How To: Outdoor Home Bar
 
An Outdoor Home Bar sure can make you popular with the neighbors. But it can also be a headache if you don't plan correctly.
 
Issues to consider when planning an outdoor home bar:
 
What's on the menu? What you'll be serving will determine what you need in your outdoor bar. Will it just be a keg of beer? Or will you be mixing cocktails and serving appetizers? What's on the menu will determine how much space you need.
 
  • Space...storage space, bar top space...list everything you'll want to have in your outdoor bar and plan for it's space.
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  • Electricity is a must for appliances and refrigeration. Blenders, ice makers, and don't forget lights. It's hard to mix drinks in the dark.
 
Planning the perfect outdoor home bar is fun, but what if you're like most people and are just adding a prefabricated portable outdoor bar rather than building one from scratch?
 
Again, the first issue should be "what are you serving?". Limited space will limit the menu. And whether or not you have electricity will defiinitely determine what you can serve.
 
Regardless of what you are serving, there are a few bar staples that you should plan to have in your outdoor bar.
 
Cups - Plastic cups are fine for an outdoor bar. You definitely don't want broken glass where people are walking barefoot.
 
Napkins - Square cocktail napkins work great for both food or drink and can be used as coasters.
 
Straws - Straws are a must in any bar and can double as stir sticks.
 
Ice - Icemakers are great, but ice in a cooler is fine too. Make sure it's clean and always use a scoop.
 
Mixers - Juice and other softdrinks should be kept in a seperate cooler or ice chest. Canned sodas and juices are space-saving and are easy to keep cold.
 

Tools - Cork screws, bottle openers, don't forget the bartending tools.

 
Trash - Always have a trash can or bag nearby.
 
Once you have storage space set up for these necessities, you can then add your other drinks and snacks.
 

From the most elaborate built-in brick bar to the simplest portable outdoor bar, having your menu set and your space planned and set up will allow you to enjoy your outdoor home bar just as much as your friends and neighbors enjoy you having one.