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Updated October 14, 2026
Quick answer
We repair back-bar coolers, bottle coolers and underbar refrigeration for bars, restaurants and hotels across the Bay Area, including Perlick, True, Beverage-Air, Glastender and Krowne. Most warm back-bars we see need a condenser cleaned, a fan replaced or a gasket fixed.
Common repairs
- Condenser and evaporator fan motors
- Thermostats, probes and controllers
- Door gaskets, hinges and sliding door tracks
- Defrost problems and iced evaporators
- Refrigerant leaks and compressors
See back-bar cooler not cooling for owner checks.
What happens on a service visit
- We check temperatures at the cooler, the bath or keg room and the tap.
- We inspect the condenser, fans, defrost, controls and refrigerant circuit.
- You get the diagnosis and price before work starts.
- Repairs carry a one-year parts and labor warranty.
Service hours
Regular service hours are 8 AM to 5 PM, with emergency service until 9 PM. Call as early as you can; the sooner a technician sees the unit, the more product you keep.
Owner checks before you call
| Step | Check | What the finding means |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Thermometer in a bottle of water | Real product temperature |
| 2 | Front grille and condenser | Dust or lint: clean it, recheck in 2 hours |
| 3 | Anything blocking the grille | Mats, boxes, kegs: move them |
| 4 | Doors closing and sealing | Gaps: gasket, track or hinge repair |
| 5 | Evaporator fan inside | Silent: fan motor or door switch |
| 6 | Alarm code | Write it down |
Back-bar types we repair
| Type | Common repairs |
|---|---|
| Solid swing-door | Gaskets, hinges, fans, controls |
| Glass swing-door | Door heaters, LED drivers, gaskets |
| Sliding-door | Tracks, brush seals, rollers |
| Bottle coolers | Lid seals, drains, fans |
| Direct-draw keg coolers | Tower cooling, condenser, controls |
What a repair visit covers
- Temperature check and controller readout.
- Condenser cleaning and fan check.
- Door, track and gasket inspection.
- Defrost and evaporator check.
- Refrigeration circuit diagnosis when needed.
- A price before work starts.
Warranty before you pay
Many current back-bars carry long manufacturer warranties; dealer listings for Beverage-Air back-bar coolers show 7 years of parts, labor and compressor coverage, and True lists 3 years of parts and labor with longer compressor terms on many models. Check the serial first.
Why choose Cool Aid
- Licensed C-38 refrigeration contractor, EPA 608 certified technicians
- Family business serving the Bay Area since 1966
- One-year parts and labor warranty on repairs
- Vietnamese-speaking staff
Service area
We serve bars, restaurants, hotels, stores and breweries in Santa Clara, San Mateo and Alameda counties and San Francisco. County environmental health inspectors probe refrigerated garnishes, dairy and juices; beverage-only units face fewer rules but still cost sales when warm.
Why back-bars fail more than kitchen reach-ins
Back-bar coolers are built to fit under a bar top, which means small cabinets, small condensers and a front grille as the only path for air. Bars add heat from lighting, crowds and nearby ice machines and glass washers, and staff open doors hundreds of times a night. Lint and dust from bar towels and floors clog condensers faster than in most kitchens. The result is a cooler that keeps up on a quiet Tuesday and falls behind on a Saturday.
That is why the most valuable thing we do on many back-bar calls is a thorough condenser cleaning and a look at how the cooler is installed, not just the part that failed.
Common failures and what they mean
| Symptom | Usual cause |
|---|---|
| Warm during service, fine by morning | Clogged condenser, overload, restocking warm bottles |
| Warm all the time | Fan, refrigerant or compressor fault |
| Nothing running | Control, relay, breaker |
| Ice on the evaporator | Defrost fault or doors not sealing |
| Water on the floor | Drain or condensate pan |
| Glass fogging | Door heater or humidity |
After the repair
Restock after close so the cooler can pull bottles down overnight, keep the grille clear, and clean the condenser monthly. Ask us about a bar maintenance plan if you have several units.
Repair or replace
Back-bars with sound cabinets are worth repairing for fans, controls, gaskets, doors and start components. When a compressor fails on an older unit, or the cabinet is rusting, we give you a replacement comparison. Measure the opening and note the breathing direction before ordering a replacement; bar millwork rarely forgives a different size. See repair vs replace.
Refrigerants
Back-bars made since 2025 typically run on R-290; older units on R-134a or R-404A can still be repaired. Sealed-system work on R-290 follows the manufacturer's procedures for flammable refrigerants.
Bay Area bars
From San Jose sports bars to San Francisco cocktail bars and East Bay brewpubs, back-bars run long hours in tight spaces. Older buildings add poor ventilation and shared circuits. We look at the installation as well as the failed part, because the same cooler in the same spot will fail again otherwise.
When to call a technician
Call if the cooler stays warm after a condenser cleaning.
Open 7 days, 8 AM to 5 PM, with emergency service until 9 PM. CA Lic. #776244.
Frequently asked questions
Do you repair Perlick and True back-bars?
Yes, and most other commercial bar refrigeration brands.
How often should a back-bar cooler be serviced?
Clean the condenser every one to three months and have it inspected at least yearly.
How fast can you fix a back-bar cooler?
Many repairs are done the same day when parts are on hand. Regular hours are 8 AM to 5 PM, with emergency service until 9 PM.
Do you repair glass-door back-bars?
Yes, including heaters and lighting.
Do you repair Perlick back-bars?
Yes, including HA high-temperature alarm diagnosis.
Is it worth replacing a back-bar gasket?
Yes; a torn gasket keeps the cooler running harder and warmer.
What should a back-bar cooler be set to?
Most bars run them in the mid-30s °F; anything holding garnishes or dairy must keep them at 41°F or below.
Why does my back-bar run all night?
A dirty condenser, worn gaskets or warm bottles loaded at close.
Can a back-bar share a circuit with an ice machine?
Avoid it; shared circuits cause hard starts and tripped breakers.
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