Deck Bar Ideas to Get Your Backyard Ready for Summer

Your deck is a great place to unwind with friends, family, and to entertain guests. Whether you've created a deck that's a relaxing retreat or built a spot that's ideal for backyard get-togethers, you can take things to the next level by building a deck bar.

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Gone are the days of running back and forth between the kitchen and your deck to grab a drink. With a deck bar, you have the convenience of being able to mix all your favorite cocktails and have drinks readily available for your guests. We'll share some of our favorite outdoor patio bar ideas to give you the inspiration you need to liven up your deck with a bar that suits your entertaining needs.

9 Outdoor Deck Bar Ideas

If you want to mix your favorite cocktails in style, a deck bar may be the perfect project to take on this summer. Below are some deck bar ideas to inspire you and get your creative juices flowing.

These ideas range from a simple bar cart to an all-out party with a tiki-themed bar. And the best part is, you can bring many of these ideas to life on your own! If you're all about DIY projects, read on to learn more.

Pallet Bar

Pallets are versatile, easy to find, and can be transformed into so many things. You can use several pallets to create the front and sides of your bar and build a bar top from plywood or other materials. You can leave the pallets unfinished for a rustic look, stain them, or paint them to match the rest of your deck décor.

Thread some string lights between the slats of your pallets or add other decorative touches for a stunning centerpiece that you can put together in a weekend. Upcycled materials are popular right now, and using pallets is a great way to embrace that trend.

Combination Outdoor Pizza Oven and Bar

Can you think of a duo that's more iconic than beer and pizza? But instead of making your pizza in the kitchen and carrying it outside (there's nothing more tragic than dropping a slice!), make the magic happen all in one place with a combination deck bar and pizza oven.

Your deck is a perfect spot to install a bar that also includes outdoor kitchen elements like a pizza oven. This oven can be an eye-catching and functional focal point for your whole deck. Whether you like olives or anchovies or anything in between, serve up your favorite pie, hot and fresh, right on your deck.

Wall Mounted Bar

A wall-mounted bar can help you save on space. Ever hear of a Murphy bed? For areas that are short on square footage, a Murphy bed folds down from the wall and can be retracted away when not in use. Did you know you can do something similar with a bar?

Store all the essentials in a cabinet on an outside wall, and the bar counter itself can drop down from the wall. When it's not in use, you can close the cabinet, safely storing everything out of sight and out of the way.

Tiki Bar

If you're craving island vibes but can't hop on the next flight to the tropics, build a tiki bar instead! Of course, you'll need some classic tiki torches and lighting, but it's easy to take this look to the next level.

Grab a few simple materials to create a grass or thatch roof or awning, pin up some string lights around the bar area and add in a few bamboo or rattan bar stools. You can also use cut bamboo to line the outside of your bar to finish the look. From there, you'll be ready to sip a few Mai Tais in your very own tiki deck bar.

Bar With a View

Take in the gorgeous scenery from a deck bar with a view. If you're lucky enough to have a rooftop deck, imagine enjoying your drinks while overlooking the skyline of your city. Or maybe you have access to a beautiful mountain vista, or have a backyard patio that sits at the top of a hill. There are no shortage of ideas for adding a bar to a deck and there's nothing quite as awe-inspiring as drinking in a stunning panorama while enjoying your favorite cocktail.

When setting up a bar on your deck, opt to build a lower bar that doesn't obscure the view. Proper placement of the bar itself and seating is key to being able to make the most of the view.

Indoor/Outdoor Bar

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Your deck bar doesn't have to be entirely outdoors, especially if you live in an area where the weather can be unpredictable. You can build a small structure to enclose the interior of the bar, which can be useful if you plan on storing your glasses and alcohol. This way, these materials won't be affected by inclement weather.

With an indoor / outdoor deck bar, you can still have the seating area outside in the open air or covered by an awning. Building a roof on your deck bar is another great DIY project that can help you maximize the time spent on your outdoor patio bar. It can provide you with shelter from rain and wind, giving you the opportunity to keep the fun going regardless of weather.

Pool Bar

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After spending all afternoon floating in the pool, wrap up your night with a poolside drink. Build your bar directly next to your pool area so you can grab a cocktail while you dry off.

If you want to go all out, you can create a dugout bar next to your pool, so the counter is actually the edge of your pool. It's not difficult to find stools built for in-the-pool use that will serve as bar stools for your poolside bar. You can enjoy a drink without even getting out of the water!

This also works if you have an above-ground pool. If you want to build a deck for your above-ground pool, it's easy to work a deck bar into those plans!

Pass-Through Bar

If you have a large window facing your deck, think about building a pass-through bar. Use the window as your bar counter and set some stools up along the outside of the window. The bartender can hang out indoors and pass drinks out the window to your waiting guests.

A pass-through bar is great if you still want to store all your glasses, bottles, and mixers inside your home, but want your guests to enjoy the fun of hanging out on your deck.

Bar Cart

If you want to be able to take the party with you, no matter where you are hanging out, a bar cart is a great idea. Bar carts are popular because they're portable and don't take up much space. They're usually equipped with wheels for ease of movement.

Bar carts are an easy DIY project to take on - even if you may be a little intimidated by more elaborate projects. Best of all, a bar cart allows you to stash away all the essentials in one place, and simply roll your cart to where it's needed. It's like a party on wheels!

Get Your Deck Ready for Entertaining with a New Bar

Thinking about installing a bar on your deck? Take a few of these ideas into consideration and your deck will be the talk of the town. If you want to do it yourself, find a retailer that sells the materials you need. But if DIY isn't your speed, it's best to find an experienced deck contractor in your area.