What is the average height of a bar top

Here at Woodstock Furniture & Mattress Outlet, we are big fans of mixing-and-matching dining room tables and chairs. In fact, we’ve written about it here on the WFMO blog! Of course, you could always go with a full dining set and avoid the hassle – but where’s the fun in that?! However, one of the regular questions we get is regarding the various chair and table heights.

You obviously want your seating to fit perfectly with your table of choice. Knowing the difference between standard counter height, table height, and bar height is easy! Today, we’re here to clarify a few things and answer these frequently-asked questions once and for all.

So if it all comes down to a few easy measurements, what’s the big mix-up? Well, the biggest source of confusion is that the terms “counter height”, “table height”, and “bar height” refer to different measurements depending on whether you’re measuring stools and chairs, or measuring tables and counters. For instance, a table typically requires a set of chairs or stools that are 12 inches shorter than the table surface itself.

Realyn Dining Set

First, let’s start with the typical dinner table, kitchen table, breakfast table, or formal dining room table. All of these tables are what we’d refer to as “table height”. This definition even holds true for most patio tables and patio dining sets.

Standard table height is usually between 28 inches and 30 inches. Following our previously stated rule-of-thumb, that means that table height chairs and table height stools should measure around 18 inches from floor to seat. This is the default table height unless otherwise stated.

What is the standard counter height?

Manning Counter Height Dining Set

The counter table is the happy medium between traditional dining tables and casual high-top bar tables. The name originates from exactly where you might expect – the typical height of a kitchen counter.

Standard counter height is between 34 inches and 36 inches tall, and counter height chairs, stools, and benches are around 24 inches from floor to seat. Whether you’re shopping for a table, chair, cushioned bench, or barstool, if the word “counter” is used in the product name, you’re likely looking at a counter height piece.

Here’s an easy rule of thumb. Walk to your kitchen and look at your countertop. If your table is roughly that same height, you need a counter height stool or chair.

What is bar height?

Valebeck Barstools

Lastly, we come to bar height, also known as pub height. These are the “high-top tables” you’ll find at your favorite local restaurant or sports bar. Does your kitchen counter have a portion that is elevated? If so, that counter would be bar height.

At between 40 inches and 42 inches, bar height tables or pub tables are the tallest dining furniture available. Bar height stools and chairs measure at around 30 inches in height.

One point of confusion is that the term “barstool” is often used as a catch-all term for stools of various heights. Just remember that bar height is higher than counter height and you’ll be fine.

WFMO: Georgia’s Home for Barstools, Counter Height Tables & More!

So, let’s review:

• table height tables = 28″ to 30″ | table height seating = 18″
• counter height tables = 34″ to 36″ | counter height seating = 24″
• bar height tables = 40″ to 42″ | bar height seating = 30″

There you have it. Feel free to bookmark this page if you’re in the market for dining tables, chairs, barstools, church pew or cushioned bench style dining benches and more! We have one of the largest selections of dining room furniture in North Georgia, and our no-pressure furniture experts are on standby to answer any questions you may have. Come visit us today in Woodstock/Acworth, Dallas/Hiram or Rome!

Wood Bar Tops

From fine commercial locations to the most discerning home interiors, Grothouse supplies some of the most unique and well-crafted bar tops currently available on the market today. Whether you strive to achieve a classic look with hand-crafted Chicago Bar Rail or a more contemporary serving area using exotic woods, our bar top designs are limited only by your imagination.

Design Considerations

At Grothouse, each bar top is custom constructed to your specifications. When designing your bar, there are several generally accepted guidelines that can help you ensure that the finished product will meet your expectations:

• Typical home and commercial bar height is 42-inches from the floor to the bar surface. Bar stool average height is 30-inches.
• A section of the bar should be 30″ above the finished floor to accommodate wheelchairs if desired. Back bar tops are generally the same height as the front bar but can vary.
• Home bar tops are usually between 12- to 16-inches wide. Commercial bar tops vary from 20- to 28-inches in width, including a drink rail (or trough) on the server side of the bar. Drink rails are typically 3/4-inch deep by 4-inches wide.
• The minimum bar top thickness is 1 3/4-inches utilizing a flat grain wood. Increased thicknesses are available using a built-up assembly or other construction styles, such as edge grain.
• The front overhang for the patron side of the bar is typically 6- to 12-inches if you intend to have bar stools. For a standing-only bar, 6- or 9-inch overhangs are comfortable.
• Allow 22- to 24-inches of space per person.

Chicago Bar Rail

Chicago Bar Rail by Grothouse is the perfect final touch to your commercial or residential bar top. Available pre-installed as part of a custom bar or separately for installation on your existing bar top, the bar rail’s gently shaped profile adds a classic tavern feel to the bar while keeping spills contained on the bar top.

All bar rail is hand-crafted in any of our stock species and can be stained and finished upon request to match existing decor. Mitered and radial corners are available to accommodate any potential design. Our Chicago Bar Rail is 3 1/8″ total height and 5 3/16″ deep. Once attached to the bar top, the profile rises 1 5/8″ above the bar top. Below are several examples of our bar rail. You can also view a PDF rendering of the bar rail profile.

Mitered corner with Chicago Bar Rail

Rounded Corner with Chicago Bar Rail

Residential Bar with Chicago Bar Rail

Below are a listing of some of the options that can be used to create the perfect bar top.

Drink Rail

To protect the rear of the bar from spills and provide a suitable space to set glasses and other materials, Grothouse can manufacture an integrated, recessed drink rail. Our standard drink rail is 3/4″ deep and 4″ wide but can be customized upon request.

Drawbridge Doors

To provide access to the bar back, Grothouse can construct integrated drawbridge doors with pre-installed hinge hardware. While in the closed position, these areas are suitable for use by patrons or servers. In the open position, servers have direct access to the bar back / server side of the bar.

Chicago Bar Rail

Our Chicago Bar Rail is the perfect option to achieve that old-world, tavern feel on a bar top. The gently-shaped profile on the front is ideal for resting weary forearms, and the rear lip keeps spilled beverages on the bar and not in patrons’ laps. All bar rail is hand-crafted in the same wood used to construct your bar and arrives pre-installed and ready to use. Grothouse can also provide curved bar rail to accommodate nearly any bar design.

Learn more about Wood Chicago Bar Rail, Synthesis™, Bar Molding and Bar Trim

Click on the image on the left to see detailed size specifications of our applied bar rail