The Best Bar Stools for Cafes, Bars and Restaurants in Australia
Scott Batori
Bar stools come in a wide range of materials, heights and styles, and the right choice depends on your venue. This guide covers what to look for before you order.
What Makes a Bar Stool Suitable for Commercial Use
Commercial bar stools need to handle daily use that domestic stools are not built for — constant movement, spills, cleaning products and continuous loading cycles over years of service. Look for stools rated to at least 120 kg, tested to Australian commercial-use standards or the equivalent European EN 16139 specification for non-domestic seating.
Beyond the weight rating, check the base and footrest construction. A wide, stable base prevents tipping in busy venues, and a reinforced footrest ring holds up better than a welded single-point rest under repeated use.
Timber Bar Stools
Timber bar stools bring warmth to a venue and suit cafes, bistros and casual dining rooms with a natural or rustic aesthetic. Solid timber stools are durable indoors but require a lacquered or oiled finish to resist spills and daily cleaning.
Timber pairs well with most other timber furniture in a venue, making it a straightforward choice when matching existing chairs and tables. Confirm the timber type and finish match your other seating to keep the space visually consistent.
Bentwood Bar Stools
Bentwood bar stools use the same steam-bent construction technique as bentwood chairs, producing a lightweight stool with a distinctive curved silhouette. They are a strong option for venues already using bentwood chairs, as the two pair naturally in finish and style.
Bentwood stools are generally lighter than solid timber alternatives, which makes them easier to move and reposition during service. Most stack for storage, an advantage in venues with limited back-of-house space.
Rattan Bar Stools
Rattan bar stools suit venues with a relaxed, coastal or Mediterranean aesthetic. The woven construction adds texture and a lighter visual weight than solid timber or upholstered stools, which works well in smaller spaces or venues aiming for an open, airy feel.
Natural rattan is best suited to indoor or covered areas. For any outdoor exposure, confirm whether the stool uses natural or synthetic rattan — synthetic versions handle moisture and UV exposure significantly better.
Choosing the Right Height
Bar stool height must match your table or counter height for a comfortable seating experience. Standard bar tables sit at 90–110 cm and pair with bar stools at 65–75 cm seat height. Low bar stools, typically 60–65 cm, suit counter heights around 90 cm or slightly lower bar setups.
Allow 25 to 30 cm of clearance between the seat surface and the table or countertop for comfortable knee room. Confirm this measurement against your existing tables or counters before ordering stools in volume.
Stackability and Maintenance
In high-turnover venues, stackable bar stools reduce storage footprint and speed up daily setup and pack-down. Most timber, bentwood and metal-frame bar stools stack. Upholstered and rattan stools with wider profiles typically do not.
For daily maintenance, wipe timber and lacquered surfaces with a damp cloth and dry promptly. Vinyl and leather seat pads clean quickly with a mild detergent. Fabric upholstery requires more careful spot-cleaning and will need replacing sooner under regular commercial use.
The Cafe Furniture Company stocks bar stools across timber, bentwood and rattan materials, with matching bar tables available in the same finishes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the standard height for a bar stool?
Standard bar stools sit between 65 and 75 cm in seat height, designed to pair with bar tables at 90–110 cm. Low bar stools sit around 60–65 cm for use with lower counters or benches around 90 cm high.
Which bar stool material is easiest to maintain?
Vinyl seat pads and lacquered timber are the easiest bar stool surfaces to maintain in a commercial venue. Both wipe clean quickly and resist spills better than fabric upholstery or untreated timber, which require more careful ongoing care.
Are bentwood bar stools as durable as timber bar stools?
Yes. Bentwood bar stools use the same solid beech construction as bentwood chairs and carry the same commercial weight ratings when tested to Australian or European standards. The steam-bent frame is inherently strong due to its continuous grain structure.
Can rattan bar stools be used outdoors?
Natural rattan bar stools are designed for indoor or covered use only. For outdoor or semi-outdoor areas, choose stools made from synthetic rattan, which is treated to resist UV exposure and moisture. Confirm the material before placing an outdoor order.
How many bar stools do I need for my venue?
Allow approximately 60 to 70 cm of linear counter or bar table space per stool to give guests comfortable elbow room. A 4-metre bar table run typically seats 6 to 7 stools comfortably.
Do bar stools need backrests?
Backrests are not essential but improve comfort for longer seated visits. Backless stools are lighter, stack more easily and suit high-turnover counter seating. Stools with backrests suit venues where guests are expected to sit for longer periods, such as bars and lounges.
What weight rating should commercial bar stools have?
Commercial bar stools should carry a weight rating of at least 120 kg and be tested to Australian commercial-use standards or the equivalent European EN 16139 specification. Avoid stools marked for domestic use only, as they are not built for daily commercial loading cycles.
Where can I buy commercial bar stools in Australia?
The Cafe Furniture Company stocks a large range of bar stools in timber, bentwood and rattan finishes, in stock and ready for delivery Australia-wide. Contact the sales team for volume pricing and delivery timeframes.
Ready to Order Bar Stools for Your Venue?
The Cafe Furniture Company supplies commercial bar stools to cafes, bars and restaurants across Australia from a large in-stock range. Visit the showroom at Unit 17, 31 Maddox Street, Alexandria NSW or browse the full bar stools range online.