Aiyaz Crystal Wine Glasses

Bar Decor

How To Make Your Own Bar At Short Notice

It's great to plan those holiday parties, but once the commitment is made, reality sinks in and the work begins. Not everyone is blessed with a finished basement, ready made for parties, and complete with an oak wet bar and dance floor. Not to worry, with a little work and some creativity you can create your own temporary bar.

Portable bars are great. You can wheel them out whenever you need them and they're already pre-stocked with all the necessities. If you don't own one of these, a make shift bar station can easily be set up and tailored to your needs. Here are some things to keep in mind when setting up your beverage center.

Location, Location, Location

Location is probably your most important decision when setting up you bar station. Guests automatically gravitate to the bar during a party so decide what area of the house you want people to gather. If you have a small kitchen, this may not be the best location. Close proximity to a sink is a perk, but not a necessity. Some people like to set up their bar so that it doubles as a blockade to prevent guests from wandering into certain areas of the house. Try to find an area where you have room to store extra bottles and supplies in behind. A kitchen island or other designated space works well as long as you can handle the traffic jams while you're preparing food. I've also heard of people using bookshelves or outside patios (if the weather cooperates). Wherever you decide, make sure there is space for people to stand around and mingle.

Reuse and Recycle

Setting up a portable bar does not mean going out and buying a new piece of furniture. The chances are you have something lying around the house that will be suitable. Small tables or serving carts work well. I've even seen someone use an old barrel.

Stock Your Bar

Ice storage should be one of your first considerations. A small ice bucket, constantly in need of refilling, will only create unnecessary work. Try to get a larger container, such as a cleaned out planter, an urn or large bowl. I've even seen someone take a large cooler, place it beside the bar and have it over flowing with chilled beverages.

Display your bottles, glasses, openers, and mix so that guests can easily help themselves. Be sure to include juice, pop, a pitcher of water, sliced lime and/or lemons and olives.

Give Your Bar Some Pizzazz

Now is the time to pull out your showy pieces and make your bar stand out. Grab those crystal bowls to hold your condiments and silver trays to show off glassware. If you have a theme for your party, try and reflect it in your bar decor. Have it resemble a beach hut for that Hawaiian theme or display pine boughs for a holiday party. Set up a wine tasting area by pre-opening various bottles and setting them out. If the party is for a big game, set up your keg and stick up a few sports pictures or other memorabilia.

Once the set up is complete, pour yourself a drink to celebrate and wait for the guests to start pouring in

About the Author

Want to find out about grilling lobster tails and grilling pork loin? Get tips from the Grilling Meat website.

Oslo Bar Stool in Various Finishes- Burke Decor $520 Oslo Bar Stool in Various Finishes- Burke Decor Solid oak (noted as cerused) or limed oak finish. Sold individually. Dimensions: 18.5 X 18 X 40.5H This product ships directly from manufacturer. In-stock pieces ship in 3 to 5 business days. In some cases lead times may extend 4-8 weeks. If a longer lead time is an issue, please contact us at 888.338.8111 for real time availability information.

3pc Elegant Metal Bar Table 2 Stool Set w/ Tile Decor $779.73 "3pc Metal Bar Table 2 Stool Set w/ Tile Decor This is a brand new 3 pieces Bar Table Set. The set is designed with a 36&quotDia glass top with tile decor base and matching padded stools. Set includes Table and 2 bar stools. This elegant bar table set will complement the most sophisticated to casual decor. Make this item yours today to beautify the decor of your home. Item may require simple assembly. Specifications - Dimensions: Table: 36&quotDia 40-1/2&quotH, Barstool: 18&quotW 16-1/2&quotD 45&quotH "

Home Bar Unit with Side Bar in Cherry Finish $3210 Home Bar Unit with Side Bar in Cherry Finish

Bar Table Cherry Finish $313.5 Bar Table Cherry Finish

Bar Set By Acme Furniture $707.37 Bar Set By Acme Furniture

3pc Maidenii Lovely Bar Set with 2 Melon Bar Chairs $873.15 3pc Maidenii Lovely Bar Set with 2 Melon Bar Chairs

3pc Maidenii Melon Bar Set with 2 Melon Bar Chairs $743.1 3pc Maidenii Melon Bar Set with 2 Melon Bar Chairs

3pcs Bar Table and 29&quotH Swivel Bar Stool Set - Black $437.85 "3pcs Bar Table and 29""H Swivel Bar Stool Set - Black "

3pcs Bar Table and 29&quotH Swivel Bar Stool Set - White $437.85 "3pcs Bar Table and 29""H Swivel Bar Stool Set - White"

5pcs Bar Table and Bar Stools Set - Walnut Finish $781.5 5pcs Bar Table and Bar Stools Set - Walnut Finish

5pcs Bar Table and Bar Stools Set - Brown Finish $799.65 5pcs Bar Table and Bar Stools Set - Brown Finish

5pcs Bar Table and Bar Stools Set - Black Finish $1014.45 5pcs Bar Table and Bar Stools Set - Black Finish

3pc Bar Table and Bar Stools Set in Copper Finish $1477.59 3pc Bar Table and Bar Stools Set in Copper Finish

3pc Bar Table & Bar Stools Set Chrome Finish $539.1 3pc Bar Table & Bar Stools Set Chrome Finish

3pc Bar Table & Bar Stools Set Cherry Finish $952.47 3pc Bar Table & Bar Stools Set Cherry Finish

5pcs Walnut Finish Bar Table & Brown Bar Stools Set $1089.15 5pcs Walnut Finish Bar Table & Brown Bar Stools Set

5pcs Walnut Finish Bar Table & Black Bar Stools Set $1095.75 5pcs Walnut Finish Bar Table & Black Bar Stools Set

3pc Bar Unit and Bar Stools Set in Black Finish $1488.15 3pc Bar Unit and Bar Stools Set in Black Finish

Home Bar Unit with Side Bar in Sofa Oak Finish $3210 Home Bar Unit with Side Bar in Sofa Oak Finish

3pc Bar Table & Bar Stools Set Espresso Finish $753.3 3pc Bar Table & Bar Stools Set Espresso Finish

3pc Bar Table & Swivel Bar Stools Set Vintage Oak Finish $719.49 " You will receive a total of 1 bar table and 2 bar stools. Bar table: 24" Diameter x 40"H Bar stools: 29" Seat Height Finish: Vintage Oak Material: Wood, Leatherette 3pc Bar Table & Swivel Bar Stools Set Vintage Oak Finish Bar stool features black leatherette cushion seat. Assembly required. "

Bar Table Retro Style Chrome Finish $234.75 Bar Table Retro Style Chrome Finish

Bar Table Contemporary Style in Espresso Finish $312.3 Bar Table Contemporary Style in Espresso Finish

Mini Bar Storage Cabinet Cherry Brown Finish $1575 Mini Bar Storage Cabinet Cherry Brown Finish

Bar Table Dark Brown Cherry Finish $558.45 Bar Table Dark Brown Cherry Finish

Bar Table with Storage Base Espresso Finish $491.85 Bar Table with Storage Base Espresso Finish

Bar Table with Wine Rack Dark Bronze Finish $397.5 Bar Table with Wine Rack Dark Bronze Finish

Round Bar Table with Matte Pewter and Bronze Finish $322.8 Round Bar Table with Matte Pewter and Bronze Finish

Metal Bar Table with Glass Top in Black Finish $255.3 Metal Bar Table with Glass Top in Black Finish

30&quotH Aluminum Bar Stool in Red Finish $353.4 "30""H Aluminum Bar Stool in Red Finish"

Adjustable Swivel Bar Stool in Black Faux Leather $221.1 Adjustable Swivel Bar Stool in Black Faux Leather

Modern Design Marcus Black Leather Bar Stool $396.3 Modern Design Marcus Black Leather Bar Stool

Modern Design Adjustable Black Leather Bar Stool $363 Modern Design Adjustable Black Leather Bar Stool

Oak Finish arrowback 29&quot Bar Stool $88.5 Oak Finish arrowback 29&quot Bar Stool

Cherry Finish Traditional Bar Unit and Stool Set $1631.42 Cherry Finish Traditional Bar Unit and Stool Set

Bar Table with Glass Top in Black Finish $401.1 Bar Table with Glass Top in Black Finish

Set of 2 Bar Stools - Contemporary Brown Color $290.7 Set of 2 Bar Stools - Contemporary Brown Color

Bar Table Contemporary Style in Two Tone Finish $474.75 Bar Table Contemporary Style in Two Tone Finish