Goodbye Traditional Patio Tables: There's An Alternative From Amazon That Doubles As A Cooler

We may receive a commission on purchases made from links.

Gathering friends and family for an outdoor BBQ or happy hour is one of the joys of warm weather months, but finding the space to fit everyone — along with drinks and food — can really be a challenge. Cold, refreshing drinks should always be in arm's reach, and who wants to set their drink on the ground or have to repeatedly head back inside every time someone wants a refill? Lugging a cooler out into the yard can be a pain and you may have limited space on your patio, particularly if you're entertaining a crowd. Luckily, there's an Amazon find to make the most use of space in a small patio.

The Keter Pacific Cool Bar is an excellent, space-saving alternative to traditional patio tables. It's a pop-up, outdoor bar-height table (perfect for use alongside a hot tub) that cleverly hides a 7 ½ gallon cooler and is fashioned from weather-resistant resin. The two-in-one function makes it an entertaining essential for your outdoor space. Customers noted that it kept its cool even in hot weather. The exterior has an attractive, woven rattan appearance in either espresso brown or dark gray that blends in with most outdoor furniture and there's a drainage plug for easy clean-up when the party's over.

This clever patio table alternative has four main benefits: it's a portable, low side-table alongside outdoor furniture, it's a cooler that holds up to 40 12-ounce cans, it's a raised table surface that's convenient for entertaining, and it can stow small items when not used as a cooler. If you're entertaining kiddos, stock juice boxes, cheese sticks, apple sauce pouches, and fresh fruit. In chillier months, the cooler can keep items warm. Just prime it with bottles of hot water or microwaved socks filled with dry rice and beans firstto serve as warming packs. Ideal for housing thermoses of coffee, hot cider, and cocoa, or a hearty soup and container of warm muffins to create a cozy fall patio space for entertaining.

After use, it's important to drain any liquid in the cooler, wash out debris with mild dish soap and water both inside and out, and let it air dry completely before replacing the lid. This should prevent any mold or mildew that some buyers have complained about. Others mentioned that the cooler doesn't fully drain and collects rainwater so double check that the basin is complete empty or use an old towel to soak up moisture remnants and consider storage in a covered area or using a custom cover. Most reviewers are pleased with the make and versatility of the piece, reporting that it's an effective and attractive space-saving alternative to typical patio tables.