A home bar—whether it is wet or dry—can be a great addition to your home if you do a lot of entertaining. When comparing a wet bar versus a dry bar, the main difference is plumbing. Wet bars feature a sink that allows for immediate cleaning of glasses, blenders/mixers, and spills. Because of the plumbing, wet bars also allow for beer taps and drains. Dry bars do not have a sink and cleaning must be done elsewhere—this can take the host away from the party as glasses will frequently need to be rinsed. Because they do not have any plumbing, dry bars are easier to set up and can be portable. Both wet and dry bars are a great way to entertain your family and friends, display you wine and liquor collection, and provide a space to mix and serve drinks.
Wet Bars
Wet bars first became popular back in the 1970s when people began entertaining at home more often. While not as prevalent today, both wet and dry bars are still common features in homes—especially in homes where the homeowners do a lot of entertaining. Home bars are most often seen in basements and man caves, but they can be included in any room of the house in which people congregate. Many people even have home bars located outside on their decks/patios or by the pool. If the home bar is in the kitchen, a sink is usually unnecessary due to the kitchen sink being located nearby.
Home Bars
Home bars can be large and elaborate, or they can be small and inconspicuous. They can feature prominently in the room, or they can be tucked away in a corner or alcove. If you want to show off your wine and/or liquor collection, consider adding a wine rack/wall unit or glass doors to the cabinets. You can also mount stem glassware holders underneath wall cabinets to show off drinkware.
If you are thinking of adding a home bar, keep in mind storage needs. If you have a large liquor collection, you might want to have a larger bar to show it off. Also take into consideration seating needs, lighting features, and the shape and size of appliances. Appliances most often included in home bars are mini fridges, microwaves, beer kegerators, wine fridge/chiller, and ice maker or freezer. Many home bars also feature a television or stereo system.
If you are considering remodeling your kitchen, basement, or any other room in your home—whether you plan to add a home bar or not—give us a call at Shakespeare Home Improvement Co. to set up a free estimate. Shakespeare is a full-service contractor and will be your one point of contact handling every detail from start to finish. So contact Shakespeare Home Improvement Company for your kitchen remodel or basement renovation needs.