W.C. Fields once said, "Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's house - unless they have a well-stocked bar." Why covet when you can create your own?
Sooner or later, it happens. You look around and think, "Wouldn't it be great to have something just a little bit nicer than sticking the bottles on top of the refrigerator?" You imagine yourself whipping up cocktails for friends and casually suggesting they should try a dash of bitters in that. The yearning for a home bar is born. And it's easier than you think to make that dream come true, even with little space or a small budget.
Permanent or Portable?
The first decision to make is whether you will have a permanent bar, or something more mobile. Unless you own your home, making a permanent addition complete with electrical and plumbing connections probably isn't practical - landlords tend to frown on that sort of thing, especially in small apartments!
If you are lucky enough to have the space for a permanent bar, it's important to pick the perfect location. Where do you do most of your entertaining? Do you have casual get-togethers with friends watching the ball game in the basement rec room? Or do you have elegant cocktail parties in your formal living room? It only makes sense to place the bar in the room where it will get the most use.
You're going to need space, so plan for at least a four to five square foot area. It doesn't have to be in a corner, but a corner location generally will save both space and construction time. If you want to include extras like a sink, a keg box, a wine cooler or a mini-fridge, check for existing outlets and plumbing. Unless you're very talented, hiring experts to run electrical and plumbing lines can get expensive.
Cocktail Cabinet
If you don't want to install a permanent fixture, consider a cocktail cabinet. These cabinets are designed to house your bar equipment, glassware, and liquor. Look for a cabinet that has a pull-out shelf or a large enough top to mix and serve drinks. An internet search for bar furniture or bar furnishings will amaze you with the options available - small contemporary cabinets, ornate Victorian hutches, bamboo tiki bars, even large wooden bars complete with footrails and room for stools.
One more idea for your bar is to convert another piece of furniture. Cabinets, armoires or buffets all can be modified for use. An advantage to this sort of cabinet is the ability to do more to customize your storage space - for instance, if you hate wine, forgo the wine rack and instead create small display shelves for your souvenir shot glass collection. Whether you buy a pre-made cabinet or design your own, you'll find it more convenient if you can place your bar near a sink or kitchen, to make it easier to wash up.
Small Space Solution
If space is a problem, or you need to be able to move your bar easily, consider a rolling cart or mobile bar. You won't be able to add running water, refrigerator, or wine cooler, but you'll be able to store your liquor, glassware, and other essentials in one convenient location, and stash them out of the way when they're not being used. (And being able to roll the whole thing into the kitchen to clean up is a plus.) As with all bars, make sure you choose a cabinet with enough room to lay out glassware and prepare drinks, either on top or on a pull-out countertop.
Once you have your bar, you're ready to move on to glassware, mixers, garnishes and gadgets, and of course, stocking the bar!
