Maybe you’ve always dreamed of having a tropical Tiki hut where you could whip up a batch of frosty Pina Coladas at a moment’s notice. Perhaps you’re trying to recreate the sports bar of your youth, or design your very own corner Irish pub. Whatever your home bar vision, there’s a theme to match it.
Home bars can be elegant and sophisticated, or they can provide a place for you to “let your hair down” and create a funky, fun place for you to gather with friends.
Your theme extends beyond the neon sign you hang over the bar or the umbrellas you add to your guests’ drinks. Ideally, you should know your bar theme before you make a bar purchase or start building, as it will permeate all aspects of your bar, from shape and size to finishes and of course, accessories.
Here are just a few popular themes to get your creative juices flowing:
Tiki Hut
The look: Colorful, campy, tropical island. Think grass skirts (and roofs), lots of bamboo, and umbrella drinks. You can buy Tiki home bars or add Tiki accessories (bamboo panels, grass roofs) to adapt a basic wood bar.
Works well in: Basement home bars where the theme can extend beyond the bar; outdoor patios.
Accessories: Paper lanterns; funky colored string lights; paper umbrellas (have small ones for drinks and larger ones suspended from the bar or ceiling for decoration); tribal masks; nets, shells and other beachy gear; bamboo stools and coasters. Scour EBay, garage sales and the Web for lots of great Tiki paraphernalia.
Links: Tiki Party Guide: (from our sister site ThatstheSPIRIT.com)
(How to host a Tiki party, complete with Tiki links)
Sleek and Modern
The look: Simple, clean lines with lots of metal, glass and chrome. Keep the color scheme monochromatic and cool. Pattern should be minimal, but when used, keep it unfussy and geometric. Tuck bottles and accessories out of sight, except for a few chosen decanters.
Works well in: Any similarly themed living space. Particularly suited to bachelor pads and to smaller home bars that are designed to blend into, rather than be the focal point of, a living/dining space.
Accessories: Black vinyl or leather stools with polished chrome legs, clear acrylic stools, glass or black leather coasters, glass decanters and leather-wrapped bottles. Consider underlights for glass bar shelves.
Vegas/Rat Pack Lounge
The look: Think classy, retro Vegas—dark wood, red velvet or leather club chairs, mood lighting, swingin’ rat-pack tunes, Tito Puente or upbeat jazz playing in the background
Works well in: A similarly themed space, either as part of a living/family room or rec room. This sort of bar theme is particularly effective if it adjoins a poker or billiards area. It’s all about encouraging guests to sit back, chat and relax
Accessories: Vintage street signs, neon signs (kept to a minimum), black-and-white retro photos, velvet paintings, deep red walls, colored table lamps, vintage or reproduction chandeliers, recessed dimmer lighting, and lots and lots of martinis. Back bar should display at least a few choice bottles
Extra touch: Consider adding a humidor—buy one or build your own—to house a selection of stogies if you and your guests are so inclined
Sports Bar
The look: Comfortable, colorful and collegiate. Think sports logos everywhere—either choose your favorite sport, like hockey or baseball, or mix it up. You might want to choose the colors of your favorite team and use them throughout. Bar is typically wood, not too heavy or ornate, with wood stools
Works well in: A rec room or outdoor entertaining space. In a bachelor pad, it could work as part of the overall living area if the theme is throughout. Ideally, a sports bar has ample, comfortable seating and its own large-screen TV, or it adjoins a home theatre (LINK) area for watching the game
Accessories: Team pennants, neon signs, beanbag chairs, athlete posters, and autographed sports memorabilia. Jerseys can be hung on the walls as decoration and tickets and other memorabilia can be framed as art.
English/Irish Pub
The look: Cheers-style. Think dim lighting; heavy, polished wood; shiny brass bar rails and of course, keg taps for your favorite brews from across the pond
Works well in: A rec room or similar gathering space. Works well adjoining a games room , and a TV is a welcome addition
Accessories: Wooden bar stools; additional chairs and small pub tables if space allows; pub signs, framed U.K beer ads, and lots of pint and half-pint beer glasses, with or without logos. A dart board— sited carefully, of course—is a great add-on
Links: Check out web sites like www.pubwarehouse.com for neon signs, pub mirrors and Guinness collectibles. SomethingIrish has some great Irish pub signs and an Irish pub tunes collection, and HomeBarGear sells personalized pub signs for a signature touch
Toast your new bar
Once you’ve decked out your new lounge, throw a party—in keeping with your theme—to break the bar in. See our sister site, thatstheSPIRIT.com, for some great cocktail recipes and theme party how-tos, from Tiki parties to poker night to guys’ or girls’ night in. Cheers!