A TOAST TO COMFORT AND CONVENIENCE

It can be hard to enjoy a drink and unwind,

and gatherings in public are still months away. So how do you wet your whistle in style, comfort and safety? Consider a home bar, where you can be both mixologist and patron.

“Any type of homeowner,fromagrowing familytoapair of empty-nesters to acouple who areplanning to hostfamilyintheir forever home, could benefit from ahome bar,” said LarryGreene, president of CaseDesign/ Remodeling Indy in Indiana.

While the conceptisn’tnew –Mid Century DIY-ers were installing bars in basements and rumpus rooms in the ‘50s –yourtinytavern can be located anywhere.

“Overthe past10years,we’ve seenashift from dedicating aspecific location for ahome barwith custom cabinets to seeing morepop up bars staged around acredenza in the dining room or amovable barcartlocated in the library,”said Lucy Penfield, design principal with Lucy Interior Design in Minneapolis.

Penfield transformed astorage area into a “speakeasy”with cedar paneling and an old English tray passed down from her grandfather.But if youdon’twant to dedicate afull room, aportion of your kitchen with ample cabinetryspace and an island can be ahome baronthe fly.

Either way, you’ll need aprepsurface that’s easy to clean; arefrigerator for mixers and garnishes; storagefor bottles; and adequate, comfortable seating, advised Greene.

Now, for the drinks.“If youare acocktail enthusiastand enjoymixing drinks,you should have arangeofvalue-based spirits,including vodka, gin, rum, bourbon, ryewhiskey, tequila, mezcal and blended Scotch,”recommended Tyler Zielinski, abeverageconsultant and bartender.“You’ll alsoneed bitters,sweet and dryvermouths,afewliqueurs,quality mixing tools for shaking and stirring, aset of glassware for various cocktail styles,mixers such as tonic and soda water,and citrus and syrups for sours.”

Of course, the morecomplexthe bar, the morethe cost can addup. “Beforecommitting to this expense, consider howlong youplan to remain in your home and if ahome barcould be viewedasapotential drawback when it comes time to sell your home,”said Greene.

— CTW Features

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