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Tired of spending money at your local bar? Consider a home bar instead. Bars come in many different styles and formats, from traditional models with space for barstool seating to compact bar carts for storing liquor bottles and stemware. Shopping for a home bar online can quickly become overwhelming because so many options are available at a wide range of prices. This article breaks down what to look for when shopping for the best home bars and discusses the key considerations to keep in mind while shopping.
Keep reading for tips on choosing the best option, and explore our curated picks for some of the best bars for your home.
- BEST OVERALL: Wade Logan Isabell Bar with Wine Storage
- BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Willa Arlo Interiors Tibo Bar Cart
- BEST TRADITIONAL: Homestyles Americana Black Bar
- BEST MODERN: Joss & Main Leanne Rattan Bar Cabinet
- BEST MIDCENTURY: Crate and Barrel Trifecta Bar/Media Cabinet with Light
- BEST RUSTIC: Trent Austin Design Calhoon Bar with Wine Storage
- BEST INDUSTRIAL: 17 Stories Industrial Wine Bar Cabinet
- BEST CORNER UNIT: Sand & Stable Adam Bar with Wine Storage
- BEST COMPACT: AllModern Williams Bar Cabinet
How We Chose the Best Home Bars
Years of experience covering home goods and furniture, as well as extensive product research, went into creating this guide. We explored more than 50 home-bar options and weighed a number of practical considerations before making our recommendations.
- Size: Home bars come in many shapes and sizes. We included compact options for those living in small spaces as well as bigger models that would work best for those with room for a full home bar.
- Type: There are many types of home bars, from small bar carts to larger, more permanent setups. We aimed to feature several different types of bars among our recommendations in order to suit various needs and spatial requirements.
- Aesthetic: Home bars are available in a wide variety of aesthetics. To provide options that would appeal to the widest variety of readers, we included models in various styles.
Our Top Picks
It’s time to start shopping—the following are the top picks for the best home bars.
Best Overall
Wade Logan Isabell Bar with Wine Storage
Those looking to create a traditional bar setup in their homes will appreciate the classic simplicity of the Wade Logan Isabell Bar. This horizontal bar cabinet is made from composite wood and is available in two colors: black and vintage walnut.
The wine rack includes space to store seven standard-size wine bottles as well as a space that accommodates 20 upside-down wine glasses, which, when stored this way, prevents dust from accumulating. With two exterior shelves and four interior shelves, there’s plenty of storage for liquor bottles and bar accessories. The shelves are adjustable, allowing users to customize their storage setup to best suit their needs.
Product Specs
- Type: Bar cabinet
- Material: Composite wood
- Dimensions: 35.24 inches tall by 51.18 inches wide by 18.11 inches deep
Pros
- Accommodates 7 wine bottles
- Storage for 20 wine glasses
- Open and closed shelving
Cons
- Assembly required
Get the Wade Logan home bar on Wayfair.
Best Bang for the Buck
Willa Arlo Interiors Tibo Bar Cart
A bar cart is a handy piece of furniture that provides storage for alcohol and glasses while also acting as a decorative item that brings a certain charm to any space. This model from Willa Arlo Interiors is a traditional choice that’s stylish and functional. Despite its compact size, it has a weight capacity of 50 pounds, allowing users to store plenty of bottles and accessories. There are four glass shelves at varying heights as well as a wine rack for storing up to four wine bottles.
The cart is set on four casters—two locking and two nonlocking—which allow for it to be wheeled around as needed. The frame is made from sturdy steel and is available in four colors: matte black, champagne gold, gray, and white.
Product Specs
- Type: Bar cart
- Material: Glass, steel
- Dimensions: 37.4 inches high by 40 inches wide by 16 inches deep
Pros
- Set on 4 casters for optimal mobility
- Made of steel and glass
- Available in 4 colors
Cons
- Limited storage space
Get the Willa Arlo Interiors home bar on Wayfair.
Best Traditional
Homestyles Americana Black Bar
Looking to serve friends and family from behind a bar like the one at your favorite watering hole? Consider the Homestyles Americana Black Bar, which allows shoppers to bring the experience of a cozy pub or tavern into their own homes. One side of the bar features an overhang that’s designed to accommodate barstool seating, and a metal footrest bar adds additional comfort. It has a two-toned wood finish with a black base and an oak-stained bar top. The back of the bar features a combination of open and closed shelving with space to store bottles and glasses. A handy drawer is a perfect space to store mixing tools and other accessories.
Product Specs
- Type: Traditional bar
- Material: Hardwood and composite wood
- Dimensions: 42 inches high by 52 inches wide by 21 inches deep
Pros
- Designed to accommodate barstools
- Made with solid poplar wood as well as manufactured wood
- Includes both open and closed shelving
Cons
- Assembly required
Get the Homestyles home bar on Amazon or at The Home Depot.
Best Modern
Joss u0026 Main Leanne Rattan Bar Cabinet
Rattan has been everywhere in recent years, with the woven trend taking off in the worlds of both fashion and interior design. This bar cabinet from Joss & Main has a simple modern design with rattan-faced doors that make it perfectly on trend. The interior features a three-bottle wine rack as well as a hanging rack for upside-down stemware storage. A wooden drawer provides a place to store small tools and accessories.
The top shelf is made from marble, while the frame and shelves are made from mango wood. It’s available in either a natural finish or a two-toned finish featuring both natural and darker-brown components.
Product Specs
- Type: Bar cabinet
- Material: Marble, mango wood
- Dimensions: 36.5 inches high by 28 inches wide by 14.5 inches deep
Pros
- Features a modern, on-trend design
- Closed shelving provides a tidy appearance
- Compact size
Cons
- High price
Get the Joss & Main home bar on Wayfairor Joss & Main.
Best Midcentury
Crate and Barrel Trifecta Bar/Media Cabinet with Ligh
Midcentury modern style came into vogue for the first time in the mid-20th century, but it has experienced a major resurgence in recent years. For those who find midcentury decor appealing, then this stylish bar cabinet from Crate and Barrel will be the perfect addition to a living or dining room. Made from a combination of solid walnut and walnut-stained wood composite, the Trifecta Cabinet has a sophisticated vintage aesthetic.
One end features a rounded tambour door with a lazy Susan inside that’s perfect for storing liquor bottles and spirits, while the other closed cabinets feature adjustable shelving. Interior lighting allows for easily viewing the cabinet’s contents, and cord cutouts make for seamless cord management.
Product Specs
- Type: Bar cabinet
- Material: Solid and composite wood
- Dimensions: 28 inches high by 86.5 inches wide by 26.75 inches deep
Pros
- Stylish aesthetic
- Interior lighting
- Metal legs and brushed-metal hardware
Cons
- High price
Get the Crate and Barrel home bar at Crate and Barrel.
Best Rustic
Trent Austin Design Calhoon Bar with Wine Storage
Those who appreciate a rustic or industrial aesthetic will love the Calhoon Bar from Trent Austin Design. The shelves and bar top are made from composite wood with an antique nutmeg finish, and the metal frame is constructed from powder-coated steel, which is durable and won’t scratch. The wood is intentionally distressed to resemble reclaimed wooden planks. The front features a slight overhang to accommodate barstool seating and includes a steel footrail to make for a more comfortable experience. Four hanging stemware racks allow for plenty of glass storage, and the three shelves provide additional room for storing bottles and accessories.
Product Specs
- Type: Traditional bar
- Material: Powder-coated steel, composite wood
- Dimensions: 41 inches high by 51.25 inches wide by 20.5 inches deep
Pros
- Plenty of stemware storage
- Sturdy steel frame
- Barstool seating
Cons
- Assembly required
Get the Trent Austin Design home bar on Wayfair.
Best Industrial
17 Stories Industrial Wine Bar Cabinet
This modern industrial wine cabinet from 17 Stories has a two-toned design with open shelving and mesh doors. Each side features three adjustable shelves, with each shelf carrying a maximum weight capacity of 110 pounds. The top of the cabinet has an impressive 330-pound weight capacity, so using it to store heavy items isn’t an issue.
The interior of the cabinet has a hanging rack for stemware, and four wine racks can be used to store a total of 16 wine bottles on any of the shelves. The materials used to construct the cabinet are both water-resistant and rust-resistant, so there’s no need to fret about using a coaster every time.
Product Specs
- Type: Bar cabinet
- Material: Composite wood
- Dimensions: 30 inches high by 55.12 inches wide by 13.58 inches deep
Pros
- Adjustable shelves
- Accommodates 16 wine bottles
- Water-resistant materials
Cons
- Assembly required
Get the 17 Stories home bar on Wayfair.
Best Corner Unit
Sand u0026 Stable Adam Bar with Wine Storage
This farmhouse-style upright bar cabinet from Sand & Stable takes up very little floor space while providing a great combination of open and closed storage. Since it’s a corner unit, it fits perfectly into the corner of a room, making it a great choice for smaller spaces. Under the counter is a five-bottle wine rack, while the interior features two adjustable shelves.
Shoppers can choose from four colors—white, charcoal, mahogany, or stone gray—to best suit their home’s decor scheme. Though the counter shelf has a 75-pound weight capacity, it’s important to note that the upper glass shelf can handle only 15 pounds.
Product Specs
- Type: Upright bar cabinet
- Material: Composite wood
- Dimensions: 72.4 inches high by 23.6 inches wide by 23.62 inches deep
Pros
- A stemware rack provides storage for wine glasses
- Designed to take up minimal floor space
- 4 colors available
Cons
- Assembly required
Get the Sand & Stable home bar on Wayfair.
Best Compact
AllModern Williams Bar Cabinet
This compact bar cabinet from AllModern fits a lot of storage into a small package. The top shelf of the Williams Bar Cabinet flips down to provide a larger work surface, making this piece a great choice for small homes with limited room to prepare drinks. The cabinet’s interior features wine racks, a place for stemware, and interior door shelves, which provide additional storage.
The cabinet is made of a combination of solid mahogany and manufactured wood and comes in three colors: walnut, white, and acorn. The thin, tapered legs lend the piece a midcentury aesthetic.
Product Specs
- Type: Bar cabinet
- Material: Solid and composite wood
- Dimensions: 54.25 inches high by 35.5 inches wide by 22.5 inches deep
Pros
- Available in 3 colors
- Compact size
- The top cabinet door flips down into a shelf
Cons
- High price
Get the AllModern home bar on AllModern.
Our Verdict
After reviewing this guide, readers now know more about choosing a home bar. We recommend Wade Logan home bar for its classic look and ample storage. For those on a budget, the Willa Arlo Interiors home bar is a terrific option that’s compact and affordable.
What to Consider When Choosing the Best Home Bar
Although it’s easy to assume that all home bars offer similar performance, several factors affect their functionality. Keep reading to learn about the important features to consider when choosing a home bar.
Dimensions
The first consideration when shopping for a home bar is its size. There are countless options available, from compact bar carts to full-service home-bar setups. The right size is dependent on the amount of space being allotted for the piece. An upright bar cabinet is a great choice for those with limited floor space because it takes up space vertically rather than horizontally. Console-style bars take up more square footage but offer a traditional look. Buyers need to verify the dimensions of the bar they’re considering before making a purchase.
Materials
Home bars can be made from a variety of materials, though wood, glass, and metal are popular options. Glass shelving looks elegant but needs to be cleaned frequently to remove smudges and fingerprints. Bars with solid wood or metal frames are sturdy and often boast high weight capacities. Many affordable bars on the market are made with wood composite, which can be painted or stained to resemble solid wood and offer similar performance.
Design
Depending on where the home bar will be situated, aesthetics may be a primary consideration. If placed in a living room or dining room, a bar cart or bar cabinet is a major part of the room’s decor scheme and should complement the space’s other furnishings. Buyers should choose a home bar based on their stylistic preferences as well as the existing furniture and decor in the space. We selected a number of our award categories by aesthetic to help shoppers find a piece that would best suit their home’s decor style. Whether the shopper’s style leans more modern, traditional, vintage, or industrial, there should be a great option for them.
Accessories
Although all home bars serve the same basic purpose, some models come with useful built-in accessories. Here are some of the most popular options:
- Wine racks are designed to accommodate wine bottles horizontally, which is the ideal way to store them.
- Hanging stemware racks allow users to store wine glasses upside down in order to prevent dust from accumulating in them.
- A built-in wine fridge can be found in some luxury home bars, providing a space to chill wine and other beverages.
- A built-in bottle opener is a handy feature for opening bottled beers.
FAQs
Here are the most frequently asked questions for choosing and designing a bar area in your home.
Q. How do I build a bar area in my home?
Building a DIY home bar is a relatively simple project for an experienced woodworker. Here are some ideas for bars that you can build at home.
Q. What is a good size for a home bar?
When designing a bar with seating, opt for a 6-foot width to accommodate three stools or an 8-foot width to accommodate four stools.
Q. How can I make my home bar look good?
Make your home bar look aesthetically pleasing by styling the surface with attractive glass decanters and accessories such as cocktail shakers and ice buckets.