Basement bar ideas?

So I’m interested in a house but working through some kinks. One being the size of the basement and how to maximize space. There’s 3 rooms plus a common area. All are somewhat small. The main area I’d like to put in some kind of bar but I just can’t seem to come up with any ideas on how to make it fit/where to put it. There’s a bunch of obstacles like a door, fuse box, lack of outlets on some walls etc.

Anyone have an genius ideas to maximize space while still making a pretty sweet basement bar? Pics on imgur below. Thanks!

https://imgur.com/a/Dh2t3M6

in mancaveby Pradooo

86%

4.0y

PaulBlartFleshMall

4.0y

Check out /r/barbattlestations

Also good to really sit down and honestly consider what type of setup you would regularly use. 9/10 people I know who have an actual bar in their house somewhere literally never use it. Not when people come over, and not for parties. It's just a huge decoration.

ascherbozley

4.0y

This right here. A bar sounds nice in theory, but if you have people over to watch a game or something, everybody will want to look at the TV. Unless the TV is behind the bar, the bar is essentially in the way.

Also, do you plan to stand behind the bar and tend for your guests? I go to a friend's place with a killer bar and he does exactly that - and it's really fun. But I don't want to do that and probably most people don't want to either.

So, get a fridge, put it in a corner, fill it with beer, profit.

imthelyricalgangster

4.0y

Or put in a walk up bar with nice sink, fridge and tap.

Psych0matt

4.0y

This actually helps gives some context to mine, I’m doing some different basement projects and have a bar area, and as you said it won’t get used nearly as much as anyone might think, so I’m working on a way to finish it where it’s more of a concession stand, since it’s right near my home theater (which does get used quite often)

IndyBlitz

4.0y

I guess I’m the 1 out of 10 who uses the bar frequently. The bar is the central point in our basement where everything centers around. Even when just a few people come over it’s where we go. I have a dedicated office but during these days of WFH will even go down there and setup from time to time. I think the point that should be made is with proper planning and having the proper space the bar can be the central part of any design. Here’s a picture from my basement https://imgur.com/ZeWft4d

If you don’t have enough space (ie space between bars, stool space, etc), perhaps I could suggest just a back at against a wall.

PaulBlartFleshMall

4.0y

It probably helps that that's one of the best setups I've seen, lol. Most are one-strip cramped corners but it looks like you put some real thought into it.

IndyBlitz

4.0y

First off l, thanks for your kind comments. Indeed I did put a lot of planning into the layout when I built it. I wanted to insure I had adequate and proper space (for example min 3 foot between back and front bar). So we would certainly agree planning is the key. As you alluded, tucking a bar away in a corner just for the sake of having a bar is not ideal. Perhaps some folks would be better served with just a back bar to serve as an area for fridge, snacks. Etc. I frequently visited a website called “basement finishing university” that had some free videos that helped me in planning..

Blues2112

4.0y

If space is truly an issue, think about a walk-up serve-yourself bar against the wall, rather than a bartender walk-behind type of bar.

Something like this .

StrippedPoker

4.0y

A bar where the fuse box is easy. I assume custom build.

Build a frame around the fuse box and create a mirrored door to cover it. (Bar mirror?) [Think portrait with hidden wall safe to get idea] You could look in your local hardware and see if they have a medicine cabinet with a mirrored or faux wooden door that would match the build to get the idea. (You might use one if you can remove the back.) I once purchase one that was all mirrors and double doors of different sizes that you could choose the side that you wanted the large door.

Depending on what you wanted:

Build bar counter below and around it: No more fuse box and you get to use the plugs below for things like blenders and coffee makers.

Build workstation around it: Games monitor etc.

Build entertainment system: TV, sound system, etc.

If you start with that, build your man cave around that. The wall becomes a centerpiece and not an eyesore.

blueice5249

4.0y

I'm a fan of the wetbars personally. You still get the "bar" feel, but without the waste of space. Most of the people I know that had the typical bars, eventually ended up taking them out after realizing they're probably never going to have a bartender behind said bar. Put in a wetbar with a mini fridge, you can even add a kegerator with a tap handle or two if you want. If there's a drain and waterlines nearby it wouldn't be hard to put in a sink either.

j3matthews

4.0y

Blow a wall open make a long bar and use the ends to fill with sitting/TV area

Richierpw

4.0y

A good electrician should be able to sort the outlet issues for you?

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