The idea of having your very own bar at home is attractive to many people. While it's great to head out to a pub, restaurant or bar once in a while, what better way to relax and unwind after a long day than kicking back and settling down at home in front of your own bar with a Mai Tai or ice-cold beer?
You don't need to get dressed up, you don't need to worry about taxis or designated drivers, and last orders aren't going to be a problem!
Home bars are also excellent for entertaining guests, providing a handy focal point from where to serve alcohol or soft drinks along with food or snacks.
If you're considering whether to install an in-home bar there are two basic choices: a wet bar or a dry bar.
What's The Difference?
Essentially, wet bars have running water and a sink, so they require plumbing. Dry bars don't have a sink or taps, so there's no need for extra plumbing to run a water line where it's needed, which makes them a generally cheaper option.
While wet bars have their advantages, saving you the trouble of taking piles of glasses or dishes to the kitchen, they are a permanent fixture that can't be moved. Once it's in place, that's where it stays.
A dry bar, on the other hand, can potentially be portable. Some are even set on wheels, allowing you to relocate them to wherever the party is!
Let's be clear, these are different compared to your drinks cabinets. We're not talking about a sideboard stacked with bottles and glasses or a globe that hides liquor. No, these are properly made bars that really look the part.
Standing Black Trunk Drinks Cabinet
What Does A Dry Bar Include?
The idea is to have all the accoutrements of a traditional home bar but generally on a smaller scale, although some examples rival the real thing!
So, you'll have counter space on top for placing glasses and bottles, and maybe some dishes with snacks. There'll also be shelves, cabinets, and a mini-fridge for white wine, beer and soda cans.
Some people like to have a microwave oven for heating food, maybe a coffee machine or a kettle for hot drinks, and a blender for whizzing up smoothies and ingredients for cocktails.
Don't forget extra space for napkins, wine racks, and cabinets for all the barware you might need.
You might even want to install a sound system to add to the ambience, and maybe even a TV for those special sporting events!
Essentially, they can be as big and elaborate or small and uncomplicated as you want them to be. It comes down to the amount of space you have as well as your budget.
Why Have An In-Home Bar?
We already alluded to the fact that it's a convenient means of creating an entertainment area and a space for chilling out.
If you like to entertain, a dry bar provides an ideal central location from which to prepare drinks and make sure your guests are having a good time. And when you want to shut yourself away from the bustle and noise of the outside world, heading off to your bar for a drink is the perfect way to relax without leaving your house.
They are a great place to socialise or enjoy quality time with the family, and the drinks are a lot cheaper!
Wet Bar Vs Dry Bar: Which Is Best?
That really depends on you! We've explained the difference, so you need to consider the benefits of each type.
Let's bullet-point the pros and cons to help you out:
Wet Bars
- Fixed in place, never portable
- Comes with a sink and running water
- Requires plumbing
- Handy for washing glasses and dishes
- Sink doubles as an extra ice bucket
Source: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/98586679333124428/
Dry Bars
- No plumbing is needed as there's no sink
- Can be portable if required, smaller bars can be set on wheels
- Easier to install
- Generally cheaper overall
- Takes up less space
What Style Can I Have?
Way back in the past, most people built their own bars, with varying degrees of success, it has to be said.
To keep costs down, many people built their own bars using cheap materials, including wood-effect panelling, which didn't always look too great. Still, they seemed happy enough with the results, and tastes have changed over the years, so who are we to judge?
Thankfully, both the range and quality of available materials have improved, making the results much more pleasing. However, this really depends on your prowess when it comes to DIY!
For those who aren't happy with the idea of getting covered in sawdust and handling potentially deadly power tools, help is at hand: you can buy purpose-made dry bars that come complete or you can have them installed professionally. And they look amazing! Mahogany, walnut and oak finished bars are among the most popular and make great choices!
Here are some ideas for your own dry bar at home:
Indoor Dry Bar
If you're lucky enough to have a spare reception room, you can create the perfect space for relaxing and entertaining with a dry bar at one end. Alternatively, a small bar in your dining room or living room could be a great addition, if handled tastefully.
Outdoor Dry Bar
The growing popularity of kitchens in covered outdoor spaces has fuelled a rise in dry bars (and wet bars) in decked areas, patios and gardens. Some are modest in size, while others resemble beachside tavernas of Greece or Spain. Either way, it's an excellent use of space, creating a sense of fun and frivolity that we all need in our lives.
Garage Dry Bar
Let's be honest: how many of us actually use the garage for anything other than storing old junk? Why not put it to better use by converting it into a chill-out room complete with a dry bar?
Lots of people have done so already, gaining an extra room in which to unwind.
Basement Dry Bar
These became massively popular across America in the 1950s, and have experienced a revival in recent years. Obviously, here in the UK not many properties built in the last half-century actually have basements, which is something of an obstacle!
However, for those with basements, converting it to a dry bar is a brilliant use of the space and will add value to your home. Of course, a wet bar may add more value (especially if you include a bathroom) but is much more expensive.
Man Cave Dry Bar
Whether in a shed at the bottom of the garden or a room over the garage, a man cave is the ultimate getaway space for many hard-working males. But why should men have all the fun? A more recent term has emerged: the she shed, for equally hard-working ladies!
So, you can set up your dry bar and enjoy a lads' or ladies' night in. While there's nothing wrong with a night out, there's a lot to be said for getting a small group of friends together for a private party.
Iron and Mango Wood Vintage Bike Bar
Spa/Hot Tub Dry Bar
For the ultimate pamper session, you can't beat soaking in a hot tub with a pina colada or a chilled bottle of lager. Imagine: music is playing in the background, the fairy lights are twinkling, and you're sipping your drink as you enjoy a laugh with your loved ones, watching the sun go down.
Pure bliss!
Should I Get A Dry Bar?
Wet bar or dry bar, the choice is yours. But both are a great investment.
As we noted earlier, a wet bar costs more but has its advantages. Nevertheless, a dry bar is well worth the money, especially in the long term.
Society is changing, partly in response to factors like the recent pandemic, and we are spending more time at home for work and leisure. Sadly, costs are rising rapidly, meaning that socialising away from home is hugely expensive.
A dry bar provides a safe space for relaxing and entertaining, and it could save you a lot of money!
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