While some may feel a home bar belongs in a frat house and not necessarily in a family home with a picket fence, the truth is, no home is complete with one. While you might feel you can impress your friends with a few sheets of plywood and a keg, a more modest bar can be the highlight of your next gathering, leaving your guests with something to talk about. If a water cooler can get your co-workers to engage in small talk, a fully stocked bar is sure to start a tidal wave of lively conversation.
But where does one begin? What kind of bar is right for my home? Should I get something that simply holds a few bottles of wine, or will I be serving ornate cocktails? This decision is certainly more fun than choosing the right shade of Eggshell to paint your walls. Choosing the right bar is an investment in a lifestyle sure to bring a level of elegance unlike anything else. Bar none.
If a grand set-up is more than your living room can handle, a more compact model might be for you. When you are short on space or want the flexibility to bring the party to wherever you wander, a compact and portable model might be the right choice. How about a bar in a briefcase? Just pop open your sleekly styled case, set it on a lovely matching stand, and wow your friends. Not filled with legal pads and sticky notes, your bar in a briefcase even has room for a leather-clad ice bucket, ensuring your friends are never far from a long, cool drink.
If, instead, you are looking for a stationary bar to headline your furniture line-up, a cabinet bar may be just your style. Sleek and unobtrusive when closed, this option combines practicality with functionality. Open it up and get the party started, with a double-decker space for glassware and snacks below, a full array of bottles on top, and ample room for a wine fridge on the base. I’ll take my martini shaken, not stirred.
However, when fully convinced of the added value of a full-on home bar, no need to disguise it. Embrace it! You can fit a lovely piece into a spacious room by matching its style with your surrounding furnishings. It becomes a featured element with a commitment to its purpose while easing gently into your personally curated space.
The bar is rarely the only thing to consider when fashioning a home bar. Adding some complimentary seating to the mix can complete the affair. Bar stools are an obvious choice. You can choose no-back, low-back, or stools that resemble tall chairs. If you’ve gone for the fully committed in-home bar, club chairs are always a fantastic compliment to that atmosphere.
Whichever approach you choose, minimalist to high impact, you know the kind of bartender you are. A home bar may be a great way to draw your friends in, but it is your style that keeps them coming back.
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ERIC BRAND
Founded in 1996 and based in San Francisco, Eric Brand offers custom-styled furniture and worldwide sourcing along with exquisite materials and finishes, specifically for the high-end residential design market and hospitality industry.
