Home Bar Accessories and Decor

Many people think of bar accessories in terms of bottle openers and shot glasses. I have always found that the best accessory for a home bar are unique, distinctive beverages. Something exotic on the palette and in the brain is beyond the worth of anything so mundane as the latest design for a wine bottle opener. Especially favorited are exotic liqueurs such as Chartreuse or Absinthe, or specialty local micro brews on-tap. The right combination of exotic drinks and décor is, of course, most preferable.

It is wise to take into account your drinking preferences when decorating your home bar. If your are a fan of whisky and beer, a cowboy or ranch theme might be appropriate. Hang an old beaten up hat and a washboard on the wall, or a mule harness. Have a dovetailed vest and bow tie handy to play the part of the Wild West barkeep - and have your friend wear the costume when they take over the bar (fake mustaches could be quite a lot of fun in the event of this!).

Many people think of bar accessories in terms of bottle openers and shot glasses. I have always found that the best accessory for a home bar are unique, distinctive beverages. Something exotic on the palette and in the brain is beyond the worth of anything so mundane as the latest design for a wine bottle opener. Especially favorited are exotic liqueurs such as Chartreuse or Absinthe, or specialty local micro brews on-tap. The right combination of exotic drinks and décor is, of course, most preferable.

It is wise to take into account your drinking preferences when decorating your home bar. If your are a fan of whisky and beer, a cowboy or ranch theme might be appropriate. Hang an old beaten up hat and a washboard on the wall, or a mule harness. Have a dovetailed vest and bow tie handy to play the part of the Wild West barkeep - and have your friend wear the costume when they take over the bar (fake mustaches could be quite a lot of fun in the event of this!).

For a more exotic theme, try Art Neuveau. A wide selection of reprints of posters from the early 20th century are available to decorate the walls and with the addition of some red velvet will make your den seem like stepping into a bar in gay Paris in the 1920s. Bloomers from the vintage store tacked to the wall, or a fancily dressed doll on a pedestal would also enhance this theme.

Whatever the theme you decide on, you should realize that you can create another world in your home bar. If you are a home brewer, it can greatly enhance your reputation to label your brews under a certain brand. It is fun to make special labels and a logo for your craft. I have tasted such diverse and unique drinks as such under the brands Reverend Jim's, Captured! By Porches, Oz Haus Brewery, and even Plague Water Brewing Company.

If you are putting such efforts into your home bar's décor, it stands to reason that you would want to have all the mundanities as well. There are online services from which you can order custom screen printed shot glasses, pint glasses, and even aprons. Under the counter icemakers are available as well as clear glass door mini-fridges for bottled stock, and one could hardly call one's home bar a bar without a home draught beer system!

If you are thinking of re-vamping your home bar to add more pizzazz, the simple addition of custom made beer coasters or cozies add a special touch. Bowls for snacks or peanuts should be handy, and if your home bar is adjacent to an outdoor area, a BBQ setup will help you to enjoy those nice summer nights. One of the most incredible home bar setups I have seen actually placed the bar inside the swimming pool! Four stools set so that the bar sitters were waist high in the water - and the bar hanging over the waters edge there - with room for the server on the other side! Of course few enough of us will be able to afford such luxury, however it is included in the interest of completeness.

Remember that there are hundreds of accessories for the home bar, and regardless of your budget, there are always new and inventive ways to make your bar distinctive. Whether you go with neon signs, black lights, antiques, or customized beer coasters, your home bar is a world in which you and your friends will be enjoying some fine times. So make it special.