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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Bar stools should be banned.

48 replies

soupyspoon · 05/12/2025 15:48

Am I right?

The most uncomfortable and impractical piece of furniture ever

Slip sliding off them when they're varnished.

Legs dangling if there's no foot rest.

Knees banging into the table if it's not designed for bar stools, barrels I'm looking at you.

Wobbly, nearly always at risk of toppling over.

No where to hang your coat and bag.

Are there any redeeming features?

OP posts:
Beserkering · 05/12/2025 16:43

I’d like to note that I hate booths almost as much.

Everyone seems to love a booth but they’re a pain, especially when anyone needs the toilet.

Too near the table, too far from the table. Never right.

Original poster
soupyspoon · 05/12/2025 16:50

RedTagAlan · 05/12/2025 16:32

Does all this apply to breakfast bar stools too ? Or are we just talking pubs ?

It certainly does apply to domestic breakfast stools which are even worse because someone, presumably compos mentis, has chosen to buy them ON PURPOSE.

OP posts:
Iheartmysmart · 05/12/2025 16:55

I’m torn on this one. On one hand, I’m short so getting on a bar stool is a challenge, but on the other hand, once actually up there it makes me taller than I usually am….

Pinkfluffypencilcase · 05/12/2025 16:55

Beserkering · 05/12/2025 16:43

I’d like to note that I hate booths almost as much.

Everyone seems to love a booth but they’re a pain, especially when anyone needs the toilet.

Too near the table, too far from the table. Never right.

We have interview booths at work. The table is too close and too high. I feel like a fool using them. Whose bad design was it?? I’m average build and short and I find it too tight for me.

RedTagAlan · 05/12/2025 16:56

soupyspoon · 05/12/2025 16:50

It certainly does apply to domestic breakfast stools which are even worse because someone, presumably compos mentis, has chosen to buy them ON PURPOSE.

Show quote history

And they are always flimsy and wobbly.

So I say, pub bar stools good, domestic breakfast bar stools bad.

Especially the breakfast bar stools from Argos.

:-)

Pinkfluffypencilcase · 05/12/2025 16:57

RedTagAlan · 05/12/2025 16:56

And they are always flimsy and wobbly.

So I say, pub bar stools good, domestic breakfast bar stools bad.

Especially the breakfast bar stools from Argos.

:-)

Show quote history

All bar stools bad

Ketzele · 05/12/2025 17:09

THANK YOU! There's a thread running on 'Things I hate'. My contribution included bar stools. Loathe the things. Ugly, uncomfortable clutter. Who are these people who prefer to perch?

MoominMai · 05/12/2025 17:25

ThatsRoughBuddy · 05/12/2025 15:57

I’m 4' 10" so barstools involve mountaineering gear! 😂

Oh gosh not much taller than you and it’s so undignified trying to nonchalantly sit atop one! I remember Sandi Toksvig had it as one of her Room 101 choices and they got her to demonstrate the difficulties she had with them and it was feckin hilarious 😁

ErrolTheDragon · 05/12/2025 17:53

soupyspoon · 05/12/2025 16:50

It certainly does apply to domestic breakfast stools which are even worse because someone, presumably compos mentis, has chosen to buy them ON PURPOSE.

Show quote history

Yes, there’s no excuse for ‘breakfast bars’.

JohnTheRevelator · 05/12/2025 17:57

As far as I'm concerned,they are useless. I can't even get up on the damn things because of my arthritic hip.

DollopOfFun · 05/12/2025 17:58

Even worse if they're the varnished wood ones, with arse cheek shaped grooves and a ridge to fit snugly in the crack

iSage · 05/12/2025 17:59

YANBU.

singthing · 05/12/2025 18:19

The ones with pneumatic lifter AND a tiny little backrest are the WORST of them all. Example.

First off you always get a little dip when you sit on it and I have a permanent fear of an horrific accident from the pole ripping through the seat.

Second, the inability to use the mechanism without suddenly sliding down a foot and being entirely unable to raise it without getting off and starting over.

Finally, that backrest is a total joke. Uncomfortable AND totally useless in function.

They even look stupid. They have no point at all.

Original poster
soupyspoon · 05/12/2025 18:24

singthing · 05/12/2025 18:19

The ones with pneumatic lifter AND a tiny little backrest are the WORST of them all. Example.

First off you always get a little dip when you sit on it and I have a permanent fear of an horrific accident from the pole ripping through the seat.

Second, the inability to use the mechanism without suddenly sliding down a foot and being entirely unable to raise it without getting off and starting over.

Finally, that backrest is a total joke. Uncomfortable AND totally useless in function.

They even look stupid. They have no point at all.

I think when I'm in charge and I present the bill to Parliament we will have to have a sliding scale of punishment depending on the type of stool found. So that example is right at the top of the scale

OP posts:
Meadowfinch · 05/12/2025 18:28

They're great for us with longer legs, no more being cramped at little tables. I've never found them uncomfortable.

Swallowdoubleandrunamile · 05/12/2025 18:57

A friend has some that swivel, have the arse dips, are varnished, have low, spindly back rests and sort of tip side to side.
Fucking dreadful, awful things.
And they creak.

ifIwerenotanandroid · 05/12/2025 20:59

Keep them out of kitchens, too. Breakfast bars & bar stools - just no. I hate breakfast bars even with chairs, actually.

SuziQuinto · 05/12/2025 21:02

Beserkering · 05/12/2025 15:53

If there’s a bar fight they’re easy to pick up and the lack of backrest combined with being relatively lightweight make them easy to swing around your head to get some momentum.

That's what I've always found. Although you can pick up a chair by it's back and quite effectively bring it down on someone's head.

birdsnestinghere · 05/12/2025 21:48

I'm not short but do have back issues. I find bar stools aggravate these most of the time, as I need my feet flat on the ground. I just refuse to sit on one.

I booked a table at a restaurant once, expecting a normal table. They tried to sit us at a table with bar stools for a full meal course. I just told them I couldn't sit on a bar stool for a full meal due to back issues, and could I please have a regular table (like I was expecting). They did that but I'd have left if they hadn't. Who eats a three course restaurant dinner on bar stools?

Went to a museum cafe. Heaps of tables with normal chairs and tables available. They tried to put our group of four on the middle high table with bar stools. Nope, can't sit there due to back issues, can we sit at one of the other tables please? Not like there weren't enough of them and they were all empty. They didn't seem to like it, but they did it. I'd have gone elsewhere if they'd refused. I'm not suffering for days on end if I don't have to.

EmeraldRoulette · 05/12/2025 22:04

i'm 5 foot 1 and I'd honestly rather just stand up. People find it antisocial though.

mumofoneAloneandwell · 05/12/2025 22:05

Only Westlife can get away with sitting on them, me I am short and its a struggle! Yanbu

rainbowsparkle28 · 05/12/2025 22:16

As someone not blessed with super model length legs by any stretch (I’m talking not even 5ft) they are a PITA to get on and off and end up with feet dangling half the time because am so short 😂 So I agree - hear hear!

Ariela · 05/12/2025 22:21

A decent bar CHAIR however (ie with a back) is an entirely different proposition.
There's a pub and couple of cafe's I frequent have them - one has a narrow 'shelf' along the windows and bar chairs, perfect for watching the people in the High Street wander by.

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