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Are you the social type that likes to unwind with a beer, glass of wine or a cocktail at the end of a long week? You can either hit the local watering hole or enjoy a drink in the comfort of your own home.
At-home bars have been around for decades. Architectural aficionados may remember the wet-bar movements of the 50s, 60s and 70s. Usually, it was just a small nook in the dining room or living room with a mirrored wall, small sink and storage underneath for glasses and bottles.
Today, wet bars have fallen out of favour, but that doesn’t mean people aren’t intrigued by the idea of having somewhere to relax with an adult beverage at home. Rather than a nook in the corner, home-owners are installing true bars.
Some people are even creating backyard bar sheds that are separate from the house. It’s a great idea if you don’t have the extra space inside or your significant other isn’t keen on the idea of an indoor pub.
All it takes is a small amount of space, a few key features, and the right supplies to whip up your favourite cocktail recipes. Here are just a few reasons why more home-owners are choosing to be their own bartenders.
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The investment will pay for itself
Drinking at home is always going to be much cheaper than going to a bar. Even during happy hour, bars mark up drink prices to turn a profit. Plus, many patrons tip the bartender for each drink. In some cities, it’s easy to spend £7/$10 on one cocktail before tipping.
People who frequent bars just once a week can easily spend £70/$100+ a month. Instead of putting money in the pockets of a bar owner you can put that cash towards a bar of your own.
If you do most of the work yourself and have an existing space you can build a bar for a couple hundred pounds/dollars. According to an article in Forbes, a custom bar build can set you back £2,800/$4,000+. That’s a huge price range, but ultimately the total cost comes down to the materials used and the features you include. For instance, including a wine cooler or mini fridge will add £140/$200+ to the cost.
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Your bar, your décor
Another benefit of building your own bar at home is getting to decorate it exactly how you want. Adding those personal touches is what truly makes a bar your own, and it’s a fun part of the process.
Before you start the build, come up with a design scheme as it will influence the layout and materials you use. You can choose a cool, personalised theme like this vintage industrial home bar. But it’s fine if you want to stick to something simple that blends with the other décor in your home.
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Fully stocked with your favourites
There’s nothing more disappointing than visiting a bar only to realise they don’t have the ingredients for your favourite libation, or worse, the bartender doesn’t know how to make it. When you have a bar at home that’s never a problem.
Once it’s built, it’s time to stock the bar. A few things you may want to stock in addition to alcohol and mixers include:
- Glassware (choose the right glass for the type of drinks you plan to make regularly)
- Bottle opener
- Corkscrew
- Napkins
- Shakers
- Muddler
- Flow pourers
- Jigger
- Strainer
Next time you visit your local hostelry, pay attention to the accessories and equipment that the bartender uses. It will give you a good idea of what you need to stock up on at home.
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Safer than drinking away from home
There are a few downsides to indulging in alcoholic beverages. One of those is the risk of drinking and driving. All it takes is a couple of drinks to reach the legal blood alcohol limit. And unfortunately, the first thing to go when you’re drinking is sound judgement.
A DUI can be financially and professionally devastating, not to mention deadly. When the bar is at home there’s no cause for concern over drinking and driving. You’ll stay safe and can avoid getting stopped by the police.
Cheers!
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