Covering a counter is the step that turns an outdoor bar from a summer novelty into something you can use in a British June. The question is how much cover you need, and how much building you are prepared to add.
Four ways to cover a bar
Slatted pergola
A pergola gives a sense of enclosure and some shade, but slats alone keep out little rain. Add climbing plants for character, or a fabric or polycarbonate panel above the counter for real shelter.
Solid-roof pergola or gazebo
A solid roof on posts gives proper rain cover while leaving the sides open. It needs a fall so water drains, gutters that lead somewhere sensible and posts fixed securely against wind.
Lean-to against a wall or fence
Fixing a roof to an existing wall saves posts and can look tidy. Check whose wall or fence it is, whether it can carry the load and where the rainwater will go. A lean-to on a neighbour's fence without permission is a dispute waiting to happen.
Retractable awning or sail
A fabric awning or sail shade is flexible and cheaper to undo. Sails need strong anchor points and must be taken down in high winds. Most are not designed to hold standing rain.
Wind is the hidden load
A roof catches wind as well as rain. Lightweight gazebos are the obvious risk, but any roof on posts needs secure fixings into a suitable base. Follow the product instructions on anchoring rather than relying on weight alone.
Drainage
Every roof turns rain into a concentrated flow somewhere. Plan where that water goes: a water butt, a soakaway or a drain, not the patio where people stand. Drip lines along the front edge of the counter are a common annoyance; a deeper overhang or a gutter fixes them.
Does a roof need planning permission?
In England, permitted development rules for outbuildings and other structures depend on height, position and how much of the garden is covered. A covered bar near a boundary may face lower height limits. Read our planning starting point and check with your local authority if unsure.
Lighting under a roof
A roof is an easy place to hang festoons or fix lights, but connections still need to suit outdoor conditions. See the lighting guide and our notes on festoon light IP ratings.
Choosing between them
Pick a pergola if you mostly want shade and atmosphere. Pick a solid roof if you want to use the bar in showers. Pick a full building if you want winter use; then the garden pub shed guide is the next read.
Stand where the counter will be on a wet, windy day and note where the rain comes from. That direction decides which side needs the most cover.
Sources
Primary guidance checked 10 November 2026.