Okay—you might argue that the ultimate home bar question is “shaken or stirred?”, but before you can start mixing it up behind the bar you actually have to have one.
If you’ve decided that a permanent home bar is the best fit for your space and lifestyle, your next step is determining how that bar will be structured, from its location in your home to how many shelves you’ll need for storage. Begin with our Home Bar Considerations list, which provides a list of some of the questions you’ll need to answer.
After you’ve worked through the Home Bar Considerations, you should have a good sense of the structural elements you want your bar to contain. You may even have an idea of some of the design features as well. And while you certainly don’t need to know yet what color your bar stools will be, it does help to know at this stage what sort of theme you’d like your home bar to have. Will it be an English pub with lots of dark, heavy wood, or something ultra-modern, with sleek metal sides and chrome fittings? Knowing your theme will keep you on track with the many design choices you’ll make along the way.
Assessing your abilities
Your next step is to take an honest look at your home improvement skills. Building a permanent home bar is not a task for a beginner carpenter. Even if you’re a whiz with a power saw, do you have the time to take on this project? Do you have the interest? Do you have the tools? Depending on your bar design and wish list, you may need to bring in a plumber and possibly an electrician to handle certain parts of the project.
If you realize that you’re excited at the thought of sipping cocktails at your new bar, but sobered by the image of you installing foot rails on said bar, start shopping.
Ready-to-go home bars
Search for “home bars” on EBay and you’ll discover some gorgeous, complete home bars. They range from a few thousand to more than US$25,000, but with minimal assembly, you’re ready to go. And of course, if you buy your bar from a local bar equipment supplier, they’ll likely offer on-site installation as well.
Bar plans
If you’re up to the challenge of building your own bar, buying a set of bar plans is a smart move. There is a wide range of choice in terms of bar styles, and properly designed set of plans will give a tools and materials list, along with a cost estimate, and step-by-step building instructions. Another plus to using plans is that if you do intend to use a carpenter or other professional for portions of the project, you’ll be working from the same set of directions.
Whatever you do, don’t construct your bar “as you go.” If you can’t find exactly what you want in ready-to-buy bar plans, then create your own plan. One of the best ways to do that is to start with an existing plan and then modify according to your needs.
There are a number of Web sites that offer plans to order online. A few to check out:
- http://www.precision-images.com/index.htm
- http://www.bar-gear.com/
- http://www.barplan.com/
Bar fittings
Of course, your bar won’t be complete without the “trimmings”—foot and service rails, draft beer towers, and tap handles all add a signature touch. There are endless options available to match the style and theme of your home bar. In addition to the sites previously mentioned, the following sites offer just an idea of what’s available:
- http://www.beveragefactory.com/
- http://www.kegworks.com/
- http://www.gallerybrass.com/index.htm (the brass foot rail in the attached photo came from Gallery Brass (1-800-429-4505)
Accessories
Now for the fun part: Once the “bones” of your home bar are in place, you’ll probably want to add a few finishing touches. That’s where your theme really comes into play. From neon signs to Tiki coasters to sports memorabilia, see our Home Bar Themes article for inspiration.
Let’s party!
Your home bar won’t be truly complete until it’s properly christened. While we don’t recommend smashing a bottle on the side of the bar, a “bar opening” party is entirely appropriate. Check out our sister site, thatstheSPIRIT.com, for tons of party themes and ideas. Cheers!
Working with a contractor: Key tips
As anyone who has used a contractor in the past knows, it’s not easy to find the good ones, and when you find a good one it’s hard to get on his schedule. Before you begin your search for your very own Mike Holmes or Bob Vila, keep the following in mind:
- Ask around. Many of the best contractors are found through word-of-mouth. Find out who your friends and neighbors have used—and loved—for their projects, and request an introduction. And when it comes to your home bar, it’s worth the effort to find someone who specializes or at least has a good amount of experience in installing bars.
- Know what you want. Understand how you want your home bar to fit into your space, as well as your needs and theme. Make a list of important features (sink, keg taps, back bar, refrigeration), clip photos of bars you like (and don’t like), sketch out how you’d like the bar to look – do everything possible to explain your vision to your contractor.
- Know your budget. Your contractor can tell you whether your budget and your wish list are aligned, and should be able to present lower-cost alternatives for features that might blow the bank.
- Know your timelines. If you want the bar finished in time for your Christmas party, share that information at your first meeting. A good contractor won’t commit to a job he knows he can’t complete in time (understanding that sometimes unforeseen delays can affect a project).
- Get it in writing. All of the specifics of your project should be written out in a detailed document, including cost and timing. This is your safety net, and your contractor’s, and ensures that both of you are working from the same “road map.” Any changes that occur during the project should also be documented.