Bar sinks
Bar sinks are smaller than kitchen sinks, and many are undermount. We need the actual sink or its spec sheet to cut the opening, along with the faucet and any accessories that need holes in the stone.
Wet bar countertops that stand up to wine, citrus and spills
Custom wet bar countertops with stain-resistant surfaces that stand up to spills.
Wet bars and home bars, Denver
A wet bar is a small countertop with a hard job.
Red wine, citrus, sugary mixers and bitters all land on it, usually late in the evening when nobody is wiping up. We fabricate and install custom wet bar countertops in Denver for basements, dining rooms, family rooms and anywhere else a sink and a few bottles belong.
Because the space is small, people often treat the bar as the place to splurge. That can work. It can also mean a beautiful marble top with a dull ring from a wine glass in the first week. We help you choose a surface that matches how the bar will actually get used.
- What we cover
- Stain-resistant bar tops that stand up to spills.
- Measurement
- Free, in your home
- Your quote
- Within 24 hours of your request
A wet bar countertop is more than a short run of stone
Most wet bars include a small sink, a stretch of counter and sometimes a seating ledge. Each of those changes the fabrication.
Undercounter appliances
Beverage fridges, ice makers and wine coolers sit under the top and need a specific opening. Their spec sheets list the height and clearance they require. Have the appliances chosen and the cabinets set before we measure.
Seating ledges
If guests sit at the bar, plan the overhang and knee space the same way you would for a kitchen island. A deep overhang needs support, and the limit depends on the material and thickness.
Our wet bar process runs like a small kitchen
Same five steps, fewer pieces. Estimates and in-home measurements are free, and you get a personalized quote within 24 hours of your request. No obligation, no pressure.
- Consultation. How you entertain, what you pour and how often the bar gets used.
- Material selection. We weigh stain and etch resistance against the look you want.
- Free in-home measurement. We template the cabinets and confirm sink, faucet and appliance details.
- Fabrication. The top is cut, the sink opening and faucet holes are made, and the edges are finished.
- Installation. We set and level the top, attach the sink and set any backsplash.
Plan for stains and etching before they happen
Two different things happen when a drink lands on stone. Staining is absorption: pigment soaks into a porous surface and leaves a mark. Etching is a chemical reaction: acid dissolves the surface of calcite-based stone like marble and leaves a dull spot, even when there is no color at all.
Wine and coffee stain. Citrus, wine and many cocktails also etch marble. Quartz resists both. Sealed granite and quartzite resist staining well, granite rarely etches, and true quartzite does not. Soapstone does not etch, and its dark color hides most marks.
Finish changes how spills behave
Polished stone sheds spills a little better than honed. Honed and leathered finishes on dark stone can show water rings and fingerprints until they are wiped. On marble, honed hides etching better than polished. Choose the finish with the same care as the material.
Choose edges, seams and backsplash for a bar
A bar top is small enough that every detail is visible from the stool.
Edges
An eased or bevel edge is easy to wipe. Ogee looks traditional but traps sticky residue in its curves. A mitered edge gives a small top the look of a thick slab without the weight of one.
Seams
Most straight bars fit on one piece of stone. L-shaped bars may need a seam, and we place it away from the sink, where water and sticky spills collect.
Backsplash
A short backsplash protects the wall behind the sink. Taking stone up the wall behind open shelving makes the bar look finished and wipes clean, but it adds material to the quote.
If this sounds like you
- 01
If Guests serve themselves and nobody wipes up
Then Choose quartz or a polished dark granite.
- 02
If You want natural stone with a marble look
Then Choose quartzite, after an acid and absorption test on the slab.
- 03
If You want marble at the bar anyway
Then Choose honed marble, keep it sealed and keep coasters within reach.
- 04
If The bar sits in strong direct sun
Then Lean toward natural stone. Some quartz colors can yellow or fade with long UV exposure.
Get ready for a short installation
A bar top is usually a quick install. Clear the counter, the shelves above it and a path from the door, and make sure the cabinets and undercounter appliances are already in place.
Ask during your estimate who handles disconnecting and reconnecting the bar sink for your project. After installation, give the sink adhesive the time the crew recommends before the first round.
Stain and etch resistance at the bar
| Material | Red wine and coffee | Citrus and cocktails | Upkeep for a bar |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quartz | Very resistant | Very resistant | Wipe up. No sealing |
| Granite | Resistant when sealed. Wipe promptly | Rarely etches | Reseal periodically |
| Quartzite | Resistant when sealed | True quartzite does not etch. Test the slab | Seal and recheck absorbency |
| Marble | Stains if left to sit | Etches quickly | Seal, wipe at once, accept patina |
| Soapstone | Resists. May darken for a while | Does not etch | Optional mineral oil |
Wet Bar Countertops: common questions
What is the best countertop material for a wet bar?
For pure spill resistance, quartz. It does not stain or etch from wine and citrus. Polished granite is a close second once sealed. Choose marble only if you accept etching as part of the look.
Does red wine stain granite countertops?
Sealed granite resists red wine well if you wipe it up within a reasonable time. Unsealed or poorly sealed granite can absorb it, and lighter stones show it more. A simple water test tells you when it is time to reseal.
Can I use marble for a home bar countertop?
You can, but wine, citrus and many cocktails will etch it. Honed marble disguises etching better than polished. If you want the look without the upkeep, consider quartzite or a marble-look quartz.
How much does a wet bar countertop cost?
Bar tops are usually small, so the material choice and details drive the price: slab selection, edge profile, sink cutout, faucet holes and backsplash height. Request a free estimate and in-home measurement and we send a personalized quote within 24 hours of your request.
Do I need my bar sink and beverage fridge before you measure?
Yes. We cut the sink opening to the actual sink, and undercounter appliances set the opening the cabinets and top have to frame. Have them chosen, or have spec sheets ready.
Can my wet bar countertop match my kitchen countertops?
Yes, if you choose the same material. Natural stone varies between slabs with the same name, so if an exact match matters, plan both areas as one project. Our request form lets you select Multiple Areas.
Recommended surfaces
Stones that suit this room.
