Back bar coolers, bottle coolers and beer dispensers: how to choose for your bar
- Back bar refrigerators keep bottles and cans cold and on display behind the bar.
- Bottle coolers hold lots of bottles in a compact top-loading or low-profile format.
- Beer dispensers (kegerators) serve draft beer from kegs stored cold behind the bar.
- Measure your bar depth and length first. Back bar units come in standard depths and widths.
A bar lives on cold drinks. The right refrigeration keeps bottles, cans and kegs at serving temperature, looks good on the back bar and lets bartenders work fast. Three kinds of equipment do most of the work.
Back bar refrigerators
Low, glass-door coolers designed to sit under the back bar. Glass doors let guests and staff see the selection, and the height fits beneath a standard back bar counter. They come in two-door, three-door and wider configurations, and they are the workhorse for bottled beer, mixers and wine.
| Model | Size | Dimensions (L × D × H) | Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|
| XBB-24-48G-HC | 24" Depth 48" Two Glass Door Back Bar | 48.8" x 24.4" x 35.6" | 11.8 cu. ft. |
| XBB-24-60G-HC | 24" Depth 60" Two Glass Door Back Bar | 60.8" x 24.4" x 35.6" | 15.8 cu. ft. |
| XBB-24-72G-HC | 24" Depth 72" Three Glass Door Back Bar | 72.8" x 24.4" x 35.6" | 19.6 cu. ft. |
| XBB-27-90G-HC | 27" Depth 90" Three Glass Door Back Bar | 90.38" x 27.75" x 36.25" | 4 (1/2) Kegs |
Bottle coolers
Bottle coolers hold a large number of bottles in a compact, often top-loading form, which suits bars that sell a lot of bottled beer and want to keep it ice cold and within easy reach. They are ideal at a service well or next to the register.
Draft beer dispensers
A beer dispenser stores kegs cold and serves draft beer through taps on top. It pairs refrigeration and dispensing in one cabinet, so it is easy to install and keeps kegs and lines at consistent temperature. Pick the number of taps and keg capacity that matches your volume.
How to choose
- Measure the bar length, depth and counter height.
- Decide what you sell most: bottles, cans, draft or mixers.
- Count how many units you need to stock a busy night without running out.
- Decide whether guests will see the cooler. If so, choose glass doors and clean stainless trim.
- Plan for clearance, electrical outlets and drainage where needed.
Keep it running
Bars are dusty, sticky places. Wipe glass and gaskets daily and keep the condenser clean. See how to clean condenser coils.
Browse our bar and draft equipment or contact us with your bar size.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a back bar cooler and a bottle cooler?
A back bar cooler is a glass-door, under-counter unit sized to fit beneath a back bar. A bottle cooler is a compact unit designed to hold many bottles in a small footprint.
Do I need a special electrical setup?
Most units run on standard 115-volt power. Check the spec sheet for amperage and plug type.
How many taps do I need?
Match the number of taps to the beers you want on at once, and to your volume. Start with what you can sell through quickly so the beer stays fresh.