10 Bar Designs for the Perfect Cocktail Hour
From luxe drinks trolleys to custom-made home bars, here's how to enjoy a cocktail from the comfort of your own home
Whether you’re throwing an informal something over a cricket match or a low-key catch up session, there is one must-have for your shindig to be the hottest ticket in town – a bar. Here are 10 great examples that can inspire you to create a unique entertainment spot in your own home.
Built-in bar
Space under the stairs is usually considered storage grounds, but why not indulge yourself and convert it into a home bar. Close enough to the entertainment area, yet tucked away; this space is usually large enough to house not only your general bar essentials but even a sink or mini-fridge. Streamlined to neatly fit under the stairs, this simplistic yet functional bar even has tailor-made cabinets which are then paired with minimalist bar stools to create a laid-back vibe. And when you are not entertaining, pocket doors that come out of the wall can hide the unit from sight.
Tip: Bar stools present the perfect opportunity to be playful. If you have a plain bar, create some drama with brightly-coloured stools.
Space under the stairs is usually considered storage grounds, but why not indulge yourself and convert it into a home bar. Close enough to the entertainment area, yet tucked away; this space is usually large enough to house not only your general bar essentials but even a sink or mini-fridge. Streamlined to neatly fit under the stairs, this simplistic yet functional bar even has tailor-made cabinets which are then paired with minimalist bar stools to create a laid-back vibe. And when you are not entertaining, pocket doors that come out of the wall can hide the unit from sight.
Tip: Bar stools present the perfect opportunity to be playful. If you have a plain bar, create some drama with brightly-coloured stools.
Vintage bar
You can also go all out and convert your nook into a piece de resistance of your living room. Hunt down a vintage bar that could have come out of your favourite heritage brewery or pub. Rainbow coloured bottles set against this all-white carved master piece is sure to turn a few heads at the party.
You can also go all out and convert your nook into a piece de resistance of your living room. Hunt down a vintage bar that could have come out of your favourite heritage brewery or pub. Rainbow coloured bottles set against this all-white carved master piece is sure to turn a few heads at the party.
Outdoor bar
You have all this outdoor space, but it’s a shame the weather doesn’t let you use it more often. Why not cover a portion of it and move the party outside? This home goes a step further and equips the garden with an entire living, kitchen and dining experience, not to mention the fully stocked bar. So sit back and sip on a cold one while you take in all that fresh air.
You have all this outdoor space, but it’s a shame the weather doesn’t let you use it more often. Why not cover a portion of it and move the party outside? This home goes a step further and equips the garden with an entire living, kitchen and dining experience, not to mention the fully stocked bar. So sit back and sip on a cold one while you take in all that fresh air.
Mini bar
You still want that outdoor bar, but live in a city apartment? Keep it simple and think of the essentials – alcohol, fridge and glasses. Susan Diana Harris Interior Design creates the ideal mini bar in a San Francisco condo, complete with open shelves for all those glasses. A drink to go with that view anyone?
You still want that outdoor bar, but live in a city apartment? Keep it simple and think of the essentials – alcohol, fridge and glasses. Susan Diana Harris Interior Design creates the ideal mini bar in a San Francisco condo, complete with open shelves for all those glasses. A drink to go with that view anyone?
Space-saver bar
Forget cordoning off a whole room, you may not even have a spare corner to dedicate to your bar. But you do have to stash your boozy beverages somewhere; so why not clear a shelf in your display unit? Taking a cue from this Californian home by Shannon Malone, pop your drinks on a vintage tray making it easier to cart around at one go.
Forget cordoning off a whole room, you may not even have a spare corner to dedicate to your bar. But you do have to stash your boozy beverages somewhere; so why not clear a shelf in your display unit? Taking a cue from this Californian home by Shannon Malone, pop your drinks on a vintage tray making it easier to cart around at one go.
Easy access bar
If you entertain often but you’re Mr Butterfingers, then storing glasses safely becomes a massive space problem. Given that pubs face the same issue, do what they do – stack your wine glasses on a rack. It gives the set up an authentic feel, while you gain easy access, drastically reducing your chances of an accident.
If you entertain often but you’re Mr Butterfingers, then storing glasses safely becomes a massive space problem. Given that pubs face the same issue, do what they do – stack your wine glasses on a rack. It gives the set up an authentic feel, while you gain easy access, drastically reducing your chances of an accident.
Bar in a box
In a compact space, furniture that can pull double-duty is a must. This elegant box bar-cum-console discretely merges with its decor, yet has plenty of different compartments for your glasses, bottles, cocktail kit, and even some room left over to keep your wines and other refreshments cool.
In a compact space, furniture that can pull double-duty is a must. This elegant box bar-cum-console discretely merges with its decor, yet has plenty of different compartments for your glasses, bottles, cocktail kit, and even some room left over to keep your wines and other refreshments cool.
DIY bar
If you are enterprising enough, then anything can be made into a home bar. All you need is a flat surface. Stack up vintage suitcases and trunks (the scruffier, the better) to create a unique bar at your next party. And when it’s all over, the trunks serve as an excellent hiding place till the next time.
If you are enterprising enough, then anything can be made into a home bar. All you need is a flat surface. Stack up vintage suitcases and trunks (the scruffier, the better) to create a unique bar at your next party. And when it’s all over, the trunks serve as an excellent hiding place till the next time.
Themed bar
There is nothing better than relaxing with your favourite drink at the end of a hard day. And it tastes even better when all the essentials are right there. Whether modern or vintage, wheeling out a drinks trolley during cocktail hour can effortlessly bring that old-school glam quotient into your nightly ritual. But the real sell here is that you can cart it from room to room, depending on where you feel like unwinding.
Tip: To really glam up your nightcap, make sure you have the right instruments to go with your trolley – think crystal decanters, copper-tinted cocktail kits and ice buckets.
Read more:
6 Must-Haves for an Ultimate Man-Entertainment Zone
Tell us:
What kind of bar suits your home? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
There is nothing better than relaxing with your favourite drink at the end of a hard day. And it tastes even better when all the essentials are right there. Whether modern or vintage, wheeling out a drinks trolley during cocktail hour can effortlessly bring that old-school glam quotient into your nightly ritual. But the real sell here is that you can cart it from room to room, depending on where you feel like unwinding.
Tip: To really glam up your nightcap, make sure you have the right instruments to go with your trolley – think crystal decanters, copper-tinted cocktail kits and ice buckets.
Read more:
6 Must-Haves for an Ultimate Man-Entertainment Zone
Tell us:
What kind of bar suits your home? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
Sponsored
A large dedicated area, or in this case an entire room to entertain, has increasingly become a staple in most Indian homes. While men and women alike are tailor-making these spaces to showcase their sensibilities, they tend to reflect more of a masculine influence. Warmer tones coupled with TV, video game consoles, pool tables, mood lighting and state-of-the-art sound systems are popular features to consider for a modern-day home bar.
This space in a New Delhi residence is set apart by combining a warm colour scheme with custom-made lassi glass pendant lights and a one-of-a-kind screen made from recycled beer and whiskey bottles.