The Ruvati RVH7115 is the best bar sink for most stone counters: a 15 x 15 in undermount bowl, 9 in deep, in 16-gauge T-304 stainless, with a full-size 3.5 in rear drain. Pick the Kraus KHU631-15 for a narrow 18 in cabinet, or the Kohler Strive K-5287-NA if you want a 9 in deep Kohler bowl with a rack in the box.
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A bar sink is a small second sink for a wet bar, island or butler’s pantry. The sink and the faucet are two separate buys. Pick the sink first, then see our bar sink faucet guide for a faucet that fits the bowl and the counter.
Bar sinks compared
| Check | Ruvati RVH7115 | Kraus KHU631-15 | Kohler Strive K-5287-NA |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mount | Undermount | Undermount | Undermount |
| Outside size | 15 x 15 in | 14-1/2 x 12 in | Not read; check spec sheet |
| Bowl size and depth | 13 x 13 in, 9 in deep | 12-1/2 x 10 in, 7-5/8 in deep | 9 in deep |
| Steel | 16 ga T-304 | 18 ga T-304 | 16 ga stainless |
| Drain opening | 3.5 in, rear | Not stated | Not read |
| Smallest cabinet | Not stated | 18 in | Not read |
| In the box | Grid, basket strainer, template, clips | Grid, drain with strainer, hardware, template | Sink rack |
| Sound control | Rubber padding | Pads on all sides plus undercoating | Not read |
| Buy | Check Ruvati RVH7115 on Amazon → | Check Kraus KHU631-15 on Amazon → | Check Kohler K-5287-NA on Amazon → |
Specs come from the Ruvati RVH7115 page (ruvati.com), the Kraus KHU631-15 page (kraususa.com) and the Kohler K-5287 page (kohler.com). “Not read” means the maker’s page did not show that spec when we checked it; confirm it on the spec sheet before you cut the counter.
BEST OVERALL · 9 IN DEEP · 3.5 IN REAR DRAIN
Ruvati RVH7115: a full-size drain in a small square bowl
Choose it when you have granite, quartz or solid surface and want a bar sink that works like a small kitchen sink. Ruvati lists 15 x 15 in outside, a 13 x 13 in bowl, 9 in depth, 16-gauge T-304 stainless, zero-radius inside corners and a 3.5 in rear drain. The box includes a bottom rinse grid, a basket strainer drain, a cut-out template and mounting brackets.
The 3.5 in opening is the main reason to pick it. It takes standard kitchen-size strainers, so parts are easy to find later. The rear drain leaves more room under the bowl for a filter or a small cabinet shelf.
Skip it if you hate cleaning sharp corners; zero-radius corners look crisp but hold more grime than rounded ones. Ruvati does not list a minimum cabinet size on the product page, so measure the inside of your cabinet against the 15 in outside width plus clips before you order.
BEST FOR NARROW CABINETS · 18 IN MINIMUM CABINET
Kraus KHU631-15: fits an 18 in cabinet
Choose it when the cabinet is narrow. Kraus lists an 18 in minimum cabinet, an outside size of 14-1/2 x 12 in, and a 12-1/2 x 10 in bowl that is 7-5/8 in deep. It is 18-gauge T-304 stainless with gently rounded corners, sound pads on all sides and an anti-condensation undercoating. A bottom grid, a drain with a removable strainer, mounting hardware and a template come with it.
Note the size. The product is sold as a 15 in sink, but the outside measurements Kraus lists are 14-1/2 x 12 in. Use those numbers for fit checks. Cut only from the exact model’s template and approved reveal; outside dimensions are not cutout dimensions.
Skip it if you want the heavier 16-gauge steel of the Ruvati or Kohler, or if you need the drain size before you buy; Kraus does not state the drain opening on the product page.
BRAND PICK · 16 GA · 9 IN DEEP · RACK INCLUDED
Kohler Strive K-5287-NA: a deep Kohler bowl with a rack
Choose it when you want a Kohler sink to match other Kohler fixtures. Kohler lists the Strive 15 in bar sink as a 16-gauge stainless undermount with a 9 in deep single bowl, rounded corners and a sink rack included.
Skip it if you need every dimension before you buy. The Kohler page did not show outside dimensions, drain size or minimum cabinet when we read it. Download the spec sheet from Kohler and check those three numbers against your cabinet and counter first.
Undermount vs drop-in bar sinks
The counter decides this more than taste does.
- Undermount needs a solid counter edge: granite, quartz or solid surface. The cut edge is exposed and finished. Follow the sink and counter makers’ specified structural support and sealing method; caulk alone is not support. Crumbs and water wipe straight into the bowl.
- Drop-in rests on a rim over the counter. It works on laminate, tile and butcher block, and it is the easy swap when an old drop-in fails.
Our undermount vs drop-in sink guide covers the trade-offs in more detail. They apply the same way to a bar sink.
Bar sink sizes: what to measure first
- Cabinet size and clearance. Kraus lists an 18 in minimum base cabinet. Confirm how the maker defines that nominal cabinet size, then check actual interior clearance for the bowl, clips and support.
- Outside sink size. Use the outside dimensions on the spec sheet. Names like “15 inch” are rounded.
- Depth vs what is below. A 9 in bowl holds a pitcher or a blender jar. A shallower bowl may leave more room below for the trap and other fittings; verify the complete layout.
- Faucet reach. On a small bowl, a long spout can spray past the drain. Match spout reach to the bowl’s front-to-back size.
- Clearance at the back. Leave room behind the bowl for the faucet base if it mounts on the counter.
Drain size and drain position
Check the exact drain opening before choosing a strainer.
- 3.5 in: the standard kitchen size, as on the Ruvati RVH7115. Match a compatible kitchen basket strainer to the opening and sink thickness. See our basket strainer guide if you want to upgrade the one in the box.
- Compact openings: check the exact diameter, sink thickness and compatible strainer before ordering; kitchen-size strainers are not universal.
Drain position matters as much as size. A rear drain, like the Ruvati’s, frees up the middle of the cabinet. A center drain puts the trap in the middle. Either way, match the trap to the strainer’s tailpiece and keep the trap arm short and pitched toward the wall drain. Our P-trap guide shows which trap kits fit.
Faucet hole count
Many undermount layouts place the faucet in the counter. Check the exact sink and faucet layout before choosing the drilling pattern. A single-handle bar faucet needs one hole. A two-handle widespread faucet needs three.
A drop-in sink usually comes with its holes already punched, and the count is part of the model. Check it against your faucet before you order. Our faucet hole size guide covers hole diameters and deck plates.
When to call a licensed plumber
Swapping a bar sink where one already drains is a normal DIY job. Adding a bar sink where there was none is not. A new sink needs a drain, a trap, a vent and hot and cold supply lines. In most places that means a permit and an inspection. Call a licensed plumber if there is no drain in the wall, if the nearest vent is far away, or if you would need to cut into a slab.
Bar sink FAQ
What size is a standard bar sink?
Most bar sinks are about 15 x 15 in outside or a bit smaller. The Ruvati RVH7115 is 15 x 15 in outside, and the Kraus KHU631-15 is 14-1/2 x 12 in. Always use the outside size on the spec sheet, not the name.
What size cabinet do I need for a bar sink?
Kraus specifies an 18 in minimum base cabinet for the KHU631-15. Confirm the maker’s cabinet-size definition and check actual inside clearance for the bowl, clips and supports. Other sinks can differ.
Do bar sinks have a smaller drain?
Some compact sinks need a different strainer. The Ruvati RVH7115 has a 3.5 in opening; match the exact opening, sink thickness and drain assembly rather than assuming every bar sink takes a kitchen strainer.
Can I put an undermount bar sink in a laminate counter?
It is not a good idea. An undermount sink leaves the cut edge of the counter exposed to water, and laminate edges swell when wet. Use a drop-in sink on laminate.
How deep should a bar sink be?
Compare the Kraus bowl’s 7-5/8 in depth with the Ruvati’s 9 in depth. Check the items you wash, comfortable reach and clearance for the trap below.
How we chose
This is a document-based comparison from a licensed plumber’s point of view. We read the maker product pages for the exact linked models and picked sinks that cover the fit choices that matter: undermount bowls, cabinet clearance and compatible drains. We also explain when a drop-in design better suits the counter. Where a maker page did not show a spec, we say so instead of guessing. Sources and linked listings were read October 14, 2026; sellers and availability change. We do not publish prices or claim hands-on testing. More about our selection method and Plumbing Picks.
Primary sources
- Ruvati RVH7115 product page (ruvati.com): dimensions, gauge, 3.5 in rear drain, included parts, warranty.
- Kraus KHU631-15 product page (kraususa.com): dimensions, 18 in minimum cabinet, gauge, sound pads, included parts.
- Kohler Strive K-5287 product page (kohler.com): 16 gauge, 9 in depth, rack included.