For a compact undermount sink in a matte color, pick the Kohler Cairn K-8223. For the largest bowl and a choice of top or undermount, pick the Iron/Tones K-6587. For a small drop-in with faucet holes in the sink, pick the Northland K-6579-2. Check your cabinet width first.
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This guide compares three Kohler bar and prep sinks using Kohler’s own spec sheets.
Kohler bar sinks compared (Kohler spec sheets)
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| Sink | Material / mount | Bowl (L × W × depth) | Cabinet / faucet holes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cairn K-8223 (15-1/2 in.) | Neoroc composite; undermount | 13-9/16 × 13-9/16 × 9-1/2 in. | 18 in.; none |
| Iron/Tones K-6587 (21 in.) | Enameled cast iron; top or undermount | 18 × 18 × 9-1/2 in. | 24 in. (21 in. with changes); none |
| Northland K-6579-2 (15 in.) | Enameled cast iron; top mount | 9-1/4 × 12 × 7 in. | 15 in.; 2 holes |
A bar or prep sink is a small second sink for a wet bar, kitchen island or butler’s pantry. The choice comes down to how big a bowl you need, whether the counter allows an undermount sink, and whether the faucet mounts through the sink or the counter. Kohler’s Iron/Tones has the largest bowl here and the Northland is the smallest.
Kohler Cairn K-8223: composite undermount with a rack
Choose the Cairn K-8223 for a compact undermount bar sink in a matte color. Kohler’s spec sheet (resources.kohler.com) lists Neoroc composite with solid color throughout, a 13-9/16-inch-square bowl 9-1/2 inches deep, undermount installation, an 18-inch minimum cabinet, and an included K-5658 sink rack, basin clamps, cutout templates and installation clips. Kohler says the material is heat-resistant up to 750°F and resists scratches, stains, chips and thermal shock, and that installation is a one-person, single-day project.
The sheet lists six matte colors, from white to black. It has no faucet holes, so the faucet mounts through the counter. Kohler notes it is ADA compliant when installed to those requirements, and that ADA permits a parallel approach to wet bars.
On October 15, 2026, the standard new offer sold by UE-STORE showed in stock, usually shipping in three to four days, with model 8223-CM6, Matte White.
Check Kohler Cairn K-8223-CM6 bar sink on Amazon →
Kohler Iron/Tones K-6587: largest bowl, cast iron
Choose the Iron/Tones K-6587 for the biggest bowl here and the option to top-mount or undermount. Kohler’s spec sheet (resources.kohler.com) lists enameled cast iron with an acid-resistant enamel finish, an 18 × 18-inch bowl 9-1/2 inches deep, a 3-7/8-inch drain hole, top-mount or undermount installation, an included template and a 52047 clamp pack. The drain and strainer are sold separately.
The cabinet figure needs a note: the features say a 21-to-24-inch cabinet, with 21 inches possibly requiring cabinet changes, while the technical table says 24 inches. Plan on 24 inches. Kohler also says the supplied bowl clamps need a countertop at least 1 inch thick, and that the countertop supplier should determine the support needed.
On October 15, 2026, the standard new offer sold by TM Home Appliances showed limited stock with model 6587-0, white.
Check Kohler Iron/Tones K-6587-0 bar sink on Amazon →
Kohler Northland K-6579-2: small top-mount with faucet holes
Choose the Northland K-6579-2 for a small drop-in bar sink with the faucet holes in the sink. Kohler’s spec sheet (resources.kohler.com) lists enameled cast iron, a single bowl 9-1/4 × 12 inches and 7 inches deep, two 1-3/8-inch faucet holes, a 3-7/8-inch drain hole, top-mount installation with a 14-1/4-inch-square cutout with 1-inch radius corners, and a 15-inch minimum cabinet. Kohler lists it as ADA compliant when installed to those requirements.
Because it drops in from above, it works on laminate as well as stone counters. Its two holes suit a two-hole bar faucet; the shallow 7-inch bowl is meant for rinsing glasses and small prep, not large pots.
On October 15, 2026, the standard new offer sold by eFaucets showed limited stock with model 6579-2-0, white.
Check Kohler Northland K-6579-2-0 bar sink on Amazon →
Choosing a bar sink size
Measure the cabinet first: 15 inches for the Northland, 18 for the Cairn and 24 for the Iron/Tones. Then think about use. A 9-1/2-inch-deep bowl like the Cairn or Iron/Tones handles a cutting board and colander or a bucket of ice; the 7-inch Northland is for quick rinses. If the sink is on an island, plan the drain and vent with the rest of the island plumbing before the counter goes on.
Bar faucets are usually smaller than kitchen faucets; our bar sink faucet guide covers them, and our bar sink guide compares sinks from other brands.
Installing an undermount bar sink
For the two undermount options, the countertop fabricator cuts the opening from Kohler’s template, and the sink is clamped up under the counter. The Cairn comes with basin clamps, installation clips and cutout templates. The Iron/Tones comes with a template and a clamp pack, but Kohler notes the supplied clamps need a countertop at least 1 inch thick; for a thinner top, the installer supplies other hardware, and the countertop supplier decides what support the sink needs. Give the fabricator the exact Kohler model before they cut.
Faucet and drain choices
The Northland is the only one with holes in the sink: two 1-3/8-inch holes for a two-hole bar faucet. For the Cairn and Iron/Tones, drill one or more holes in the counter behind the sink for a single-hole bar faucet, and check that the spout reaches the middle of the bowl. All three list Kohler’s K-11352 disposal flange as an optional accessory if you plan a small disposal under a prep sink, and none of the three includes the drain or the P-trap in the box.
Plan the hot and cold supplies too. Some wet bars are plumbed with cold water only, so check what supply lines are already in the wall before you choose a faucet.
Composite or cast iron?
The Cairn is Kohler’s Neoroc composite, colored all the way through, which Kohler rates for heat to 750°F. The Iron/Tones and Northland are enameled cast iron with Kohler’s cast iron lifetime limited warranty and its cast iron cleaner recommended. Kohler lists separate cleaners for each: K-23730 for Neoroc and K-23725 for cast iron.
None of the three includes a drain; all list Kohler’s K-8799 strainer or K-8801 drain with tailpiece. See our basket strainer guide, and for larger Kohler sinks our Kohler kitchen sink guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is the smallest Kohler bar sink?
Of these, the Northland K-6579-2, with a 9-1/4 × 12-inch bowl for a 15-inch cabinet.
Do Kohler bar sinks have faucet holes?
The Northland has two; the Cairn and Iron/Tones have none, so the faucet mounts on the counter.
How deep is a Kohler bar sink?
The Cairn and Iron/Tones are 9-1/2 inches; the Northland is 7 inches.
Can the Kohler Cairn bar sink handle hot pans?
Kohler says the Neoroc composite is heat-resistant up to 750°F.
What cabinet does the Iron/Tones bar sink need?
Kohler’s technical table says 24 inches; the feature list says 21 inches may work with cabinet changes.
How we chose
This document-based guide makes no hands-on testing claim. We read and rendered Kohler’s spec sheets for the K-8223, K-6587 and K-6579-2. On October 15, 2026, we checked each linked standard new Amazon offer for model, seller, stock and an add-to-cart button. Kohler’s newer Strive and Billings bar sinks were left out because we could not find their Kohler spec sheets; the Strive K-5287 is covered in our bar sink guide. Read our selection method and about Plumbing Picks.
Primary sources
- Kohler Cairn K-8223 spec sheet (resources.kohler.com): Neoroc, 13-9/16 sq x 9-1/2, 18 in. cabinet, included rack/clamps, 750°F, colors, ADA note.
- Kohler Iron/Tones K-6587 spec sheet (resources.kohler.com): cast iron, 18x18x9-1/2, top/under, cabinet 21-24 vs 24, 1 in. counter for clamps.
- Kohler Northland K-6579-2 spec sheet (resources.kohler.com): cast iron top mount, 9-1/4x12x7, 2 holes, cutout, 15 in. cabinet.