Best of the Week: 30 Home Bars Around the Globe
Slake your thirst for a bar at home with these inspiring spaces from industrial to debonair, and classic to coastal
Julia Fairley
19 April 2018
Chief Sub-Editor and Writer, Houzz Australia and New Zealand. I love design and architecture that is thoughtful, sophisticated and champions an element of the unexpected. Before graduating with a Bachelor of Arts at UNSW and becoming a journalist, I studied interior architecture. For over a decade I have interviewed inspiring creative minds from around the world to write about design in its many different forms. Recently, I have also become an accidental gardener, to everyone's surprise.
Chief Sub-Editor and Writer, Houzz Australia and New Zealand. I love design and architecture... More
If you’re thirsty to incorporate a bar into your dream home, we can’t promise these images will quench that craving. In fact, quite the opposite. But if you’re keen to raise your glass to some inspirational spaces where the acts of eating, drinking and being merry have been elevated in the domestic ranks to a status where they’re worthy of their own nook or room, then grab your favourite beverage, sit back and enjoy.
1. Location: Avalon, NSW
Why we love it: Clean and crisp, this cocktail bar and wine storage area juxtaposes strong black accents with a background of airy lightness, creating the perfect balance.
Why we love it: Clean and crisp, this cocktail bar and wine storage area juxtaposes strong black accents with a background of airy lightness, creating the perfect balance.
2. Location: Charlotte, USA
Why we love it: The details of this home bar – from the hint of gold trim on the cupboard facings to the wall-mounted floating glass shelves – infuse it with Hollywood glamour.
Why we love it: The details of this home bar – from the hint of gold trim on the cupboard facings to the wall-mounted floating glass shelves – infuse it with Hollywood glamour.
3. Location: London, UK
Why we love it: This basement bar takes drinks at home to the next level by injecting the residence with a dose of commercial design.
Why we love it: This basement bar takes drinks at home to the next level by injecting the residence with a dose of commercial design.
4. Location: Detroit, USA
Why we love it: Drama is the drink de jour in this home bar, with its dark, moody joinery and statement pendant lights.
Why we love it: Drama is the drink de jour in this home bar, with its dark, moody joinery and statement pendant lights.
5. Location: Brighton, Victoria
Why we love it: With the gold antique-style painting frame bordering the liquor cabinet, this home bar has a vintage flavour with a contemporary twist.
Why we love it: With the gold antique-style painting frame bordering the liquor cabinet, this home bar has a vintage flavour with a contemporary twist.
6. Location: Dorset, UK
Why we love it: The aptly named ‘Party Barn’ in this country house looks equally at home hosting large, riotous shindigs and intimate, eclectic gatherings.
Why we love it: The aptly named ‘Party Barn’ in this country house looks equally at home hosting large, riotous shindigs and intimate, eclectic gatherings.
7. Location: Las Vegas, USA
Why we love it: With its industrial design, this home bar is redolent of the ultimate bachelor’s pad and sits comfortably within the greater context of Las Vegas’ themed architecture.
Why we love it: With its industrial design, this home bar is redolent of the ultimate bachelor’s pad and sits comfortably within the greater context of Las Vegas’ themed architecture.
8. Location: Sydney, NSW
Why we love it: The discreet home bar slotted neatly into this monochrome apartment channels the timelessness of black and white to achieve a fearless finish.
Why we love it: The discreet home bar slotted neatly into this monochrome apartment channels the timelessness of black and white to achieve a fearless finish.
9. Location: South Carolina, USA
Why we love it: Look closely at the subtle curves of these brass shelves – their gentle, sweeping shape balances the strong linearity of the space. And art in a home bar? Why not?
Why we love it: Look closely at the subtle curves of these brass shelves – their gentle, sweeping shape balances the strong linearity of the space. And art in a home bar? Why not?
10. Location: Atlanta, USA
Why we love it: There’s something seriously eye-catching about how this wine room’s dark, inky joinery in the cupboards and double wine fridge juxtapose the glittering glass mosaics and pendant light.
Why we love it: There’s something seriously eye-catching about how this wine room’s dark, inky joinery in the cupboards and double wine fridge juxtapose the glittering glass mosaics and pendant light.
11. Location: Miami, USA
Why we love it: No surface has been left unconsidered in this handsome home bar, with even the ceiling receiving some special treatment in the form of acoustic-friendly timber battens.
Why we love it: No surface has been left unconsidered in this handsome home bar, with even the ceiling receiving some special treatment in the form of acoustic-friendly timber battens.
12. Location: Toronto, Canada
Why we love it: Sleek, but not sterile. Clean, but not common. The design of this mirrored bar pays homage to geometric graphics in both subtle and statement ways.
Why we love it: Sleek, but not sterile. Clean, but not common. The design of this mirrored bar pays homage to geometric graphics in both subtle and statement ways.
13. Location: London, UK
Why we love it: Dashing, debonaire and utterly dazzling, this classic home bar calls for the classiest of canapes and cocktails to be served.
Why we love it: Dashing, debonaire and utterly dazzling, this classic home bar calls for the classiest of canapes and cocktails to be served.
14. Location: Sydney, NSW
Why we love it: This cellar and wine bar is the ultimate underground hideaway, a perfect place for secrets to be spilled and good wine to be shared with old friends.
Why we love it: This cellar and wine bar is the ultimate underground hideaway, a perfect place for secrets to be spilled and good wine to be shared with old friends.
15. Location: Ottawa, Canada
Why we love it: When the need for time out coincides with wine o’clock, we have no doubt which room the owners of this home gravitate to.
Why we love it: When the need for time out coincides with wine o’clock, we have no doubt which room the owners of this home gravitate to.
16. Location: London, UK
Why we love it: When closed, this cupboard attracts little attention, but when opened, the gold-leaf drinks cabinet is full of surprises…
Why we love it: When closed, this cupboard attracts little attention, but when opened, the gold-leaf drinks cabinet is full of surprises…
17. Location: Concord, Sydney
Why we love it: Now you see it, now you don’t. This concealed cocktail bar is cleverly kitted out with all the essentials for a big night in, or can be hidden from sight on quieter evenings.
Why we love it: Now you see it, now you don’t. This concealed cocktail bar is cleverly kitted out with all the essentials for a big night in, or can be hidden from sight on quieter evenings.
18. Location: San Francisco, USA
Why we love it: The timeless style of this home bar proves you don’t always need to bring out the bells and whistles to design a sophisticated space.
Why we love it: The timeless style of this home bar proves you don’t always need to bring out the bells and whistles to design a sophisticated space.
19. Location: Kent, UK
Why we love it: Playful pinks perk up this hidden wine bar’s sombre colour palette, transforming the room into a zesty mix of old-world charm and contemporary fun.
Why we love it: Playful pinks perk up this hidden wine bar’s sombre colour palette, transforming the room into a zesty mix of old-world charm and contemporary fun.
20. Location: Dublin, Ireland
Why we love it: What looks like a humble cupboard brings an element of surprise when you open it to reveal a concealed bar lined with metallic wall tiles.
Why we love it: What looks like a humble cupboard brings an element of surprise when you open it to reveal a concealed bar lined with metallic wall tiles.
21. Location: Phoenix, USA
Why we love it: Because tickling the ivories with good friends and good spirits never fails to entertain.
Why we love it: Because tickling the ivories with good friends and good spirits never fails to entertain.
22. Location: Los Angeles, USA
Why we love it: The gentlemen who hunger for a dedicated man cave might thirst for one as well, after feasting their eyes on this pool room and home bar.
Why we love it: The gentlemen who hunger for a dedicated man cave might thirst for one as well, after feasting their eyes on this pool room and home bar.
23. Location: Austin, USA
Why we love it: This glittering bar tucked beneath the staircase proves you don’t always need vast tracts of space to incorporate a bar into your home.
Why we love it: This glittering bar tucked beneath the staircase proves you don’t always need vast tracts of space to incorporate a bar into your home.
24. Location: Surrey, UK
Why we love it: This home bar’s a keeper, literally. One of the great appeals of bar carts is that they’re portable, so you can take them with you if you move. This makes these classy classics ideal for renters.
Why we love it: This home bar’s a keeper, literally. One of the great appeals of bar carts is that they’re portable, so you can take them with you if you move. This makes these classy classics ideal for renters.
25. Location: North Coogee, WA
Why we love it: Half indoors, half out, this breezy patio comes fully equipped with a wine fridge and bar to enjoy those balmy summer evenings, alfresco-style.
Why we love it: Half indoors, half out, this breezy patio comes fully equipped with a wine fridge and bar to enjoy those balmy summer evenings, alfresco-style.
26. Location: Fitzroy North, Victoria
Why we love it: When you discover that your chimney is structurally unstable mid-way through building a rooftop terrace, what do you do? Build a bar to brace it, of course.
Why we love it: When you discover that your chimney is structurally unstable mid-way through building a rooftop terrace, what do you do? Build a bar to brace it, of course.
27. Location: Melbourne, Victoria
Why we love it: This outdoor home bar invites you to grab a drink, pull up a seat and watch the fire flicker as the sun sets.
Why we love it: This outdoor home bar invites you to grab a drink, pull up a seat and watch the fire flicker as the sun sets.
28. Location: Tampa, USA
Why we love it: The playful swings at this pool-side bar will have even the most devoted mocktail enthusiast swaying.
Why we love it: The playful swings at this pool-side bar will have even the most devoted mocktail enthusiast swaying.
29. Location: New York, USA
Why we love it: This casual bar is the ultimate beach-side hangout, where strict dress codes and high heels make way for swimmers and sandy feet.
Why we love it: This casual bar is the ultimate beach-side hangout, where strict dress codes and high heels make way for swimmers and sandy feet.
30. Location: New York, USA
Why we love it: Mojitos, anyone? There’s something about the fresh air, sunshine and tropical vibe of a cabana that forces one to relax. We’ll drink to that!
Tell us
Which home bar would you like to be sitting at right now? Tell us your favourites in the Comments, save your favourite images and like or save this story.
More
Want more eye candy? Take a look at last week’s Best of the Week: 30 Stunning Standalone and Built-In Wardrobes
Why we love it: Mojitos, anyone? There’s something about the fresh air, sunshine and tropical vibe of a cabana that forces one to relax. We’ll drink to that!
Tell us
Which home bar would you like to be sitting at right now? Tell us your favourites in the Comments, save your favourite images and like or save this story.
More
Want more eye candy? Take a look at last week’s Best of the Week: 30 Stunning Standalone and Built-In Wardrobes
What are you working on?
Related Stories
Kitchen Guides
10 Key Kitchen Dimensions You Need to Know
Here are key kitchen dimensions that will help you design like a pro
Full Story
More Room Guides
35 Serene Puja Room Designs
Take a leaf out of these elegantly designed, beautiful prayer rooms on Houzz
Full Story
Decorating Guides
What Are the Benefits of Hiring an Interior Designer?
From furnishing working drawings to beautifying the home, find out how an interior designer plays multifunctional roles
Full Story
More Room Guides
Turn One Room Into Two With These Genius Ideas
Carve out an extra room within your home with these fab room-splitting tips and tricks
Full Story
Bedroom Guides
What Are the Ideal Wardrobe Measurements?
Here are dimensions for different types of wardrobe designs that ensure maximum functionality and storage
Full Story
Architecture
These Indian Homes Know How To Combat Harsh Climate
See how these homes by SPASM, Kumar Moorthy & Associates and JPLUSDARCHITECTS mitigate the ramifications of harsh climate ahead of time
Full Story
Architecture
How to Find an Architect That's Right for You
Make the construction and renovation of your home a pleasant and memorable journey by selecting the right architect
Full Story
Bathroom Guides
Step-by-Step: A Guide to Renovating Your Bathroom
Planning to renovate your bathroom? Learn about the different stages involved in the remodelling process
Full Story
Living Rooms
30 Best Sofa Designs
This guide gives a rundown of sofa types that will leave you spoilt for choices
Full Story
Small Spaces
7 Stylish Ways to Dry Your Laundry In a Small Apartment
Has your drying rack become a perpetual eyesore in your home? These dapper laundry drying solutions have you covered
Full Story
Clever door! Don't think I would want anything quite so rustic but in that context its fab!
I heart the home bar! Loved 3 mostly because it has the Tina picture and that's what I had in my previous bar (I just have a bar cart now but that's ok). The other winners for me were 23 under the stairs and all those hidden closet bars - fantastic idea.
We all need a place to put the drinks and glasses - so what else can you call it other than a Bar, so lets not pretend otherwise