Dry Bar Concepts | Redfin

Entering 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 also can act as a private haven or gathering spot at your subsequent social gathering. Whether or not you’re contemplating including a dry bar to your dwelling in Scranton, PA or are transforming your home in Albany, OR, this text is supplied with solutions and several other dwelling dry bar concepts excellent for any dwelling 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 sometimes positioned in or close to the kitchen, and what makes them “dry” is their lack of operating water or sink. Dry bars additionally sometimes embrace shelving or cabinetry, a countertop, liquids (alcoholic and non-alcoholic spirits, mixers, and so on.), instruments, glassware, and typically a mini-fridge or wine rack.

Dry bar design concepts

If you happen to’re considering of including a dry bar to your private home, take a look at these concepts earlier than you begin constructing:

1. Select the right top

First, it’s a must to resolve how tall you need the dry bar to be. Measuring the house and serious about the usage of the dry bar will help you resolve the right top for you. 

“Whether or not you’re constructing a bar or putting in a pre-built choice, having the proper bar top, counter top, and stool top will make you’re feeling extra comfy mixing drinks – each with confidence and comfortability – and likewise, your visitors really feel like they’re at an actual bar,” says Bryan Whitaker, proprietor of Kitsap Bartending Companies. Getting the peak precise is “the best solution to make your visitors (and your self) really feel comfy and revel in their expertise as when it’s off, it could possibly really feel unsettling,” continues Bryan.

2. Have enjoyable with patterned tile

“Designing a dry bar is the right alternative to be daring,” and Josh Turgut, designer at My Kitchen And Bathtub, likes to “deal with it like slightly jewel field.” His suggestion? Patterned tile. “Introducing patterned tile could be an effective way so as to add some model and elevate your dry bar. Whether or not you go for a geometrical look or one thing Moroccan-inspired, don’t be shy about including some aptitude with a enjoyable backsplash or flooring. Plus, the added texture, colour, and visible curiosity could be extra complementary than you would possibly count on.”

3. Retailer and show on floating cabinets

Among the finest dry bar concepts is so as to add floating cabinets. How else are you imagined to retailer your entire bottles and glassware? Tanuj Shroff, managing director at The Sink Boutique, suggests “incorporating floating cabinets with refined lighting to show your favourite spirits and barware.” 

Extra than simply an accessible storage resolution, they will help make that clear, fashionable look whereas offering house for decor that “ties the look along with finishes that complement your private home’s current model for a seamless, upscale really feel,” provides Tanuj.

4. Preserve organized with hidden storage

Whereas open shelving is aesthetically pleasing, it is probably not sufficient for your entire objects. “Simply as necessary, add hidden storage under the bar to maintain issues tidy — splendid for storing additional glasses, instruments, or perhaps a built-in ice effectively if you happen to’re feeling fancy,” suggests Ben Goodwin, blogger of The Rusty Bartender.

5. Add a wine fridge

Though not a necessity, “take into account incorporating a wine fridge or beverage cooler to maintain drinks chilled and inside attain,” 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 function – 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, take into account taking some inspiration from the previous. For instance, “There may be a whole lot of ‘out of the field’ considering within the dry bars from the Artwork Deco eras and such modern types from mid-century fashionable designs,” says Andrew Silla, proprietor of effective vintage retailer Silla. Going with a classic choice “not solely provides a substantial amount of persona alongside practical and intelligent designs, however also can turn into a strike-point of the room and a dialog piece,” provides Andrew. 

7. Flip to AI

If classic isn’t your model, one other nice dry bar thought is bringing yours effectively into the twenty first century with a robotic. “Specializing in each performance and persona, implementing voice-activated know-how just like the BarBot to convey your bar to life and impress visitors with customized 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–although you’re simply at dwelling.

8. Combine supplies and pure parts

No matter your private home aesthetic, choose to “introduce pure parts, similar to crops, so as to add a contact of vibrant freshness to your dry bar, “suggests Vilasa Dwelling Accents. Contemplate additionally “including heat supplies like wooden and brass to create a refined and comfy environment,” they proceed. This mixture of textures will help convey some much-needed life and magnificence to your bar house 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 countless. If you’d like one thing greater which you can 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 under for our high three stocking ideas:

10. Get located with the important dry bar instruments

“The muse of any nice dwelling bar is the proper set of instruments — and high quality makes all of the distinction,” says Jackie Mallory, senior supervisor at drinkware model Viski. If you happen to 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 added instruments, she suggests “a muddler for contemporary herbs, a bar spoon for layering, and a Lewis ice bag for completely crushed ice.” Whether or not you’re simply beginning out or are a seasoned bartender, “With the proper instruments at your fingertips, even a small dry bar turns into a vacation spot for elevated at-home mixology,” says Jackie.

11. Pick some distinctive glassware

“Don’t underestimate the ability of lovely glassware to set the tone,” reminds Emma Ros, advertising supervisor of Orrefors. Past perform, aesthetic glassware will help set the tone of your dry bar by including colour, texture, and persona. For instance, you may “show glasses on open cabinets with built-in lighting to spotlight the crystal’s brilliance and switch your bar right into a standout design characteristic that’s all the time prepared for entertaining,” says Emma.

12. Seize some booze

Now that you simply’ve received the correct instruments and vessels, it’s time to get the elements. If you happen to’re ingesting alcohol, make certain to get a wide range 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 traditional cocktail or attempting a brand new recipe for a non-alcoholic buddy, you’re certain to have all the mandatory elements for regardless of the event.

Is a dry bar proper to your dwelling?

Sadly we will’t reply that query for you, however we advocate serious about your house. If you happen to entertain so much, have the additional room, and wish to enhance your private home worth, including a dry bar is likely to be the addition for you.

For instance, Kaitlyn Parness of Gather Like Kaitlyn, had a nook in her eating room that was the right spot for a dry bar, and went for it. “Our dwelling was additionally just a few years previous, so I used to be in a position to work with the builder to simply supply the cupboards and counter tops 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 operating water which requires plumbing set up that may add price and complexity. Since a moist bar is probably not potential or out there for everybody and each dwelling, Charlotte-based Italian furnishings retailer Woodnluxury suggests “having that accessory-like an ice bin, a sink that’s plugged, or transportable sink-to nonetheless have the power to carry ice, chill beer, or empty unused drinks.”

How a lot does it price so as to add a dry bar?

“Dry bars are an effective way to broaden your private home’s entertaining house with out breaking the financial institution as they don’t require pricey plumbing hookups and could be positioned in nearly any space of your private home with out many main modifications,” says Cory Hershberger of My Outdated Kentucky Dwelling Restore. Relying in your cabinetry, countertop, and backsplash selections, including a dry bar could be comparatively cheap. Whereas the price ranges relying if you happen to DIY the bar, rent contractors, or go for one thing high-end, you may count on a worth starting from $1,500 to $4,000.