5 Steps Toward the Perfect Bar Setup
The holidays are coming up and you will most likely be entertaining, or you decide you need yourself a nice fancy cocktail after a long day...honey I'm here for it. Everyone should have a stylish bar set up in their home...and it doesn't have to be alcoholic. I have seen some of the coolest coffee bar set ups, uber chic and inviting. Personally having a bar set up harkens back to an old Hollywood glam lifestyle. Every time I make myself a drink at my bar, you can't tell me I'm not Marilyn Monroe sultrily stirring my gin and tonic.
Actual picture of me at my bar debating what to drink.
My point is, a bar is a great area to have in a room, especially if you're a social person who enjoys entertaining. It also can be the most challenging area to put together.
I'm going to list out 5 of my must have items for a bar and add a few links for great finds that I've come across while putting mine together. Now, the best thing about a bar is it is an area to have fun with! Make it your own and add your own spin to it.
1. A BAR CART
Now obviously this is import...you gotta have something to put all your stuff on. Some very important things to take into consideration when choosing a cart:
YOUR HEIGHT
I am a very tall guy (6'4 giant over here) so I prefer my bar cart to be a tad taller. This is majorly important because you are going to be mixing drinks off this thing.
LOCATION
Where you're gonna throw this guy makes a huge impact on what shape you will want. If you have the wall space, a long, rectangular bar cart is great. However, if you don't have the space, a round bar cart would be preferable. Round furniture allows for more mobility and functionality because you can access it from all sides.
FUNCTIONALITY
If you're planning to load this bad boy up and store glasses on it, you're gonna want a two shelfer. Many bar carts also come with wine glass hangers or smaller shelfs made for tumbler glasses. Also something to be mindful of is how much weight you want it to support. You don't want to put 10 whole fifths of alcohol on top of a glass shelf.
OPTIONS:
2. DECANTERS
An easy and stylish way to display your liquor. Some times it's totally okay to display the liquor in the bottle you bought it in. Company's have really stepped up their game when it comes to their packaging.....but sometimes they're not so cute. OR you want to put the cheaper vodka out but need it to look fancy (totally not speaking from experience).
OPTIONS:
3. SWIZZLE STICKS
No we all no that straws are sooooooo 2017. We shouldn't play around with plastic straws anymore (shoutout to Starbucks for making that mainstream). But that doesn't mean we cant have straws. There are many many sustainable options out there, from recyclable paper straws to glass stir sticks.
OPTIONS:
4. TOOLS
Now....the best way to impress anyone with your bartending skills is by utilizing the proper tools to make a drink. Not just talking about using a shot glass to measure (who does that?) I'm talking about using shakers, strainers, jiggers and muddlers (oh my!) Having these on hand will guaranteed immediately impress your friends.
OPTIONS:
5. SOMETHING FUN
HAVE FUN! Add some things that make it exciting and fun. I love adding random pieces around my bar that make it exciting. I listed two of my favorites, the Johnathan Adler decanter and the Fish Eddy glasses. They always strike up conversation. So add some cool art, neon signs, lights...anything to make it you.
OPTIONS:
