If you’re looking for a way to elevate your home gatherings, we recommend adding a wet bar. Wet bars are a luxurious and elegant addition to any entertainment space. They offer a dedicated place to mix drinks and are more efficient than trekking through your home to your kitchen when you’re in the middle of a good conversation.
So, here is everything you need to know about adding a wet bar to your home and some must-haves that you should definitely include.
What is a wet bar?
A wet bar is a designated station within a home’s main entertaining space where homeowners and guests can grab an alcoholic beverage or make a tasty cocktail. The wet bar usually consists of some counters, a sink, storage space, a wine cooler or mini fridge, and bar tools to make mixing and enjoying drinks a breeze. Most wet bars are in the living room, dining room, or basement entertaining space, allowing homeowners to remain with guests without returning to the kitchen for drinks.
Wet bars gained popularity as a luxury home addition that takes entertaining to the next level. Cold mixers, chilled wines, a sink with fresh water, and plenty of built-in storage space make the wet bar an ideal home addition for the avid party thrower.
Wet bar vs. dry bar: What’s the difference?
You’ve likely heard the terms “wet bar” and “dry bar” used interchangeably, but they’re actually a little different.
A dry bar can be a mobile setup like a bar cart or a storage cabinet with plenty of space for hard liquors, bar tools, and glassware. It might have a mini fridge or wine cooler as well; however, most are portable and not built in.
A wet bar is a permanent addition in the home. You can expect to see counters, cabinets and, most importantly, a sink. The sink is what gives the wet bar its namesake. Unlike a dry bar, a wet bar has fresh running water to make rinsing materials more efficient. Additionally, wet bars are more likely to have permanent mini fridges and wine coolers, making storing chilled beverages much easier.
What to add to your wet bar
If you’re interested in a more permanent home addition to enhance your entertaining space, here are some things to consider as you plan your wet bar.
Counter space
You’ll need a bit of counter space to make preparing drinks more efficient. When using cold mixers and hard liquors, it can be good to have enough space to prep your cocktails.
Sink
A sink is a must-have for any wet bar. The sink will offer several benefits from fresh water for drinking, rinsing, or cleaning. Having a drain handy can help with spills or mixed drinks that don’t turn out quite as you’d hoped.
Wine cooler
A wine cooler can help you keep your alcoholic beverages chilled and ready to go. Some homeowners opt for a mini fridge over a wine cooler due to its versatility in storing fresh produce, mixers, and juice for cocktails.
Storage
Plenty of storage space for your bar tools like bottle openers, shakers, jiggers, shot glasses, cutting boards, or wine stoppers will be needed. You will also need space to store glasses, cups, cleaning supplies, and any hard liquors or ingredients that you don’t want sitting out on the counter.
Ice maker
A countertop ice maker or ice trays will be a great addition to your wet bar. Having ice on hand can benefit your cocktail parties and make your entertaining space feel more luxurious.
What to know before you add a wet bar
Before you install a wet bar in your home, you’ll want to consider the following.
Pick the right location
First, you’ll need to pick the right location. Consider where your guests relax when you’re entertaining. Do you use the formal dining room? Or does everyone congregate in the finished basement? You’ll want your wet bar to be in the same space where you and your guests hang out.
Additionally, you’ll want your wet bar to be in a location that doesn’t obstruct your design or home pathing. Counters and built-ins should feel intentional and as if they were always a part of your home. Finding small niches or tucked-away spaces can be great for a wet bar location.
Hire a professional
Before you start DIYing your wet bar, talk to a professional. If you’re installing new plumbing for your sink, you’ll want to speak with a plumber. Additionally, any electrical work should be handled by a professional. You’ll need to have solid plans for your cabinetry, design, and placement before you begin hiring people to help with installation.
Make a budget
Adding a wet bar is more expensive than adding a dry bar to your home. Depending on the location, whether there is an existing sink or water piping, and the types of features you intend to add to your space, you could expect to spend anywhere from $1,000 to $15,000.
Wet bars are a luxurious addition to your entertainment space. They offer a dedicated area to mix drinks without sacrificing time with friends and family. Reduce the number of trips to the kitchen by investing in a wet bar and elevate your house parties.
