Bar Stools – Here There and Everywhere
Bar stools are believed to have begun as three-legged stools used by both peasants and the aristocrats, although you can expect those of the latter to be fully upholstered with elaborate trimmings and embellishments.
There are two theories why the “stools” became “bar stools”. One is that they were used as extra seating in aristocratic dining rooms. When the main table with their padded chairs featuring high backs and arms were filled, additional tables or bars were pulled up along with the stools, hence they were called “bar stools”.
Bar stools ceased to be popular towards the end of the Renaissance but they experienced a resurgence in the early 20th Century. At this time, they were seen mostly in pubs and public bars where their elevated height suited their tall counters. The second theory says that these tall stools were called “bar stools” to distinguish them from their shorter siblings.
Restaurants, delis, bistros, and other food service establishments who do not serve alcoholic drinks have since joined the pubs and bars in their use of bar stools. Apart from this, they have also returned to private dining rooms, including non-aristocratic, and kitchens. The recent emergence of the kitchen as the most important and most used room of the house has greatly contributed to this. Modern kitchen designs often incorporate a breakfast bar, which is actually also a snack and dinner bar. It often serves as a divider between the kitchen and the dining area, and almost invariably features bar stools.
Game rooms, such a billiard room, that are sometimes found in more affluent homes often have bar stools around the billiard table. Players awaiting their turn to take a shot sit on the stools as they observe their opponents. Even public billiard halls have bar stools. Other houses that have patios or pools may also have outdoor bars where bar stools are the preferred seats.
Some offices also use bar stools for seating their customers who are waiting for their turn to be served, or for their own staff who do paper work or arrangements. A classic example is the drafting technician who sits on a bar stool sketching a technical drawing.