Hosting outdoor gatherings is a fantastic way to infuse life into your backyard during the warm months. Embracing the concept of outdoor entertainment opens up a world of exciting DIY projects that can enhance the comfort and enjoyment of your outdoor space for both you and your guests. One such project that greatly simplifies hosting is the construction of an outdoor bar.
Building an outdoor bar not only adds convenience to your party hosting endeavors but also offers a dedicated space for serving and enjoying your backyard. With an outdoor bar, you eliminate the need to constantly shuttle between the kitchen and the outdoor space while serving guests. It provides a centralized area where guests can conveniently dispose of their empty drinks and continue socializing without interruption, ultimately enhancing the overall party experience.
Creating an outdoor bar is a straightforward project that requires minimal materials, including brick, mortar, plywood, concrete nails, lathe, tile, an ice chest, and a weekend of your time. When planning to build an outdoor bar, carefully consider its location and layout. Ensure that the chosen location is level and situated in a clear, unobstructed area. Avoid building the outdoor bar around any potential obstacles, such as steps or pathways, that could disrupt the flow of your gatherings. By providing an open and accessible space, your outdoor bar will become the focal point for guests to gather and enjoy themselves. For a detailed guide on constructing your outdoor bar, refer to the following article from Yahoo.com, which outlines the step-by-step process.
How to Build an Outdoor Bar for Your Backyard
These days, many Americans are spending time entertaining outside rather than in their homes. This trend has opened up doors of opportunity when it comes to the many different backyard projects that a homeowner can do. An outdoor bar will not only give you and your guests a place to hang out and have a drink–it will also increase the comfort of your backyard! Here is a step by step guide to building an outdoor bar for your backyard.
Materials Needed to Build an Outdoor Bar:
- Brick
- Mortar
- Plywood
- Concrete Nails
- Lathe
- Tile
- Ice Chest
How to Build an Outdoor Bar Step 1: Begin by building the foundation for the outdoor bar. You will need to clear the ground in the area where you are placing the bar and tamp the ground. It is best to build the outdoor bar on a pre-poured slab of concrete which is easy to do on your own if you do not already have a slab of concrete poured.
How to Build an Outdoor Bar Step 2: Using the brick, begin building the foundation of the bar by laying brick in a rectangle shape the width and length of the outdoor bar that you are building. I made a bar that was 8 feet long and 3 feet wide on my back porch.
How to Build an Outdoor Bar Step 3: Continue to lay brick along the bottom and then using mortar, apply a thin layer to the top of the bricks and set the next row of bricks into the mortar in a staggered fashion. The brick joints should be staggered to form a sturdy rectangular base. I suggest stacking the bricks at about 4 feet for the bar. This way it is a bit raised from children and pets but still plenty low enough to reach at a comfortable height.
How to Build an Outdoor Bar Step 4: Cut a piece of plywood that is the size of the rectangle that you created. This will be used for the top of the bar. You should use a saws all to cut a hole out of the plywood that is the size of the ice chest. This way, once you have tiled the bar top you can set the ice chest right in. For a cheap outdoor bar fix, you can use an old stainless steel sink as the ice chest. The drain can even be attached to a piece of pvc that runs out below the bar for easy drainage after a party.
How to Build an Outdoor Bar Step 5: Fasten the plywood to the top of the brick base using concrete nails. After you have attached the plywood, you should use wire lathe to cover the entire outdoor bar top.
How to Build an Outdoor Bar Step 6: Apply a thin layer of thin set mortar to the lathed plywood top using a ½ trowel. Lay tile on the thin set in any design that you choose. Allow tile to set over night before grouting.
How to Build an Outdoor Bar Step 7: Mix sanded grout with water in a bucket to form a milk shake like consistency. Pour the bucket of grout onto the tiled top of the outdoor bar and use a grout float to spread the grout into all of the joints in the tiled top.
How to Build an Outdoor Bar Step 8: Allow grout to set for about 10-15 minutes and then using a grout sponge and water gently wipe away any excess grout that is on the tiled top. Allow grout to set overnight before continuing with the outdoor bar project.
How to Build an Outdoor Bar Step 9: Set the sink or the ice chest into the pre cut hole in the bar top. Use proper fastening to fasten the chest to the bar top. Once you have fastened the chest, use a bead of caulk to seal around the edges.
How to Build an Outdoor Bar Step 10: Enjoy your outdoor bar–stock the bar with glasses and drinks before a big party. Your guests will love the set up and so will you!
Following this step-by-step guide to build an outdoor bar is a straightforward way to enhance your entertainment space and improve your overall home. Constructing an outdoor bar in your backyard provides your guests with a cozy area to unwind and savor the outdoors, elevating the overall experience of your gatherings. The addition of features like an outdoor bar not only enhances the aesthetics of your property but also adds convenience and value.
Furthermore, there are several other valuable additions that can transform your backyard into a captivating and functional space, including a fireplace, pizza oven, and outdoor kitchen. These enhancements not only elevate the visual appeal of your outdoor area but also offer practical benefits for your lifestyle.
If you have any inquiries regarding the materials required for building an outdoor bar, kitchen, fireplace, or pizza oven, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us. We’re here to assist you in making informed decisions and can provide you with a wide range of building materials that will help you turn your backyard into a comfortable and inviting retreat. At Camosse Masonry Supply, we are dedicated to helping you create a backyard oasis that you can enjoy for years to come.
