How To Set Up A Home Bar For Parties

No matter what you’ve read in the past, there’s no reason you need a bartender for a party at home, even when you’re hosting upwards of 30-40 guests. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve read that recommendation and gagged. 

I’ve been hosting parties for over 25 years and never hired a bartender. I always set up a DIY cocktail bar and let guests prepare their own drinks. It’s interactive, it’s “free,” and it’s actually pretty simple to do. Follow my tips for everything you need to know about setting up a temporary bar, stocking it, and adding all the details for entertaining.

Where To Set Up A Self-Serve Bar

Not everyone has the luxury of a built-in home bar. In fact, most people probably don’t need one. But on those occasions when you’re entertaining with adult beverages (or other types) and you need a place to corral those bottles, glasses, and mixers, these ideas will come in handy.

• An easy fix is to set up a tray stand or a classic bar cart in any nook, and turn it into a bar. I love a retro style bar cart; it certainly romanticizes the home bar experience. It can be rolled around wherever needed and looks particularly well when filled with vintage glassware and bar accessories. Find them at thrift stores and give them a new coat of paint for a modern look that looks great in any home.
• Use built-in shelves as a makeshift bar. Clear it of its usual decor for the night, and stock it with all the accoutrements you need for a make-your-own drinks station.
• Cabinets or console tables paired with open shelves above can work similarly to a built-in system. And it actually can mimic the look of an actual bar. You probably have a side table somewhere that can be cleared off and turned into a bar at a moments notice. A chest of drawers or entry table works particularly well for this.
• Armoires may just be one of the most useful pieces of furniture ever made. They can hold clothes, televisions, linens, and they can even be turned into a bar. They can look modern or shabby chic-vintage. With all the compartments inside, it makes a great place to store supplies, and when not in use your guests would never know what’s behind those closed doors!
• Good old fashioned folding card tables are perfect to set up a bar for a party. Cover it with fabric to the floor and you not only make it more attractive but you also have instant hidden storage underneath. Use a tray to hold bottles, glasses, and mixers; trays always makes things look neat and pulled together

The Basic Spirits  

Just like with anything, trends in liquor come and go over time. Right now tequila and vodka seem to be the most popular choices across the board, compared to gin and scotch which had their heyday in decades past. There are also regional favorites, such as bourbon or whiskey in the South.

Nevertheless, a bar stocked with the basics ensures you have something for everyone, and you can experiment with new cocktails. These are your main liquors that provide the foundation for most cocktails.

• Tequila Blanco is a great base, but Reposado is also a tasty addition with its spicy notes. Try Hornitos for a delicious affordable option.
• Vodka. Tito’s is almost everyone’s go-to brand these days.
• Gin. Tanqueray ($20)
• White Rum. For white rum drinks we stick with Bacardi ($20), but Matusalem Platino ($17) is also a good choice.
• Dark Rum. For dark rum specialty drinks we love Bumbu brand (under $40).
• Bourbon / Whiskey. Jim Beam is our go-to bourbon for a party bar or punch drinks.
• Mezcal. In my opinion every host needs a bottle of mezcal for mixing up smokey-flavored drinks. It’s great blended with sweet juices, and Ilegal is a good affordable brand. I would stick with the Joven (clear) variety for most drinks.
• Scotch. This is mostly for sipping neat or with an oversized ice cube.
• Vermouth. It’s a must-have if martinis are on the list.
• Prosecco. Shop Aldi or Trader Joes for good options around $10. 
• Wine. Red, White, Rosé. Follow these simple tips for serving wine.   

Specialty Liqueurs

While these aren’t “necessary”, they do offer so many more options for drinks. From bitter to sweet, these are my favorites.

• Aperol or Campari
• Orange liqueur. Triple Sec, Cointreau or Grand Marnier
• Vermouth (dry). Vermouth is actually a wine and needs to be refrigerated after opening, therefore it should be consumed within about 2 months. I recommend Noilly Prat or Dolin ($10) as they’re used by many professional bartenders.
• St. Germain. Elderflower liqueur.
• Chambord or Creme de Cassis
• Amaretto
• Kahlua 
• Ginger liqueur
• Brandy
• Schnapps. Various flavors like peppermint, apple, melon, peach
• Irish Cream

Mixers

• Sparkling Water. Choose your favorite from club soda, mineral water, seltzer, Tonic, and Topo Chico.
• Soft Drinks. You’ll need a clear soda and a dark cola for variety, or depending on the liquor you’re serving. Ginger Ale, Coke or Pepsi, Diet Coke, Sprite or 7Up. You’ll need lots of sodas to cover both cocktails and non-alcohol drinks.
• Juices. Orange, grapefruit, pineapple, lemonade, cranberry, pomegranate, tomato or clamato. You’ll need lots of juice for both cocktails and mocktails.
• Seasonal mixers. Cranberry juice, apple cider, eggnog.
• Ginger Beer
• Half & Half
• Coffee

Flavorings

• Lemon juice. Fresh squeezed is best, but if you need a lot of it you can use a fresh bottle of ReaLemon.
• Lime juice. The same rule applies for limes and ReaLime juice.
• Simple Syrup. flavor or herb infused; Make your own and store in the fridge up to 1 week, or buy it.
• Demerara syrup. Dark and rich version of simple syrup made with ‘sugar in the raw’ instead of white granulated sugar.
• Bitters. Takes your dink to the next level. Add a variety of flavors to your bar, including traditional, orange, walnut, cherry, etc.
• Grenadine. This is typically for very specific drinks, but it can add a festive color and taste to lots of cocktails.

Things To Keep In Mind

• One of the keys to success is to separate the drink stations. For instance place a beer tub and wine station in one space, and a DIY cocktail bar in another location. The beer and wine are quick and easy to grab while mixing drinks takes a few more minutes.
• Place the bar in a spot that’s easy to reach without a traffic jam, and ideally has room to mingle – guests love to mix and socialize!
• Use trays to coral items together. Group dark liquors together, clear liquors together, mixers and glasses together respectively, and garnishes.
• Pour juices into pitchers or bottles so they look pretty, and label them if necessary.
• Have plenty of cocktail napkins, and a small bowl of snack mix or nuts is appreciated.
• Provide drink stirrers and ice in an ice bucket. Don’t forget the tongs or an oversize spoon to help serve the ice.

Expert Tips

• Size. Some liquor stores carry smaller sizes than the typical 750 ml. These are great finds for flavors you don’t use a lot of like ginger liqueur, chambord, or vermouth. 
• Take note of cocktail menus at restaurants. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve taken a photo of a specialty cocktail on the menu so I can recreate it at home. 
• Keep in mind the theme of the party. If it’s a Mexican theme of course you’re serving margaritas or Ranch water with Topo Chico! Havana theme calls for mojitos, while an Italian theme begs for Aperol spritz. Stock the bar accordingly with ingredients to make these specialty drinks.
• Keep in mind the season. Winter parties might call for brandy even though that’s not on our typical list at other times of the year.
• Drink what you like. Keep in mind your crowd or your regional location. In the south, it’s bourbon all around. In the West or southwest you’ve gotta have tequila. And in cool, hip cities across the country craft beers are essential.
• Recipes: Frame special recipes on the bar table. Keep a recipe book or card file with your favorite cocktail recipes for easy reference.
• When setting up a bar (or any party planning detail) my motto is “know your audience”. Don’t serve Gin and Vodka if your crowd is more Bourbon and Coconut Rum.
• Pour juice mixers into pretty pitchers or serving bottles. Individual sized cans or bottles of soda are more attractive than a couple of 2-liter plastic bottles, however it is more expensive. Choose according to your budget.

With these items, you’ll have a well-stocked home bar that can handle most any party or cocktail recipe. Which is your favorite idea?