Everything you need to create the perfect home bar

To get your bar fit for purpose, we'll cover:

• The essentials for setting up a home bar

• Home bar accessories for beer, wine, and cocktail entertaining 

• How Trustpilot can help you find all you need for a sophisticated home bar set up

You don’t need a massive space to create a functional and impactful home bar. Tiny nooks can become sophisticated bar areas, and adaptable bar carts an elegant centerpiece in a living room. Floating shelves and uplighting can display sparkling crystal glasses, and a vast array of alcohol. Custom-built bars like those from WJ Home Bars or novelty bars from Perfect Home Bars will add a certain je ne sais quoi to your home. 

Whether you prefer your martini shaken, not stirred, or your whiskey on the rocks, it’s all about the vessel you drink from. From versatile highball and rocks glasses to beautiful vintage coupe glasses for a prohibition vibe, choose glassware that really stands out. Unique glassware can turn a good drink into a memorable drink. 

Once your glassware is good to go, you’ll need to think about what home bar essentials you need. To look and feel the part at any soirée, invest in a bartender toolkit. Choose from a wealth of bar accessories including: 

• Cocktail shakers 

• Jiggers (measure pouring)

• Muddlers for blending flavors

• Strainers

• Mixing spoons

• Juicers
  

You can’t have a mojito or an old fashioned without ice, it just wouldn't work. Depending on your drink of choice there is an ice cube shape to complement it. Check out different moulds and ice makers to find your perfect fit. Add an ice bucket with old school tongs to bring style to any special occasion. 

Finally, stocking your bar with booze is crucial! And don't forget, mixers, garnishes, and bitters that can elevate a cocktail with infused spices, fruits, flowers and herbs.  

Vital to your home bar setup is a wine bottle opener. Go nostalgic with a manual corkscrew as they are practical and discreet. Or try a sleek electric opener that will save you time and energy. 

If you're serving wine that has been stored horizontally, or if you're serving a bold, interesting wine, it's a good idea to serve it in a decanter to remove sediment and let the wine breathe before serving (more about that here). But, a decanter also makes a stunning centerpiece. Pour wine into ornate decanters placed on a console table to double as a makeshift bar – adding sophistication to an evening's libations.

If you're serving a bold wine immediately after opening the bottle, using an aerator will speed up the oxygenation process which allows the flavors to open up more quickly than decanting.

You've opened your favorite bottle but can't finish it off. Don’t throw it away, there are wine lifesavers out there. Corks are the traditional method of wine preservation, along with more modern compression stoppers, however these can still allow air to seep into the bottle, ruining it for future serving.

Preservation systems like these at ArT Wine Preserver will keep your favorite bottle of vino in good shape until you're ready for the next glass. Complex wine preservation systems use argon gas (which is completely harmless) or other methods to keep oxygen from reaching your wine, allowing you to enjoy days or even weeks later. 

If you want to mix things up a bit try a wine membership or subscription with the best value wines from all over the world. It's like a personal sommelier with a surprise in every box, and there may be wines you’d never try otherwise. Choose curated cases of wine selected for your bar from somewhere like Splash Wines or join a wine club at your favorite winery.

For wine buffs who want to splash out, opt for a wine fridge as an opulent piece of bar equipment. If you know you'll use it, it might be worth investing to keep wine at an ideal temperature for you, and enthusiastic guests. You’ll be able to appreciate wine at its best.

If hops are your thing, then you could try brewing your own ale with one of the high quality, and fool-proof, beginner kits. Your own micro-craft brewery! Whatever your space size, it shouldn’t put you off home brewing beer.  And it doesn’t have to cost a ton of cash to get started.

If you don’t fancy setting up apparatus to taste your perfect pint, then try a subscription. Get a pick and mix of beer delights delivered right to your door. Places like HonestBrew allow you to discover unique craft beer with their membership.

Want to really impress your guests and keep the beer flowing all night? Try a home bar kegerator to provide beer on tap. It's the ultimate beer accessory keeping draft beer crisp and fresh from keg to glass. 

Don’t know your margaritas from your manhattans? No fear! Learning the craft of cocktails from a recipe book will keep your finger on the mixology pulse. Find inspiration in an easy to use book full of classics, and prepare delicious cocktails from the comfort of your own home. 

Have you tried a smoky spin on your favorite beverage ? Infusing a cocktail with wood chip smoke can elevate it the experience. Applewood works well with rye whiskey, but find pairings you enjoy. You could also try smoking citrus peels, cinnamon, or rosemary to add a twist to your beverage.  

You never know what exotic concoction a guest might want, so ensure there are no embarrassing moments with pre-made cocktails from places such as Funkin Cocktails or a subscription box from Cocktails in the City.

It’s happy hour (no matter the time of day!), but you don't want the hassle of mixing a cocktail. Treat yourself to a sleek cocktail maker and enjoy premium cocktails at the touch of a button. It does the hard work so you can concentrate on socializing, hosting, or just enjoying your drink. No mixing, measuring or mess to clean up!

Whether it's beer from a keg, decanted wine, or champagne cocktails in your favorite coupe glass, a home bar is a fabulous way to entertain and celebrate with family and friends. Whatever you choose, a beautifully designed home bar can be a striking focal point that adds a touch of class to any event. And you don't have to break the bank to create it.   

Fancy indulging in an extravagant treat for your home bar? Before taking the plunge make sure you're purchasing the ideal product by reading reviews of other bar enthusiasts. If you have a must-have bar accessory you can't live without, share your experience with other aspiring home bartenders on Trustpilot. 

Trustpilot is a review platform that is open to all. The companies and profile pages referenced in this article are provided for informational purposes only and are not recommended, endorsed by, or representative of the views of Trustpilot. The Trustpilot companies linked in this post are expected to abide by Trustpilot’s Guidelines, but have not been reviewed for compliance.