Home bars- planning your own tavern

The decision to create your own home bar is often an easy one, but creating the perfect space for guests to feel comfortable and entertained can be more difficult. The primary focus of your home bar will be, appropriately, the bar itself. And choosing the right bar, the correct size, and perfect materials should not be done lightly.

First you will need to plan on the appropriate size of your bar. Consider the amount of space you have available and other large items you will have. Are you going to have a billiards table, a dart board, a poker table, or any other entertainment that will take up space? Start planning the layout of the biggest items first, usually a billiards table or card table. Then decide how large your bar should be; allow 2 feet for every person you wish to accommodate. A corner bar will accommodate more people while conserving precious floor space. Another often overlooked option is an oval bar that allows you to reduce the footprint while still maximizing seating space. There are also many options for portable bars that can allow you to set up a home bar anywhere you need it for shorter times. These are great for impromptu parties on the deck or by the pool when you would like to offer full service drinks to your guests.

If you bar will reside outside during inclement weather, consider a molded resin portable bar. These bars will hold up to the harsh climate of the outdoors and leave you worry free if your party gets suddenly rained out. Simply tuck everything away and close the bar up, then go inside and know everything is safe and secure. When the storm passes, a quick drying and everything is ready for service again.

If you chose to build your own bar, plan very wisely since it will be difficult to move once installed. Start with a cardboard cutout the size of your plan, and place it on a folding card table or a couple chairs. Then play cards or pool, have a drink, and move around in order to size up how the bar affects your interaction with other people and the room itself. Often times this step is overlooked, but will quickly highlight errors in your space planning early enough to adjust your program.

When planning your own bar, don't overlook important accessories like foot rails, bar top edging, and an easy to clean bar top. Even if you do not plan to purchase a preassembled home bar, shopping around for one will give you the opportunity to see some of the features they offer like bottle racks, garnish trays, adjustable shelves, and glass storage. You can then incorporate these ideas into your own design.