Setting up a bar in your home is a great way to show off your style and creativity. A home bar makes entertaining feel more special and sophisticated. Whether you’re a cocktail enthusiast, a casual host, or simply someone who appreciates a well-made drink, setting up a bar in your home can be fun and the results very rewarding. You don’t have to have an extra room or even extra space to set up a home bar. You just need a few supplies and your imagination.
Below are ideas that will help guide you through setting up a bar in your home, along with some fun tips and tricks you can use.
And once you have your bar set up, make sure to check out my favorite cocktail recipes to get you started. You might also be interested in How to Host a Monthly Cocktail Club to have fun with friends.
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Location, Location, Location
The first step in setting up a home cocktail bar is choosing the right location. The best place for a home bar is a space that is easily accessible to both you and your guests. You’ll also want to make sure that your area has enough surface space for mixing drinks and for storing your barware and spirits. TIP: I recommend a space without carpet, since there will likely be spills at some point.
Here are some ideas for your location:
- Dedicated Corner – Set up in a dedicated corner of your living room for a small bar and a couple of bar stools. This type of bar can stay in your room when you’re not using it.
- Kitchen Bar – Use a built-in bar in your kitchen. A center island with bar stools works great for this.
- Spare Room – Convert a spare room into your bar. If you like DIY projects, build yourself a bar, add bar stools, and you’re ready to go!
Essential Tools and Barware
Investing in quality barware and tools is crucial to crafting great cocktails. We’ve tried and tested variuos brands and several styles. The lists below are the tools we prefer.
Essential items you’ll need:
- Bar Mats – One or more bar mats are essential for protecting your bar surface from accidental spills.
- Cocktail Shaker – A Boston cocktail shaker is versatile and is essential for mixing drinks.
- Strainer – A Hawthorne strainer is vital for keeping ice and other solid ingredients out of your cocktails.
- Jigger – This measuring tool ensures precision when pouring spirits and mixers. There are lots of different jigger styles available.
TIP: I have tried dozens of different jiggers – glass jiggers, Japanese-style double-jiggers, and more. Some have basic measurements inside, some have measurements outside. But the ONLY jigger I have found that ‘has it all’ is the OXO Jigger. It’s easy to read, has all the measurements you need, and is easy to pour from. I HIGHLY recommend THIS jigger! - Muddler – A muddler is perfect for crushing herbs and fruits to release their flavors.
- Bar Spoon – A long, spiral-handled spoon for stirring cocktails.
- Citrus Juicer – Freshly squeezed citrus juice can make a world of difference in your cocktails. And using a countertop juicer is the handiest way to make fresh juice.
- Ice Cube Trays – Of course, ice is important to almost every cocktail! Make it fun and get a variety of ice cube trays. We like using large squares, large bars, large spheres, mid-size spheres, and mini spheres. Yeah, I know. I might have a ‘thing’ about ice cube trays!
- Ice Bucket and Tongs – Keep your ice readily accessible for cooling drinks with a classic ice bucket and tongs.
- Glassware – Invest in a variety of glassware, including cocktail glasses, highball glasses, rocks glasses, and martini glasses. Tiki glasses are a bonus.
Bar Mat Set
Boston Cocktail Shaker
OXO Cocktail Jigger
Hawthorne Cocktail Strainer
Citrus Cocktail Juicer
Cocktail Muddler
Cocktail Bar Spoon
Square Ice Cube Traysr
Ice Bucket and Tongs
Mixology Cocktail Glasses
Additional items that are helpful to have on hand:
- Cocktail Shaker – A Cobbler cocktail shaker is helpful for certain cocktails. You might not use this one all the time, but it is nice to have available.
- Cocktail Stirring Glass – For cocktails that you mix in a glass versus using a shaker, a cocktail stirring glass is helpful.
- Strainers – A Julep strainer and Mesh strainer are additional strainers that are nice for double-straining cocktails, or when you need to fine-strain a mixed drink.
- Bar Forks – A long-stemmed bar fork is helpful with garnishes and condiments for your cocktails. Some bar spoons have a fork on one end, and a spoon on the other. Bonus!
- Atomizer – An atomizer is very helpful for adding bitters and special flavors to your cocktails. We love using an atomizer with absinthe for cocktails such as The Corpse Reviver #2.
- Lewis Bag and Mallet – For cocktails that require crushed ice, a Lewis bag and wood mallet is a must-have tool set!
- Ice Scoop – An ice scoop is very helpful to have when using crushed ice. It makes it easy to scoop ice from your Lewis bag.
- Straws – Glass straws or stainless steel straws are reusable and add elegance to any cocktail.
Cobbler Cocktail Shaker
Cocktail Stirring Glass
Julip Strainer
Mesh Cocktail Strainer
Cocktail Atomizer
Cocktail Bar Fork
Lewis Bag and Mallet
Cocktail Ice Scoop
Glass Cocktail Straws
Metal Cocktail Straws
Tools and Gadgets Just for Fun:
- Cocktail Smoker – A cocktail smoking kit is a great way to infuse your drink with a rich smoky aroma and flavor. Perfect for whiskey or bourbon. And if you want to take cocktail smoking to the next level, get a cocktail smoking cube.
- Cocktail Bubble Gun – If you want to add something unique and fun to your home bar, splurge on a cocktail bubble gun! There is just nothing quite like serving a cocktail with a smoky bubble on top, and then watching the bubble pop and smoke dissipate. It’s really cool!
- Recipe Card File – I had custom cocktail recipe cards printed for our monthly cocktail club. I like keeping these recipes in a clear plastic card file. It’s easy to reference the cocktails we’ve made each month and it is fun for our guests to look through. This card file has become our “signature cocktail menu’.
TIP: Use the cards to include tasting notes for various spirits. - Cocktail Napkins – Fun napkins can really set the mood. There are plenty of choices available, including the classic black cocktail napkin.
- Citrus Peeler and Zester – A citrus peeler and zester tool are helpful for creating citrus garnishes.
- Paper Cocktail Umbrellas – The classic paper umbrella is fun to use for Summery cocktails. You just can’t help but smile when using a paper umbrella.
Cocktail Smoking Kit
Cocktail Smoking Cube
Cocktail Bubble Gun
Cocktail Recipe Card File
Black Cocktail Napkins
Citrus Peeler and Zester
Paper Cocktail Umbrellas
Stocking Your Bar
Your home bar should be well-stocked with a variety of spirits, liqueurs, and mixers to cater to different tastes.
Here’s a basic list to get you started:
- Spirits – Choose a selection of base spirits. This includes Vodka, Gin, Rye Whiskey, Bourbon, Scotch, Light Rum, Dark Rum, Brandy, and Tequila.
- Liqueurs – To add flavor and sweetness to your cocktails, add the basic liqueurs, such as sweet and/or dry vermouth, triple sec, aperitif, and absinthe.
- Bitters – Angostura and other aromatic bitters can enhance the complexity of your cocktails.
- Mixers – Stock up on soda water, tonic water, ginger beer, and a variety of fruit juices.
- Garnishes – Keep fresh citrus fruits, cherries, olives, and cocktail onions on hand for garnishing.
Grey Goose Vodka
Tanqueray Gin
Rittenhouse 100 Proof Rye Whiskey
Buffalo Trace Bourbon
Monkey Shoulders Scotch
Don Q Gold Light Rum
Hamilton Jamaican Pot Still Black Dark Rum
Maison Rouge VSOP Brandy
El Pasador De Oro Tequila
Organize Your Home Bar
Organize your barware, bar tools, and spirits in a fun, functional, and attractive way.
Here are some ideas for storage and organization:
- Cabinet and Shelves – You might consider installing shelves or cabinets to display your glassware and store your liquor bottles neatly. We use cabinets right next to our center island bar to keep all our bar supplies and liquor.
TIP: Add motion activated cabinet lights in your liquor cabinet for extra pizzaz. When you open the cupboard doors, the lights come on and light up all the bottles. It looks pretty cool. We also have these motion lights in the cabinets that hold our cocktail glasses, and in the cabinets where our barware and tools are stored. When we open the doors, it makes quite a statement and our guests love the look. - Bar Cart – A bar cart is a great way to keep your home bar organized. You can wheel the cart into the pantry when not in use, then wheel it out when you entertain.
- Bar Caddy – A bar caddy for your bar is also very helpful for organizing tools and napkins. Use labels or a memo board to list available cocktails or spirits, adding a personalized touch to your home bar.
Decorate Your Bar
Adding lights, signs, and other decor is what makes your home bar uniquely your own. Be creative!
- Neon Signs – To convert our kitchen into our home bar and to have more of a cocktail bar atmosphere, we hang a neon light beneath one of our cabinets. Sometimes we use our DRINKS sign, other times our BAR sign. We love them both!
- Cordless Table Lights – We also like to use our cordless table lights for soft mood lighting. They look great on the bar and on our table.
- Mirror Backdrop – An inexpensive mirror can make a huge difference in the overall look and feel of your home bar. Set up a mirror behind your liquor bottles to add depth and interest to your space. The mirror will also reflect your neon signs and table lights, making the atmosphere even more relaxing.
Drinks Neon Sign
Bar Neon Sign
Cordless Bar Light
Organic Mirror
Black Frame Mirror
Cocktail Bar Metal Sign
Experiment and Learn
Setting up a home bar is not just about the tools and ingredients; it’s also about the art of mixology. Experiment with different cocktail recipes, try your hand at creating signature drinks, and continuously learn about the world of spirits and cocktails. Books, online resources (like my Cocktail Resources Page), and cocktail courses can be valuable sources of knowledge and inspiration.
So there you have it! Wasn’t that easy?! Of course, you can refine your home bar as needed over time and improve your mixology skills. Make sure to sign up for my email list so you don’t miss out on great cocktail recipes, tips, and ideas for entertaining.
Here’s to a great entertaining space, expertly crafted cocktails, and creating memorable experiences. Cheers!
Do you have a home bar? What tips and suggestions would you add to this list? Share in a comment below!
Note: Cocktail gatherings are about spending quality time with friends, learning about new cocktails, and having fun! It’s not about getting hammered. Please drink responsibly, and never, ever drink and drive!
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