Written by Terry Smith

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Best Outdoor Bar Table and Chairs [UK]: Top Bar Garden Stools and Benches Compared and Reviewed

This article was last updated on October 13th, 2021 at 8:21 am

Few things excite me more than a garden party. There is something about soaking up the early evening sun in your own garden, surrounded by friends and family that just hits differently. In my opinion, the back garden truly is the unsung hero of the British summertime, and I think it’s time that we celebrate it – after all before we know it, it will be winter, and the garden will be covered in a layer of frost which is hardly the ideal conditions for a garden party. So, now is the time to crack open that backdoor, get the barbecue heating up and the beers chilling. But first – you might want to check that your garden is actually set up for a garden party with the best outdoor bar table and chair set combos!

Whilst we are all well accustomed to the awkward milling around which is so typical at a garden party, standing next to a complete stranger, attempting to string a conversation along, it is always a good idea to have a seating option, not only to make your garden party more accessible, but also a whole lot more comfortable.

There are lots of seating options on the market, ranging from hammocks to outdoor sofa sets, and of course the classic bean bag. But one of the classiest and most party-friendly outdoor seating options is a bar table and chair set. Typically formed from a table and either two or four chairs or stools, these sets mimic those typically found in (guess what) a bar.

Our top pics for the best outdoor bar table and chairs with stool options:

Best outdoor bar table and chairs: BonChoice Adjustable Bar Table Set

Best rattan outdoor bar table sets: Chusstang 3PCS Rattan Bar Set Wicker Outdoor Indoor Table & 2 Stools

Best outdoor table with strong stools: HOOBRO Bar Table Set with 2 Bar Stools

They tend to be higher off the ground than a typical table and chair set, making them better for entertaining, as the height is at a sociable level which allows seated guests to converse with standing guests – clever, right? The tables also typically have a smaller surface area and follow a longer and thinner design than your average dining table, for example. This is simply because the whole point of a bar table is to hold drinks and perhaps the odd nibble here and there – what’s a garden party without a bowl of crisps and some dips, after all?!

The problem with outdoor bar table and chairs and what to avoid

Now, if you are looking for a high quality and stylish bar table and chair set, I have to warn you of one crucial thing – it is rare to find a fully weatherproof, outdoor set, which can stay outdoors all year round. As is the way with British weather, it is recommended to look after your bar table and chair set by storing it indoors in winter, or during patches of bad weather, unless it is a rare weatherproof set. With this in mind, it is a good idea to look for a set which can easily be stored away in, for example, a shed, summerhouse, or garage. The great thing, however, with each bar table and chair set featured in this review, is that they are all multipurpose and would also work well as indoor furniture.

Example costs and uses for outdoor bar tables and chairs

Furthermore, these sets do not have to cost you an arm and a leg. With some sets costing as little as £60, this is a garden design project which can be done on a budget. However, there are of course much, much more expensive sets on the higher end of the market, with prices reaching well over £1000. Admittedly, I think value for money is one of the most important aspects of buying new garden furniture, so the products we are reviewing today all sit in the low to mid price range, because no one likes paying more than they should be.

So, without further ado, let’s take a look at the best outdoor bar table and chairs on the UK market in 2021. Sit back, relax, and pull up a stool at your soon-to-be new bar table.

Best Outdoor Bar Table and Chairs UK:

 

Specification: Quantity: 1 bar counter with 2 bar stools, Dimensions table: 120 × 40 × 100 cm, Dimensions Stool: 30 × 30 × 71 cm, Adjustable: No

We will get things started today with the WOLTU bar table, which comes in three pieces, with one table and two stools. WOLTU give you a choice when it comes to design, with the set available in two colour choices – dark beech which features a dark beech table and stool tops with black legs and bases, and light oak which has – you guessed it – light oak table and stool tops, this time with white legs and bases. Having a little choice when it comes to outdoor furniture is always a good thing, as no two gardens are completely the same. With these two design options, you can ensure that your new outdoor bar table and chair set matches your garden and elevates its appearance.

The tabletop measures 120cm x 40cm (length x width) sits 100cm off the ground, making it fairly tall and a good height for chatting to guests who weren’t lucky enough to get a seat at your table. In terms of the stools, their seats measure 30cm x 30cm and sit 71cm off the ground, another respectable height, and the perfect distance from the table to allow even the biggest and burliest guests to sit comfortably. It is worth, however, bearing in mind that the 40cm width of the tabletop makes it a pretty slim design, which looks great and makes fitting it into a small space a whole lot easier, but which likewise restricts what you can use the tabletop for. Put it this way; you won’t get very far trying to serve a three-course meal on this table, but it’s perfect for morning coffee or some early evening drinks.

A great added feature of this product is the non-slip, anti-scratch protectors under each leg. This prevents any damage to your floors, whether indoor or outdoor, in addition to protecting your ears from the horrendous sound of table legs scratching along a floor. It makes me cringe just to think of it.

Another strong point of the WOLTU bar table and chair set is its strong and sturdy construction. The tabletop and stool tops are made from E1 grade wood, with the legs made of sturdy metal, although due to their white finish, from a distance you would be fooled into thinking they are made from white painted wood. This strikes a healthy balance between strong materials and attractive materials, a win-win in the garden furniture world. Moreover, this product is moderately priced, so whilst the set is still somewhat of an investment, you know that WOLTU aren’t fleecing you.

However, it’s not all roses with the WOLTU table and chair set. There are, unfortunately, a couple of issues to address. The first of which is the fact that you only get two stools with this product. Now, this is fairly typical of a bar stool and table set, however perhaps this product is not for you if you have dreams of seating more than two people at your bar table. Furthermore, whilst the product can be used outdoors, it has no weather-proof features to protect it from the elements, so it is most likely recommended that you store this set inside, only bringing it outdoors on the odd occasion. In addition to this, I have to again reinforce the slim design of the tabletop, simply because it sets this product apart from others, as most other bar tables tend to be just that little bit more spacious than this one – something worth bearing in mind.
Pros:

  • Non-slip anti-scratch protection on legs
  • Attractive design and moderate price

Cons:

  • Super slim tabletop
  • Not particularly appropriate for outdoor use.

Specification: Quantity: 1 bar counter with 2 bar stools, Dimensions table: 120 × 50 × 90 cm, Dimensions Stool: 40 × 30 × 65 cm, Adjustable: No

Next up is the HOOBRO bar table set which, like the WOLTU set, comes in three pieces made up of two stools and one bar table. Let’s kick things off by looking at the set’s dimensions. The stool tops measure 40cm x 30cm (length x height), with their legs measuring 65cm each. The table sits 90cm off the ground, meaning there is a decent amount of space in between the tabletop and the stools, much like the WOLTU set. The actual tabletop measures 120cm x 50cm (length x width), which means that, with the HOOBRO set, you get 10cm of extra width, when compared to WOLTU’s product. This is good news if you are planning on using the table for more than just drinks and nibbles, however perhaps not the best news when it comes to storage and space usage – although we are only talking about an extra 10cm here.

The design of this set is great, in my opinion, although of course this is purely a matter of taste. HOOBRO has gone for the industrial look, with dark and rustic looking wooden table and stool tops and black metal legs. This design would work well for somebody who is interested in modern design, whether that’s in your indoor or outdoor space.

It is worth mentioning however that the table and stool tops are more of a wood-appearance than actually sturdy wooden fixtures. This is due to the fact that, like the WOLTU table and stool tops, they are made from E1 grade chipboard, as opposed to pure wood. Still, if you are looking to buy a bar table and stool set on a budget then purchasing a set made from chipboard is most likely the best way forward, as it saves you money without compromising the design or sturdiness too much. And speaking of sturdiness, it is worth mentioning the fact that HOOBRO claims that the set can hold up to 120kg, which is certainly impressive.

One thing which I also love about this product is, much like most bar table and stool sets, the user is required to assemble the product themselves, however with the HOOBRO set, you are provided with simple instructions to follow and even the tools to construct the set, including and accessory kit and an Allen Key, which will come in especially handy for those who aren’t exactly naturals when it comes to DIY.

Furthermore, this set is surprisingly affordable, sitting at the low end of the price scale. Of course though, there are reasons for the low price. One of the primary reasons would be the E1 grade chipboard which sneakily distracts the buyer from the fact that the table and stool tops are not actually made from real wood. Another reason would be the fact that the set only comes with two stools which, again is not unusual for a bar table and stool set, but still could be improved on. Finally, like the WOLTU set, this set has no weatherproofing, so is more suitable for indoor than outdoor use – sorry HOOBRO, but you can’t win ‘em all.
Pros:

  • Attractive industrial design, with an extra 10cm of tabletop width
  • Low price

Cons:

  • Not weatherproofed so not appropriate for outdoor use
  • Made from chipboard material

Specification: Quantity: 1 bar counter with 2 bar stools, Dimensions table: 100 × 60 × 103 cm, Dimensions Stool: 41 × 41 × 70 cm, Adjustable: No

It’s time now for the Chusstang rattan bar set which, like our previous two products, comes fit with three separate pieces: a bar table and two stools. What really sets this product aside from its competition, and specifically the other products on this review, is its rattan material, and not to mention flat glass countertop, which looks great and is super easy to maintain. The rattan is woven from green wicker, which is supposedly the most modern and cutting-edge type of wicker on the market, designed to be durable, long lasting, and essentially – weatherproof. Finally!

Where the other two products on this list could (at a push) be used outside in your garden, the Chusstang bar table and stool set is specifically designed for outdoor use, although could also be used indoors, if you so wish. This is a great design feature and works hard to set this product ahead in the race for the best outdoor bar table and chairs set. Nice one, Chusstang.

In terms of measurements, the table measures 100cm x 60cm x 103cm (length x width x height), with the stools measuring 70cm x 41cm x 41cm (length x width x height). This means that, like our previous two products, there is a generous 30cm gap in between stool and tabletop, making for a comfortable seating experience for the user. Likewise, the 100cm x 60cm table top means that you will have more than enough space to use the tabletop for whatever you please, whether that be dinner, drinks or even as an office table for a particularly sunny working-from-home-day. What a treat.

Another great feature of this set is the built-in storage racks on one side of the bar table. This opens up a whole world of storage potential and would work a treat for a busy garden party where you don’t have time to run around fetching people fresh glasses and another top-up. Simply store your supplies in the storage racks and sit back and enjoy your party!

There really aren’t many downsides to this product, but if we are being pedantic (which unfortunately we have to be in such a competitive game), it’s the price which is a let down for me. This is by far the most expensive bar table and chair set on this list, costing around 3x the amount of the average set. However, it is clear to see that you certainly get a lot of bang for your buck, but at a cost.
Pros:

  • Made from a weatherproof materials, so can be stored outside
  • Large tabletop surface and added storage shelves

Cons:

  • Fairly expensive
  • Design is not to everyone’s taste

Specification: Quantity: 1 Table with 2 bar stools, Dimensions table: 60 × 60 × (70-93) cm, Dimensions Stool: 47 × 50 × (90-111) cm, Adjustable: Yes (and 360˚ swivel)

Our final product is the BonChoice adjustable bar table and stool set, a product which clearly reads the bar table briefly and sticks to it. Whilst in many ways, the Chusstang rattan set gives the BonChoice set a serious run for its money, I have to rate the BonChoice set as the best product, simply because it is the closest thing to an actual bar table and stool. Sorry Chusstang.

You’ve heard this a couple of times now, but this set also comes in three pieces: a bar table and two bar stools. The difference with this product is that when BonChoice say ‘bar table’ and ‘bar stools’, they mean ‘bar table’ and ‘bar stools’. They are designed to look like your typical bar table and stool, fresh from an American diner, with faux leather upholstered seats, stuffed with padding for extra comfort and an MDF board tabletop. Both the table and the stools have the typical reflective chrome base, with chrome footrests attached to the legs of each stool. The stools, like the table, are adjustable, so they can fit any kind of garden party guest, no matter their height. All three pieces also swivel 360 degrees, making for a super sociable set which allows its users to move from one conversation to the next with ease.

The seats of the stools measure 44cm, sitting anywhere from 51cm to 115cm off the ground, depending on your desired height. In terms of the table, it has a circular diameter of 60cm, sitting between 70cm to 93cm off the ground. Now, this is a slightly odd design feature, as it means that the chairs are slightly taller than the table, especially at their maximum height.

Another issue with this product is, of course, the fact that it isn’t exactly designed for outdoor use and in fact, due to the materials that it is made from, would deteriorate quickly if left outside for an extended period of time. However, in spite of saying this, I just love the authentic design of this set, so I will go to my deathbed making excuses for it. Likewise, at its low-mid range price, all kinds of sins are forgivable.
Pros:

  • Authentic bar stool and table design
  • Both the table and stools have adjustable heights and swivel

Cons:

  • Not weatherproof, so not suitable for extended outdoor use
  • Slight issue with table vs stool height.

Comparison table: Best Outdoor Bar Table and Chairs [UK]: Top Bar Garden Stools and Benches Compared and Reviewed

ProductWhat We ThinkPrice

WOLTU Kitchen Bar Table Counter and 2 Stools Set

Pros:
  • Non-slip anti-scratch protection on legs
  • Attractive design and moderate price
Cons:
  • Super slim tabletop
  • Not particularly appropriate for outdoor use.

BonChoice Adjustable Bar Table Set

Pros:
  • Authentic bar stool and table design
  • Both the table and stools have adjustable heights and swivel
Cons:
  • Not weatherproof, so not suitable for extended outdoor use
  • Slight issue with table vs stool height.

HOOBRO Bar Table Set with 2 Bar Stools

Pros:
  • Attractive industrial design, with an extra 10cm of tabletop width
  • Low price
Cons:
  • Not weatherproofed so not appropriate for outdoor use
  • Made from chipboard material

Chusstang 3PCS Rattan Bar Set Wicker Outdoor Indoor Table & 2 Stools

Pros:
  • Made from a weatherproof materials, so can be stored outside
  • Large tabletop surface and added storage shelves
Cons:
  • Fairly expensive
  • Design is not to everyone’s taste

About Terry Smith

I’m Terry Smith from gardentoolbox.co.uk, a professional landscape designer, hobbyist gardener, and barbecue fanatic with 20 years experience building and restoring. So as you go through my site you'll watch me document some of the professional garden installs I make as well as the major projects I take on at home. While sharing those experiences and guiding you, I'll be recommending some great tools I use to enable this along the way so you can really buy in confidence. Always feel free to pop me a message: info@gardentoolbox.co.uk

View all posts by Terry Smith