Buying an antique back bar comes down to three things: the right bar for the room, accurate measurements, and a clear plan for getting it into place. Measure the wall length, ceiling height and every doorway on the path in, know how the bar comes apart into sections, and see it in person before you commit. Our floor in Roswell currently holds back bars from 16 to 28 feet long, so you can compare scale, wood and detail side by side.
Back bar, front bar or both?
The back bar is the tall cabinet against the wall, with mirrors, shelving and storage, where bottles were displayed. The front bar is the counter where drinks are served. Period makers sold both: Brunswick-Balke-Collender’s nineteenth-century line included counters, sideboards, mirrors and beer coolers.
Many rooms use just a back bar, while a full installation pairs the two. Our floor includes a 12-foot mahogany front bar with Morgan silver dollars set in its top, and for a different kind of counter, a complete soda fountain bar with its back bar.
How are antique back bars built?
A large back bar is a piece of architecture made to travel. It is usually built as a set of parts that go together on site:
- The base. A lower run of cabinets, with doors or drawers for storage, topped by a working surface.
- The mirror section. An upper case of large mirror plates, often beveled, framed by columns or pilasters.
- The crown. A cornice across the top, sometimes with carved crests, and on the most elaborate bars a canopy of stained or leaded glass.
Makers planned for assembly. The Brunswick-Balke-Collender bar in the College Inn Bar in Douglas, Wyoming, installed in 1906, has a coded number on every piece so local carpenters could fit it together, and a Brunswick representative oversaw the placement. That sectional construction is what makes it possible to move a 24-foot bar today. Ask how a bar breaks down and how large and heavy the biggest section is.
What to measure before you buy
- Wall length. Leave room on each side for trim and for the bar to look intentional, not squeezed.
- Ceiling height. Crowns and canopies on large back bars can reach 12 feet. Check for beams, soffits and light fixtures, and remember that the crown has to be lifted into place.
- The path in. Measure every door, hallway, stair and turn between the truck and the wall. The largest section, not the finished bar, has to fit through.
- Depth. Allow for the back bar’s depth plus working space in front of it. Modern bar-planning references put back bar depth at about 24 to 30 inches, but antique bars vary, so get the actual figure for the bar you want.
- The floor. Large bars are heavy. Confirm the floor can carry the load, especially upstairs.
- Power. If the bar has lights, plan where the wiring will run, and have a licensed electrician look at any fixture before it is connected.
Planning a working bar for a restaurant or club
If the bar will be worked by staff, plan the whole run, not just the back bar. Architectural planning references give these ranges:
- Bartender work zone: 30 to 36 inches between the front bar and the back bar.
- Front bar height: 42 to 45 inches, with a top 18 to 30 inches deep.
- Stool spacing: 24 to 30 inches per seat along the front bar.
Our 12-foot mahogany front bar, RA657, stands 44 inches high and 29.5 inches deep, within those ranges. Before you commit, talk with your architect, your local building official and the health department about how the bar will be installed and used, since requirements vary by location.
Woods, mirrors and finish: what to look at
Wood
Mahogany and oak are the woods of the bars in this guide. Oak is worth a close look: quartersawn oak is cut so the growth rings run at a steep angle to the face of the board, which exposes the tree’s medullary rays as flecks or “tiger stripes” and yields a more stable board. Plain-sawn oak shows long, arched “cathedral” grain instead.
Mirrors
In 1835 the German chemist Justus von Liebig developed a process for depositing a thin layer of silver on glass, later adapted for mass production. As a mirror ages, moisture can work in, usually from the edges, and the silver breaks down into dark spots or edges. Old mirror plates can be resilvered or replaced. Neither is a flaw, but you should know which you are buying, so ask whether each mirror is original, resilvered or new.
Finish and glass
Ask whether the finish is original, cleaned or refinished, and look closely at any stained or leaded glass for cracked or replaced pieces. A clear answer on each point tells you more about a bar than any adjective.
Choosing by size and style
- 16-foot Victorian mahogany back bar (RA525): a scale that suits many home bars and pubs.
- 22-foot Brunswick-Balke-Collender mahogany back bar (RA565) with a stained and leaded glass domed canopy, about 12 feet high. Read why collectors chase the Brunswick name.
- 24-foot triple arch oak back bar by Charles Passow & Sons (RA668) with lion heads and three arch-top mirrors. Read our story on the Passow bar.
- 28-foot Rothchild back bar with marble columns (RA606), with a mirrored top, 9 feet 8 inches high.
To pair a back bar with a counter, see the 12-foot mahogany front bar (RA657), with Morgan silver dollars embedded in the left side of its lacquered top; our story on the Morgan silver dollar bar has more. All prices are available on request.
Questions to ask the dealer
- Who made it and what supports the attribution?
- Which parts are original and what has been restored?
- Is every section present, including the crown?
- How does it break down, and what are the section sizes?
- Are the mirrors original, resilvered or replaced?
- Can I see it in person?
Frequently asked questions
How much space do I need for an antique back bar?
At minimum, the full length of the bar plus trim room, and enough ceiling height for the crown. Bring your measurements and we will compare them against the bar.
Do antique back bars come apart?
Yes. Large back bars were built in sections, typically a base, a mirror section and a crown, so they could be shipped and assembled on site. Ask for the size of the largest section before you plan the move.
How much room does a bartender need behind the bar?
Planning references allow 30 to 36 inches between the front bar and the back bar. Add that to the back bar’s depth when you plan the room.
How tall is a standard front bar?
Planning references put front bar height at 42 to 45 inches. Our 12-foot mahogany front bar, RA657, is 44 inches high.
Can an antique back bar be used in a restaurant?
Yes. Antique back bars are a favorite of restaurants, breweries and private clubs that want an authentic period room. Check installation requirements with your local building and health officials.
Where can I see antique back bars near Atlanta?
The Red Baron Antiques showroom in Roswell, Georgia, about 20 miles north of downtown Atlanta, keeps antique back bars on the floor. Browse them in Antique Back Bars.
See it in Roswell
Every piece mentioned here is on the floor at the Red Baron Antiques showroom, 872 Atlanta Street, Roswell, Georgia, Monday through Friday from 9 am to 5 pm. Call (770) 640-4604 or email [email protected] with the item number and your measurements, and we will talk through fit.