If you wash bar glassware by hand, plan a three compartment underbar sink, because the Food Code calls for wash, rinse and sanitize compartments for manual warewashing. A one compartment sink suits dumping and rinsing at a single station, and a two compartment sink suits small bars that wash glassware in a dish machine or somewhere else.
Whatever you choose, a bar sink does not replace a hand sink. Below is how each layout works behind the bar, what the code says, and how our commercial bar sinks compare in size.
What the Food Code says
Under the FDA Food Code, as adopted in Virginia (12VAC5-421-1460), a sink used for manual warewashing needs at least three compartments, and they must be large enough for the largest utensil you wash. A warewashing sink may not be used for handwashing. Your local health department has the final say on how many sinks a bar needs and where they go.
One compartment: dump, rinse and fill
A single bowl handles dumping ice and drinks, rinsing tools and filling pitchers at one station. It cannot serve as the bar’s glass washing sink.
From our product pages:
- S1C-101410-F: 12 W x 19 D in., 10 x 14 x 9.5 in. bowl, 32.75 in. working height, 10 in. swing faucet included, 3.5 in. strainer with a 1.5 in. IPS drain.
- FUBS-1814: 12 W x 19 D x 32.75 H in., 14 x 10 x 10 in. bowl, faucet, strainer and legs included.
- S1C-101410-L-F and -R-F: 24 W x 19 D in. with a drainboard on the left or right, 10 x 14 in. bowl, 10 in. swing faucet included.
Two compartment: small stations
Two bowls give a wash and rinse, or a rinse and a dump, at a small bar. The Food Code allows a two compartment sink for warewashing only under limited conditions the health department approves, so this layout usually goes with a glass washer or a three compartment sink elsewhere.
- S2C-101410-L-F and S2C-101410-R-F: 36 x 19 in., two 10 x 14 in. bowls, drainboard on one side, faucet included. The R-F page lists a 12 in. drainboard, 18 gauge type 304 stainless and a 4 in. center faucet with an 8 in. spout.
- S2C-141010-RL-NF: 48 x 19 x 33 in., two 14 x 10 x 10 in. bowls with a drainboard on each side and 1.5 in. drains; faucet not included.
- 24 x 18 in. and 26 x 18 in. two compartment models with faucets included. The 26 in. model is 16 gauge type 430 stainless.
Three compartment: hand washing glassware
Three bowls run wash, rinse and sanitize in order, with dirty glasses landing on one side and clean glasses drying on the other.
- S3C-101410-R-F: 48 x 19 in., three 10 x 14 x 9.5 in. bowls, right drainboard, swing faucet and drain included, 32.75 in. working height.
- 38 in. underbar three compartment sink: 38 W x 18.75 D in., three 14 x 10 x 10 in. bowls, 18 gauge type 304 stainless, 4 in. center faucet with a 12 in. spout included.
How to choose for your bar
Common practice is to work out how glasses get clean first, then pick the sink:
- Glass washer or dish machine for all glassware: one or two compartment sinks at the stations, plus a hand sink.
- Hand washing glassware at the bar: a three compartment sink with drainboard space, plus a hand sink.
- Busy bar with several wells: a three compartment sink at the wash end, one compartment sinks or mixology stations at each well, and a hand sink within reach of every bartender.
Measure the underbar run, including the height under the bar top. Our underbar sinks list a 32.75 in. working height, and the 48 in. two compartment model is 33 in. high.
Mistakes to avoid
- Washing hand glassware in a two compartment sink without checking with the health department.
- Using a bar sink bowl for hand washing.
- Forgetting drainboard space for clean glasses to air dry.
- Ordering an NF model and finding out there is no faucet.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use a two compartment sink at a bar?
Yes for rinsing and dumping. For hand washing glassware, the Food Code calls for three compartments; ask your health department about your setup.
What bowl size do underbar sinks use?
Most of ours use 10 x 14 in. or 14 x 10 in. bowls about 9.5 to 10 in. deep, as listed on each page.
Do I still need a hand sink if I have a bar sink?
Yes. Our underbar sink pages say a bar sink does not replace a hand sink. See hand sinks for underbar hand sinks.
Are these sinks NSF certified?
Yes. Each Express KitchQuip underbar sink page lists NSF certification.
Where to go next
For space-saving stations that combine a sink, rinser and dipper well, see cocktail stations. For ice, see underbar ice bins. Freight to the 48 contiguous states is included in every price, non-powered items have a 14 day return window from delivery, and lease-to-own financing is available on orders of 500 dollars or more.
Models in this guide at a glance
The models linked above are listed here with the main points from each product page, so you can compare them side by side before opening the full listings.
S1C-101410-F Commercial One Compartment Under Bar Sink (model S1C-101410-F)
- Brand: Express KitchQuip
- Commercial One Compartment Under Bar Sink
- Durable Steel 16-gauge stainless
- Space-Saving 19” x 12” design
S2C-101410-L-F Two Compartment Under Bar Sink (model S2C-101410-L-F)
- Brand: Express KitchQuip
- Two Compartment Under Bar Sink Commercial Stainless Steel drainboard, durable 18-gauge body, deep bowl, includes faucet & basket drain.
S3C-101410-R-F Three Compartment Under Bar Sink (model S3C-101410-R-F)
- Brand: Express KitchQuip
- Three Compartment Under Bar Sink Stainless steel 22-gauge, three deep bowls, right drainboard, includes faucet & basket drain.
Before you order
- Measure the space and every doorway on the delivery path, and compare them with the dimensions on each product page.
- Check the spec sheet for power, gas or water requirements and match them to what your building has.
- Compare capacity with your busiest day rather than your average day.
- Read the warranty terms for the brand before you order.
Delivery, warranty and payment
- Delivery: delivery within the continental US is included in the price on the product page, and freight orders include liftgate service.
- Warranty: each product carries its manufacturer warranty. Terms by brand are on our warranty page.
- Financing: lease-to-own financing through Clicklease is offered on items of $500 and up. See how financing works.
- Quotes: buying for a business and need a written quote? Call +1-877-558-2253 or use our contact page.
Not sure which model fits?
Call +1-877-558-2253 with your space, power supply and daily volume, and we will help you narrow it down.