i will be installing a breakfast bar that includes both a counter top that will match the existing counter at 36". and it will also have a bar top. My question is there a standered height for bar tops?

I am on the finishing stages of a kitchen remodel. We have totally refinished the cabinets and doors, floors, cutting a wall in half and making a bar...phew! Now I reeeeally hate the countertops. It is a faux wood looking laminate that looks very cheap and cheesy with all of our other changes. I love the look of ceramic tile countertops and backspashes and would love to do that in my kitchen. Can I tile over the existing laminate or do I have to remove the laminate to get to the wood surface below it in order to tile? Can I just rough up the surface? Any help on this would be greatly appreciated. We are determined to do this ourselves! We have experience with ceramic tile already as we have installed it in our foyer already, we just need to know how to work this with the kitchen laminate countertops. Thanks for any help and advice any of you can give! :D