diff --git a/docs/userguide b/docs/userguide
index af669e9b..11772b69 100644
--- a/docs/userguide
+++ b/docs/userguide
@@ -1209,23 +1209,41 @@ Available modifiers are Mod1-Mod5, Shift, Control (see +xmodmap(1)+).
 === Mouse button commands
 
 Specifies a command to run when a button was pressed on i3bar to override the
-default behavior. Currently only the mouse wheel buttons are supported. This is
-useful for disabling the scroll wheel action or running scripts that implement
-custom behavior for these buttons.
+default behavior. This is useful, e.g., for disabling the scroll wheel action
+or running scripts that implement custom behavior for these buttons.
+
+A button is always named +button<n>+, where 1 to 5 are default buttons as follows and higher
+numbers can be special buttons on devices offering more buttons:
+
+button1::
+    Left mouse button.
+button2::
+    Middle mouse button.
+button3::
+    Right mouse button.
+button4::
+    Scroll wheel up.
+button5::
+    Scroll wheel down.
+
+Please note that the old +wheel_up_cmd+ and +wheel_down_cmd+ commands are deprecated
+and will be removed in a future release. We strongly recommend using the more general
++bindsym+ with +button4+ and +button5+ instead.
 
 *Syntax*:
----------------------
-wheel_up_cmd <command>
-wheel_down_cmd <command>
----------------------
+----------------------------
+bindsym button<n> <command>
+----------------------------
 
 *Example*:
----------------------
+---------------------------------------------------------
 bar {
-    wheel_up_cmd nop
-    wheel_down_cmd exec ~/.i3/scripts/custom_wheel_down
+    # disable clicking on workspace buttons
+    bindsym button1 nop
+    # execute custom script when scrolling downwards
+    bindsym button5 exec ~/.i3/scripts/custom_wheel_down
 }
----------------------
+---------------------------------------------------------
 
 === Bar ID
 
diff --git a/i3bar/include/config.h b/i3bar/include/config.h
index aeb9f0fd..d0291917 100644
--- a/i3bar/include/config.h
+++ b/i3bar/include/config.h
@@ -22,10 +22,16 @@ typedef enum { M_DOCK = 0,
                M_HIDE = 1,
                M_INVISIBLE = 2 } bar_display_mode_t;
 
+typedef struct binding_t {
+    int input_code;
+    char *command;
+
+    TAILQ_ENTRY(binding_t) bindings;
+} binding_t;
+
 typedef struct config_t {
     int modifier;
-    char *wheel_up_cmd;
-    char *wheel_down_cmd;
+    TAILQ_HEAD(bindings_head, binding_t) bindings;
     position_t position;
     int verbose;
     struct xcb_color_strings_t colors;
diff --git a/i3bar/src/config.c b/i3bar/src/config.c
index b708895a..a59dd5c1 100644
--- a/i3bar/src/config.c
+++ b/i3bar/src/config.c
@@ -20,6 +20,7 @@
 #include "common.h"
 
 static char *cur_key;
+static bool parsing_bindings;
 
 /*
  * Parse a key.
@@ -34,6 +35,14 @@ static int config_map_key_cb(void *params_, const unsigned char *keyVal, size_t
     strncpy(cur_key, (const char *)keyVal, keyLen);
     cur_key[keyLen] = '\0';
 
+    if (strcmp(cur_key, "bindings") == 0)
+        parsing_bindings = true;
+
+    return 1;
+}
+
+static int config_end_array_cb(void *params_) {
+    parsing_bindings = false;
     return 1;
 }
 
@@ -63,6 +72,27 @@ static int config_string_cb(void *params_, const unsigned char *val, size_t _len
     if (!strcmp(cur_key, "id") || !strcmp(cur_key, "socket_path"))
         return 1;
 
+    if (parsing_bindings) {
+        if (strcmp(cur_key, "command") == 0) {
+            binding_t *binding = TAILQ_LAST(&(config.bindings), bindings_head);
+            if (binding == NULL) {
+                ELOG("There is no binding to put the current command onto. This is a bug in i3.\n");
+                return 0;
+            }
+
+            if (binding->command != NULL) {
+                ELOG("The binding for input_code = %d already has a command. This is a bug in i3.\n", binding->input_code);
+                return 0;
+            }
+
+            sasprintf(&(binding->command), "%.*s", len, val);
+            return 1;
+        }
+
+        ELOG("Unknown key \"%s\" while parsing bar bindings.\n", cur_key);
+        return 0;
+    }
+
     if (!strcmp(cur_key, "mode")) {
         DLOG("mode = %.*s, len = %d\n", len, val, len);
         config.hide_on_modifier = (len == 4 && !strncmp((const char *)val, "dock", strlen("dock")) ? M_DOCK
@@ -112,17 +142,25 @@ static int config_string_cb(void *params_, const unsigned char *val, size_t _len
         return 1;
     }
 
+    /* This key was sent in <= 4.10.2. We keep it around to avoid breakage for
+     * users updating from that version and restarting i3bar before i3. */
     if (!strcmp(cur_key, "wheel_up_cmd")) {
         DLOG("wheel_up_cmd = %.*s\n", len, val);
-        FREE(config.wheel_up_cmd);
-        sasprintf(&config.wheel_up_cmd, "%.*s", len, val);
+        binding_t *binding = scalloc(sizeof(binding_t));
+        binding->input_code = 4;
+        sasprintf(&(binding->command), "%.*s", len, val);
+        TAILQ_INSERT_TAIL(&(config.bindings), binding, bindings);
         return 1;
     }
 
+    /* This key was sent in <= 4.10.2. We keep it around to avoid breakage for
+     * users updating from that version and restarting i3bar before i3. */
     if (!strcmp(cur_key, "wheel_down_cmd")) {
         DLOG("wheel_down_cmd = %.*s\n", len, val);
-        FREE(config.wheel_down_cmd);
-        sasprintf(&config.wheel_down_cmd, "%.*s", len, val);
+        binding_t *binding = scalloc(sizeof(binding_t));
+        binding->input_code = 5;
+        sasprintf(&(binding->command), "%.*s", len, val);
+        TAILQ_INSERT_TAIL(&(config.bindings), binding, bindings);
         return 1;
     }
 
@@ -232,11 +270,34 @@ static int config_boolean_cb(void *params_, int val) {
     return 0;
 }
 
+/*
+ * Parse an integer value
+ *
+ */
+static int config_integer_cb(void *params_, long long val) {
+    if (parsing_bindings) {
+        if (strcmp(cur_key, "input_code") == 0) {
+            binding_t *binding = scalloc(sizeof(binding_t));
+            binding->input_code = val;
+            TAILQ_INSERT_TAIL(&(config.bindings), binding, bindings);
+
+            return 1;
+        }
+
+        ELOG("Unknown key \"%s\" while parsing bar bindings.\n", cur_key);
+        return 0;
+    }
+
+    return 0;
+}
+
 /* A datastructure to pass all these callbacks to yajl */
 static yajl_callbacks outputs_callbacks = {
     .yajl_null = config_null_cb,
     .yajl_boolean = config_boolean_cb,
+    .yajl_integer = config_integer_cb,
     .yajl_string = config_string_cb,
+    .yajl_end_array = config_end_array_cb,
     .yajl_map_key = config_map_key_cb,
 };
 
@@ -249,6 +310,8 @@ void parse_config_json(char *json) {
     yajl_status state;
     handle = yajl_alloc(&outputs_callbacks, NULL, NULL);
 
+    TAILQ_INIT(&(config.bindings));
+
     state = yajl_parse(handle, (const unsigned char *)json, strlen(json));
 
     /* FIXME: Proper error handling for JSON parsing */
diff --git a/i3bar/src/xcb.c b/i3bar/src/xcb.c
index b59288a0..365ea366 100644
--- a/i3bar/src/xcb.c
+++ b/i3bar/src/xcb.c
@@ -468,20 +468,23 @@ void handle_button(xcb_button_press_event_t *event) {
         return;
     }
 
+    /* If a custom command was specified for this mouse button, it overrides
+     * the default behavior. */
+    binding_t *binding;
+    TAILQ_FOREACH(binding, &(config.bindings), bindings) {
+        if (binding->input_code != event->detail)
+            continue;
+
+        i3_send_msg(I3_IPC_MESSAGE_TYPE_COMMAND, binding->command);
+        return;
+    }
+
     switch (event->detail) {
         case 4:
             /* Mouse wheel up. We select the previous ws, if any.
              * If there is no more workspace, don’t even send the workspace
              * command, otherwise (with workspace auto_back_and_forth) we’d end
              * up on the wrong workspace. */
-
-            /* If `wheel_up_cmd [COMMAND]` was specified, it should override
-             * the default behavior */
-            if (config.wheel_up_cmd) {
-                i3_send_msg(I3_IPC_MESSAGE_TYPE_COMMAND, config.wheel_up_cmd);
-                return;
-            }
-
             if (cur_ws == TAILQ_FIRST(walk->workspaces))
                 return;
 
@@ -492,14 +495,6 @@ void handle_button(xcb_button_press_event_t *event) {
              * If there is no more workspace, don’t even send the workspace
              * command, otherwise (with workspace auto_back_and_forth) we’d end
              * up on the wrong workspace. */
-
-            /* if `wheel_down_cmd [COMMAND]` was specified, it should override
-             * the default behavior */
-            if (config.wheel_down_cmd) {
-                i3_send_msg(I3_IPC_MESSAGE_TYPE_COMMAND, config.wheel_down_cmd);
-                return;
-            }
-
             if (cur_ws == TAILQ_LAST(walk->workspaces, ws_head))
                 return;
 
diff --git a/include/config.h b/include/config.h
index 33cbaba0..9e881cc3 100644
--- a/include/config.h
+++ b/include/config.h
@@ -281,13 +281,7 @@ struct Barconfig {
         M_MOD5 = 7
     } modifier;
 
-    /** Command that should be run when mouse wheel up button is pressed over
-     * i3bar to override the default behavior. */
-    char *wheel_up_cmd;
-
-    /** Command that should be run when mouse wheel down button is pressed over
-     * i3bar to override the default behavior. */
-    char *wheel_down_cmd;
+    TAILQ_HEAD(bar_bindings_head, Barbinding) bar_bindings;
 
     /** Bar position (bottom by default). */
     enum { P_BOTTOM = 0,
@@ -353,6 +347,21 @@ struct Barconfig {
     TAILQ_ENTRY(Barconfig) configs;
 };
 
+/**
+ * Defines a mouse command to be executed instead of the default behavior when
+ * clicking on the non-statusline part of i3bar.
+ *
+ */
+struct Barbinding {
+    /** The button to be used (e.g., 1 for "button1"). */
+    int input_code;
+
+    /** The command which is to be executed for this button. */
+    char *command;
+
+    TAILQ_ENTRY(Barbinding) bindings;
+};
+
 /**
  * Finds the configuration file to use (either the one specified by
  * override_configpath), the user’s one or the system default) and calls
diff --git a/include/config_directives.h b/include/config_directives.h
index 1a7a3932..a7da4914 100644
--- a/include/config_directives.h
+++ b/include/config_directives.h
@@ -80,6 +80,7 @@ CFGFUN(bar_verbose, const char *verbose);
 CFGFUN(bar_modifier, const char *modifier);
 CFGFUN(bar_wheel_up_cmd, const char *command);
 CFGFUN(bar_wheel_down_cmd, const char *command);
+CFGFUN(bar_bindsym, const char *button, const char *command);
 CFGFUN(bar_position, const char *position);
 CFGFUN(bar_i3bar_command, const char *i3bar_command);
 CFGFUN(bar_color, const char *colorclass, const char *border, const char *background, const char *text);
@@ -90,4 +91,5 @@ CFGFUN(bar_status_command, const char *command);
 CFGFUN(bar_binding_mode_indicator, const char *value);
 CFGFUN(bar_workspace_buttons, const char *value);
 CFGFUN(bar_strip_workspace_numbers, const char *value);
+CFGFUN(bar_start);
 CFGFUN(bar_finish);
diff --git a/parser-specs/config.spec b/parser-specs/config.spec
index b52fafc2..e0d422c8 100644
--- a/parser-specs/config.spec
+++ b/parser-specs/config.spec
@@ -393,7 +393,7 @@ state BARBRACE:
   end
       ->
   '{'
-      -> BAR
+      -> call cfg_bar_start(); BAR
 
 state BAR:
   end ->
@@ -409,6 +409,7 @@ state BAR:
   'modifier'               -> BAR_MODIFIER
   'wheel_up_cmd'           -> BAR_WHEEL_UP_CMD
   'wheel_down_cmd'         -> BAR_WHEEL_DOWN_CMD
+  'bindsym'                -> BAR_BINDSYM
   'position'               -> BAR_POSITION
   'output'                 -> BAR_OUTPUT
   'tray_output'            -> BAR_TRAY_OUTPUT
@@ -463,6 +464,14 @@ state BAR_WHEEL_DOWN_CMD:
   command = string
       -> call cfg_bar_wheel_down_cmd($command); BAR
 
+state BAR_BINDSYM:
+  button = word
+      -> BAR_BINDSYM_COMMAND
+
+state BAR_BINDSYM_COMMAND:
+  command = string
+      -> call cfg_bar_bindsym($button, $command); BAR
+
 state BAR_POSITION:
   position = 'top', 'bottom'
       -> call cfg_bar_position($position); BAR
diff --git a/src/config_directives.c b/src/config_directives.c
index 37bd0121..cf72a4db 100644
--- a/src/config_directives.c
+++ b/src/config_directives.c
@@ -530,14 +530,44 @@ CFGFUN(bar_modifier, const char *modifier) {
         current_bar.modifier = M_SHIFT;
 }
 
+static void bar_configure_binding(const char *button, const char *command) {
+    if (strncasecmp(button, "button", strlen("button")) != 0) {
+        ELOG("Bindings for a bar can only be mouse bindings, not \"%s\", ignoring.\n", button);
+        return;
+    }
+
+    int input_code = atoi(button + strlen("button"));
+    if (input_code < 1) {
+        ELOG("Button \"%s\" does not seem to be in format 'buttonX'.\n", button);
+        return;
+    }
+
+    struct Barbinding *current;
+    TAILQ_FOREACH(current, &(current_bar.bar_bindings), bindings) {
+        if (current->input_code == input_code) {
+            ELOG("command for button %s was already specified, ignoring.\n", button);
+            return;
+        }
+    }
+
+    struct Barbinding *new_binding = scalloc(sizeof(struct Barbinding));
+    new_binding->input_code = input_code;
+    new_binding->command = sstrdup(command);
+    TAILQ_INSERT_TAIL(&(current_bar.bar_bindings), new_binding, bindings);
+}
+
 CFGFUN(bar_wheel_up_cmd, const char *command) {
-    FREE(current_bar.wheel_up_cmd);
-    current_bar.wheel_up_cmd = sstrdup(command);
+    ELOG("'wheel_up_cmd' is deprecated. Please us 'bindsym button4 %s' instead.\n", command);
+    bar_configure_binding("button4", command);
 }
 
 CFGFUN(bar_wheel_down_cmd, const char *command) {
-    FREE(current_bar.wheel_down_cmd);
-    current_bar.wheel_down_cmd = sstrdup(command);
+    ELOG("'wheel_down_cmd' is deprecated. Please us 'bindsym button5 %s' instead.\n", command);
+    bar_configure_binding("button5", command);
+}
+
+CFGFUN(bar_bindsym, const char *button, const char *command) {
+    bar_configure_binding(button, command);
 }
 
 CFGFUN(bar_position, const char *position) {
@@ -611,6 +641,10 @@ CFGFUN(bar_strip_workspace_numbers, const char *value) {
     current_bar.strip_workspace_numbers = eval_boolstr(value);
 }
 
+CFGFUN(bar_start) {
+    TAILQ_INIT(&(current_bar.bar_bindings));
+}
+
 CFGFUN(bar_finish) {
     DLOG("\t new bar configuration finished, saving.\n");
     /* Generate a unique ID for this bar if not already configured */
diff --git a/src/ipc.c b/src/ipc.c
index ae213b3a..be600978 100644
--- a/src/ipc.c
+++ b/src/ipc.c
@@ -469,6 +469,28 @@ void dump_node(yajl_gen gen, struct Con *con, bool inplace_restart) {
     y(map_close);
 }
 
+static void dump_bar_bindings(yajl_gen gen, Barconfig *config) {
+    if (TAILQ_EMPTY(&(config->bar_bindings)))
+        return;
+
+    ystr("bindings");
+    y(array_open);
+
+    struct Barbinding *current;
+    TAILQ_FOREACH(current, &(config->bar_bindings), bindings) {
+        y(map_open);
+
+        ystr("input_code");
+        y(integer, current->input_code);
+        ystr("command");
+        ystr(current->command);
+
+        y(map_close);
+    }
+
+    y(array_close);
+}
+
 static void dump_bar_config(yajl_gen gen, Barconfig *config) {
     y(map_open);
 
@@ -549,15 +571,7 @@ static void dump_bar_config(yajl_gen gen, Barconfig *config) {
             break;
     }
 
-    if (config->wheel_up_cmd) {
-        ystr("wheel_up_cmd");
-        ystr(config->wheel_up_cmd);
-    }
-
-    if (config->wheel_down_cmd) {
-        ystr("wheel_down_cmd");
-        ystr(config->wheel_down_cmd);
-    }
+    dump_bar_bindings(gen, config);
 
     ystr("position");
     if (config->position == P_BOTTOM)
diff --git a/testcases/t/201-config-parser.t b/testcases/t/201-config-parser.t
index de25e7ff..faf2f0db 100644
--- a/testcases/t/201-config-parser.t
+++ b/testcases/t/201-config-parser.t
@@ -688,8 +688,9 @@ bar {
 EOT
 
 $expected = <<'EOT';
+cfg_bar_start()
 cfg_bar_output(LVDS-1)
-ERROR: CONFIG: Expected one of these tokens: <end>, '#', 'set', 'i3bar_command', 'status_command', 'socket_path', 'mode', 'hidden_state', 'id', 'modifier', 'wheel_up_cmd', 'wheel_down_cmd', 'position', 'output', 'tray_output', 'font', 'separator_symbol', 'binding_mode_indicator', 'workspace_buttons', 'strip_workspace_numbers', 'verbose', 'colors', '}'
+ERROR: CONFIG: Expected one of these tokens: <end>, '#', 'set', 'i3bar_command', 'status_command', 'socket_path', 'mode', 'hidden_state', 'id', 'modifier', 'wheel_up_cmd', 'wheel_down_cmd', 'bindsym', 'position', 'output', 'tray_output', 'font', 'separator_symbol', 'binding_mode_indicator', 'workspace_buttons', 'strip_workspace_numbers', 'verbose', 'colors', '}'
 ERROR: CONFIG: (in file <stdin>)
 ERROR: CONFIG: Line   1: bar {
 ERROR: CONFIG: Line   2:     output LVDS-1
diff --git a/testcases/t/525-i3bar-mouse-bindings.t b/testcases/t/525-i3bar-mouse-bindings.t
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..eabcad7a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/testcases/t/525-i3bar-mouse-bindings.t
@@ -0,0 +1,104 @@
+#!perl
+# vim:ts=4:sw=4:expandtab
+#
+# Please read the following documents before working on tests:
+# • http://build.i3wm.org/docs/testsuite.html
+#   (or docs/testsuite)
+#
+# • http://build.i3wm.org/docs/lib-i3test.html
+#   (alternatively: perldoc ./testcases/lib/i3test.pm)
+#
+# • http://build.i3wm.org/docs/ipc.html
+#   (or docs/ipc)
+#
+# • http://onyxneon.com/books/modern_perl/modern_perl_a4.pdf
+#   (unless you are already familiar with Perl)
+#
+# Ensures that mouse bindings on the i3bar work correctly.
+# Ticket: #1695
+use i3test i3_autostart => 0;
+
+my ($cv, $timer);
+sub reset_test {
+    $cv = AE::cv;
+    $timer = AE::timer(1, 0, sub { $cv->send(0); });
+}
+
+my $config = <<EOT;
+# i3 config file (v4)
+font -misc-fixed-medium-r-normal--13-120-75-75-C-70-iso10646-1
+focus_follows_mouse no
+
+bar {
+    font -misc-fixed-medium-r-normal--13-120-75-75-C-70-iso10646-1
+    position top
+
+    bindsym button1 focus left
+    bindsym button2 focus right
+    bindsym button3 focus left
+    bindsym button4 focus right
+    bindsym button5 focus left
+}
+EOT
+
+SKIP: {
+    qx(command -v xdotool 2> /dev/null);
+    skip 'xdotool is required for this test', 1 if $?;
+
+    my $pid = launch_with_config($config);
+    my $i3 = i3(get_socket_path());
+    $i3->connect()->recv;
+    my $ws = fresh_workspace;
+
+    reset_test;
+    $i3->subscribe({
+        window => sub {
+            my ($event) = @_;
+            if ($event->{change} eq 'focus') {
+                $cv->send($event->{container});
+            }
+        },
+    })->recv;
+
+    my $left = open_window;
+    my $right = open_window;
+    sync_with_i3;
+    my $con = $cv->recv;
+    is($con->{window}, $right->{id}, 'focus is initially on the right container');
+    reset_test;
+
+    qx(xdotool mousemove 3 3 click 1);
+    sync_with_i3;
+    $con = $cv->recv;
+    is($con->{window}, $left->{id}, 'button 1 moves focus left');
+    reset_test;
+
+    qx(xdotool mousemove 3 3 click 2);
+    sync_with_i3;
+    $con = $cv->recv;
+    is($con->{window}, $right->{id}, 'button 2 moves focus right');
+    reset_test;
+
+    qx(xdotool mousemove 3 3 click 3);
+    sync_with_i3;
+    $con = $cv->recv;
+    is($con->{window}, $left->{id}, 'button 3 moves focus left');
+    reset_test;
+
+    qx(xdotool mousemove 3 3 click 4);
+    sync_with_i3;
+    $con = $cv->recv;
+    is($con->{window}, $right->{id}, 'button 4 moves focus right');
+    reset_test;
+
+    qx(xdotool mousemove 3 3 click 5);
+    sync_with_i3;
+    $con = $cv->recv;
+    is($con->{window}, $left->{id}, 'button 5 moves focus left');
+    reset_test;
+
+    exit_gracefully($pid);
+
+}
+
+done_testing;