Maximizing Your Bar Space with Proper Walking Clearance

The amount of space required behind a bar is an important consideration when planning and designing your commercial space. According to industry standards, there should be approximately 3 inches of space behind a commercial bar. However, this is just a starting point, and the width of the aisle needs to be factored in as well. Here are some tips to help you determine the appropriate amount of space needed behind a bar:

Verify the local building codes and regulations in your area to ensure compliance.

Take into account the size and number of your bar equipment items such as kegerators, ice bins, and liquor shelves.

Consider the number of bartenders who will be working at the bar simultaneously with enough space to move around easily.

If you plan to have barbacks, the aisle width should be set at the higher end of the recommended range, around 37 inches, to allow for easier movement and less bumping into one another.

Remember that a well-designed commercial bar allows for maximum efficiency and can potentially increase your profit margins. By taking the time to plan and ensure proper spacing, you’ll create a comfortable and functional workspace for your staff and an enjoyable experience for your customers.

How Much Walking Space is Needed behind a Bar?

Commercial bars come in different sizes and designs, but one common question that arises during the planning and construction of a bar is how much walking space is needed behind it. The answer is important because the amount of space available for bartenders and barbacks to move around and perform their duties can have a significant impact on the overall efficiency and productivity of the bar. In this article, we will explore the recommended aisle width for commercial bars, the impact of barbacks on walking space, how to make the most of the limited space behind a bar, the importance of comfortable walking space for bartenders, and the factors to consider when deciding on aisle width in commercial bars.

The Recommended Aisle Width for Commercial Bars

According to industry standards, there should be about 3 inches of space behind commercial bars. This space is just enough for bartenders and barbacks to squeeze through and perform simple tasks such as changing kegs or grabbing a bottle of liquor. However, if you want to ensure that your bar is functional and efficient, you should provide more space. Industry experts recommend that the width of the aisle should be somewhere between 24 and 37. This range allows bartenders and barbacks to move around the bar without constantly squeezing past each other or bumping into equipment. Key Point: Providing more walking space behind a commercial bar can vastly improve the efficiency of the bar.

Barbacks and Aisle Width: How They Affect Walking Space

Barbacks are vital members of the bar team, and their roles include restocking inventory, assisting bartenders with tasks, and keeping the bar area clean and organized. Barbacks need room to move around behind the bar, and this can affect the amount of walking space needed. If you’re making use of barbacks, it’s recommended that you increase the width of the aisle to the higher part of the range, around 37. This extra space will ensure that barbacks can move around the bar without disrupting the workflow of the bartenders. Key Point: When planning a bar that will use barbacks, provide more walking space to accommodate their movements.

Making the Most of the Limited Space Behind a Bar

Commercial bars are often designed to fit into a specific space, and sometimes there isn’t much room available for walking space behind the bar. In this situation, it’s important to make the most of the limited space available. One way to do this is to prioritize the equipment that is essential for the bartender’s workflow. For example, the kegs and beer taps should be placed in easily accessible areas, and the most commonly used liquor bottles should be within arm’s reach. Additionally, using equipment with a smaller footprint can help save space behind the bar.

• Place essential equipment in easily accessible areas.
• Prioritize the most commonly used liquor bottles.
• Consider using equipment with a smaller footprint.

Key Point: Prioritizing equipment and using space-saving designs can make the most of limited walking space behind a commercial bar.

The Importance of Comfortable Walking Space for Bartenders

Bartending is a physically demanding job that requires standing and moving for long periods. With this in mind, it’s important to provide comfortable walking space behind a commercial bar. Without enough space, bartenders are forced to constantly navigate around equipment and barbacks, which can be both exhausting and dangerous. Providing comfortable walking space can help reduce the risk of accidents and injuries, and make the bartending experience more enjoyable for the staff. Key Point: Comfortable walking space behind a commercial bar can reduce accidents, injuries, and improve the bartender’s experience.

Designing a Functional Commercial Bar with Enough Walking Space

Designing a functional commercial bar requires careful planning and attention to detail. To ensure that the bar is efficient and enjoyable to work in, take the following factors into consideration when deciding on aisle width:

• The number of bartenders and barbacks who will be working behind the bar.
• The amount of equipment that will be used.
• The size and layout of the bar.
• The specific needs of the establishment’s clientele.

By taking these factors into account, you can design a bar layout that provides the necessary walking space for bartenders and barbacks, while also allowing the space to be used efficiently. Key Point: Careful planning and consideration of specific factors are necessary to design a functional commercial bar.

Factors to Consider When Deciding on Aisle Width in Commercial Bars

When deciding on aisle width in commercial bars, there is no one-size-fits-all approach. Instead, consider the specific needs and requirements of the establishment to determine the necessary walking space. Some factors to consider include:

• The number of bartenders and barbacks who will be working behind the bar.
• The amount of equipment that will be used.
• The size and layout of the bar.
• The specific needs of the establishment’s clientele.
• The requirement of local laws and regulations.

By taking these factors into account, you can determine the optimal walking space behind the bar, ensuring that bartenders and barbacks can move around efficiently, and the bar can operate at maximum productivity. Key Point: Multiple factors must be considered when deciding on aisle width in commercial bars; there is no one-size-fits-all approach.

Conclusion

When designing a commercial bar, considering the walking space behind the bar is critical to ensuring that the bar is functional, efficient, and enjoyable to work in. Providing more walking space than the minimum requirement lowers the risk of accidents, avoids interruption of workflow and ensures that the bartending experience is comfortable. Knowing the factors that contribute to determining the required walking space can equip you with the knowledge needed to create an effective, practical, and efficient bar.