Guest Picks: 20 Essentials for the Home Bar
All You'll Need to Create the Perfect Home Bar — Minus the Alcohol, That Is
I love to entertain, and I feel that a home bar is an absolute necessity. Stock it with these chic and functional essentials and you'll always be ready to host any party. These are some of my favorite go-to items, many of which I keep in my own bar at home. — Candice from The Design Boards
Lacquer Wine Rack
This is such a great wine holder; it's small enough to fit on a bar or countertop, and can easily be stored away in a cupboard. Its sleek and simple design goes with any decor, and it has a bit of playfulness to it that I love.
Teraforma Whiskey Stones
Look like a true entertaining pro when you pull out these rocks to serve to your whiskey-loving guests. These are great because they don't water down and dilute drinks, and they also look super-cool and chic!
Midcentury Silver Rim Barware Set, Cheeky Chic Vintage
This is a beautiful piece of mid-century history and design that would look amazing on any home bar. I love that this set includes an ice bucket and shot glasses. Your bar would be complete with this!
Arteriors Connaught Polished Nickel Glass Bar Cart
No home bar is complete without a beautiful bar cart. This is the perfect cart for storing glassware and bottles or decanters of your favorite spirits. I love the elegant and traditional look of this cart.
Brooklyn Glass
I lived in New York for three years and am such a sucker for well-designed odes to the city, like this Brooklyn glassware. I love the style and design — great for serving beer.
Squirrel Nutcracker
I received this as a Christmas gift this year and it now sits on my bar. Fun, playful and works great — I Iove it! My guests always smile when they use it too, which I also love!
Fez Platter
I am obsessed with anything Moroccan these days, and this gorgeous tray is no exception. I love the look of this tray, it has such a great eclectic, bohemian feel to it.
Williams Martini Pitcher
Knowing how to make a great martini should be in every entertainer's arsenal. What makes a good martini even better? Serving it in a beautiful martini pitcher like this one.
Classic Hotel Cocktail Napkin
This is my favorite choice for cocktail napkins. They are a brilliant white, the fabric is nice and they look great with a drink sitting on top of them. You can have them monogrammed for a more traditional look. Overall, these are one of my must-haves for a home bar.
Vintage Glass Beaker by Modern Poetry
I have a vintage glass beaker similar to this one that I use for measuring out alcohol for cocktails. It's a unique little piece and looks great sitting on my bar. I like finding different uses for vintage items!
Format Tray
I love Lucite; it's fun, modern and super chic. This is a great bar tray for serving drinks and snacks to your guests.
Hammered Large Rectangular Tray
This is such a beautiful piece. I love the look of hammered metal and this would look great filled with champagne flutes ready to serve at your next party. It's such a nice piece you could leave it on display even when not in use.
"The Very Many Varieties of Beer" Print by Pop Chart Lab
I bought this print for my husband for Christmas and it makes such a great addition to our home bar. It's sure to spark some conversations about beer during your next cocktail party!
Striped Paper Straws
Serve fun and fruity cocktails with these colorful paper straws. I think these are a must-have for people who like to entertain, and you can get them in several colors to go with whatever color scheme you are using.
Stainless Steel Champagne Gift Set
This is such a beautiful serving bucket for champagne and I love the style of the stemless champagne flutes — super modern.
Wiener Dog Ashtray
This is meant to be an ashtray but I think it would be a really fun serving piece on the bar for olives, nuts or garnishes. I have a dachshund so I'm always drawn to fun and quirky dachshund-y things like this!
Wine Journal
I love the idea of a wine journal. If you love to drink wine, it's a great way to keep track of your favorites. I know my husband and I always seem to forget which ones we like when we are shopping at the wine store, so this is a great way to jot down notes about the bottles you drink. It's also a great hostess or housewarming gift!
Cape Wineland Cutting Board
I love this serving board. The wood has such a deep, beautiful color to it — elegant but also rustic. It's so beautiful you could keep it on display all the time.
Heavy Metal Guitar Bottle Opener
I love this funky and playful bar accessory. It's a great conversation piece and a fun and useful way to open bottles at your next cocktail party.
Castle Key Bottle Opener
I love this quirky yet classic take on a simple bar tool. It would work with several different styles and has a great vintage feel to it.
Cocktail Guide Set of Four Placemats
Grab a set of these fun and quirky placemats, perfect for the home bar.
Next: More guest blogger product picks
Next: More guest blogger product picks