Suggestions for replacing a railing?

[Mike S.]

I'm currently in the middle of a rehab and I'm trying to decide what to do for some railings in a split level home.

I don't have an actual picture, but they are similar to the following photo:

Unlike this picture, the cabinets will come out to the railing on left side.  My wife is thinking the railing would look better replaced with a bar matching the cabinets with stools overlooking the downstairs.  I'm not entirely sold on the idea (mainly due to the extra expense).

Anyway, anyone have any creative ideas for this space? Simplest would be to just replace with updated railing.