Commercial Bar Fridge Guide for Pubs, Cafes and Venues

A commercial bar fridge works harder than a home fridge. It is opened constantly, stocked heavily and often sits in a warm, busy room. Picking the right one comes down to capacity, door type, climate rating and running costs.

Match capacity to your busiest service

Our double and triple door bar fridges range from 190 to 473 litres. As a guide from the listings:

• 190 to 233 litres: roughly 220 to 264 cans, suited to small bars, cafes and function rooms.
• 257 to 330 litres: roughly 262 to 350 cans, a good fit for busy bars and clubs.
• 388 to 399 litres: roughly 340 to 396 cans, for high-volume venues.
• 473 litres: a tall double glass door unit holding around 450 cans.

Size for your peak night, not an average one.

Hinged, sliding or triple doors

Hinged double door models such as the Rhino SG2H-B are the standard back bar choice and need space for the doors to swing. A sliding double door model, the Rhino SG2S-B, suits tight service areas where a swinging door would block staff. The larger triple door units, like the Rhino SG3H-B and the Schmick SK386-B-HD, give maximum display width at about 1,345 to 1,350 mm.

Check the width and the ventilation

Double door models are around 870 to 900 mm wide. Measure the width, depth and height against your bar, allow for the doors and leave the ventilation clearance the manufacturer lists.

Heat, humidity and the climate rating

Every model in this range is tropical rated, which matters in a hot kitchen, a courtyard or a venue with no air conditioning. The Rhino GSP3H-SS is listed for outdoor installation, which suits a covered beer garden bar.

Noise

Sound ratings in this range run from about 42 to 45 dB. That is fine behind a bar, but worth knowing if the fridge is near seating or a stage.

Running costs

Energy ratings in this range run from 5 to 10 stars, so check the rating on the model you choose. See our guide to cutting bar fridge running costs.

Commercial bar fridge FAQs

What size commercial bar fridge do I need?

Estimate the drinks you serve on your busiest night, add a buffer, then compare against the can and bottle capacities in the listings.

Can I use a commercial bar fridge at home?

Yes. Many home bars and alfresco areas use them for capacity and display. Compare the sound rating if it will be near living areas.

Can a commercial bar fridge go outdoors?

Only models listed for outdoor or indoor/outdoor installation, kept under cover. See our outdoor kitchen fridge guide.