By no means am I saying this is the minimum space needed to work properly while working the bar. But, my bar is 30″ from the wall running parallel to the back of it. Seems to be enough space to walk /stand behind and bend down and grab things from the shelves. Carrying cases of beer has also never been an issue and loading bottles into the built in bar fridge is not a problem. Hope this gives you a good starting point in which to test from.