For your next at-home shindig, how about pretending you're on the set of Cocktail and twirling bottles with the flip of a wrist, like Tom Cruise? Here's how to set up your own at-home bar.
If you've got cash and space to spare, a built-in bar may be for you. Is there a corner of your finished basement that's just crying out for attention? You can buy online blueprints for your own home bar (barplan.com). This handy site offers seven 3-D plans for US$20. Will it be an “L-shaped monster wet bar” or a simple beer bar? In mahogany, with a granite counter or a mirrored backsplash, perhaps?
If you're not a do-it-yourselfer, you'll need a contractor to follow the instructions for you, but the designs will get your creative juices flowing.(You can also find built-ins at many home stores ranging in price from a few hundred to thousands of dollars.)
Wall-mounted options (we like what Pottery Barn's got on offer) are less expensive and take up less room than some free-standing models. The shelves and cabinets -- fronted by frosted glass, pressed particle board or real wood -- all hang from the wall, leaving your collection of stemware and drinks visible. Both of these choices are permanent fixtures and require an investment -- and you haven't even bought the booze yet! So if that's not in your budget, consider converting any number of free-standing pieces of furniture into your own wet bar.
A narrow upright antique cabinet with glass doors is ideal. Keep attractive bottles of spirits, liqueurs and wine behind the glass; use the shelves underneath for bottles of mix (they're not generally as decorative as the hard stuff).
Can't be bothered with even that? Convert a portable kitchen island into an intimate, practical bar space. Choose one with shelves underneath (many come with grooves for wine bottles). The top can hold a selection of bottles (plus glasses and napkins) for your guests to peruse and examine while you get things done in the kitchen. If your guest list is short, a small bistro table can serve the same function well. Remember, your bar doesn't need to be a room unto itself; it's a focal point that in its most basic form just needs some storage and a small surface area for display and serving.
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