Essential Modifications To Transform a Container Into a Bar

Written by Susan Nalevac | January 25, 2023

People utilize shipping containers today for many purposes besides shipping goods. One of the most popular conversions for containers involves transforming them into pop-up bars. If you want to learn more about converting containers, we explain the essential modifications needed to transform a container into a bar below.

Choosing the Right Container for Your Container Bar

The first step in converting a container into a pop-up bar is choosing a container. The most common size of a shipping container is the 20-foot container, but there are also 40-foot containers available that may better suit your vision.

There’s also the question of what type of container to modify. The standard container with one set of doors on one side is the most common. However, an open-sided container—which contains a long door along its side that opens the entire container—is very useful for conversions and typically requires fewer modifications.

Modifications That Every Container Bar Requires

Every container needs a few essential modifications to transform into a bar. Below, we’ll explain what a container needs inside and out to become a pop-up bar.

Exterior Modifications

The exterior modifications for a container bar start with what type of container you have and how you want to structure the bar. Assuming the container is a standard unit, it first needs windows and doors to make it accessible to customers and more convenient for the workers.

Many container bar owners opt to install a hatch window on the side that can open up when the bar is ready for business or shut securely when the business closes. Most major exterior modifications will involve adding ventilation to fit the container’s purpose and ensuring it’s still water-tight and rust-free. Other than that, most exterior modifications are cosmetic and concern the container’s design and look. These changes involve adding a new coat of paint or hanging a menu.

Interior Modifications

The interior is where most of the modifications for a container bar will take place. Of course, a bar needs the basics—like electricity, plumbing, lights, and insulation for chilly mornings and evenings. The benefit of converting a container is that these modifications aren’t much different than converting a regular building space into a bar—it’s just in a much smaller area.

After the basic renovations, you’ll want to include a bar top, storage and shelving, and a fridge or tap system. If the container bar also serves food, there are additional modifications you can make to set up a kitchen. For a liquid-only bar, it doesn’t take much to turn a shabby container into a pop-up space that delights guests.

If you’re interested in turning a container into a new bar, Container Management, Inc. has cargo containers in Detroit, MI, and many other locations nationwide. Contact our staff to find the right container for your new pop-up bar.