Setting Up A Home Bar

Feel like a bottle-twirling Tom Cruise? Crave for Coyotes to shake their thing for you? Simply want your house to be "the place where everyone knows your name"? All you need is a bar in your home. It's so much more than a piece of furniture; it's a sanctuary -- your home away from home. Well, you get the idea. There are many ways for you to acquire such a refuge. You could buy an already-made one for thousands and thousands of dollars. You could buy an Ikea-style, damage-it-yourself kit. Or you could go the pioneer way and build one on your own, which is what I'll address here. So call your buddies over and make a weekend of it.

pre-flight checklist

Choose your location. The most important thing is to select a perfect location for your domestic Cheers. We're building something tailored to your own house here, so you have to be sure of the site. The game room and basement are ideal spots if they fit the Guy Room bill. Maybe the study or living room is best for you, but then you'll have to rethink its theme. You need space for the apparatus; plan for at least a four feet square corner. It doesn't really have to be a corner but you'll find that it saves space as well as construction time.

Select a theme for your bar. Are you going to have it looking like a sports bar with neon signs and sports memorabilia? An automotive theme, perhaps, with hubcaps and steering wheels? Or what about a retro look? What's imperative is that it fits with the overall décor of the room. If you decide to set up your bar in the study or living room, make sure it doesn't shout for attention. In this case you might have to go with more sober styles, preferring customized mirrors and mahogany paneling to flashing beer signs.

Set a budget. Another vital aspect to consider before you get started is the amount of money you're willing to inject in the project. The budget can be the difference between Cocktail and Looking for Mr. Goodbar. Look around and seek out information. Bargain for materials and see what you can afford. But be sure to do this before you hit the first nail to avoid nasty surprises.

Plan your extras. Do you intend to have a keg box or a mini-fridge? Are you planning on installing a sink or maybe just a water hose? These will likely be decided upon as per your budget. If you're on limited resources, you might want to simply consider putting together a counter and liquor cabinet. With a few bar stools in front, it can still look professional. Better finances can provide you with the works: draft taps, running water, refrigerator, icemaker, and lower working surface. Prices range between $1,500 for the basic model to over $4,000 for the luxury package. These prices don't include hired professionals.

bring in bob vila!

Please note that only a skilled handyman will reach the final stage on his own and that some power tools are required. Retaining the services of a qualified carpenter might be an option for the less experienced manual laborer. The following tips are intended for a basic design.

First you build, then you pour...

whip out the tools

Work on the design. Wake up the architect within you first and foremost. Everything must be drawn, outlined, plotted, and sketched. Use graph paper or any similar squared paper so that you can have scaled blueprints. Measuring is fundamental. Spending three hours measuring will save you three hours of rebuilding, so make sure everything fits like a glove. Draw it from every angle imaginable: overhead, cross section, and layout in relation to the room. You might want to have your blueprints looked over by a pro to make sure you start on the right foot.

Start by building the base. Use pressure treated two-by-fours to outline the base of your bar. Then cover it with three-quarter inch plywood. Don't worry if its look isn't the most aesthetic; it's only the beginning. This section doesn't have to be performed on location. You can work in your garage and move in the construction in later.

Raising a skeleton will necessitate two-by-four pine boards. Again, this part won't be visible, so pine will be rather less expensive than using a fancier type of wood. Outline the walls of your bar with these boards, and bring it to a desired height (consider the height carefully, especially if you've already purchased the stools). Erect the boards evenly and secure them with angle bars to ensure sturdiness. Lay other two-by-fours over your upright boards to lock everything in place.

You're ready to cover the bones. At this point you will have to have made a decision as to what kind of exterior you want for your bar. If you use wood, it should be stained (or painted) before being mounted to avoid hassles. You will need glue and finishing nails to stick it on. You can now add an overhanging trim to cover the joints.

To finish the interior, you can use half-inch plywood to make shelves. Use a small wooden baguette to make a rail so as to avoid accidents. You should make the cabinet doors with the same material you used for the exterior if you can afford it; that way it will be attractive all around.

If you're going for the whole nine yards, make sure you've planned for plumbing and electricity. Keep in mind that you may have to open up walls and tear through your floor. A licensed professional should be called in for safety reasons and to steer clear of eventual irritation.

There are several styles of countertops you can use. Granite and marble are always trendy although they can be quite pricey. Using a glass top can be chic but make sure you've found a solution as to the rough wood underneath. Synthetic materials are available and you could even make your own design, covered with clear glass-like polymer coating.

finishing touches...

Once you have your bar set up in your newly designated Room of Ultimate Coolness, you need to make sure it doesn't look naked. Think about hanging some suave guy posters and vintage prints around your personal watering hole. Consider atmospheric lighting.

When you have the look down, all that remains is outfitting it with useful accessories. Glasses of various shapes and sizes, an ice bucket and tongs (if you haven't invested in refrigerating equipment), a bottle opener, and bartending books. You also might want to invest in a blender. Stock your bar with some of the most popular liquor and all that will be left to do is send out invitations!