What are /r/BarBattlestations' favorite Products & Services?

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I've been messing around with trying to sort out a bar, too. There is a handy open source program called Sweet Home 3D that lets you build room plans and render how things will look. I've been using it based on preliminary plans from an architect (just drawing walls right on top of his diagrams), but you can also free draw. Maybe that could help you get a sense of the space? Here is an example render I made of my project.

My parents gave me this old Armoire when they moved because it matched my cabinets. I didn't really know what I was planning on doing with an armoire in my kitchen though, until I learned about Barmoires.

I have been piecing it together over time as the needs arise. I took out the clothes hanging rack and added in some wine shelving that I made by using hole saw bits and then cutting the boards in half. Next I had to take out the center beam that separated the doors, I had to saw it down to be less weight and attach it to the right-side door.

Then I added a shelf with just some cabinet grade wood from the box store that I painted to match. I added some stemware hanging hardware and a mirror. After that I installed LED lights inside to really light it up. I found a magnetic switch on amazon that worked perfect for having the lights only on once the doors are open.

Lastly I cut the sides off of a serving tray that had bark sides to make shelves for my bitters and dashers.

Turns out mine was from Joss and Main and was called the Diandra Bar Cabinet but is no longer available. Crate and Barrel used to have the exact same model down to the same weight so I figured the wood was all the same. The Maxine that VeryBadNotGood has is a bit different and has some much nicer mid century styling to it in my opinion.

This amazon one looks exactly like mine but also is no longer available, bought mine in 2017. If you happen to be near the Bay Area, California you can have mine. Wife and I are updating our furniture and I'd be happy to give it a good 2nd home. :)

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003ZLBFOQ/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A3K90JHFOGRITA

Edit: Found it on wayfair! Though its over $600 now. I paid $410. https://www.wayfair.com/furniture/pdp/three-posts-hedon-bar-cabinet-w001169588.html?piid=1916288924

here is the full back bar load out before the front was added: https://www.instagram.com/p/-PhaQjRCp-/

Here is the spirits under the bar (need facebook I think to see this one) http://on.fb.me/1Th2YdP

No problem! I basically used this and this.

Somewhat of a rigged solution, but it’s solid.

Very cool. Reminds me of the Arcaderator. There is also a Brewcade.

You must have giant handle to deal with those buttons.

Wine rack is great with standard bottles. Anything that's got a wider top or overall a bit wider wont fit due to the holes for holding. Champagne for example is a no go. For pretty much all of my red wines, its been more than great and is great for saving space on the shelves.

Getting the bottles to sit straight is easy enough, you just have to place the bottles further into the holes, most people seem to hold their bottles by the opening which is just a big nono. You just gotta push further up the neck of the bottle and its all good! :)

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Youll notice this in the pic itself with some bottles

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Here is the exact one i have so you can be sure:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B000BKHL1K/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Yep. Meant to resemble marble. Here's a better look

I'd recommend this bar cart, it's the one I have in my apartment and it's pretty solid. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08BQY24GN/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1. It has enough space for a good number of bottles on the bottom plus wine glasses if you want. I use the middle shelf for rocks glasses and bitters. The top is where I keep my shakers, stirring glasses, that sorta thing. Does this help?

Not cheap, but got one of these: EdgeStar IB250SS 15 Inch Wide 20... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07K1PGRQK?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share No drain required. Been a year and it’s still working great. Went through a few of the Opal nugget ice makers. When the last one broke outside of warranty, I finally gave up on the perfect soda ice.

COSTWAY Ice Maker Countertop,... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07SPYWGNS?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

Make sure you only use bottled water in it. Using tapwater can gunk it up with solids and it will get moldy faster.

Found it!

https://www.amazon.com/Industrial-Hanging-Mounted-Floating-Shelves/dp/B08J2KTBV7/ref=sr_1_179?crid=1NJEJ3KUYB9W2&keywords=bar+shelf&qid=1659506148&sprefix=bar+shel%2Caps%2C165&sr=8-179

Check out the Meehan Bartender’s Manual. It has a detailed discussion of layouts and considerations for bar design. If I were building a bar that’s where I would start.

https://www.amazon.com/Meehans-Bartender-Manual-Jim-Meehan/dp/1607748622

Apologies for the delayed answer! It’s actually an Amazon score! link here

Very nice quality for the price. If you get it, I do recommend having a friend help when you build it as there are some parts that would be difficult to hold and screw together by yourself!

"Floating" shelves from Amazon. The mini fridge is actually just a trash can.

It's this one https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004VV8GOQ/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_fabc_RQXDQ2RESG9VSWFM9CX1?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1 although we have an older model. It works well for the bar, we turn it on when we need ice and leave it off most of the time.

Depends on how much you like him. You could always get him a kegerator.

Got it from Amazon here the link

Yaheetech 6Pcs 20 x 20 inch Artificial Boxwood Panels Topiary Hedge Plant UV Protected Privacy Hedge Screen for Garden,Home,Fence,Backyard and Decorations Green https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07D15V3JL/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_4QRNJ6141Q7XETX7Z9YR?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

Another Amazon purchase! Its ideal for me since I wanted something bar height and had some storage but to also double as a dining space.

We did this recently and it's fantastic. The rinser we used is here: https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B089J6F8S9/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_fabc_9F0YTPC0QKW8MMA6PJ5M (Not an affiliate link)

For the sink, you just buy one with a hole for a soap dispenser and it's a painless install.

I keep mine in our garage fridge that I also run cooler then "normal". I just started using a wine preserver each time I open a bottle too. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08PL2X961?psc=1. I opened my dry vermouth well over a month ago and used the preserver immediately after. I opened it back up again last night and it still smelled and tasted like new. Absolutely no change at all. So far my completely unscientific test is proving a success.

Best fridge I’ve found. Got on sale last year for just under $300.

hOmeLabs Beverage Refrigerator and Cooler - 120 Can Mini Fridge with Glass Door for Soda Beer or Wine - Small Drink Dispenser Machine for Office or Bar with Adjustable Removable Shelves https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0786TJC33/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_PJJ2324HEWZWFG4JWADE?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

The actual furniture piece is a unit from Amazon.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001B2PA6A/ref=cm_sw_r_wa_api_glt_fabc_KSGX28E7JSMQBYD1JRRC?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

It mainly holds wines but we have some bottles on the shelf, mainly tequila, mezcal, and rum since that's what my wife and I mainly drink. Don't really have any special bottles, just your typical Don Julio, Patron, Centenario, and some more artisanal tequilas and mezcal from Mexico. Looking to expand and hopefully add some shelfs behind the bar with a variety of other bottles.

The inaugural poker night is looking like next Saturday!

No, I read so many lackluster reviews of the Ikea lights that I went with three sets of these from Amazon

The height might be a challenge. Example: there's a 24" wide (but 33" tall) dual zone from Kalamera, but they also offer matching 15" beer and wine coolers that can work freestanding or built in. Example

I have been struggling to make clear ice...would be so proud to serve an old fashioned with quality ice at my home bar!!!

Came across this, read some reviews and I think I'm gonna try this...

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07422QWCP/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apa_i_PLR3Db6Q5GNG3

If link fails, it's called TRUE CUBES CKEAR ICE CUBE TRAY on Amazon. $39.99

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B016P9HJIA/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 They aren't anything fancy but work for my needs!

Both are from amazon, let me get you links https://www.amazon.com/dp/B079P5MPRP?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00P1KC27S/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_y2vCFbBC5WWAC Then you will just need pour spouts for the bottles.

Got it on Amazon: Gold and Black Geometry Stripped Hexagon Wallpaper Gold Stripes Wallpaper Peel and Stick Black Paper Removable Self Adhesive Vinyl Film Decorative Shelf Drawer Liner Roll 78.7”x17.7” https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B087PST3YV/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_5okAFbXWPD9PY

Amazon: Gold and Black Geometry Stripped Hexagon Wallpaper Gold Stripes Wallpaper Peel and Stick Black Paper Removable Self Adhesive Vinyl Film Decorative Shelf Drawer Liner Roll 78.7”x17.7” https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B087PST3YV/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_.bOvFbVA5GJGS

I use two of these in there:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0010L1C28/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

One for 1" ice cubes and one for pebble ice.

I recently read a book called 12 bottle bar where they claim you can make a great bar with only 12 bottles. Brandy/Cognac, Dry Gin, Genever, Amber Rum, White Rum, Rye Whiskey, Vodka, Orange Liqueur, Dry Vermouth, Sweet Vermouth, Aromatic bitters and Orange bitters. I can highly recommend that book (includes lots of recipes, great stories and anecdotes). They also have a nice website (which came before the book).

Not contributing a whole lot to the thread, but I just wanted to say that this is really nice.

I was searching for a cart and I ended up with this. It serves the purpose, but I need more bottle space, which you've accomplished by spacing that middle shelf enough for glassware.

EDIT: The one I ended up with is pretty great if you're okay with not storing glassware in it. The bottom shelf has enough space for a pretty solid bar, and then the top works pretty well for prep (the "sides" can be a touch annoying if your cutting fruit or something). Not under $100, but maybe it provides some more DIY inspiration.

As far as Gin goes, I've tried Beefeater, Bombay Sapphire Blue and the Red (I prefer the blue), Seagrams, and Gordons. I really enjoy the Beefeater and Bombay Blue, the Seagrams "gets the job done" - and I can't really beat the price. Any other brands you recommned?

For bar set, I am thinking of getting this: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00V5KROP8/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=EY4AP2AI8AM&coliid=IJVQDP7D8OFVB

As for glasses - what is really the point of serving different drinks/liquors in different glasses? I get for wine it helps areate but for what does it matter between a rock glass or a collins?

As for placement, I am thinking of stacking all my bottles on the bottom, glasswear on the middle and once I get mixers and my tool set to arrage that on the top shelf.

Hm I'm not sure tbh. each bottle is probably around 20 or 30 bucks. The ar set was 40 here's the one I got.

I tend to buy one bottle per paycheck and go to vintage and thrift stores for all the glassware.

Took me a while to find them but these are the ones...

RCR Crystal Melodia Collection High Ball Glass Set https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004BKI9F8/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_nZ-4ub047G066 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004BKI9F8/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_nZ-4ub047G066