Any tips for a very, very basic bar

[Nerval]

It probably has been discuss before but since I can not search for "bar" (too short), I'm creating a new topic.

We are a new camp, and we just want a very very basic bar, as simple as possible (we had to build it on site, so we won't have fancy tools). Most of the videos and tutorial online are for complex home bar. We kinda just want a "high table", quite small (like a 2 stools wide bar).

Maybe just a few boxes/pallets put together?

Any suggestions/plans?

[FIGJAM]

Get a folding card table, the ones with the 4 fold down legs.

Get some 1" EMT to slide over those legs.

Cut them the length you like for the height you like.

[WileE13]

We built a simple portable bar a few years ago. First we built a square box from from 2x2 then used light weight trim boards to create an "X" on all sides for strength, then we wrapped it with a festival sheet around the sides. The top is a removable piece of plexiglass with another decorative sheet underneath to cover up the inside of the bar. I then added LED strips and a music controller to make it light up from the inside. The lights run off a car battery. The whole bar can be lifted by one person and put in a pickup.

[tahiti_treat]

Get a folding card table, the ones with the 4 fold down legs.

Get some 1" EMT to slide over those legs.

Cut them the length you like for the height you like.

This is what we do. It works well.

[ACfromSAC]

Echo Figjam's comment. My Heavy Metal Happy Hour bar top is just a folding table with a banner draped across the front.

Put out some games to get people to come over (cornhole, etc), play music, be good at initiating and carrying friendly conversations. My only other tip would be that Bloody Mary's make a mess of people's cups. I stopped making them. They're a popular beverage at bars on the playa but it's a quick way to make whatever is poured into your cup next tomato-ey.

[Ratty]

Mmmmmm. Margaritas on the rocks. Just a few ingredients and so welcoming. No limes or you'll need a food permit. Speaking of food permit, have a hygiene plan. Disinfectant wipes. Spray bottle of water. A basin, water, disposable wipes, evaporative pond.

[some seeing eye]

Love the card table! Playatech sells their designs for a nominal fee, but you could develop your own version.

[mudpuppy000]

Things we've used in the past:

1) Playatech
2) wire shelves with a piece of plywood cut to fit the top
3) EMT frame with plywood top
4) Folding table

I think #2 was the cheapest, lightest and easiest to transport. You can get a 6' tall shelf and make it into two 3' tall bars. Playatech was the sturdiest but it's really heavy and takes up a lot of room in a vehicle. Folding table was ok, would have been better with extensions like mentioned above. EMT frame is pretty good if you happen to have extra fittings. I think it gets kind of expensive to use them for furniture though.

[Dr. Pyro]

And make sure you bring more mixers than you think you'll need. People are always commenting on how much booze they've got but not enough mixers. Trust me, it won't go to waste.

[Token]

Or you can take a bottle of unopened mixer or booze, pick a random direction, walk for 30 seconds to a minute and you are likely at a bar.

[Nerval]

Thanks for all the replies!

I think I'll go for FIGJAM solution, very simple and straight forward, and yes with something in the front to decorate.

I know we can find drinks everywhere there, but we are a new theme camp, with some relaxing activities, and we thought he was nice to propose some refreshment for people hanging around at our camp. Only one fresh drink like margaritas or Moscow mule. I think lemon juice from bottle is OK to mix without permit.

[Zubeneschamali]

Read up on the liabilities of running a bar. LEO's like to bust bars that serve minors.

Day bars are easier than night bars. Less crowds and the patrons are usually not demanding asshats.

Street bars will naturally attract crap, unwanted crap. At the end of the day you'll have forgotten water bottles, goggles, and "gifts". You'll need to manage that one way or another.

Prepare a grey water, recyclables, and trash plan. Running a bar will increase the impact.

Basic of basic, wood, a couple screws, throw a handful of sharpies so patrons can sign the bar. Toss it on a burn barrel Saturday night. Wood stools with padded seats can be dismantled so the wood goes in the fire and the other material in the trash.