5 Steps to Creating the Perfect Home Bar

A home bar can come in quite handy whether you are hosting an event or making yourself a nice cocktail after work. Follow these five steps to home bar bliss.

The idea of a home bar is that you are moving your drink fixings away from the usual fridge and kitchen. Whether you’re transforming an entire room or just a nook, start with sturdy, dark wood cabinetry for a true tavern feel. Plan for closed cabinetry below to protect the integrity of the liquor and use the upper storage such as a shelf or cabinet for glassware.
Skip the high-maintenance wood bar-top in favor of stone or composite counters that wipe easy and won’t have you on constant coaster watch. Install a bar sink and a faucet such as Delta’s Cassidy Single Handle Bar/Prep Faucet so you’re not stuck running glasses to the kitchen. Inserting an easy-to-install glass rinser can make your glasses spotless and allow for a fresh glass between refills. And, be sure to save space on one side of the sink for a small drying rack. When water droplets fester inside glassware, bacteria can grow and affect the taste of your next cocktail.

Make sure you and your guests have a comfy place to sit. For a small space, add two plush lounge chairs and a coffee table big enough to hold a couple of glasses and a game of checkers. For a larger home bar with a counter, bring in high-backed stools. If your stools don’t have footrests, consider installing one beneath the bar (dangling legs can make guests feel fidgety).

Only master mixologists need an arsenal of gizmos. You just need the essentials:

• Cocktail shaker (look for one with a built-in strainer)
• Muddler (great for mojitos)
• Jigger (to measure the perfect pour)
• Bar spoon (for a martini stirred, not shaken)
• Corkscrew/bottle opener combo (to open the wine with ease)

A dozen different vodkas doesn’t guarantee delicious drinks. Think quality, not quantity, as you stock your bar. To make most classic drinks—even for a crowd—you need 10 basic bottles. Start with these seven staples:

• Gin (for martinis and gin and tonics)
• Tequila (margaritas and sunrises)
• Bourbon (old-fashioneds and Manhattans)
• Cognac (sazeracs and sidecars)
• Rum (Cuba Libres)
• A high-end aged whiskey (for sipping)
• Vodka (for practically everything else; get the best you can afford)
• Then add three mixers: citrusy Cointreau, floral vermouth and herbal bitters like Campari.

Now, select a single red and white as your house wines— merlot and pinot grigio are mild, drinkable choices. Finally, stock a trio of beers. Choose something bitter and hoppy (look for pale ales and IPAs), something citrus-sweet (grab a wheat beer or hefeweizen), and something dark and roasty (a porter or stout).

Think about how you’ll spend time in the space, then personalize it. Evoke a classic pub with vintage beer posters, neon signs and logo towels. Or go for a wine lounge vibe with sleek, contemporary artwork and a speaker system oozing smooth jazz. Wanna watch the game? Install a TV. Or be the game: Hang a dartboard, haul in a pool table or plug in a pinball machine.

Creating a game bar gives your guests something to do and bond over while enjoying a drink. Keep a small cabinet stocked with fun games and your parties are guaranteed to be a blast.

Wondering what you can do with your new bar space during the rest of the day? Create a coffee bar to make sure the space is utilized no matter what the time of day is.

A mini bar is a great option if you are limited on space. Cluster your bottles, bar tools and some fun decor to have a big impact in a small space.