It’s that time of the year when festivities seem to fill the air. Everyone seems to be in the mood for fun and enjoyment. There can be no better way of enjoying together with friends and relatives than having a party. And when there is a party, the first things that come to one’s mind are food and drinks. Socialising has become a key factor in our lifestyle today and when you socialise, you also have to entertain guests at your home quite often. So it’s good to have a bar at home.

A home bar can be a place of enjoyment for family and friends. It can also add a touch of glamour and class to your living space. It can act as a perfect classy addition to your living room, dining room or your indoor games room. A room with a small sit-out or balcony can also be converted into an exclusive bar. Bars can also be built outdoors, say, near swimming pools. Wherever it is built, the size and design of the bar unit depends upon the availability of space and the overall décor of the place. The design could vary from straight to L-shaped, rectangular or semi-circular. Whatever the shape, the materials used for the bar should be in harmony with the existing décor of the place it is to be added to.

Materials like wood, metals like steel or aluminium, glass or bamboo, can be used to build a bar. The key factor should be durability combined with good looks. If a bar is going to be placed outdoors or near a balcony  or at a place where it will be exposed to lot of food and drinks, materials like steel and aluminium, combined with some glass can be used. These are easy to clean and also have a sleek and stylish look. These contemporary designs also blend well with any backdrop. The wooden bars are best for indoors. A huge mirror could be fixed behind the bar unit, which gives a beautiful effect and also makes the place look bigger.

Bar stools, which form an integral part of a home bar, should also be of the same material as the bar unit itself. One can go in for the traditional bar stools which can be made according to the type of wood used for the bar unit. The stools could be backless or with half or full backs. The metal bar stools give a more contemperory feel. Bar stools with the swivel mechanism are best suited for small spaces as one gets the freedom to turn around without moving the stool itself. It is also a good idea to use bar stools with adjustable height to cater to individual comfort.

Having a refrigerator near the bar unit can prove really useful to store ice trays, sodas, cocktail mixers, beer bottles, etc, so that one does not need to run around to get these things from the kitchen again and again. It should be made sure that there is proper ventilation, otherwise an exhaust system should be installed, to clear the smoke just in case there are people who smoke. A big screen TV can also be installed at a convenient place near the bar unit. There’s nothing like watching a game of cricket or your favourite movie with buddies and beer to go with it.

And now it’s time to stock up your bar. Always have adequate supply of everything you will probably need for your parties like vodka, rum, gin, tequila, brandy, whisky and wines. Also have ample supply of mixers like soda, orange juice, cranberry juice, tomato juice, lime cordial, iced tea, etc.

Different types of drinks need to be served in different types of glasses, so the bar should have a proper stock of glassware. There should be a good collection of beer mugs, shot glasses for the tequila shots and rock glasses. Then there are white wine glasses which are tall stemmed glasses and red wine glasses which are wider and rounder stemmed glasses. Champagne is best served in champagne flutes and brandy should be served in brandy snifters. Martini and cordial glasses could also add to the collection.

A perfect bar should also have some other accessories handy, like bottle openers, corkscrews, cocktail shakers, bottle pourers, straws and stirrers, long handled bar spoons, jiggers or measuring glasses, blenders, strainers, muddlers, cutting board and knife, an ice bucket with tongs, coasters, bar mats, tissues and some napkins.
           
(Please note: The publication or the author, do not in any way, encourage drinking alcohol. The above article merely comprises suggestions on how to do up a bar!)