A wet bar is a specified area dedicated to the preparation and serving of drinks. A wet bar must contain a sink with running water, unlike a dry bar which is purely for storage and serving. The benefits of a wet bar are the easy cleanup, glass rinsing, and complex drinks preparation that are possible due to the built-in plumbing.
Wet bars are commonly found in homes, restaurants, hotels and entertainment areas. Wet bars are a fun and convenient space for hosting, and are usually much simpler to design and build than might be expected.
Wet bar vs dry bar
Wet bars and dry bars share lots of similarities, but that main running water difference leads to some other points of note:
| Feature | Wet bar | Dry bar |
|---|---|---|
| Sink | Yes, has plumbed in, running water | No sink |
| Maintenance | Easier to manage and clean spills efficiently | Requires trips to a kitchen for water and cleaning |
| Installation | Requires built in plumbing | Smaller, easier, and cheaper to install |
| Usability | Perfect for the frequent entertainment of groups of people | Good for small spaces and occasional use |
Pro tip: If plumbing is too expensive and complicated to install, consider using a hybrid solution with a dry bar in close proximity to a water source, or a portable sink system.
Selecting the best location
Where you place your wet bar makes a big difference for both its functionality and aesthetics. Understanding the purpose of the wet bar will also influence its location.
Here are a few possibilities:
- Kitchen extension: this is a great addition to current open planned kitchens, which fosters the creation of a great social hub for dinner parties
- Basement bar: a fantastic choice for a cosy entertainment space, especially late into the evening when windows isn’t an issue
- Living room corner: a good location for adding extra elements to small homes or apartments, and opening hosting possibilities
- Outdoor area: with the best weather resistant materials, this can create a resort-style feel for summer gatherings at your own home
- Coffee bar: additionally, a wet bar can be used for customized coffee setups, adding the resources of a cafe within your own space
Essential features of a wet bar
The best home wet bars have a balance of function, usability, and character.
Here is what you could include in yours:
- Sink: the main feature of a wet bar, ideally stainless steel or built into the bench top
- Storage: plenty of storage for essentials, for cups, bottles, cocktails, you name it
- Refrigerator: not necessarily large, a wine cooler or mini fridge works to keep drinks chilled
- Working space: plenty of space for the preparation of drinks
- Lights: enough lighting for preparation work, and ambient lighting (such as warm LED strip lights) to set the mood
More wet bar accessories to consider
If you are going to the effort of making a home wet bar, you may as well make it a fun space that covers all of your needs.
Here are a few great additions to spice up your space:
- Ice bucket
- Statement glassware
- Dimmable smart LED lighting
- Cocktail shaker set
- Bluetooth speaker (or built in speakers if you want to go all the way)
- Integrated beverage tap system (for beer or cold brew)
- Mirrored splashback (for a professional and light feel)
- Built-in dishwasher drawer (so glassware does not need to leave the wet bar)
Build considerations
Designing the aesthetics can be the fun part, but consideration also needs to be taken for services to make your home wet bar a practical space.
- Sort plumbing early: plan for the water supply and drainage before cabinetry is sourced
- Electrical layout: consider how many outlets you need for fridges, lighting, and any other electrical appliances
- Ventilation: if your space is small and enclosed, you may need to consider adding ventilation or dehumidifiers to prevent excessive moisture
- Safety: think about adding non slip flooring, sealing surfaces prone to liquid contact, and having cloths or towels close and accessible
- Design height: opt for a reasonably practical height for your workstation, allowing you to comfortably stand and work at the wet bar
Budget wet bar ideas
Not all wet bars need to be expensive, consider how you can create your dream space for less and from what you already have.
You could consider:
- Recycling and restoring old furniture (or something even bigger!) into your wet bar design
- Creating a dry bar in close proximity to a kitchen
- Using unused kitchen space and adding the features of a wet bar
- Add to your wet bar over time
How PolyBoard can help
PolyBoard is a cabinet design software which allows you to bring your ideas to life.
Unlike a traditional CAD package, it offers an intuitive parts based design process that is fast and very accurate, with instant access to all cabinet manufacturing details.
Check out this wet bar model, designed in PolyBoard with Hettich Sensys hinges, AvanTech YOU drawers and VB36 CAMs, 100% ready for manufacture:
PolyBoard is available for download and testing here
It comes complete with all design features and hardware options. If you’re considering using the software in your workshop, feel free to call or message us to arrange a demo with our technical team.
Alternatively, if you’d prefer to design your own wet bar, take a look at our CabinetFile cut list service. It allows you to use pro software without the need to purchase it, great as an affordable option for one-off or occasional projects.
