BBQ Bar With a View

Bryan in Castro Valley, CA

I built this bar and bbq myself in the summer of 2006. The foundation is concrete block, with El Dorado stone for the facing. 4-burner stainless steel grill and a mini refrigerator. Countertops are ceramic tile on cement backerboard. The bar area is 4 inches higher than the grill area in order to have a distinct bar/serving area. The bbq/bar area took 3 months to plan and 1 month to build. It's been a great addition to our backyard.

Back Yard Outdoor Kitchen Patio Small (Under 1,000 sq ft.) Step by Step Project

1 of 14: View from the bar looking out into the canyon

2 of 14: After the first two courses of concrete block were laid. These were the most important courses as they needed to be straight and level.

3 of 14: The last course is laid and the bbq fits, so now it's time to fit the door and then add the facing: El Dorado Stone.

4 of 14: Drilling the hole for the electrical outlet for the frig.

5 of 14: This was the last check that the grill fit in it's slot before I pulled it back out to finish the counter top.

6 of 14: Shot of the ceramic tile counter top and the future view of the guests sitting at the bar.

7 of 14: After the bbq was complete, the 16x16 slate tile was laid.

8 of 14: Finished product.

9 of 14: Stainless Steel door for access to the propane tank, tools, etc.

10 of 14: The mini frig under the bar. Electricity was run in under the cement from the house prior to pouring.

11 of 14: 4 burner w/ rotisserie stainless steel grill.

12 of 14: Surf & Turf!

13 of 14: Nice view for the non-paying guests.

14 of 14: This guy looks like he knows what he's doing!

Comments / Questions

Hi Bryan. Great design and finish. I'm getting a bbq grill insert like this built next week but I'm now unsure about my design. Lots of people build with a wood or metal frame. I didn't plan for this. Did you just sit the grill on the blocks? Any advice appreciated. Glyn

Bryan did you just set the cinder blocks on mortar or did you secure it to the floor with a rebar?

Hi Ron. Are you you asking about homeowner's yards that were created by a landscape pro? We just have to take the homeowners word for it on whether it was DIY or done by a company. I can certainly look into ways to categorize yards that way though.

Bryan again very nice also is there any way that we can have ponds or yards that are built by the homeowner and not PROs. I've been asked to ask you,because they don't think it's fair. Just saying
Thanks Ron Barber

WOWOWOW!This took a LOT of hard work and a real eye for design!Good Job!

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