Home Bar Ideas That Will Make You Happy To Stay Indoors

Get your crew on board with “my place tonight,” once and for all.

For the next three months, those long, dark winter evenings invite you to kick back, put up your feet, and cozy up with your favorite adult beverage. This means now is the time to think about transforming that extra space into a home bar for friends and family. 

Whether you’re a casual beer drinker or an avid entertainer, there’s something exciting about the thought of having a go-to spot for winding down in your home. Now all you need are some home bar ideas to help inspire you. Check out these tips and examples and take notes, so you can make yours the very best entertainment space in the neighborhood. Be warned, though: you may never want to leave the house again.

Where to set up your home bar

First thing to consider is the space you have to work with. If you’re lucky enough to have a spare room or empty basement in your home then this will make the perfect home bar setup. But, if you don’t have that luxury, then, with a little bit of imagination, any area where you are most likely to entertain guests or spend a lot of time hanging out can provide cozy settings for a home bar.

Furniture

With a space devoted to drinking, you want to make sure you have the right selection of storage and display units to keep your guests entertained for hours on end. You can get creative and convert an old bookshelf into a liquor display cabinet for spirits. Use one shelf for drinks and one shelf for glassware. This will keep things organized and ready to grab the moment you need them. 

Setting up a free-standing bar with counter space or an island can turn any unused corner into a bar. For beverages that need to be kept chilled such as beer, your kitchen fridge will do just fine, however, a mini fridge tucked behind the counter will provide easy access for top-ups.

Offer comfortable seating

Having company over is a great chance to sit down, talk, and connect with the most important people in your life. With that in mind, it’s important to give yourself and your guests plenty of space to sit. If your bar is centered around an island or counter, adding bar stools with back-rest is a must. Throw in one or two plush sofas, and you’ll have all the seating comforts necessary to create the kind of space your guests never want to leave.

Lighting

You might know it already, but lighting is crucial to create those cozy chill vibes. To capture the ambience of your favorite downtown bar, your home bar needs to be lit well enough to party in, but dark enough to feel cozy. There are multitude of lighting solutions that provide colorful setups, either by placing LED lights on the walls or behind the counter.

Plan a theme

If your entertainment room is separate from your living room, you can place some wall decors that can give it a feel of your favorite watering hole. Are you a Star Wars fanatic? Black, starry walls and some cool movie posters will do the trick. Or hang jerseys, and other sports merchandise on the wall. Have fun with it! 

Create zones for a variety of activities

Your home bar is all about kicking back and having a good time, and the way your outfit the space should reflect this carefree attitude. Make sure everyone has something to keep them entertained. A pool table is a great start, but keep in mind only a few people can play at a time. Consider adding a ping pong table, a foosball table, a dartboard, or a TV and sound system (for watching sports and karaoke) so everyone can be engaged at once.

Essential Barware

To bartend like a professional, consider some of the essential gear and glassware that industry bartenders use: 

GLASSWARE

• Mixing glasses
• Rocks glasses
• Pint glasses
• Shot glasses
• Wine glasses
• Champagne glasses
• Martini glasses
• Brandy snifters
• Highball glasses
• Other specialty glasses

TOOLS AND SUPPLIES

• Jigger
• Muddlers
• Cocktail shakers
• Cocktail spoons
• Citrus Juicers
• Cap Catchers
• Bottle and can openers
• Cocktail strainers
• Garnishing tools
• Muddling supplies
• Straws and stirrers
• Cutting boards
• Napkins
• Bar mats
• Pourers for liquor bottles
• Garnishes and bitters containers
• Ice cube trays, ice molds, and ice buckets
• Wine openers

Now you’re ready to stock the bar

Your home bar should not only look great but also be well stocked full of the favorites. Make a list of some of the popular drinks you’d like to be able to serve to guests. And, if you know ahead of time that the crowd coming over has a lot of beer drinkers in it, then be sure to stock up accordingly, starting with this list of all the places where you can grab your Gilly’s American Lager.