Moving into mixology? Love internet hosting soirees? Have a small nook in your kitchen? A house dry bar would possibly simply be the addition you didn’t know you wanted. Extra than simply an elevated bar cart, a dry bar can even act as a private haven or gathering spot at your subsequent occasion. Whether or not you’re contemplating including a dry bar to your house in Scranton, PA or are reworking your home in Albany, OR, this text is supplied with solutions and several other residence dry bar concepts good for any residence aesthetic.
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What is a dry bar?
A house dry bar is a devoted spot in a home for getting ready, making, and serving drinks. Dry bars are usually positioned in or close to the kitchen, and what makes them “dry” is their lack of working water or sink. Dry bars additionally usually embrace shelving or cabinetry, a countertop, liquids (alcoholic and non-alcoholic spirits, mixers, and so forth.), instruments, glassware, and typically a mini-fridge or wine rack.
Dry bar design concepts
In case you’re considering of including a dry bar to your house, try these concepts earlier than you begin constructing:
1. Select the right top
First, you need to determine how tall you need the dry bar to be. Measuring the area and interested by using the dry bar can assist you determine the proper top for you.
“Whether you’re building a bar or installing a pre-built option, having the right bar height, counter height, and stool height will make you feel more comfortable mixing drinks – both with confidence and comfortability – and also, your guests feel like they’re at a real bar,” says Bryan Whitaker, proprietor of Kitsap Bartending Providers. Getting the peak actual is “the easiest way to make your guests (and yourself) feel comfortable and enjoy their experience as when it’s off, it can feel unsettling,” continues Bryan.
2. Have enjoyable with patterned tile
“Designing a dry bar is the perfect opportunity to be bold,” and Josh Turgut, designer at My Kitchen And Tub, likes to “treat it like a little jewel box.” His suggestion? Patterned tile. “Introducing patterned tile can be a great way to add some style and elevate your dry bar. Whether you opt for a geometric look or something Moroccan-inspired, don’t be shy about adding some flair with a fun backsplash or flooring. Plus, the added texture, color, and visual interest can be more complementary than you might expect.”
3. Retailer and show on floating cabinets
Probably the greatest dry bar concepts is so as to add floating cabinets. How else are you imagined to retailer all your bottles and glassware? Tanuj Shroff, managing director at The Sink Boutique, suggests “incorporating floating shelves with subtle lighting to display your favorite spirits and barware.”
Extra than simply an accessible storage resolution, they can assist make that clear, fashionable look whereas offering area for decor that “ties the look together with finishes that complement your home’s existing style for a seamless, upscale feel,” provides Tanuj.
4. Maintain organized with hidden storage
Whereas open shelving is aesthetically pleasing, it is probably not sufficient for all your objects. “Just as important, add hidden storage below the bar to keep things tidy — ideal for storing extra glasses, tools, or even a built-in ice well if you’re feeling fancy,” suggests Ben Goodwin, blogger of The Rusty Bartender.
5. Add a wine fridge
Though not a necessity, “consider incorporating a wine fridge or beverage cooler to keep drinks chilled and within reach,” says Derrick Radford, proprietor of Indianapolis-based customized table-making and accent wall enterprise Radford Woodworks. Since dry bars lack a sink (for ice), a wine fridge can add some much-needed comfort for each private enjoyment and internet hosting goal – to not point out a contact of luxurious.
6. Go for one thing classic
Whether or not or not you’re designing your dry bar from scratch, contemplate taking some inspiration from the previous. For instance, “There is a lot of ‘out of the box’ thinking in the dry bars from the Art Deco eras and such sleek forms from mid-century modern designs,” says Andrew Silla, proprietor of tremendous vintage retailer Silla. Going with a classic choice “not only offers a great deal of personality alongside functional and clever designs, but can also become a strike-point of the room and a conversation piece,” provides Andrew.
7. Flip to AI
If classic isn’t your fashion, one other nice dry bar concept is bringing yours properly into the twenty first century with a robotic. “Focusing on both functionality and personality, implementing voice-activated technology like the BarBot to bring your bar to life and impress guests with custom cocktails,” says Brandon Wheat, founding father of B.J. Wheat Co. Choices like this are certain to raise your dry bar and make the expertise really feel luxurious–despite the fact that you’re simply at residence.
8. Combine supplies and pure parts
No matter your house aesthetic, decide to “introduce natural elements, such as plants, to add a touch of vibrant freshness to your dry bar, “suggests Vilasa Home Accents. Consider also “adding warm materials like wood and brass to create a refined and cozy atmosphere,” they proceed. This mixture of textures can assist convey some much-needed life and magnificence to your bar area in addition to improve each rustic and fashionable design aesthetics specifically.
9. Add a personal touch to your dry bar
Considered one of our favourite dry bar concepts is including in your personal private aptitude. Whether or not within the type of monogrammed glasses, framed cocktail recipes, journey souvenirs, or a Smiski, the decor choices actually are limitless. In order for you one thing greater which you could see from afar, go for novelty string lights or a big artwork print – each extraordinarily customizable. Small or giant, including a private contact can tie in the entire dry bar parts and actually make it yours.
Dry bar stocking concepts
Now that you simply’ve designed your dream dry bar, it’s time to inventory it. See beneath for our prime three stocking suggestions:
10. Get located with the important dry bar instruments
“The foundation of any great home bar is the right set of tools — and quality makes all the difference,” says Jackie Mallory, senior supervisor at drinkware model Viski. In case you don’t have any instruments, she recommends beginning with the necessities: “a shaker, double-sided jigger, Hawthorne strainer, and a mixing glass for stirred cocktails.” For extra instruments, she suggests “a muddler for fresh herbs, a bar spoon for layering, and a Lewis ice bag for perfectly crushed ice.” Whether or not you’re simply beginning out or are a seasoned bartender, “With the right tools at your fingertips, even a small dry bar becomes a destination for elevated at-home mixology,” says Jackie.
photograph courtesy of Viski
11. Pick some distinctive glassware
“Don’t underestimate the power of beautiful glassware to set the tone,” reminds Emma Ros, advertising and marketing supervisor of Orrefors. Past operate, aesthetic glassware can assist set the tone of your dry bar by including colour, texture, and character. For instance, you possibly can “display glasses on open shelves with integrated lighting to highlight the crystal’s brilliance and turn your bar into a standout design feature that’s always ready for entertaining,” says Emma.
12. Seize some booze
Now that you simply’ve bought the correct instruments and vessels, it’s time to get the substances. In case you’re ingesting alcohol, make certain to get quite a lot of spirits like vodka, gin, rum, and tequila together with liqueurs like triple sec, amaretto, and bitters.
For each alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, inventory mixers like tonic water, sodas, ginger beer, and contemporary juices. Lastly, don’t neglect garnishes like citrus fruits, olives, and herbs like mint or basil. Whether or not you’re craving a basic cocktail or making an attempt a brand new recipe for a non-alcoholic good friend, you’re certain to have all the required substances for regardless of the event.
Is a dry bar proper to your residence?
Sadly we will’t reply that query for you, however we suggest interested by your area. In case you entertain so much, have the additional room, and wish to increase your house worth, including a dry bar could be the addition for you.
For instance, Kaitlyn Parness of Acquire Like Kaitlyn, had a nook in her eating room that was the proper spot for a dry bar, and went for it. “Our home was also only a few years old, so I was able to work with the builder to easily source the cabinets and countertops to match our kitchen,” she provides.
What’s the distinction between a moist bar and a dry bar?
The important thing distinction is {that a} moist bar features a sink with working water which requires plumbing set up that may add price and complexity. Since a moist bar is probably not doable or out there for everybody and each residence, Charlotte-based Italian furnishings retailer Woodnluxury suggests “having that accessory-like an ice bin, a sink that is plugged, or portable sink-to still have the ability to hold ice, chill beer, or empty unused drinks.”
How a lot does it price so as to add a dry bar?
“Dry bars are a great way to expand your home’s entertaining space without breaking the bank as they don’t require costly plumbing hookups and can be located in virtually any area of your home without many major modifications,” says Cory Hershberger of My Outdated Kentucky House Restore. Relying in your cabinetry, countertop, and backsplash selections, including a dry bar could be comparatively cheap. Whereas the associated fee ranges relying in the event you DIY the bar, rent contractors, or go for one thing high-end, you possibly can anticipate a value starting from $1,500 to $4,000.
