A back bar fridge sits behind the bar, within arm's reach of the bartender, and holds the bottles and cans that are poured and sold all night. Choosing the right one means matching width, doors, cooling and finish to your service. This guide covers what to check when buying a back bar fridge for a pub, bar, club or restaurant.
What a back bar fridge does
A back bar fridge keeps drinks cold and visible while staying out of the customer's way. It is usually low and wide so that it fits under the back bar counter and has sliding or hinged doors. The unit takes constant opening, so it needs strong cooling and durable shelves. Browse our back bar fridges to see models by width and door type.
Bottle cooler, bottle fridge and bottle chiller
These names are often used for the same type of product. A bottle cooler is a back bar fridge sized for bottles and cans. A bottle fridge or bottle chiller may be a smaller unit or a different style. Look at the specification rather than the name, and see our bottle coolers category.
Width and doors
Back bar fridges come in single, double, triple and four-door options. Wider units hold more stock but need more space. Measure the back bar, leave room for ventilation and consider how bartenders move. Sliding doors save space in tight bars, and hinged doors give wider access.
Glass or solid doors
Glass doors show stock and speed up service, because bartenders can see what is available. Solid doors hold temperature more easily and suit hidden storage. Many venues use glass doors for display and solid doors elsewhere. Our glass door bar fridge guide explains the trade-offs.
Cooling and recovery
When the door opens, warm air enters. A good back bar cooler recovers quickly because of its compressor size and fan-assisted airflow. Check the climate class so that the unit copes with a warm bar. Poor ventilation raises running temperature, so keep the clearances from the manual.
Build quality and materials
Look for stainless steel or coated steel, strong shelves, robust hinges and quality door seals. These parts take the most wear in a busy bar. Replacement seals and shelves are in our spare parts category. Our commercial bar fridge guide explains why trade-grade build matters.
Lighting, locks and security
LED lighting helps staff see labels in a dim bar. A lock protects stock overnight. Check that the lock works with the door and seal. Our lockable fridge guide covers lock types.
Layout and workflow
Place back bar fridges where bartenders can reach them without crossing each other. Group by product type: beer, wine, soft drinks, mixers. Keep a clear space for restocking, and put the fastest-selling items at the best height. A layout that cuts steps speeds up service.
Under bar and back bar combinations
Many bars use both under bar and back bar fridges, along with freezers and an ice machine. See our under bar fridges and commercial ice machine guide to plan the full cold setup.
Warranty, delivery and installation
Ask about warranty length, parts and service. Confirm delivery access, particularly for heavy units. Our delivery information explains how orders reach you.
Stock rotation and restocking
A back bar fridge works best when it is loaded in a consistent pattern. Place new stock behind older stock so the oldest drinks are served first, and keep like products together so staff can find them quickly. Restock outside peak times, and avoid loading a lot of warm bottles at once, because the fridge needs time to pull down the temperature.
Cleaning and maintenance
Wipe the doors and shelves each day, clean the seals weekly and clear the condenser on a regular schedule. A dusty condenser forces the compressor to work harder and shortens life. Check hinges and sliding tracks, and clear spilled drinks straight away to avoid sticky tracks.
Energy use in a busy bar
A back bar cooler runs for long hours, so energy use matters. Compare stated power consumption, check the quality of the seals and keep the unit away from heat sources. LED lighting runs cooler than older lighting, and glass doors with double glazing reduce heat gain.
Choosing between brands
Several makers supply back bar fridges to Australian venues, including Skope, Bromic and Tefcold. You can browse their ranges from our brands pages. Compare the warranty, the parts supply and the build quality as well as the price, because a bar fridge works hard every night of the week.
Buying a back bar fridge online
- Confirm width, doors and capacity
- Check the climate class and warranty
- Read delivery terms and access
- Compare options with our compare tool
For a pub or bar fit-out, see our pubs and hotels page and send your requirements through the quote form.
Frequently asked questions
What is a back bar fridge?
It is a low, wide commercial fridge that sits behind the bar, designed to hold bottles and cans within easy reach of bartenders during service.
How many doors do I need?
It depends on stock and space. Two, three or four doors are common, and wider units hold more. Measure the bar and think about how bartenders move during service.
Glass or solid door for a back bar fridge?
Glass shows stock and helps customers see options. Solid doors hold temperature better and suit hidden storage.
Do I need to leave space around it?
Yes. Back bar fridges need ventilation, and the required clearances at the front, back and sides are listed in the specification and the installation manual.