as tiki bars, which technically refers to a specific style influenced by the culture of Polynesian islands, particularly Hawaii.
Tiki bars became popular in the United States after World War II, and are recognisable for tropical motifs like waves, shells, carved masks, tiki mugs and palm trees, and for serving fruity rum-based cocktails like Mai Tai, Blue Hawaii and Zombie.
2. Garden mini bar
Looking for a little garden bar for a small space? This sweet garden mini bar is perfect for a small garden or backyard, or any bijou outdoor space. It has a zinc worktop that's easy to clean, hooks for bar towels and an adjustable high level shelf.
The wood has been pressure-treated to prevent rotting, so it'll last longer outdoors.
3. Garden outside bar that folds away
This compact outdoor bar can be easily folded away when not in use. It can be attached to a wall or fence, so it's ideal for small gardens.
This folding outdoor bar can hold a selection of canned drinks with space for a couple of bottles of wine too.
4. Pinelap garden bar
This garden bar is a complete blank canvas. You can leave it undecorated if you like to see the shed's wooden texture, but we think it's worth adding a splash of paint!
You can customise this garden bar in any colour scheme you fancy to suit your garden's style. Choose cool slate greys that'll look good all year round, or pick a more vibrant scheme to brighten the space and let your imagination run wild.
5. DIY bar cart
This clever DIY bar cart can be used both indoors and outdoors! It's an easy way to add a glamorous touch to your outdoor space, and it can be safely stored indoors over the winter – ready to be wheeled out again in the summer months!
Learn how to make your own DIY bar cart with Anna-Lisa De'Ath.
6. Tarrytown bar set
This sleek and stylish bar set includes a solid wood bar with ample storage space, and two matching stools to complete the look.
The bar itself boasts a spacious countertop, perfect for preparing and serving drinks, while the space below includes shelves for storing all your barware essentials.
This bar set is ideal for those with smaller gardens who want to add a touch of sophistication to their outdoor space. Its compact size makes it perfect for creating a cosy and intimate gathering area. Whether you're hosting a party or just enjoying a quiet evening at home, the Tarrytown Bar Set is the perfect addition to your garden décor.
7. Forest garden bar
A smart choice for gardens where storage space is at a premium, a garden shed bar features a serving hatch which can be opened for use as a bar, and then closed to turn the unit into a handy storage space for items like garden furniture during the colder months.
8. DIY garden bar
If you're looking around for garden bar ideas and can't find what you had in mind, you could have a go at making your own from scratch.
Vikkie Lee of thecarpentersdaughter.co.uk has created an amazing guide to help you build your own DIY garden bar, including free templates to download.
9. Garden bar ideas on a budget
If you don't have the budget to make a garden bar shed, wooden pallets can be an affordable alternative. Once you've made this easy-to-follow project, you can add your own twist by painting it in summery shades.
Why not finish it off with a few battery-powered fairy lights for added sparkle?
10. Hvidovre Union rustic outdoor bar
This minimalist ourdoor bar has a chic Scandi vibe. It'll be your go-to spot for lazy afternoons with your loved ones. This rustic bar is made with durable spruce wood, so it's guaranteed to last year after year. There's room for all of your drinks, but if you'd like a wine rack you will need to build your own.
Surround it with lots of potted plants to create a luscious green oasis in your garden.
Garden bar ideas for long, hot summer days
Is there anything more wonderful than relaxing in the sunshine with cool glass of beer, a glass of sparkling wine or even a cocktail?
A garden bar can be a wonderful addition to any garden, even if you're short of space. Invite friends and family over and treat them to a tipple or two!
Our garden bar ideas will help you to make the most of your outdoor space on balmy summer days. You'll wonder what you ever did without one!
How to make an outdoor kitchen
Embrace the Mediterranean lifestyle with your very own outdoor kitchen. Who wants to be cooped up in the kitchen when you could be cooking outside?
Learn how to make an outdoor kitchen for yourself from scratch with our step-by-step guide.
