Going out to the bars can be fun but, as we get older, the incessant rubbing of elbows with people who are too loud, too aggressive, and sometimes even too inebriated can be a real pain. If you’re more of a homebody, you might be thinking of setting up a watering hole in your very own abode. Overwhelmed by the idea? Don’t be! Just read this to find out how to set up an at-home bar. Libations and love will abound—hold the chaos.
Stock Up on the Basics
You don’t have to reinvent the wheel when setting up a bar, but you do want to make sure you have all the necessities. In addition to a wide array of wines, liquors, and mixers, you want to make sure you have things like a shaker, jigger, a muddler, strainer, and more. And, because you’re no longer in college, you do need quality glassware (yes, that means parting with those cheap beer mugs you won at the fair 10 years ago). Invest in a set of tall glasses, short glasses, and wine glasses (with stems or stemless) that go well together.
If you’re ready and willing to go all out for your guests, keep a blender on hand for those who prefer their drinks ice-blended. Kids will love their non-alcoholic daiquiris, too! Shortly before the party, make sure you’ve got fresh limes, lemons, olives, cherries, and anything else you use for garnishes. You’ll need these if you plan on blowing your guests’ minds with stellar creations like a Melon Margarita or a Mandarin Mint Julep. Fellow mixologists will appreciate the presentation, while guests will swoon over the simply delicious taste. Of course, last but not least, make sure you have plenty of ice. Don’t just store it in a ho-hum ice bucket either. Opt, instead, for a statement copper bucket with matching accessories.
Consider putting it Outdoors
If you live in the Midwest or Northeast, you might not get enough use out of an outdoor bar to make it worth it. But if you live in the Southwest, for instance, this is often the way to go, and the perfect way to keep people from making a mess in your home during busy parties! If you enter “outdoor bar” on Pinterest, your mind will explode from the sheer number of photos of bars that will make you green with envy. From ones made out of used beer bottles and corrugated metal panels (go green, yo!) to a rustic gazebo bar and another with twinkle lights and porch swings, the possibilities are endless. You can have one built-in as part of your deck or simply add it to match your patio set. One word of warning, though: Make sure to remove any food at the end of the night, as outdoor bars can be a target for rodents. Eek!
Whether you DIY or hire someone to help, an outdoor bar will make your party spectacular. The only downside is people won’t want to have a party anywhere else!
Add Ambience With Decorations
Whether you go wild, wild west with a wagon wheel or design the whole bar as a boat as an homage to your love of all things nautical, decorations are the way to make the bar ultra homey. Make sure guests know where they’re going with a rustic light-up arrow from RustyMarquee.com. Or perhaps you want to make sure the ones who tend to overstay their welcome know the way out (giggle). Either way, it’s touches like these that really make the bar and the area surrounding it.
If you’re going classic with a lot of wood, consider putting a Pinocchio Barrique Bottle on display from www.touchofmodern.com. If everything is white and modern, you can’t go wrong with the Lucis Colorful Wireless Light Cubes from the same website. As anyone who has frequented bars know, lighting can really set the mood, which is where these cubes and/or a dimmer come in to play. Eclectic bar stools, art work that reflects your style, and any other accent you see fit will make the bar uniquely yours.
You don’t have to belly up to a busy bar to enjoy your favorite cocktails. Follow this guide on how to set up an at-home bar and let the good times roll.
