A Hierarchy of Bar Stools, From Worst to Best
There is no single barstool that is universally perfect for all concepts and situations. We believe in innovation and risk. We believe in relative comfort. We believe that for every example, there is a counterexample. We also believe that we are right.
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The Tolix and Its Kin “A stool made from galvanized steel was never going to be comfortable,” observed Watanamuk, “but it is somehow even more uncomfortable than you’d imagine”—especially if it’s the version with the inhumanely proportioned back. But the real problem with the Tolix, in 2024, is its depressing lack of vision. There is no element of fantasy, of romance, of risk to the Tolix; it is ubiquitous and says nothing. This is the very worst stool.
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The 90-Degree Back Totally backless stools are correctly maligned for being unsupportive, but, as Morris points out, pretty much everyone leans on the bar anyway; backless is, all things considered, not a catastrophe. But the 90-degree full-backed stool is a betrayal: It seems, on the surface, like it is making an effort to be comfortable—it has a back—but the twist is that it is miserable instead. Human bodies do not fold in half like mannequins. They are, as Chapin puts it, “prison chairs.”
Anything With Armrests Armrests are very comfortable. They are also a trap. “You just feel like you’re in an airplane seat,” says Chapin. “You’re stuck.” Even if you’re quite petite, they leave no room to maneuver with any modicum of grace. “Arms are inhibiting,” agrees Morris. Do you have to go to the bathroom? Would you like to slip out unobtrusively? Too bad. You can’t. In fact, she ventures, arms work to actively prevent incidental socializing—one of the very reasons bars exist!
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The Modern Minimalist Distinguished by its lightness and small footprint, the modern minimalist communicates that you are in a bar that is design-conscious and serves natural wines. “I don’t think the barstool should steal the show,” Polonsky told me; by this metric, they are a rousing success. They are breezy and tasteful, often vaguely (or explicitly) Scandinavian, and tend to feature understated details—a molded seat, a waterfall edge—that indicate your comfort has been, if not enthusiastically prioritized, then at least thoughtfully considered.
The Overstuffed Statement Well-padded and enormous, these hideous-on-purpose stools—vintage-inspired, vinyl-upholstered—are triumphs of the genre. They are not “right” for every context, but what a joy to come across them in the wild! (See: these at Paradise Lost, or these, at Bearded Lady.) Generously cushioned, they are gentle on both back and tailbone. They are oversized. They swivel. They inspire a childlike sense of wonder. It is not just comfortable to sit in them—it is a delight. They are among the best.
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The Classic (Padded Version) It is not that the classic barstool—typically four worn wooden legs, round seat—is revolutionary. On the contrary: It is not. It is also not the pinnacle of comfort, although some kind of upholstered foam padding on the seat does help. What it is, is atmospheric, moody, brooding. It can be iterated upon (the cushion—a fantastic innovation!) but it cannot be beat. You sit in one, and think: Now I am at a bar. A good one has some heft to it, some gravitas. “You just get into your seat and you’re set,” says Chapin, singing the praises of the straightforward arrangement. You could lean on the counter, if you wanted; if you needed to, you could cry into your hands. (Consider these, at Bar Louise, or these, at Gold Star Beer Counter.) It is low-concept and time-tested, and there is, most importantly, a crossbar for your feet.
The Tolix and Its Kin “A stool made from galvanized steel was never going to be comfortable,” observed Watanamuk, “but it is somehow even more uncomfortable than you’d imagine”—especially if it’s the version with the inhumanely proportioned back. But the real problem with the Tolix, in 2024, is its depressing lack of vision. There is no element of fantasy, of romance, of risk to the Tolix; it is ubiquitous and says nothing. This is the very worst stool.
The Tolix and Its Kin
5
The 90-Degree Back Totally backless stools are correctly maligned for being unsupportive, but, as Morris points out, pretty much everyone leans on the bar anyway; backless is, all things considered, not a catastrophe. But the 90-degree full-backed stool is a betrayal: It seems, on the surface, like it is making an effort to be comfortable—it has a back—but the twist is that it is miserable instead. Human bodies do not fold in half like mannequins. They are, as Chapin puts it, “prison chairs.”
The Tolix and Its Kin “A stool made from galvanized steel was never going to be comfortable,” observed Watanamuk, “but it is somehow even more uncomfortable than you’d imagine”—especially if it’s the version with the inhumanely proportioned back. But the real problem with the Tolix, in 2024, is its depressing lack of vision. There is no element of fantasy, of romance, of risk to the Tolix; it is ubiquitous and says nothing. This is the very worst stool.
The Tolix and Its Kin
4
The 90-Degree Back
3
The Tolix and Its Kin
2
The 90-Degree Back
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Armrests are very comfortable. They are also a trap. “You just feel like you’re in an airplane seat,” says Chapin. “You’re stuck.” Even if you’re quite petite, they leave no room to maneuver with any modicum of grace. “Arms are inhibiting,” agrees Morris. Do you have to go to the bathroom? Would you like to slip out unobtrusively? Too bad. You can’t. In fact, she ventures, arms work to actively prevent incidental socializing—one of the very reasons bars exist!
The Modern Minimalist Distinguished by its lightness and small footprint, the modern minimalist communicates that you are in a bar that is design-conscious and serves natural wines. “I don’t think the barstool should steal the show,” Polonsky told me; by this metric, they are a rousing success. They are breezy and tasteful, often vaguely (or explicitly) Scandinavian, and tend to feature understated details—a molded seat, a waterfall edge—that indicate your comfort has been, if not enthusiastically prioritized, then at least thoughtfully considered.
The Overstuffed Statement Well-padded and enormous, these hideous-on-purpose stools—vintage-inspired, vinyl-upholstered—are triumphs of the genre. They are not “right” for every context, but what a joy to come across them in the wild! (See: these at Paradise Lost, or these, at Bearded Lady.) Generously cushioned, they are gentle on both back and tailbone. They are oversized. They swivel. They inspire a childlike sense of wonder. It is not just comfortable to sit in them—it is a delight. They are among the best.
The Classic (Padded Version) It is not that the classic barstool—four worn wooden legs, round seat—is revolutionary. On the contrary: It is not. It is also not the pinnacle of comfort, although some kind of upholstered foam padding on the seat does help. What it is, is atmospheric, moody, brooding. It can be iterated upon (the cushion—a fantastic innovation!) but it cannot be beat. You sit in one, and think: Now I am at a bar. A good one has some heft to it, some gravitas. “You just get into your seat and you’re set,” says Chapin, singing the praises of the straightforward arrangement. You could lean on the counter, if you wanted; if you needed to, you could cry into your hands. (Consider these, at Bar Louise, or these, at Gold Star Beer Counter.) It is low-concept and time-tested, and there is, most importantly, a crossbar for your feet.
