What Are the Best Hinges for Saloon Doors?

Saloon doors traditionally use double action hinges designed to swing in both directions and return to center automatically. There are two main types of hinges for saloon doors—gravity hinges and spring hinges. Both offer the double-action feature, but they operate differently. Let’s explore the best saloon hinges for doors so you can choose the right style for your space.

The saloon door hinges we offer for custom doors include Standard Gravity Hardware, Premium Grade Gravity Hardware, Commercial Grade Spring Hinges, and Commercial Grade Gravity Hinges (Bommer). All of these cafe door hinges are double-action and will automatically return the door to the center. Custom doors purchased from Swinging Cafe Doors come fully prepped for the hinge for saloon door style you choose.

Standard Gravity Hardware

Available in Brass, Satin Chrome, Oil Rubbed Bronze, and Matte Black Finishes. Our standard gravity saloon door hinges come in four finishes—brass, satin chrome, oil rubbed bronze, and matte black. This swing hinge for saloon doors requires the most clearance between the door jamb and the doors. These are true gravity hinges, meaning they use gravity to bring the doors to a closed position. When the doors are opened, they are pushed up a ramp; when released, they ride back down to the center position. These hinges offer a “hold open” feature at 125 degrees and mount to the top and bottom of the doors.

Premium Grade Gravity Hardware

The premium-grade gravity hardware is available only in a brass finish and can hold heavier doors. Like the standard style, these cafe door hinges use gravity to return the doors to the center closed position. They feature a 90-degree hold open and mount to the top and bottom of the doors.

Commercial Grade Spring Hardware

Available in Brass, Satin Chrome, Oil Rubbed Bronze, and Gloss Black. These are commercial-grade double action spring hinges for saloon doors that use an adjustable spring to pull the doors back to center. The tension can be set for a faster or slower return. They are non-hold-open hinges, mount between the door and the frame, and allow for taller doors. These are ideal saloon door hinges for restaurants or other commercial spaces that require doors to remain closed.

Commercial Grade Gravity Hardware

Available in Brass, Satin Chrome, Oil Rubbed Bronze, and Bright Black. American-made Bommer gravity hinges for saloon doors feature a 90-degree hold-open and enclosed bottom pivot to protect from dirt and debris. This hinge for saloon door style requires less clearance than standard gravity hinges, making it suitable for wider doors.  

Commercial grade gravity hinges require 6” of clearance (3" top and 3" bottom) from the door height. We can recess the bottom for a small additional cost. If the hinge was recessed you would only need 3” of clearance at the top of the doors (for the top pivot hinge and rise of the door during operation). For example, if your doorway height is 80” tall, then your max door height is 74" with commercial grade gravity hinges or 77" with commercial grade gravity hinges, including the bottom recess options. Recessing the bottom pivot assembly simply allows for taller doors.

Commercial Grade Horizontal Spring Pivot Hinge

Available in Brass, Satin Chrome, Oil Rubbed Bronze, and Bright Black. These Bommer 7800 series commercial swing hinges for saloon doors are designed for full-height saloon doors (70” or taller) and allow minimal gaps. They offer a hold-open feature in either direction, making them versatile for both residential and commercial applications.These are horizontal spring pivot series hardware- Commercial Grade Horizontal Spring Pivots for full-length swinging doors.

The header and floor mounted horizontal spring pivot hinge allows for minimal gaping. This hardware has a bottom hinge that sits on the floor and mounts to the floor with a bottom gap of 9/16" door to floor.  The top hinge mounts to the header- flush is the preferred mounting option, leaving a gap of 3/8". 

The header and jamb mounted horizontal spring pivot hinge the bottom hinge sits on the floor, BUT mounts to the jamb. This is the most POPULAR option. This makes the gap between the door and floor 11/16".  The top hinge mounts to the header- flush is the preferred mounting option, leaving a gap of 3/8".

The top jamb mounted horizontal spring pivot hinge has a bottom hinge that has the option of mounting to the floor or jamb. There will be a larger gap at the top, but perfect for doors that are slightly smaller than the overall door opening size.

Slab Doors

Slab doors are supplied without hardware, giving you the flexibility to choose your preferred cafe door hinges. This option works well if you already have a hinge for saloon door in mind or plan a custom installation.

Butt Hinges

Butt hinges are a single-swing option that works in one direction only. While not double-action, they can be used as an alternative to saloon door hinges in certain designs.

Upgrade Your Saloon Doors with the Right Hinges

Whether you’re enhancing a home bar, updating a restaurant entry, or outfitting a commercial kitchen, the right saloon door hinges ensure smooth performance, durability, and style. Swinging Cafe Doors offers a full range of cafe door hinges—from decorative residential options to heavy-duty commercial-grade hardware—so you can get exactly what you need. Browse our selection online or contact us today for expert guidance and a custom quote for your project.