How to Deck Out Your Bar
There are a few things that every home needs. A sofa, a cashmere blanket, and a food processor are all on my list, but most importantly every home needs a bar. If you are like most humans you enjoy a good drink (or four) at the end of the day. Creating a space for your booze is a great way to bring your home into adulthood and show that you graduated from drinking boxed wine when you graduated from college. Building out a bar can be a bit of a challenge, so follow along step-by-step to produce an above the bar, bar.
STEP 1: Choose your bar
To have a bar, you must have a piece of furniture to call a bar. The main determining factor is the amount of space that you have available. If you have limitedsquare footage then it is best to go with small option like a bar cart. If you live in a larger space then go bold and buy a full size bar cabinet. Whatever you do, pick a piece that makes a statement and allows you to maximize your alcohol storage abilities.
STEP 2: Pick your glassware
You probably have a mix of random glasses that you have amassed since moving into your first apartment. A forest of shot glasses from Cabo San Lucas mixed in with lone crystal wine glasses that you bought at Home Goods make up your "glassware" collection. Once you have finished undergrad, its time to buy a set of nice wine glasses, whiskey tumblers, and a cocktail glass or two to round out your glassware. After age 23, you should want to drink out of something that doesn't have a logo affixed to the outside.
STEP 3: Introduce barware
Barware encompasses all facets of anything you would need to produce a cocktail. The important pieces include a proper corkscrew, bottle opener, shaker, and even a nice decanter. Corkscrews are a sensitive subject for me as I despise fancy, over the top models that inherently make it harder to open the bottle of wine. Skip over the Rabbit and choose a simple waiter's corkscrew. All other barware can be as boujee as you'd like as long as it doesn't include rhinestones or bachelor(ette) party decor. First and foremost, barware is a tool so don't sacrifice functionality for a certain look.
STEP 4: Dress it up
Adding atypical accessories to your bar gives an unexpected look to your vignette. Throw a tray into the mix to place booze bottles on or add a plant to soften the glass and metal heavy wares that are integral to this setup. Any piece that can give an unexpected edge to your bar will make it less Z Gallerie and more Houston Hospitality.
Agave only seemed appropriate on my bar
STEP 5: Grab the booze
The most obvious piece of this puzzle if the actual alcohol. No matter what your personal spirit preference is every bar needs a few standards so that you are prepared for when guests raid your setup. Don't skimp out on what others might prefer and remember to have all of the trimmings. No one wants to drink straight Vodka (or at least most people) so grab a jar of olives and some limes so that you and your guests don't go 0 to 100 real quick.
Once you've rounded out your bar, it's time to test the fruits of your labor. My go to cocktail is any version of a Margarita. Currently I am loving this spiced up twist on the Mexican classic created by my good friend Kylie Mazon of Cooking with Cocktail Rings. Her Spicy Cucumber Margarita is as easy to make as it is to drink. Cop her epic recipe here.
Spicy Cucumber Margarita à la Cooking with Cocktail Rings
Assembling my bar was one of the most enjoyable parts of decorating my apartment. As you go through this process remember to have fun, and most importantly, have a drink!
Cheers,
Hugh