I must admit that I occasionally enjoy a cocktail. And lately, I’ve been noticing a return to the practice of small bars set up in your home and displayed openly. Maybe it’s due to the popularity of the show Mad Men, where characters serve themselves stiff drinks in their offices, that has inspired designers to include small bars in residential interiors. The idea certainly beckons back to that era. Having a cocktail bar at hand while entertaining is a great idea (as long as it is out of the way of little fingers) and demonstrates to your guests that you are ready for a fabulous evening.
Interior design by Eddie Ross
Interior design darling Eddie Ross snuck a small bar into this bookcase with stunning results. Trays help keep all supplies together and make it easy to remove from the shelf if necessary.
Interior design by Joe Nye
I love the pink ice bucket on this bar designed by Joe Nye. The supplies needed for a bar are minimal – some mix, lemons and limes, an ice bucket and of course the alcohol!
Interior design by Miles Redd. Image via House Beautiful.
Set up a bar on your dining room sideboard – it is the perfect spot! You can even direct guests to the bar and have them serve themselves.
Interior design by Steven Gambrel. Image via Habitually Chic.
Blogger Heather Clawson of Habitually Chic always features something impossibly wonderful and she did this great post on bars last year. This particular bar fashioned from a piece of furniture and designed by Steven Gambrel really caught my eye. It even has a sink!
Image source originally from Lonny Magazine
Bars look so pretty when placed on a mirrored tray and accented with flowers and fine cut crystal.
Image via High Street Market
What a perfect set up for the rec room! This bar is ready to serve martinis. I really like how they have decorated this bar cart with ping pong balls and paddles.
If you are planning to entertain over the holidays, consider displaying a simple but elegant bar like one of these. With a few lovely decanters, glasses and supplies, you will be ready for the party!
Cheers!
Jacqueline
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Sarah Ward, Jacqueline Corea. Jacqueline Corea said: I'm loving the trend of having a small cocktail bar on display. Check these ones out. Cheers! http://alturl.com/ro7hk [...]
These are great ideas, especially for the holiday season! I love the Joe Nye one.
Love the image from Habitually Chic. That orange is gorgeous!
LOVE that pink ice bucket. We have an alcove in the pass-through between our kitchen and den that we set up as a bar but I am missing an ice bucket. Now I’m on the lookout for something colourful.
I love the idea of a cocktail bar at home – especially in a living room or family room that’s used for frequent entertaining. The traditionalist in me loves the idea of chunky, crystal glasses and decanters with crystal lids (instead of a Smirnoff bottle) – either way, the imagery here was lovely.
Thanks for the comments! So glad to hear that I am not the only one who loves the look of a bar used in residential interior decorating. Let’s all have a drink!
I’m in the midst of accessorizing my dining room sideboard. The wheels are turning after reading this post…
Love the bar designed by Steven Gambrel. That is SERIOUSLY glam!
Happy weekend :-)