Warmer weather is rapidly approaching, so it may be time to start planning out your upcoming summer parties. One of the priciest aspects of a party is the alcohol served though. However, with a home bar you should be able to not only make your parties more fun, but also save a bit on the alcohol you serve at each party. A home bar can be costly to create though, but there’s luckily a few quick tips to help with the construction of the bar as well as keeping it stocked. Without the financial stress of your home bar, you should be able to make your dream a reality before your first summer barbecue.
1. Upcycle
Most homes end up with a whole lot of worn out junk just hanging around the house. Some of this junk can easily be used to create something spectacular, like a home bar. There’s a lot of unique ideas online, so you might want to browse around before you wind up throwing out your spring cleaning items. One quick idea is to gut an old box TV. This is perfect for storing bottles of alcohol, or you can place a bucket of ice in it to show off a retro presentation. An old barrel is another popular idea that can make a small home bar that’s perfect for apartments. Of course, items include turning an old table into a bar or using a bench to store the alcohol are some of the more popular choices. Some of the more creative items are upcycling an old piano or jukebox. It’s all in the presentation though, so if you have the imagination to make it a reality then you’re on the right track.
2. Build Your Own Bar
If you’re looking for a more classic style when it comes to the bar, then you might want to consider building your own. This will probably be one of the cheapest routes to take and will allow you take a more creative angle on the bar while also bringing more pride to the bar. Building your own bar will allow you to choose the materials too. You can find cheaper woods if you want to keep the price down low. You may even be able to buy used wood from programs like Habit for Humanity. You can also spend some time looking at designs to see which will suit your skill level as well as the style you want to try out. If you’re feeling lost, then there’s lots of tutorials online that you can check out. You might also consider asking a friend or two to help out if you’re still feeling a bit lost.
3. Forget the Bar
Sometimes, keeping things as simple as possible will make your home bar look even more stylish. Thus, you may want to ditch the entire concept of having a bar, so you can add a little more versatility to your life and your parties. This route may be one of the best to take if you don’t end up hosting parties a lot, or you simply don’t have a whole lot of space in your home. This doesn’t mean you can’t create a bold atmosphere though. Try pulling out a wheel barrow and filling it up with ice. You can place beers or spirits in the ice to make serving them a breeze. Plus, it will look pretty awesome if you’re following certain themes. Of course, a wheel barrow doesn’t have to be your go to move. There’s lots of items that will work in the same way, so plan according to the theme you want to show off to your guests.
4. Hit the Thrift Store
The bar isn’t the only thing that will make or break your bar. You’ll need a little décor to make your home bar stand out too. Although you can use just about anything here, vintage items will truly stand out. The best place you can go for awesome and cheap décor is actually the thrift store. If you’re lucky, you may even find some items that are bar related, which will make your awesome new bar look like it was professionally made. You may even be able to find some bar glasses or mixers to help complete your look and enhance the serving experience. If you’re really lucky, you may find some stools or even a bar, which will save you a whole lot of time, effort and money. Not to mention, all of the proceeds will go to those in need, so your bar will be even greater.
5. High Efficiency
Another thing that goes hand in hand with a bar is electricity. You’ll probably wind up using a lot of it when you have your bar in full swing. Between the mood lighting and the kegerator, your bar may become your least favorite thing when you get your bill in the mail. However, one way to remedy this problem is to actually shop around for high efficiency items. One of the first and easiest routes to take is to start with the lightbulbs. These are usually a little more expensive than normal bulbs, but they will last you for several years. When you’re shopping around for appliances, like blenders, a mini-fridge or the kegerator then choose Energy Star whenever you can. This will cut back on the energy you use, which will help keep your bar absolutely eco-friendly and more financially savvy. You could also ditch the electricity altogether by using tap lights to light up the bar.
6. Recycled Bottles
If there is one thing your bar will probably produce a lot of, it’s certainly empty bottles. This is one area in which you can really transform the way your bar looks, while also cutting back on the wastes you produce. Glass bottles can be transformed into a wide variety of things. First of all, if you have a glass cutter, then you can easily make your empty bottles into fun glasses to serve your drinks in. This is especially great if you use a lot of products that really spice it up when it comes to the labels on the bottles. If you run out of space for glasses, then you may consider to transform them into a candle to add a bit of mood lighting. These bottles can also be made into lamps that stand alone or hang from the ceiling. The sky is the limit here, but there’s some pretty awesome ideas online that you can follow if you’re really wanting to escalate your game. You may also want to consider reusing the bottles to store your own brew of beer or wine. Bottle caps can be recycled too. Try transforming them into coasters, decorative art, or even gluing them to the top of the bar to create an irresistible look.
7. Buy a Kegerator
One of the best ways to get more use out of your bar is to actually take the leap and buy a kegerator. First and foremost, this will actually save you money on beer as it will allow you to shop in bulk for an item, rather than buying cases and cases of bottles or cans. The bottle and can route is not only wasteful, but will force you to have to pay the special tax that is placed on these items. If you brew your own beer, then the kegerator will help you store your beer and serve it in the best possible state. Overall, this appliance will make your drinks taste better, which will make your parties even more fabulous. Make sure you shop around before you make this big purchase though. You should also keep in mind what you want to spend on the appliance, how much storage room you have and how many kegs you want to use at once. Also, make sure you look for Energy Star or other energy efficient appliances. After you know what you want, finding a great deal shouldn’t be all that hard.
8. Shop Wholesale
If you’re in a hurry to build up your bar, then wholesale is the way to go. This may be one of the most efficient ways to buy your alcohol as you will be able to buy in bulk and generally at a warehouse price, so you won’t have to pay for the middle man. When you’re setting up your bar you will probably find that there’s more than alcohol to be bought in large amounts. You may want to stock up on mixers, fruits, olives and anything else you can think of that will make your drinks taste amazing. There’s also other items like little umbrellas, napkins, toothpicks and more. You may find a great wholesale store online, but it may pay to ask around to see who local bars and restaurants buy through.
9. Build Slowly
Building up your bar quickly isn’t what it’s all cracked up to be. Often, this means buying cheaper items to satisfy the look of the bar, opposed to buying the actual items you’d want to display on your bar. This can be a huge deal breaker when it comes to the drinks you serve too, as cheaper alcohol simply doesn’t have the appeal that some of the more refined brands do. So, rather than going crazy and buying too much of an item you’re not that interested in, you may want to just buy what you can when you can. You can slowly add to your collection, thus allowing you to have the perfect collection before it’s all said and done. Plus, you can always ask for specific bottles of alcohol for holidays and birthdays, which will help make your collection skyrocket before you know it.
10. Make Your Drinks
Of course, there is another cheaper route in regards to buying drinks for your bar. That is, to make your own. Sure, you may not be able to make spirits on your own, but you do have some options in regards to drinks. Beer kits are becoming increasingly popular and offer a wide range of flavors to choose from. Generally, these kits make quite a bit to drink as well so you should be able to keep all of your guests satisfied for quite some time to come. Another option is to make your own wine. This a great refined drink that can easily make its way to a dinner party too. The wine kits are similar to the beer kits, so you shouldn’t need to spend a fortune to make them. Apart from that, you can easily work up your own flavored spirts. For instance, you may consider letting cherries soak in vodka for a nice flavor everyone will enjoy.
Having a home bar can be a luxury, especially if you love to entertain your friends, family and neighbors. These ten tips will allow you to have an excellent experience as you work out your home bar without spending a small fortune on it. From the bar itself to the drinks you serve, you should be set to enjoy your new party area in no time.
