How to Build an Outdoor Minibar

Build an outdoor bar complete with a miniature refrigerator, bottle opener and towel hooks.

DIY Outdoor Fridge Bar

Photo by: Tomas Espinoza/Flynnside Out Productions

Tomas Espinoza/Flynnside Out Productions

By: Brian Patrick Flynn

Related To:

Materials and Tools

(6) 2x4 x 8' cedar boards
(11) 1x6 x 6' dog ear cedar fence pickets
mini fridge
bottle opener
stainless steel hooks
stainless steel towel bar
wood glue
1-1/2" and 2-1/2" wood screws
220-grit sanding paper
orbital sander

drill
3/16" drill bit
measuring tape
speed square
pencil
ear and eye protection
miter saw
dust mask
scissors

Measure Fridge

Use a tape measure to determine the overall dimensions of your mini fridge, as it will affect the bar's overall design. Add a couple of inches to the width and depth to allow for proper ventilation — per the fridge instructions. Our fridge is 18” x 18” x 34” tall, but you can easily alter the design to accommodate a cube style mini fridge.

Measure Mini Refrigerator

Using a tape measure, determine the overall dimensions of your mini-fridge, as it will dictate your design. You’ll want to add a couple of inches of width and depth to allow for proper ventilation- per the fridge instructions. Our fridge was 18”x18”x 34” tall but you can easily alter the design to accommodate a cube style mini-fridge.

Photo by: Tomas Espinoza/Flynnside Out Productions

Tomas Espinoza/Flynnside Out Productions

Sketch Design

It’s always a good idea to sketch out your design first, so you can visualize the bar and tweak anything ahead of time. It’s also a great place to jot down each board’s dimensions for your cut list.

Sketch Design

Photo by: Tomas Espinoza/Flynnside Out Productions

Tomas Espinoza/Flynnside Out Productions

Cut Boards for the Frame

Measure, mark and cut the 2x4 board to build out the frame of the bar. Our design called for the following: two 2x4 x 27” and two 2x4 x 19” for the bottom shelf and two 2x4 x 40" and 2x4 x 19" for the countertop.

Tomas Espinoza/Flynnside Out Productions

Start by measuring, marking and cutting the 2x4 boards to build out the frame of the bar. Our design called for the following: Bottom Shelf Frame- two 2”x4”x27” + two 2”x4”x19”Countertop Frame- two 2”x4”x40” + three 2”x4”x 19” (the third board will serve as center brace)

Tomas Espinoza/Flynnside Out Productions

Measure Boards

Photo By: Tomas Espinoza/Flynnside Out Productions

Cut Boards

Start by measuring, marking and cutting the 2x4 boards to build out the frame of the bar. Our design called for the following: Bottom Shelf Frame- two 2”x4”x27” + two 2”x4”x19” Countertop Frame- two 2”x4”x40” + three 2”x4”x 19” (the third board will serve as center brace)

Photo By: Tomas Espinoza/Flynnside Out Productions

Assemble Frame

Assemble the smaller bottom shelf frame with a speed square and wood glue and screws (Image 1). Always pre-drill before adding wood screws to avoid splitting the wood. Use the same method to assemble the countertop (Image 2). Lastly, add the 19” center brace (Image 3).

Assemble the smaller bottom shelf frame first, using wood glue, then long wood screws. Always pre-drill first before adding wood screws to avoid splitting the wood. Using the same method assemble the larger countertop frame. Lastly, add the 19” center brace.

Tomas Espinoza/Flynnside Out Productions

Image 1

Tomas Espinoza/Flynnside Out Productions

Image 2

Tomas Espinoza/Flynnside Out Productions

Image 3

Assemble Frame

Image 1

Photo By: Tomas Espinoza/Flynnside Out Productions

Assemble Frame

Image 2

Photo By: Tomas Espinoza/Flynnside Out Productions

DIY Outdoor Fridge Bar

Image 3

Photo By: Tomas Espinoza/Flynnside Out Productions

Cut Legs

Measure, mark and cut four 2x4 x 42" legs. Using a speed square, mark a 1/2" on the end of each board. You’ll need these marks when you attach the legs to the frames.

Measure Legs

Photo by: Tomas Espinoza/Flynnside Out Productions

Tomas Espinoza/Flynnside Out Productions

Attach Legs

On a flat surface, lay the legs out and align the 1/2" marks with the bottom shelf frame. Secure with wood glue and 2-1/3" wood screws (Image 1). Next, flip the bar upside down and line up the countertop frame with the legs, and secure. Make sure the tops of the legs are flush with the frame (Image 2).

On a flat surface, lay the legs out and align the ½ inch marks with the bottom shelf frame and secure with wood glue and 2 ½ inch wood screws. Next, flip the bar upside down and line up the larger countertop frame with the legs and secure in the same way. Make sure the tops of the legs are flush with the frame.

Tomas Espinoza/Flynnside Out Productions

Image 1

Add a 2”x4” nailer board so that you’ll have something to nail the vertical planks of the bottom cabinet to. Ours measured 22 ½ inches. Secure using wood screws.

Tomas Espinoza/Flynnside Out Productions

Image 2

Attach Legs

Image 1

Photo By: Tomas Espinoza/Flynnside Out Productions

Attach Nailer

Image 2

Photo By: Tomas Espinoza/Flynnside Out Productions

Attach Front Apron

Flip the bar right side up, then measure and mark for the front apron boards. The front apron will give the front of the bar a nice smooth fascia. Ours measures 2x4 x 13" and 2x4 x 19-3/4" (Image 1). Secure to the countertop frame with wood screws (Image 2).

Tomas Espinoza/Flynnside Out Productions

Image 1

Flip the bar right side up, then measure and mark for the front bump out or apron boards. These will just give the front of the bar a nice smooth fascia. Ours measured 2”x4”x13” and 2”x4”x 19 ¾ “. Secure to countertop frame using wood screws.

Tomas Espinoza/Flynnside Out Productions

Image 2

Measure Front Apron

Image 1

Photo By: Tomas Espinoza/Flynnside Out Productions

DIY Outdoor Fridge Bar

Image 2

Photo By: Tomas Espinoza/Flynnside Out Productions

Attach Nailer

Attach a 2x4 nailer board, so you’ll have something to nail the vertical planks of the bottom cabinet to. Ours measures 22-1/2" (Image 1). Secure using wood screws (Image 2).

Tomas Espinoza/Flynnside Out Productions

Image 1

Tomas Espinoza/Flynnside Out Productions

Image 2

Measure for Nailer

Image 1

Photo By: Tomas Espinoza/Flynnside Out Productions

Attach Nailer

Image 2

Photo By: Tomas Espinoza/Flynnside Out Productions

Cut Pickets

Measure, mark and cut the picket boards for the bottom shelf, the back of the fridge cabinet and the sides. Cut four bottom and seven back boards measuring at 1x6 x 27" long each. Cut five side boards measuring at 1x6 x 38" (underside of the overhang) long each and five boards measuring at 1x6 x 42" long each. Cut five countertop boards measuring at 1x6 x 43" long each.

Measure Pickets

With the frame complete it’s time to measure, mark and cut the picket boards for the bottom shelf and back of the fridge cabinet, as well as the sides. The bottom & back boards measured 1”x6”x 27” long. The sides were 1”x6”x38” (underside of overhang) and 1”x6”x42”. The countertop boards measured 1”x6”x 43” long.

Photo by: Tomas Espinoza/Flynnside Out Productions

Tomas Espinoza/Flynnside Out Productions

Install Bottom and Back Pickets

Using the 1-1/2" wood screws, secure the boards to the frame in a horizontal orientation (Image 1). Leave space in the back to run the fridge's power cord (Image 2).

Using the 1 ½- inch wood screws, secure the boards to frame work in a horizontal orientation.NOTE: The frame’s design allows a space to run the fridge’s power cord.

Tomas Espinoza/Flynnside Out Productions

Image 1

Using the 1 ½- inch wood screws, secure the boards to frame work in a vertical orientation.

Tomas Espinoza/Flynnside Out Productions

Image 2

Install Bottom Pickets

Image 1

Photo By: Tomas Espinoza/Flynnside Out Productions

Install Side Pickets

Image 2

Photo By: Tomas Espinoza/Flynnside Out Productions

Install Top Pickets

Start with the front board, and allow for a 1-1/2" overhang (Image 1). Secure using the 1-1/2" screws (Image 2). You may need to rip the last board depending on your dimensions.