A bar ice bin (or ice chest) is the insulated stainless well at the bartender's station that stores ice for drink builds during service. A commercial bin holds 135 to 168 L, roughly 263 to 328 lb of usable ice, enough for a full peak service without a runner restocking it.
Ice is the one ingredient in every drink. An undersized or poorly insulated ice bin means a runner hauling buckets mid-rush, melted ice diluting the well, and a bartender stepping away from the build position. The fix is a properly sized, insulated, drop-in or standalone ice bin built into the station.
Drop-in vs. standalone ice bins
Drop-in ice bin
Integrates into an underbar cabinet built into a permanent bar. Flush with the working surface. Best for fixed commercial installs.
Standalone ice bin
Part of a freestanding station, no cabinet required. Best for modular, event, and portable setups.
Capacity: 135–168 L
135 L (263 lb usable) on the 52-inch; 168 L (328 lb usable) on the 65 and 88-inch. Sized to hold a full peak service.
Insulation: NSF-spec, R-3
Closed-cell foam keeps ice solid through a 4 to 5-hour service without a melt-and-restock cycle.
Every Kobayashi station includes the ice bin integrated, insulated, and drained, choose drop-in for built-in bars or standalone for modular and portable setups:
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Related commercial bar equipment
Commercial Bar Equipment (overview)
The full underbar equipment range.
Speed Rail
The bottle rail that sits beside the ice bin.
Portable Bar
The same insulated ice bin on a rolling, event-ready station.
Frequently asked questions
A commercial bar ice bin should hold a full peak service of ice without restocking: 135 L (about 263 lb usable) for a compact bar, 168 L (about 328 lb usable) for high volume. Plan 1 to 1.5 lb of ice per drink per peak hour plus a 20 percent buffer.
A drop-in ice bin is an insulated stainless ice chest that integrates into an underbar cabinet built into a permanent bar, sitting flush with the working surface. Kobayashi drop-in stations include the ice bin already aligned with the speed rail and rinser.
They refer to the same thing: the insulated stainless well at the bartender's station that stores ice for drink builds. Ice bin and ice chest are used interchangeably; both differ from a standalone ice maker, which produces ice rather than storing it at the station.
An NSF-spec ice bin with closed-cell R-3 insulation holds ice solid through a 4 to 5-hour service without a melt-and-restock cycle. Kobayashi ice chests are insulated to this spec so a single fill covers a full peak service.
Yes. Every Kobayashi station includes an integrated, insulated, drained ice bin: 135 L on the 52-inch and 168 L on the 65 and 88-inch. Choose a drop-in station for built-in bars or a standalone for modular and portable setups.