After years and years of contemplating what career path to choose, you've finally decided on entrepreneurship – you've decided you want to open your own bar or restaurant. After all, you've always been somewhat of a chef, your expertise in the field of food and wine tasting is through the roof, and you even have connections in getting a liquor license. Basically, you think you have it all. But wait! You have no idea on where to start with the decor and furnishings for your new restaurant.

When it comes to furniture, in many cases it begins and ends with your pub tables and pub sets. To help you decide how you're going to furnish your new place, is a quick guide on pub sets; a brief history lesson, characteristics, and the different types available to you.

A Brief History Lesson:

Much of today's modern society can be attributed from the Ancient Roman Empire. They were some of the first to build roads, create modern civilization, and establish a democratic government. Added to this list is the establishment of Inns; a place where weary travelers were able to get a night's sleep as well as a refreshing drink.

As the influence of Romans grew throughout Europe, a network of Inns began appearing everywhere. By the time they had left the British Isles, Inns and alehouses were so commonplace that in 965 AD, King Edgar had to declare that there could only be one alehouse per village.

Today, the Public House, or commonly referred to as Pub, have become the hot spots for many. The bar and club scenes in today's marketplace have never been bigger, with hundreds of young adults hitting up clubs and bars every weekend. And since the early days of the Roman Empire, not much has changed. Alehouses and Inns can be likened to today's clubs and bars - places where people can generally have a good time, and enjoy a drink or two. Also characteristic of the two different eras in time is the furniture. They've used pub tables and bar stools then, and restaurant, bar, and club owners still do today.

Characteristics of Pub Tables:

Now that you have an understanding of its history and present day usage, you've decided to set out on a mission to get your restaurant pub sets. But what is it that you're going to be looking for? How does one table or stool differ from the next? This section covers some of the general characteristics of pub tables.

Height:

A major characteristic of the pub table is its height. Generally higher than standard dining tables, they are meant to accommodate the usage of bar stools and counter stools. Therefore, many tend to be anywhere from 35 inches to 42 inches in height.

Although some still use the common four pegs, many pub tables can be generalized by the usage of a pedestal leg. This is where the base is supported by one fairly large leg down the middle of the table. The pedestal will then spread out at the bottom to provide balance and stability.

Pub tables come in many different shapes and sizes. However, the most common shape that they come in tends to be either round or oval shaped. Square and rectangular ones are still produced by many furniture manufacturers, however not as often.

The Types of Pub Tables:

The above are general characteristics of pub tables – something to help you identify and distinguish them between standard dining tables. But what type do you need or want? It's one thing to know what they look like, it's another to be able to compare and contrast between two different types.

Wooden:

Wood pub tables are your most classic. They provide a traditional look, and are often designed with delicate and intricate designs or accents. These tend to be very charming, and provide a classic feel, reminiscent of the aforementioned classic Inns and Alehouses.

Wrought Iron and/or Metal:

Wrought Iron and metal pub sets can range from traditional styles to contemporary. Many wrought iron tables have features like curved legs, and accents to provide an almost gothic feel.

Some others, however, are a bit more modernized and contemporary. These are characterized by the clean lines and simple colors. These are very versatile and can go with a range of different decors.

Glass pub sets exude the most modern and contemporary style of all. However unlike its wooden and metal counterparts, these can be frail and can break easier. Therefore it is important to be careful with the handling of any glass pub table.

Other Important Notes:

Earlier it was mentioned that the height of the table is an important aspect when shopping for pub tables. The main reason for this is because they are meant to be used in conjunction with bar stools and counter stools. It is imperative to make sure that the height of the table is suitable for the height of the stool.

Bar and Counter stools seat heights do differ. Generally, bar stools range anywhere between 28 inches to 32 inches in seat height, whereas counter stools are 24 to 27 inches in seat height.

Finally, make sure that the pub table and bar/counter stool are all from the same manufacturer and same collection. There isn't much worse than an inconsistent decor for your restaurant, pub, or bar. And after all, the whole point in purchasing pub sets is to achieve consistent decor.

I hope that this article has helped you find the right pub table and pub sets. With this information on hand, you're now ready to open the doors to your new restaurant. You have the skills as a chef, marketing prowess, and now you have the furniture.