what do you need for a mini bar

5 Items a Good Mini-Bar Should Have

1. Alcohol Varieties. Of course, by its nature a mini bar requires alcohol. ...
2. Mixers. It is rare for someone to want their alcohol without a mixer. ...
3. Accoutrements. What distinguishes a good mini bar from a great one is the available drink accessories. ...
4. Equipment. Making the perfect drink is a process that often requires specific equipment. ...
5. Keep It Clean and Neat. ...

Full Answer

What do you need for a tiny home bar?

several shelves is all you need for a tiny home bar 18of 51 you can diy a industrial-style bar cart that will have enough space for all your booze 19of 51 20of 51 Carts are perfect for mini bars because you can easily move them. This one feature a towel rack!

What are the essentials of a home bar?

We'll show you how to stock your bar at home, including a variety of spirits, mixers, garnishes, tools, glassware, and even storage options. It's important to note that something is a "bar essential" only insofar as you use it. This list of essentials can be added to or subtracted from depending on how you plan to use your home bar.

How do you stock a mini bar?

The first step to stocking your mini bar is to start with the essential liquors you need and actually like. You should always start small with your favorites and then slowly grow your liquor collection to avoid spending too much money on alcohol you'll hardly ever use.

Do you need a home bar in your home?

A proper home bar is one thing every grown-up home should have. Even if you don’t drink, you might want to have something on hand to offer guests, and if nothing else, a home bar can add an unexpected element of design to any space.

What do you need for mini bar?

You'll need two bottles of rum: a dark one and a light one. Your light rum will be used for cocktails such as mojitos while the dark rum will be used for neat drinks, punches, and tiki drinks. Finally, it's smart to have other beverages on hand for your guests.

What do you stock in a mini bar?

Tips for Stocking Your Home Bar.Brandy.Gin.Rum.Tequila.Vodka.Whiskey.Liqueurs & Cordials.

How do you set up a mini bar?

0:332:15Very Entertaining: How To Set Up A Home Bar - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipFirst thing you need is a mixing glass. And then you need a jigger to measure your liquor. To stirMoreFirst thing you need is a mixing glass. And then you need a jigger to measure your liquor. To stir your cocktail you need a spoon a long spoon that cannot really reach into the glass is essential.

What do you need for a home bar?

Rocks Glasses. Paris on the Rocks 9.5 oz. ... Collins Glasses. Buswell 12 oz. ... Coupe Glasses. Leopold 6 oz. ... A Mixing Glass. Japanese-Style Mixing Glass (750 ml.) ... A Bar Spoon. Charles Joly Bar Spoon. ... A Shaker. Two-Piece Boston Shaker Set. ... A Strainer. Hawthorne Cocktail Strainer. ... Jiggers. Japanese-Style Jigger (1 x 2 oz.)More items...•

How do you start a mini bar at home?

2:0928:04How to Start your Home Bar | How to Drink - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWay i i think that instead of asking what bottles should i start out with you should. Instead pickMoreWay i i think that instead of asking what bottles should i start out with you should. Instead pick one or two cocktails that you like best and just specifically buy the ingredients.

How much does it cost to start a home bar?

A home bar costs $8,000 on average or $500 to $22,500. Custom work runs $5,000 to $20,000. Premade units run from $800 to $6,000, not including plumbing, outlets or lighting. Labor and design fees range from $200 to $8,000.

How do you start a successful bar?

8 Steps to Run a Bar SuccessfullyKeep Your Bar Stocked. ... Measure Your Liquor to Reduce Overpouring. ... Create Signature Cocktails. ... Host Happy Hour and Events. ... Hire the Right Bartenders. ... Train Your Bartenders and Wait Staff to Upsell. ... Invest in a POS System. ... Take Liability Seriously.

How do you set a home bar?

6 Top Tips On Setting Up Your Own Home BarCreate The Ideal Space. Setting up the right wooden home bar is more than just clumping drinks together and calling it a bar. ... Place The Main Attractions. ... Have The Right Glassware. ... Have Essential Bar Tools. ... Have Garnishes Ready For Use. ... Spend A Little Bit On Ice.

What do you put in a bar cabinet?

Home Bar 101: 7 Things to Put In Your Corner Bar CabinetA High-Quality Cocktail Shaker.Citrus Juicer.Ice Bucket.A Variety of Drinking Glasses for the Corner Bar Cabinet.Chopping Board.A Muddler & Jigger.Classic Base Liquors.The Takeaway.

What should you have in a bar?

Bar Basics: 12 Bottles Any Bar Should HaveGin. Lots of people think they don't like gin. ... Rum (Light) Essential for mojitos and daiquiris, or just mixing with pineapple juice when you're feeling lazy.Rum (Dark) Rich and molasses-y. ... 4 & 5. Tequila (Silver & Gold) ... Bourbon. ... Rye Whiskey. ... 8 & 9. ... Absinthe.More items...•

Which equipment is used in bar?

You need a shaker, bar spoon, jigger, strainer, and muddler to make these cocktails. Some mixed drinks like piña coladas are often blended, so you'll need a blender. In contrast, other beverages don't require a shaker because you can make them by merely stirring the ingredients.

What does a wet bar need?

A great home wet bar will hold liquor bottles, glassware, and any accoutrements for making drinks, such as a bottle opener, cocktail shaker, or a decanter. A wet bar allows you to stay with your guests and keep the conversations going as you make drinks instead of having to run back and forth to the kitchen.

How do you stock a simple bar?

Every home bar should be stocked up with bottles of orange juice, cranberry juice, tomato juice, lemon juice, and lime juice. This set will allow you to make most standard cocktails.

How do you make a bar inventory?

Start at the front bar. Count the bottles the way they're positioned and, if needed, filter them alphabetically on the spreadsheet when you're done. Include the alcohol's type, brand, name, and bottle size. Also include a column for your bar back, storeroom, walk-in, or any other parts of the bar where alcohol is kept.

How do you keep a bar inventory?

Here are 5 things an effective bar inventory management system can do when you open a bar:Reduce drink shortages.Optimize alcohol ordering size and purchasing frequency.Avoid rush orders.Reduce waste at your bar.Increase profit.

How do you stock a bar cabinet?

Ideally, a home bar will have a good supply of the basics. Start with a whiskey, preferably a bourbon or a rye — then go with vodka or gin, white rum and tequila or mezcal. From there, pick three or four cocktails you know you'll want to drink, and augment your bar with a few special bottles.

A Vintage Display

Whether you set up a bar display in the kitchen, living room, or dining room is up to you. The key is selecting a tray or cart that complements the rest of your space's aesthetic. This vintage looking serve fits in perfectly with this room's antique decor. And finding your own secondhand bar cart is easy—as long as you know what to look for.

Cocktails by the Couch

If you have a small nook next to the sofa, why not set up a little drink station there? This setup proves just how handy it can be to have cocktail essentials within reach—there's no need to pause the movie in order to make a drink.

Drink Corner

An open corner is also a great space to set up a bar nook. Feel free to hang artwork that corresponds with the theme—just because you're making cocktails at home doesn't mean you can't replicate elements of your favorite watering hole.

Simple Shelves

Installing open shelving in the kitchen can be an excellent way to make use out of empty wall space while displaying all of your cooking essentials—and your favorite bottles of wine and liquor. This no-frills setup keeps everything within eyesight, making it easy to grab ingredients on a whim.

Tray Chic

Any side table can be turned into a bar setup with the simple addition of a tray. This makes it easy to corral bottles and drinkware in a stylish manner—how chic? To replicate this setup, consider DIY-ing a piece of abstract art to hang above the table—it's super easy to make your own gallery-worthy creations .

Wonderful Wicker

A beautiful wicker bar cart doubles as a side table in this grandmillennial living space. It can easily be wheeled around as needed, but also functions as a place for guests to set their mugs or plates while socializing.

Sideboard Setup

A small tray holding liquor bottles on the dining room sideboard can easily be stashed away once the party is over. Again, a tray helps even the smallest of displays look well curated and stylish.

Essential Spirits

It's easy to get overwhelmed with the variety of liquors on the market, but rest assured, if you have these key ones, you're set up to make most standard cocktails.

Essential Mixers

Mixers are just as essential as spirits, as most standard cocktails are going to require at least one (more likely two). Having some of the more popular ones on hand will ensure that you always have what you need to make your favorite libations.

Essential Garnishes

Though you may be tempted to skimp on garnishes, don't. Part of the fun of preparing and investing time and money into a great cocktail is the presentation. Plus, depending on the type of garnish they can add flavor to the mix as well.

Bar Toolkit

The number of bar tools and gadgets on the market are endless, but with just a handful of tools you can handle 99 percent of home bartending tasks. And we're willing to bet you already have quite a few of these in your kitchen right now.

Glassware

It's tempting to buy a different type of glass to go with each accompanying cocktail (like margarita glasses or martini glasses), but having two to three different sized glasses on hand will work for nearly any cocktail you could ever want to make. Plus, elegant cocktail glasses look stunning in a bar cart or cabinet.

Bar Carts and Cabinets

Without a built-in home bar, you'll need somewhere to proudly store and display your growing liquor and bar collection. You don't have to drop thousands of dollars on a fancy bar cabinet — you can find stylish, minimalistic bar carts and cabinets for less than $100.

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You'll want to stay in this weekend

Julia Millay Walsh is a digital content and marketing director with more than a decade's worth of experience. After obtaining her degree in public relations from Tulane University, Millay Walsh has gone on to contribute to names such as PopSugar Home, One Kings Lane, ShopStyle, Decorist, Williams-Sonoma Home, and more.

The Bar Cart

There’s no denying that bar carts are one of the hottest furnishings around—it’s hard to spot a chic space without one. If you have room for one, bar carts make a great dedicated area for mixing a drink, and they’re welcoming enough that guests feel comfortable walking up and making their own.

The Console Table

Transform any console table, sideboard, or credenza into a bar by simply topping it with a tray. Corral your bottles, decanters, bitters, and glasses on top of the table, and store your essential bar tools in a nearby drawer or in a vessel. This is a great option if you have a lot of bartending tools in need of storage.

The Subtle Tray

Much like a console table, the surface of any bookcase or bookshelf can easily be transformed into a bar. Simply arrange it by category, with spirits on one shelf, glasses on another, and so on. If you don’t have an entire bookshelf to dedicate to your spirits, simply use a tray on top of a smaller piece of furniture.

The Built-in Wet Bar

Have a bona fide wet bar (bar with a sink) in your home? Then, you have no excuse not to sharpen your mixology skills. In addition to all the other bar essentials you’ll need (keep scrolling for those), you should also keep a bar towel handy and place a small trash can under the sink, in case you’re washing glasses or using fresh ingredients.

Essential Bitters

Bitters are a type of high-proof alcohol infused with herbs, roots, and spices that are used in dashes as a botanical additive to drinks. A cocktail renaissance has swept the nation, and gone are the days when one lonely bitters bottle held court behind the bar.

Must-Have Bar Tools

As you develop your mixology skills and become more and more interested in making cocktails, you may find yourself buying gadgets like a soda siphon for making soda water and ginger beer at home, or if you’re really adventurous, a vacuum sealer for making oleo-saccharum (used in punch).

Step 1: Deciding on Bar Service

The very first thing you’ll be asking about when deciding how to set-up a bar for your next part is is “what kind of bar service?” There’s essentially two basic options that most event or party bars fall into…

Step 2: Bar Pricing

Everyone knows – guests as well as anyone – that liquor costs a lot of money and at some parties a cash bar is becoming the standard. Many wedding receptions, for instance, have a cash bar.

Step 3: Calculating what people drink

Trying to figure out how much and what people are going to drink is perhaps the trickiest part of setting up a bar for a party. With so many options available and so many factors that influence how much and what your guests will be drinking, it can get tricky.

Garnishes

Lemons (with a good knife and a chopping board) are basic. Salt and limes, if you bought tequila.

Staff

Whatever kind of party it is, including totally private ones, it is always a good idea to have at least one professional bartender who will know how to set up a bar for a party (ideally, one bartender / helper per 50 guests) and book them to come early enough to set up. It is also a good idea to have a couple of helpers for busy times.

Equipment

A purpose-built bar, a portable bar designed for the purpose – make sure, if you use a table, that it is sturdy enough to not collapse and smash all your bottles and glasses when someone pushes it accidentally! Because they will!

How to Stock a Bar

Bar essentials encompass all the items you need to keep your bar running, including mixers and equipment. Keeping your bar stocked with these key bartender essentials allows your bartenders to mix a wide variety of drinks, from signature craft cocktails to tried and true classics.

Bar Inventory List

Make sure your bar is properly stocked with the equipment and bartender tools your staff will need to pour liquor, blend drinks, and shake cocktails. These key pieces of bar equipment will help your bar staff quickly prepare almost every type of drink your customers can order.

Cocktail Ingredients

Bar Ingredients are the key to a well-balanced and memorable drink. They add flavor, depth, and color to your cocktails. By stocking the following cocktail ingredients, you'll have a great inventory base for making most any drink:

Pre-Made Cocktail Mixes

Bar drink mixes help your bar staff make popular drinks faster to maintain a consistent service time frame and taste, and to keep customers happy. Because they are premixed, bar drinks mixes also cut down on prep time.

Cocktail Glasses

Using the right cocktail glass can actually make your drinks better and improve the experience for your guests. Instead of using the same rocks glass or pint glass for every drink, enhance your presentation with the following line up of cocktail glasses:

Cocktail Garnishes

Presentation is just as important as taste when it comes to mixed drinks. That is why the process of making incredible mixed drinks ends with selecting the ideal garnish for your glass, perfected with garnishing tools. Here are three drink garnishes that no successful bar can live without: