Should you have a Home Bar in Your Man Cave?

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Don’t you want to go where everybody’s knows your name? You know, a place that whenever you enter, every person in the establishment yells your name. You know, kind of like Norm from one of the best sitcom’s ever, Cheer’s.

Well, that best chance of that happening is in your own home. Actually, your Man Cave. In fact, it probably could only happen if you set up a sensor that when you enter your Man Cave, it triggers a voice recording that calls out your name. Okay that would be weird, but still pretty cool. You’re thinking about it.

But first you need a home bar in your Man Cave. Well, first you need a television and seating and other Man Cave products or items. But you will eventually want a home bar in your Man Cave. And your initial decision on a home bar for your Man Cave is whether you want to build it yourself (you can stop laughing now), hire a contractor, or simply purchase a pre-made home bar from a litany of retailers or manufacturers locally or on-line.

The average cost to have a contractor build you a home bar is around $8,000. Remember, this is the average cost with the most elaborate home bars costing upwards of $20,000. Obviously, it can be done for much less, especially if you go the do-it-yourself route, but you may not necessarily get all the bells and whistles, or how you want your home bar to look and feel. Yes, a home bar does have a personality just like your kids. At the end of the day, it may be most efficient to buy a pre-made home bar.

But if you really inclined to do-it-yourself, here is a video you may want to review before you begin the long-frustrating process of trying to build a home bar from scratch.

You also need to ask yourself what you want in your home bar? Do you want a sink, which would require plumbing? Do you want a kegerator? If so, will you have enough traffic in your Man Cave to make it worthwhile. Do you want space under the home bar to have a compact refrigerator? If the answer is yes, then your more inclined to hire a contractor to build you a custom home bar for your Man Cave. But if you are merely looking for a home bar in your Man Cave for you to sit and watch sports and that has enough storage for your liquor and wine, then a pre-made home bar may be the simplest and best way to go.

What type of home bar do you want in your Man Cave? Are you going for that traditional club look? Probably, if you already have leather chairs and couches in your Man Cave. If so, then you probably want to focus on a traditional home bar. Or, do you want a contemporary, modern, or transitional home bar in your Man Cave. In case you are curious as to what constitutes transitional style, it blends traditional and modern contemporary design elements, creating a look that’s classic yet modern. Okay, you understand it now.

Also, what about the shape of the home bar, which will be dictated by the space you have in your Man Cave and how may patrons, we mean friends, you want to be able to sit at your home bar. The most common bar configurations are straight, L-shaped, or a U or horseshoe shaped bar, and even a square or rectangular bar. We think these configurations are self-explanatory.

Going forward we assume you decided either (1) not to build your own home bar because you do not have the patience or skill necessary to design and construct a high-quality home bar for your Man Cave; or (2) to not hire a contractor because it may not be cost-efficient and it may not get timely built because you are the type of person that wants something sooner rather than later.

Well then, let us focus on some types of pre-made home bars you can purchase for your Man Cave.

The Sports Corner Bar

WHY BUY THIS? We know what you are thinking. I might as well hire a contractor to build my own home bar. And it could be similar to this beauty. True. But take a look at this. It’s the closest to a Cheer’s bar. Surprisingly it doesn’t come with Norm Peterson. But it comes with everything else. This is essentially an English Tavern in your Man Cave. You can charge a cover to allow folks the opportunity to sit at this home bar. And, as they explain, “You’ll add instant atmosphere, and history with this substantial, honey-stained distressed high-quality pine bar, held up by 6 supporting pillars – the only authentic English pub this side of the Atlantic! ” Hey, you can spend twice as much, or the price of a Chevrolet Spark. for this magnificent Copper Home Bar. And putting either home bar in your Man Cave would permit you to enlist a coverage charge or beer tax to allow you to recoup the purchase price. Which we most likely take about 20 years.

Howard Miller Luther Bar

WHY BUY THIS? Howard Miller, whoever is, makes some really nice home bars. He also makes some really nice clocks. This bar will “make a handsome addition to your home with its Rustic Hardwood finish on select hardwoods and veneers. It is artistically distressed for an aged appearance with inset panels and antique brass-tone foot rail.” It also has plenty of storage space.

Aquarium Glass Home Bar

WHY BUY THIS? WHY BUY THIS? Because this the Aquarium Glass Home Bar combines an aquarium with a glass bar. Oh, and you’d be the only person in your county to have this in your Man Cave. Okay, it requires maintenance and it’s expensive and you could probably buy a used Pacer for the cost of this aquarium bar. But ask yourself, can you put a drink atop of a Pacer? Maybe so, but this Aquarium Glass Home Bar is designed to have your friends stand around and marvel at it while they enjoy a cocktail. Well, we guess you can do that with a Pacer too.

Coaster Home Bar Unit

WHY BUY THIS? Because it’s an inexpensive home bar unit and this Coaster Home Bar Unit will “Add functionality and style to an entertainment space…” such as your Man Cave. As described, its “Perfect for holding and organizing barware, bottles and all your mixologist essentials, this bar offers six stemware racks and a 12-bottle wine holder. In addition, five open cubbies and compartments can keep all your libations.”

Farmhouse Wood Bar

WHY BUY THIS? Fairly inexpensive medium brown wood Home Bar for your Man Cave. As explained, “You’ll be the center of attention when you step behind this gorgeous, farmhouse bar unit. With multiple storage compartments, a convenient stemware rack, and additional storage for wine bottles, it’s is ideal for gatherings of all sizes and occasions.” Well, we think it’s simply ideal for hanging out in your Man Cave with your friends.

L-Shaped Home Bar Unit

WHY BUY THIS? Because this is a small, inexpensive bar unit that can hold a sufficient amount of liquor for your Man Cave. As described, it combines “sophistication with a rustic appeal” to “bring a charming yet vintage touch to any space.” Including your Man Cave.

Half-Moon Wooden Home Bar

WHY BUY THIS? Because this half-moon wooden home pub bar is simply a magnificent looking piece of furniture. Okay, it’s fairly expensive and it probably belongs in a restaurant or a “local village pub” rather than your Man Cave. But you will have it for the remainder of your lifetime. As well as your kids and grandkids lifetime too. Its made of repurposed wood, which you heard of, but is not sure what it actually is. Well, repurposed wood essentially is salvaged wood, or is being re-used from a previous application.

Farmhouse Ranch Wine Cellar Bar

WHY BUY THIS? Because it would provide some uniqueness to your Man Cave. Okay, it’s expensive, though slightly less than the Sport Corner Bar, but “This is a rare, one-of-a-kind piece made from old architectural elements.” And you can have this in your Man Cave in about two weeks.

Eldridge Industrial Bar Unit

WHY BUY THIS? Because the Eldridge Industrial Bar Unit is a fairly inexpensive home bar unit that, as described, “The wood used for the shelves and the front is unique in an antique nutmeg finish which allows the beautiful wood grain to show through.”  And as further described, “A well placed metal panel on the otherwise smooth, wood front makes this bar unit a staple piece to any space.” And the Eldridge Industrial Home Bar Unit has plenty of storage for your liquor and barware essentials.

Garcia Bar Unit

WHY BUY THIS? Because this is a beautiful traditional Bar Unit that would fit the décor of any Man Cave. It’s reasonably priced and should allow you to place at least two bar stools in front of it, if you so choose. In fact, we think this Armless Faux Leather Swivel Bar Stool or the Steve Silver Barstool Bar Chair would be ideal. And as stated in the description, this Bar Unit “will be the focal point of your entertaining space.” Well, maybe, unless you have a 98 Inch Television in your Man Cave.

Bar Starters

Now that you have decided on a home bar for your Man Cave, you must stock it with some bar and bartender tools. Trust us, this list is far from inclusive. We know that there are plenty of items you can include in your home bar that we are sure will be put to use, so we will list the following ten starter items.

1. Alcohol. Duh, you should have at a minimum, a bottle of Gin, Bourbon, Tequila, Rum, Whiskey, etc. etc. etc. You get the picture. You need liquor in your Man Cave Bar. And some Mixers as well. And if you really want to simplify things, just purchase a Bartesian Premium Cocktail and Margarita Machine for the Home Bar with Push-Button Simplicity and an Easy to Clean Design…

2. Beer Stein(s). We love Beer Steins at Mancavia. They are just flat out cool and every Man Cave should have at least one…or two…or infinity plus one. C’mon, you remember saying that when you were a kid. If you want to learn more about Beer Steins, read our article on Have an Octoberfest Every Saturday in Your Man Cave.

3. Cocktail Shaker Set. You’ll probably make a cocktail or two while hanging out in your Man Cave and you will need a Cocktail Shaker.

4. Cocktail Strainer. Why do you need a Cocktail Strainer? Well, why do you need a Cocktail Shaker? You just do…

5. Muddler. We just love the sound of Muddler. We want to muddle something, don’t you? What should we muddle today? A tomato? Nah, maybe some limes…

6. Beer Mugs. In addition to Beer Stein(s), you will need several Beer Mugs, just in case any of your friends have Beersteinaphobia – the fear of Beer Steins. Uh, we just made that up…

7. Rocks Glasses. Well, you will need some Rocks Glasses to drink your Whiskey or Bourbon. We mean, you can’t drink out of a Dixie cup, can you? We guess you probably can but you want to have class while you hang out in your Man Cave.

8. Collins Glasses. You need to drink your Tom Collins, whoever he is, out of a Collins Glass, don’t you?

9. Martini Glasses. Again, you need to drink your Martini out of a Martini Glass, don’t you? Yeah, we know…”shaken, not stirred…”

10. Bar Set. In lieu of some of the items listed above, you can always simply purchase a Bar Set or Bartender kit. Yes, it includes a muddler…

FINAL THOUGHTS

You can check out more Home Bars. Okay, now that you have (or already had) a home bar in your Man Cave, you are confident that you can run a drinking establishment and serve as the primary bartender, which we are sure is a dream of all visitors to our website. Just in case, here is How to Open a Bar.