A bar fridge is a compact refrigerator designed for smaller spaces, secondary cooling needs, or specific use cases. Here's everything Australians need to know about bar fridges, their uses, and how to choose the right one.
What Is a Bar Fridge?
A bar fridge is a small refrigerator typically ranging from 40 to 150 litres in capacity. The name comes from their original use case — chilling drinks in a home bar — but today they're used in a much wider variety of settings.
Common Uses for a Bar Fridge
- Home Bar or Entertaining Area — Keep beer, wine, and soft drinks cold without taking up space in the main kitchen fridge
- Office or Break Room — Shared fridge for staff to keep lunches and drinks
- Garage or Workshop — A dedicated fridge for the garage without warming up the kitchen fridge
- Bedroom or Study — Personal fridge for late nights or home office use
- Granny Flat or Studio — A full-size fridge may be overkill; a 100–150L bar fridge can be sufficient
- Caravan or Boat — Compact 12V models for mobile use
Bar Fridge Sizes
- Mini Bar Fridge (40–70L) — Very compact, holds 40–60 cans, suits hotel rooms, bedrooms
- Compact Bar Fridge (70–120L) — Holds more drinks and some food, good for offices and garages
- Large Bar Fridge (120–150L) — Borderline full-size; suitable for granny flats or as a second fridge
Key Things to Look for in a Bar Fridge
- Reversible door (left or right opening)
- Adjustable thermostat
- Energy star rating
- Noise level (if used in a bedroom)
- Glass door (for display) or solid door (for efficiency)
Shop Bar Fridges at Oceania Appliances
We carry a range of compact and bar-style fridges. Browse at oceaniaappliances.com.au/collections/fridges-freezers. Free Sydney delivery.