A well-stocked bar is a welcome addition to any social event. Plus, as host, it can be fun to play bartender for your friends. Even if you are not a professional bartender, you can easily set up a functional bar for beverage service in your own home. Does this Spark an idea?
Bar
Unlike bars in restaurants and taverns, a home bar does not need to have built-in water and gas fixtures. If your home includes a wet bar, this would be the ideal situation to use it. However, if your home has a breakfast bar or island counter top, this could also serve as an excellent temporary bar for parties.
Renting a portable bar is another option. Portable bars will have a clean bar facade on one side and storage space on the other. These can be pricey to rent, however. If you are on a budget, a folding table can be used.
The most important factors to consider when choosing a structure and location for your bar are accessibility and function. The bar should be accessible from one side, with room for you to mix on the other. Make sure that it is tall enough for you to make drinks and for your guests to comfortably receive them. A knee-high table, for example, would not be the best choice. Also ensure that your bar arrangement has adequate storage space for your supplies and beverages.
Supplies
After selecting your bar location, begin to gather necessary storage compartments and other supplies. Every bar needs ice. A clean 5-gallon bucket or bus tub can serve as an ice container and it can easily be dressed up by wrapping a colorful cloth around the outside. You will also need an ice scoop; using a glass to scoop ice is not only unsanitary, but it can be a safety hazard should the glass chip or crack. Prepare one ice bin for use in drinks and another for chilling beverages.
Additional bartending supplies can be found at restaurant supply stores. Depending on how frequently you entertain, you may want to invest in a set of bar glasses to include rocks glasses, highball glasses, pint glasses, wine glasses and brandy snifters. For a casual party, quality plastic glasses of varying sizes can also do the trick. Straws and cocktail napkins are also necessary. If your party is themed, you may want to purchase stirrers that match the party's theme.
A cocktail shaker with a strainer is helpful for making mixed drinks. It is not a necessary tool, but making drinks in one adds to the entertainment factor for your guests. Unless you are an experienced bartender, a jigger or shot glass is necessary for measuring to ensure your cocktails taste as they should. Keep a couple bar towels handy for cleanup. You may also want to pick up a copy of a book with drink recipes.
Beverages
Staple beverages for a bar include vodka, gin, scotch, rum, bourbon and tequila. Depending on the tastes of your guests, and your budget, decide whether to purchase top-shelf labels or generic brands. Generics are fine for mixed drinks, but not usually recommended for drinking on the rocks. If you plan to purchase only a few premium labels, invest in gin, bourbon and a blended scotch. Purchase dry vermouth for martinis, sweet vermouth for Manhattans, and a bottle of angostura bitters. Buy a few bottles each of red and white wine. For a special occasion, you may also want a few bottles of champagne. White wine and champagne should be stored on ice; all the other liquors are fine at room temperature. If you have sufficient cold storage space, a mini keg of light beer is never a bad idea.
Mixers should include orange juice, cranberry juice, cola, diet cola, lemon-lime soda, tonic water and club soda. You may also want to have pineapple juice and tomato juice depending on the scope of your bar. The minimum garnishes should include sliced lemons and limes, green olives and maraschino cherries. You may also want cocktail onions or sliced oranges. Additional ingredients to have on hand may already be in your pantry or refrigerator, like Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper and hot sauce.
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