Going on a night out and visiting your favourite bars is a great way to spend the evening but it’s not always possible when you have a family.
If you’re in the mood for some drinks but can’t go out, you could benefit from making your own home bar. With prices of nights out also rising, there’s never been a better time to stock up and build your own home bar complete with taps, drinks cabinet and cocktail shakers.
Creating the perfect home bar is surprisingly simple, but this guide will help you make sure you have everything you need to get started, including some lovely outdoor bar themes.
Depending on your tastes and your budget, you can keep things relatively straightforward or go all out. Whether you’re planning to use it by yourself or as a place to invite friends over for evenings in, you’ll be able to have lots of fun.
Plan The Equipment You Need
You’ll need to make sure you have the right equipment to set up your bar correctly, and this is the most important step to plan.
This includes the bar itself, a cooler and a cabinet with enough shelves and space for everything you need. If you’re planning to serve perfect pints of beer from your bar, you may want to look at installing a beer dispenser with a tap.
Don’t worry too much if you don’t have the equipment you need, as a lot of it can be improvised. Bar equipment is often just kitchen tools, and you can make use of a lot of what you have already.
Some examples of things you can improvise include a large empty jar for a cocktail shaker, a tea strainer for straining cocktails and an egg cup for a bar measure.
You can even use a fruit bowl as an ice bucket to help keep your drinks chilled before serving. To make your own crushed ice, fill a zip lock bag with water, leave it in the freezer and then smash it up once frozen.
Consider the Setting
The setting of your bar is important, as you want it to be a grown-up sanctuary within your home.
Lots of people opt to set up their bar outside, as this is a great way to spend the evenings in the summers. The one downside of this is that any time you want to use your bar, you’ll need to hope the weather is on your side!
Whether your bar is indoors or outdoors, you’ll want to make sure it fits in the location you choose. You should ensure that there’s enough space for everyone to sit and enjoy themselves.
This also means getting the décor right for the setting, with matching colours an important aspect. The best thing to do is to keep things simple yet fun.
Don’t Forget Music and Lighting
Aside from making sure you have the right drinks, equipment and setting, you should also consider music and lighting. In any bar, both music and lighting help to set an atmosphere and make things more relaxed and enjoyable.
For lighting, you want to avoid overhead lights or lights that are too harsh. You can get some fairy lights that will provide excellent lighting at a low cost. If you’re outdoors, you could also use candles or even tiki torches. Ensure that your music isn’t too loud and won’t upset your neighbours.
Add the Finishing Touches
The finishing touches are important if you want everything to be perfect. Make sure that the style of the bar fits and that your drinks cabinet is fully stocked up.
Once you’re happy with your bar, you’re ready to invite people over and get the party started! It’s a great way to unwind from a long work week and to spend some time around your friends.
Luciana joined our team as a mum blogger in 2020. A dedicated mum to a lively daughter and a dog, Luna, Luciana brings authenticity and passion to every post. Her expertise in parenting and lifestyle topics offers practical, relatable advice for real-life situations.
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