What are bar salts? Disposable-style flavours, explained.
You've probably seen the names on the shelf: Bar Juice, BAR EDTN, ELFLIQ, MARYLIQ. They're everywhere in UK vape shops, and they're some of the most popular 10ml bottles we sell.
So what actually makes a nic salt a bar salt? Here's what they are, how they compare to other e-liquids, which kits they suit and how to pick a flavour you'll stick with.
Short version? Here you go.
So what exactly is a bar salt?
A bar salt is a nicotine salt e-liquid designed to taste like the flavours people got used to in disposable "bar" vapes.
When disposables took off, a handful of flavours became household names: blueberry sour raspberry, strawberry kiwi, watermelon, triple mango, lemon and lime. Bar salts bottle those same flavour profiles in a 10ml nic salt you can use in a refillable kit.
You'll see two main types on the shelf:
Bar-style brands such as Bar Juice 5000 and Riot Squad's BAR EDTN range, made by UK e-liquid companies to recreate those classic disposable flavours.
Brand-made liquids from the disposable makers themselves, such as Elf Bar's ELFLIQ (see our Elf Bar range) and Lost Mary's MARYLIQ. We've rounded up favourites in our MARYLIQ flavour guide.
"Bar salt" isn't an official category. It's a shop-floor name for disposable-style nic salts. Check the label for the things that actually matter: nicotine strength, VG/PG ratio and whether it's a nic salt or freebase.
Bar salts vs other e-liquids.
Under the hood, a bar salt is simply a nic salt. The difference is the flavour style. Here's how they sit next to the other liquids you'll find in store.
| Liquid type | Typical VG/PG | Nicotine | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bar salts | 50/50 | 5mg, 10mg, 20mg (nic salt) | Pod kits and MTL devices; disposable-style flavours |
| Standard nic salts | 50/50 (some 60/40) | Usually 10mg or 20mg (nic salt) | Pod kits and MTL devices; wider flavour styles |
| Freebase 10ml | 50/50 or 60/40 | 3mg to 18mg (freebase) | MTL kits and tanks |
| Shortfills | 70/30 VG or higher | 0mg until you add a nic shot | Sub-ohm kits and tanks |
Want the full story on the two nicotine types? Read nic salts vs freebase nicotine, and if VG and PG are new to you, What is PG & VG in e-liquid? explains it in a couple of minutes.
Which kits work with bar salts?
Bar salts are made for low-powered devices with higher-resistance coils: refillable pod kits and mouth-to-lung (MTL) starter kits. Think pods and coils of roughly 0.6Ω and above, used at modest wattage.
In a big sub-ohm tank they're a poor match. The thinner 50/50 liquid can flood a low-resistance coil, and the higher power and airflow aren't what nic salts are designed for.
Pick a refillable pod kit such as the XROS range (browse our vape pod kits), fill to the line and prime the pod before your first puff. Our step-by-step guides on how to refill a vape pod and how to prime a vape coil walk you through it.
Can you put bar salts in a disposable?
No. Disposables aren't designed to be opened or refilled, and single-use vapes have been banned from sale in the UK since June 2025. A refillable pod kit gives you the same flavours with far less waste. If you're still weighing up the switch, our best prefilled pod kits guide covers the easiest options.
Same flavours you know. Refillable kit, 10ml bottle, less waste.
The main bar salt flavour families.
There are dozens of bar salt flavours, but most fall into a few families. Knowing which one you like makes it much easier to try something new without wasting a bottle.
Fruit blends
The biggest family. Two- and three-fruit mixes like Blueberry Sour Raspberry, Strawberry Kiwi or Kiwi Passionfruit Guava, plus single-fruit classics like Triple Mango and Watermelon. If you like fruit, our best fruit e-liquids guide goes deeper.
Iced fruit
Fruit with a cooling finish, such as Peach Ice, Watermelon Ice or Strawberry Ice. A good middle ground if straight menthol is too much but you want something crisp.
Drinks-inspired
Flavours built around familiar drinks: Lemon & Lime, Cherry Cola, Peach Ice Tea and Fresh Menthol Mojito. They tend to be lighter and less sweet than the fruit blends.
Mint and menthol
Fresh Mint, Spearmint and menthol blends. Clean and simple, and a popular all-day choice. See the best menthol nic salts in the UK for our picks.
Tobacco
Fewer bar salts go down this route, but there are some. Bar Juice Cream Tobacco is a smooth tobacco with a soft, creamy note.
Pick two flavours from different families and switch between them through the week. Rotating like this helps stop one flavour going flat on you. If everything has started to taste of nothing, read why can't I taste my vape?
Bar salts worth trying first.
A few adult-favourite bar salts from different flavour families, plus a refillable pod kit that's a good match for them. Prices are correct at the time of writing.
5mg, 10mg or 20mg: which bar salt strength?
Most bar salts come in three strengths. 20mg is the highest strength allowed in the UK, and it's the strength most disposables used, so it's the one many people start on when they move to a refillable kit.
10mg is a popular middle ground, and 5mg suits people who vape often throughout the day and want a lighter strength. Some flavours are only made in 10mg and 20mg, so check the options on each product page.
Not sure where you sit? Our 10mg vs 20mg nic salts guide and nicotine strength guide explain the differences, or ask our team in store.
How to keep bar salts tasting great.
Expect sweeter flavours to work your coil harder. Many bar salts are sweet, and sweetener can build up on a coil faster than lighter flavours. If the flavour turns muted or burnt, it's time for a fresh pod or coil.
Give the bottle a shake. Flavourings can settle, especially if a bottle has been sitting in a drawer.
Store bottles somewhere cool and dark. Heat and sunlight can dull the flavour over time. Keep the childproof cap tightly closed and well out of reach of children and pets.
Don't mix brands in the same pod. Finish one flavour (or rinse and dry the pod) before you switch, or you'll end up with a muddy mix of both.
Buy from a reputable UK shop. Genuine bottles are 10ml, no stronger than 20mg and carry the nicotine warning on the packaging.
If a new pod tastes harsh or burnt on the first puff, it probably wasn't primed long enough. Let a freshly filled pod sit for 5 to 10 minutes before you vape.
Over 50 bar salts, one place.
Browse the full Bar Juice range online, or pop into your local I Love Vapour store and our team will help you find a flavour family you'll enjoy.
All our bar salts are £3.99 per 10ml, with free UK delivery on orders over £20.
Shop Bar Juice →Bar salts: the questions we get asked.
What does bar salt mean in vaping?
It's a nickname for nicotine salt e-liquids that recreate popular disposable vape flavours. They come in 10ml bottles, are usually 50/50 VG/PG, and are designed for refillable pod kits.
Are bar salts the same as normal nic salts?
Yes, technically. A bar salt is a nic salt. The difference is the flavour style, which is based on the flavours made popular by disposables. Our nic salts range also includes plenty of other flavour styles.
Can I use bar salts in a sub-ohm kit?
It's not recommended. Bar salts are made for low-powered pod kits and MTL devices. In a sub-ohm tank, the thinner 50/50 liquid can flood the coil. If you prefer sub-ohm vaping, a high-VG shortfill is a better fit.
Are bar salts legal in the UK?
Yes, when they meet UK rules: a maximum 10ml bottle, no more than 20mg/ml nicotine, child-resistant packaging, the nicotine warning on the pack, and notification to the MHRA. Everything we sell meets these rules. Bar salts are for adults aged 18 and over only.
Can I refill a disposable vape with bar salts?
No. Disposables aren't designed to be opened or refilled, and single-use vapes can no longer be sold in the UK. Use a refillable pod kit instead.
Is Bar Juice the same as Elf Bar ELFLIQ?
No. ELFLIQ is made by Elf Bar, while Bar Juice is a separate UK brand that makes its own versions of popular disposable flavours. Both are 10ml nic salts for pod kits, so it comes down to which flavours you prefer.
18+ only. Our products are only for adults aged 18 and over. Challenge 25 applies in all our stores and to every online order.
Warning: This product contains nicotine which is a highly addictive substance. Vaping products are not suitable for non-smokers, people under 18, or those who are pregnant or breastfeeding.