Homemade bars, cantinas, drinking tables, etc?

[Jay Sco]

I'm sure this has been brought up before, but I cannot find any threads on this subject, yes I used the search function. So can someone point me to an existing thread, or just run with this one?
Just trying to get ideas on making my own cheap custom one vs getting a cheap one off Craigslist and customizing it to match the garage.
I've found sites online where plans can be bought, anyone use these and how did they work? I'd rather pay a little for good plans and not have my bar look like a second workbench.

 

[Blue XJ]

It's not in my garage but might give you an idea

Here is the frame.

 

[Jay Sco]

I like it. Whats the height of it? I've read that 42"-48" is the norm.

 

[Jay Sco]

C'mon!! 500 views and only one of you has a bar (and an opinion)?!?!?!?

 

[camarotoolman]

A kitchen cabinet store could help you out, just base cabinets with a top. They have dsesigners on site.

 

[coljar]

I'm like Jay Sco, I'm waiting to see some more bars. I'm planning on building one myself soon. Like mine to maybe have a copper counter top like an old bar has near here.

 

[Hotrod barn]

I have a pc off glass thats laminated 1/2 on one side 1/4 on the other.I haven't made a table/bar yet but as soon as my garage redo is done I will start.just going to frame it,I also have a web site you may like , and check it out.it's not a bar but you can use it to have extra people sitting/standing or for serving to save room.it is basically the rear of a truck,taillights,tailgate and bumper and they look cool I have seen them.I hope to get mine soon it's been ordered.

http://offthewallstuff.com/index.php?osCsid=e22f1a36451478cfdd1113768f60dda7

 

[Blue XJ]

I like it. Whats the height of it? I've read that 42"-48" is the norm.

The bar top is 42" and the sink portion is 32". The height works for me.

 

[The Hot Rod Grille]

C'mon!! 500 views and only one of you has a bar (and an opinion)?!?!?!?

Mine is a soda bar that incorporates a fully-operational 1940's Bastian-Blessing soda fountain. The bar top is gloss grey "Boomerang" Formica with polished stainless steel edge banding. The bar top is 6' 6" long x 18" wide and is 42" from the floor. It utilizes four free-standing bar stools.

A friend used a Victor Coca-Cola chest cooler for the base of his bar with similar results.

Jim

 

[2001RedCoupeBandit]

That sir, it amazing!

I'll take a double with ice cream!

 

[The Hot Rod Grille]

That sir, it amazing!

I'll take a double with ice cream!

Thank you for the nice comment. Feel free to PM for directions and stop by for something from the soda fountain if you are ever in my area!

Jim

 

[Jay Sco]

That soda bar is way cool. Formica is a good idea, I'll keep that in mind for some covering since I plan on using cheap wood.

 

[Blue XJ]

I used cheap wood on mine too, then skinned everything with 1/4" oak plywood, much cheaper.

 

[Plump]

My garage bar is freebie-mania! A couple of cabinets that were being thrown out as well as an 8' table as the top. I just threw the cabinets up on a 2x4 frame to bring it up to bar height, added 4x4 posts to bring up a foot rail, and slapped on some 2x8 recycled plastic picnic bench seats for the foot rail. I added a sink and extra counter space when I found a sink and faucet on the side of the road in a "T" configuration.

Have fun with it! Go to ReStore, dumpster dive, ask your friends...you'll find stuff to make the cost very little of the battle. The battle should be to be creative!

 

[whitetrash1]

Mine is a soda bar that incorporates a fully-operational 1940's Bastian-Blessing soda fountain. The bar top is gloss grey "Boomerang" Formica with polished stainless steel edge banding. The bar top is 6' 6" long x 18" wide and is 42" from the floor. It utilizes four free-standing bar stools.

A friend used a Victor Coca-Cola chest cooler for the base of his bar with similar results.

Jim

i work for coca-cola and that is friggin awesome. i really dig the vintage 50s stuff

 

[colsanders]

I am in a building construction program at a local community college. We had to build a cabinet project last year, so I built a bar. I guess i never got a finished picture, but here are some in progress.

 

[Jay Sco]

Plump, thanks for the ReStore idea, I totally forgot about that place.
Sanders, that's real nice....unfortunately I have zero woodworking skills, so that's way beyond my level.