How to Set Up a Small Home Bar

Glassware is an important piece of any home bar.

A small, home bar is a good way to enjoy a few drinks with friends without going to the expense of going out to a club or bar. Setting up a bar at home is easy, but will involve start-up costs of between $200 to $300, depending on the liquor chosen and tools purchased. The key is to start small and grow the bar over time. This will allow for initial enjoyment without spending a lot of up-front money.

Things You'll Need

• Liquor
• Cocktail cabinet
• Glassware
• Tools
• Garnishes
• Mixers

Instructions

1. Purchase a cocktail cabinet. The cabinet does not have to be large, but should be able to hold equipment such as a blender, shaker, ice bucket and juicer, glassware and liquor. A cabinet with drawers is also a good option to store smaller items such as spoons, zester and knives.

2. Choose a spot in your home for the bar. The bar can be a permanent piece of furniture or a mobile unit with wheels, but enough space should be available to store everything. Many people have bars in the basement or near a recreation room. The purpose of the bar should also be considered such as whether it is for your own private use or for friends and family to use during parties.

3. 

   High ball glasses are used for cocktails or drinks on the rocks.

   Select the glassware for the bar. Glass options should be available for different drinks such as beer, martinis and margaritas. Short or old-fashioned glasses is another type of glass that hold between 12 and 16 ounces. The beer glasses should include pints, pilsner and mugs, and at least two wine glasses, one for red and one for white, should be among the options. Brandy glasses or snifters can be added for people who are serious about using the correct glass for their liquor.

4. 

   Salt is a popular garnish and is used to coat margarita glasses.

   Stock the bar with garnishes and mixers. Mixer options are soft drinks, fruit juices, club soda, ginger ale and tonic water. The variety of garnishes is endless and includes lemon and limes, Tabasco brand sauce, bitters, cream, salt, sugar, green olives, maraschino cherries and celery sticks. Include a variety of garnishes and mixers when stocking the bar.

5. 

   A paring knife is used to slice fruit and other garnishes.

   Select tools for the home bar. Necessary tools can include ice buckets, tongs, a blender, chopping board, paring knife, stirrers, shot glasses bottle openers and corkscrews. Department and specialty stores have endless options of what can be included in a bar.

6. 

   Brandy and whiskey are popular additions to any bar.

   Choose and purchase the liquor. Because of the options, start with the basics of your favorite cocktails. Other favorites include tequila, rum, vodka, whiskey and gin. Rums and tequilas can be purchased light or dark and both rum and vodka come in a variety of flavors. Add a bottle of wine or six pack of beer to round out the bar offerings.

7. Host a "stock the bar" party. Guests bring a bottle of liquor as "admission" to the party and help the homeowner "stock the bar." This is a good way to add more variety to a bar, while not going to the expense of purchasing all of the liquor yourself at one time.

Tips & Warnings

• If you don't want to spend money on a new cabinet, consider repurposing an existing piece of furniture such a hutch or baker's rack. Repurposing furniture is inexpensive and can be just as effective in setting up a home bar.

• Purchase a bartending book to become more creative in your mixing skills.

References

• Beer Masters: Bartending Tools
• Beer Masters: Beer and Wine Glasses
• Sloshed: Home Bar 101