How to Choose a Bar Fridge for Pubs, Clubs and Restaurants

The right bar fridge depends on how your staff and guests reach the drinks. Choose the type first. Then work through door style, noise, cleaning, heat and branding.

This guide is for pubs, clubs, bars, cafes and restaurants buying commercial refrigeration for the bar. It stays general on purpose. Always check the exact specification of any model you shortlist.

How will drinks be served?

Every other choice follows from this one. Decide who needs to see and reach the stock.

The four main types

Most bar refrigeration falls into four groups. Browse the bar fridges range to compare them side by side.

Back-bar bottle coolers

Low units that sit under the back bar. They are built for bottles and cans, and staff reach in from the service side. Door styles vary, so check each model.

Sliding door units

Sliding doors move along a track instead of swinging out. They suit narrow service aisles, where two staff need to pass without a door in the way.

Glass door units

Glass doors show the stock. Staff see what is low without opening the door, and guests see the range if the unit faces the room. Glass and interior lighting can add to the cooling load, which matters in a warm venue. Check the specification.

Underbar and undercounter units

General undercounter fridges, often with solid doors. They suit storage you do not need to show. Use a bottle cooler for the drinks you serve most. See the underbench fridges range.

Sliding, swing, solid or glass

Door style changes how the bar works every minute of service.

Count the doors against your bar length. More doors mean more access points. They also mean more seals to keep clean.

Match the fridge to your venue

These are starting points, not rules. Your layout and service style decide the final choice.

Noise

A quiet bar is a better bar. Fridge noise comes from the compressor and the fans. A unit under a small cocktail bar sits close to guests, so noise matters there.

Some manufacturers offer adjustable fan speeds or a quiet mode. Not every unit has this, so ask before you buy.

Remote units move the compressor away from the counter. That can reduce noise and heat at the bar. A licensed refrigeration tradesperson must connect them to a remote refrigeration system, so plan this before you order.

Cleaning and upkeep

A fridge that is easy to clean stays cleaner and runs better. Ask these questions about every model:

• Can you reach the condenser to clean it?
• Do the door seals wipe clean?
• Are the shelves removable?
• Can you clean the glass and sliding tracks without tools?

Spills happen at a bar. Sticky residue in a door track or on a seal can stop a door closing fully. Build wiping the seals into your closing routine.

Dust and grease can clog a condenser, which makes the fridge work harder. Follow the maintenance steps in the manufacturer's manual. Use a licensed tradesperson for any work on the refrigeration system itself.

Heat and airflow

A fridge sheds heat into the room. In a tight bar cavity with little airflow, that heat has nowhere to go. The unit works harder and may struggle to hold temperature.

1. Where the unit breathes. Some units draw and release air at the front. Others need clear space at the back or sides. Confirm this for any model you shortlist.
2. The room. Outdoor bars, kitchens next door and sunny windows all add heat. Some models are sold in a tropical version. Check the stated ambient conditions on the product page.
3. The clearances. Use the clearances in the manufacturer's installation instructions. Do not guess.

Lighting, finish and branding

A glass-door cooler works as a sales tool. Guests see the range and order from it, so think about what you want them to see.

• Lighting. Interior lighting makes bottles stand out. Check whether the model offers it and whether it can be dimmed.
• Finish. Check which finishes each model offers, such as stainless steel or black. Pick one that suits your fit-out.
• Branding space. The glass front and the top of the unit are the visible surfaces. Ask whether custom finishes or branding are offered for the model you choose.
• Stock layout. Put your fastest sellers at eye level and in front.

A glass door also shows a messy fridge, so keep it tidy. If budget is tight, browse the clearance range.

Size and fit

Measure the opening, not just the bench. Work through these steps before you shortlist:

1. Note the width, depth and height of the cavity.
2. Measure the path the fridge must take to reach the bar: doorways, corridors, stairs and corners.
3. Check the power point. Confirm the plug and circuit needs in the specification.
4. Ask a licensed electrician if a new outlet is needed.

If the fridge is part of a wider bar setup, plan the neighbours as well. Ice makers and ice storage bins sit near the pour station. Glass washers need water and drainage nearby. Keep the fridge close to the main service flow so staff do not walk far.

Mistakes to avoid

• Buying on looks alone. A glass door that does not suit your heat or aisle becomes a daily problem.
• Boxing the unit in. A closed cavity with no airflow makes the fridge work harder.
• Forgetting the delivery path. A fridge that fits the cavity can still fail to fit the doorway.
• Ignoring the cleaning routine. Tracks, seals and condensers need regular attention.
• Skipping the power check. Confirm the power point before the unit arrives.

Checklist before you buy

• How will drinks be served: staff only, or on display to guests?
• How wide is the service aisle? Does it suit swing doors?
• Is the unit rated for the room's heat? Where does it breathe?
• How loud is it, and is there a quiet mode?
• Can you reach the condenser and seals to clean them?
• Is a remote unit practical, and who will connect it?
• What is the stated temperature range, and does it suit your products?
• What finish and lighting suit your bar?
• Will it fit through the delivery path and into the cavity?
• Does it need an extra power point?

If you are also planning other cold storage, see fridges and freezers for the wider range.

Browse bar refrigeration

A few back-bar models from the range. Check the full specification on each product page.

Frequently asked questions