Are you planning a party at home? Serve up fancy drinks and entertain guests with a well stocked bar. First of all, decide where you’re going to set up the bar – in the kitchen, in the basement, in the living room, or in the backyard. Pick a room that has easy flow from more than one direction. The kitchen is a perfect spot to place your home bar, providing there is enough room. Evaluate your budget and decide whether you should buy or build a home bar. Think about the tools and gadgets you will need for mixing cocktails. There are a few mixers, spirits, glassware, and spices that any bar should have.
Select the type of bar that is right for you. Consider your budget, as well as your space requirements. The bar can be as big or as small as you’d like. One of the best things about having a home bar is that you can pick your favorite theme and customize it according to your taste. This piece of furniture will complement your house and reflect your preferences. Even if you live in a small apartment, you can still have a home bar for parties.
Once you build a home bar, decide what drinks you wish to buy. Preparation will require a trip to the supermarket or the liquor store. If you want to throw a themed party, you’ll need special decorations and accessories. You may also have to serve your guests with themed drinks like a Blue Hawaiian or a rum punch. For example, if you’re having a tiki party, decorate your bar with tiki torches, Hawaiian leis, luau balloons, luau piñatas, and exotic flowers. For a western party, use metal horseshoes, rustic mirrors, western clocks, tin signs, cowboy hats, and sheriff badges.
Don’t forget about barware and glasses. Your home bar needs some basic tools for mixing drinks and serving guests, such as cocktail shakers, ice bags, muddlers, bar spoons, strainers, jiggers, ice cube trays, tall glasses, short glasses, wine glasses, and bottle openers. You will also need up to 12 basic stemmed wine glasses. If you’d like to go one step further and impress your friends, get a citrus zester and a bar knife for adding garnishes to cocktails. Use scoops and large spoons to serve ice. Do not use your hands. Stock your home bar with gin, vodka, scotch, whiskey, and vermouth. Make sure you have alcohol-free drinks available.