A home bar is the focal point of a party, so one must be realistic on what will and will not work. Three factors must be considered before purchase and installation:
- Location
- Space
- Budget
Indoor Bar
Indoor bars are great for a house with unlimited space and an unlimited budget. Homeowners that entertain large groups regularly should have a bar installed. Bars can be purchased online or a carpenter can build one.
What a Bar Must Include
- Sink located on a spacious counter
- Shelves and drawers for liquor bottles, utensils, and equipment
- Wine cooler
Outdoor Bar
Purchase an outdoor bar for entertaining if the house has a backyard and swimming pool and/or hot tub. Many outdoor bars store in garages for winter and can be reassembled or simply rolled onto the patio when summer arrives.
They come in many styles, but models are standard and include a counter space of about 6 feet or some models curve into a U shape. There should be significant storage space for equipment such as a blender, glasses and of course a few liquor bottles. Wrought Iron and Tiki are two of the more popular outdoor bar models.
Swing Bar
For small apartments that still love to have parties or regular guests, a swing bar is perfect. This is a very cost efficient way to entertain with style. They conveniently fold in a compact way to be stored easily in a corner. They come with three drawers for storage and have a counter that extends roughly six feet long. People rave about swing bars because of their usability and for the apartment dweller.
Bar Necessities
It is important to have staples that suit personal taste and common selections of frequent guests. Keep a balance of preferred liquors for mixed and “on the rocks” drinks, liqueurs for light drinkers and dessert drinks and popular mixers and fruits.
- Hard Liquor: Vodka, Bourbon, Scotch and Gin
- Liqueurs: Frangelico, Ameretto, Grand Marnier and Kalua
- Mixers: Ginger Ale, Sour Mix, 7-Up and tonic water
- Fruits: Cherries, lemons and limes
Necessary equipment is just as important as the beverages when entertaining. Measuring devices are at the top of the list. It is no favor to a guest to load up their drink with more alcohol than called for in a recipe. Responsible bartenders keep measuring devices close.
- Equipment: electric blender, sturdy shakers, corkscrews and cutting boards
Always keep an ice bucket with a set of tongs. Guests do not like to see a bartender use bare hands to reach into an ice bucket or freezer.
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