If you are thinking about setting up a bar at your home, there is a lot you need to think about. You need to think about to whom you are really catering to, what styles you want, how you can reflect your own personality and tastes, and so much more. You also need a little know-how for the varieties of liquor you want to stock, how you can store them, and what other special equipment you will have to purchase. This will clearly be no easy task, but the whole process can be a lot of fun. The important thing is that you take some time to figure out all the details before proceeding. Here are some tips just for that.
Furnishing
Now, the first thing you need to consider is furnishing. How big a bar do you want? How many people are you planning on serving at any one time? This will define how large an area and how large a bar you will need. What kind of style do you think will suit your personality and taste? You should think about a particular theme to guide the entire project. It will also depend on what kind of liquor you will be serving. For example, if you are planning on specializing in something like whiskey, you will need items like bourbon barrels and cigars to create the atmosphere you need. This would be very different from the atmosphere created if you are going to be serving different kinds of beer, which might warrant the use of wooden or metal barstools.
Storage
If you’re a first timer, you probably won’t know all there is to know about storing the different kinds of liquors you might have in a bar. You must make sure to educate yourself on matters like this. Most liquors can be kept for ages without being drunk, but you need to take care to keep it away from direct sunlight in a cool, dry place. Some wines, like Vermouth, should be kept refrigerated. Even if you aren’t going to be serving this one anytime soon, you will need at least a mini-fridge to store chasers, ice, and glasses that need chilling. You can also get customized oak barrels to add a professional look to your storage, as well as personal taste to your liquors.
Barware
As mentioned, you need to educate yourself a lot if you are going ahead with a bar. You will need all sorts of barware to mix and make your drinks, though this will depend on what you are planning to serve. You will especially need a mixer, bar spoons, jiggers, cocktail shakers, bar spoons, strainers, and measuring tumblers, just to name a few. Additionally, you need the right glassware to serve your drinks in. Just about every form of liquor has a designated type of glass. You will likely need plenty of ball glasses, whiskey glasses, beer mugs, short glasses, wine glasses, and tall glasses, among others.
Depending on how far you want to go with this endeavour, your task may be more or less complex. However, if done right, creating your own bar at home can be fun and interesting for the rest of your life!