Outdoor Summer Bar Ideas to Improve Your Patio
June 18, 2023
The season of summer Fridays, barbecues, lawn sports, and al fresco dining has arrived, and all of these warm-weather perks are best enjoyed with a cocktail in hand. But rather than cloistering yourself inside away from the fun while you labor over the drinks, this year, make yourself an outdoor summer bar. Not only does this let you enjoy the best of the season while whipping up your mojitos and palomas, but decorating a bar is also a great way to add personality and interest to your outdoor space. Here are six different outdoor summer bar ideas to help you make the most of the season.
Note: Prices are listed as they appeared at the time this blog was posted – please be sure to double check price and description on the corresponding websites of each product before purchasing.
Bold Maximalism
If “understated,” “subtle,” and “restrained” are dirty words in your book, bold maximalism may be the bar approach for you. The use of expressive color, fearless ecclecticism, and the belief that “more is more” define this aesthetic, and its cheeky playfulness and vibrance make it perfectly suited for the season. For maximalist outdoor summer bar ideas, see some of our favorite decor below.
Hand-Blown Glass Pitcher
This lively glass pitcher is the perfect vessel for mixing large batch margaritas, greyhounds, or this boozy ginger peach arnold palmer.
Yellow & White Ceramic Stool
Perfect for guests to perch on or to use as a side table.
Viski Lowball Tumblers
Use code SPIRITED15 to get 15% off sitewide on viski.com.
Modern Gold & Glass Bar Cart
Childhood Trauma Cocktail Napkins
Toxic topics that make excellent conversation starters.
Marbled Paper Lanterns
Pink Fringe Patio Umbrella
Position it over the bar to keep your drinks cool and your shoulders unburnt.
Woven Serving Tray
Tropical
These tropical outdoor summer bar ideas are perfect for tiki fans (or for anyone who fantasizes about living on “island time”). Playful flora and fauna motifs, organic materials, and a dash of kitsch make this type of home bar deliciously fun and the ideal spot for sipping mai tais all season.
Wicker & Lucite Bar Console
A distinctive blend of natural and man-made materials set this bar apart.
Bamboo Copper Straws
Scorpion Bowl
A perfect showpiece for entertaining friends. Pair it with the bamboo straws above for extra panache.
Tropical Cocktail Picks
Flamingo Punch Bowl Set
Tropical Ice Bucket
Ice is a key ingredient in almost every summer cocktail, but bags of loose ice or a basic cooler can ruin the look of your bar top. Keep your ice cold and tidy with an ice bucket like this one.
Monkey Cocktail Shaker
Flower Glasses
Delicate floral goblets ideal for frozen cocktails and sangrias.
Leaf Tumbler
Minimalist Neutral
If you perfer your space to feel like a calm, tranquil, spa-like haven, these outdoor summer bar ideas may be for you. Characterized by earth tones, clean lines, and simple shapes, this bar approach will help you create a sanctuary where you can unwind and enjoy your palomas in peace.
Modern Outdoor Bar
Classic Lowball Glass
Delicate, thin-walled lowball glasses for ranch waters, gin and tonics, or simple pours of whiskey.
Cement Outdoor Planters
Cantilever Outdoor Patio Umbrella
Keep yourself and your cocktails cool with an outdoor umbrella.
Silver Parisian Cocktail Shaker
I’ve owned this shaker for years, and it’s my all-time favorite. Reliable, effective, and nice to look at.
Ceramic Indoor/Outdoor Stool
These are a great addition to your outdoor bar since they can function either as stools or as side tables for drinks.
Grey Indoor/Outdoor Area Rug
Classic Coupe Glasses
This classic Riedel coupe is elegantly simple and functional for cocktails like gimlets, martinis, and daiquiris.
Classic Traditional
These outdoor summer bar ideas are timeless, classic, and elegant. Fitting for fans of preppy, all-American style, this decor will match your hydrangeas, 4th of July flags, seersucker, and vintage croquet set. If you plan on serving G&Ts, greyhounds, martinis, and bloody marys this summer, shop this look.
Outdoor Teak Trolley
Stylish and highly functional, this teak trolley comes with wheels, plenty of storage, and a fold-out top if you need more surface area.
Navy/White Outdoor Rug
Celebration Wine Tub
A stunning, celebratory addition to your outdoor bar.
Riedel Highball & Lowball Set
These classic highball and lowball Riedel glasses make elegant vessels for mojitos, bloodys, old fashioneds, and G&Ts.
Rattan Beverage Tub
Fill this tub with ice and keep it on your bar top for convenient and perfectly cold beers and mixers.
Riedel Mixing Glass
Gold Bar Spoon
Herb Planter
Plant mint, basil, and rosemary near your outdoor bar for easy access to fresh garnishes.
Black and White
For an outdoor bar that’s both dramatic and simple, consider a black and white motif. This aesthetic is a great match for modern homes looking to add a bar to their patios, decks, or rooftops.
Black Metal Bar Cart
Black & White Patio Umbrella
A weather-resistant umbrella to keep you and your drinks pleasantly shaded from hot summer sun.
Black & White Outdoor Rug
White Porcelain Stool
White Cement Indoor/Outdoor Planters
Add an accent of color to your bar and fill these planters with bay laurel, lemon trees, and cacti.
Black Hand-Blown Glassware
Handmade, Recycled Glass White Highball Set
A perfect glass for whiskey gingers, vodka sodas, and palomas.
Black Cocktail Mixing Glass
Black & White Wool Throw Blanket
To wrap around yourself on chilly summer nights or to throw on the lawn for picnic-style cocktailing.
Coastal
Embrace your inner coastal grandma with these nautical outdoor summer bar ideas. If you plan on filling the season with lobster rolls, fried fish, and oysters, perfect your setting with these oceanic bar accoutrements.
Nautilus Wine Bucket
You’ll find any excuse you can to pull this wine bucket out. Champagne and oysters on a Tuesday afternoon, anyone?
Blue Rattan Bar Cart
Nautical Coasters
Beaded coasters inspired by international maritime flag designs.
Lobster Bottle Opener
Blue Stem Glasses
Royal blue goblets for spritzes, sangrias, and summer punch.
Nautical Rope Outdoor Rug
Shell Cocktail Picks
Beachcomber cocktail picks to dress up your summer martinis.
Outdoor Lamps
Looking for More Outdoor Summer Bar Ideas?
If you’re looking for more ideas on what to add to your bar, here are Hannah’s top 10 essential cocktail tools and some of her favorite cocktail books.
Enjoy Your Outdoor Drinking Season.
Hannah sometimes earns a small commission if you purchase her recommended products through these links, at no additional cost to you. So, thank you!
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