Everyone wants a cool place in their home to hang out, have friends over and relax. There are basement bar designs to suit every taste and style. A bar for entertaining is a great way to bring everyone together in one place. If you are trying to create this space for yourself, here are some basement bar ideas for you to consider.

First, you need to get a feel for the atmosphere you are trying to create. You should look at the other elements in your room such as furnishings and accessories to get basement ideas. When you are considering basement bar ideas you will want to choose options that will make the space flow together. Strategic placement of your bar to incorporate it into the room is important as well.

When you evaluate a bar idea for its suitability to meet your needs; keep these things in mind:

• Seating: How many people would you like to seat at the bar?
• Appliances: What appliances will you have in your bar? You may want such items as a refrigerator, blender, microwave, and toaster oven.
• Television: Do you want to be able to view the television from your bar?
• Stereo System: Do you want to have music at the bar?

As you look at bar ideas for your basement, check each one for compatibility with the above features that are important to you.

Different Basement Bar Ideas

The Pub

If you are looking for that “Cheers” feeling to your bar, you will probably want to look at customized bar basement designs. Look for rich woods that have smooth surfaces and curves. An overhead rack for glassware above your bar can help achieve this look. A display shelf with a mirror behind it for decorative and liquor bottles will give an authentic feel to your bar. Add some neon or antique signs and you are ready to entertain.

The Poker Bar

Many guys, especially those who love playing cards, have dreams of the perfect bar where they can invite their buddies on a Friday night for a game. However, not much thought is put into it and it usually ends up in a poorly lit basement with a green felt poker table, a few chairs, and a dresser where they put the drinks and the snacks. If you have visions of playing blackjack or poker at your bar; then the seating arrangement will be very important to you. Consider a circular bar with plenty of seating around it. You are sure to want a kitchenette complete with a refrigerator to make sure you don’t miss a minute of the game. Besides what can be better than a game of cards with your closets friends. Building a basement poker bar is not difficult if you really want to do it. Read on and transform your basement into a popular social place with instructions for building a bar and selecting bar stools and bar accessories. In a finished basement, a bar can be the element that turns the room into a hang-out place where the children can also come to play.

The following steps will help you turn unused space into a poker bar.

• As you already know what kind of bar you want, you know that you will need a sink and a faucet to wash the glasses and store it. Will it have cabinets to store things like glasses and a blender? Will it be strictly for poker or also for something else? How many electrical outlets will you need?
• If you want a wet bar in the basement, you have to know where the pipes are in the basement. It may be that you don’t use water in the bar.
• Visualize what your bar will look like and then make a drawing. A standard bar will be tall enough for people to sit at on bar stools, with a lower counter on the opposite side for beverage preparation. Remember, if it is a poker playing venue, you will need space for those who are waiting their turn to play.
• Speak to a knowledgeable person at the lumber place as you will need plywood, wood glue, and nails. This will be a very basic bar, but sprucing it up with paint or varnish, which is inexpensive, will give it a brighter look.
• Build the bar after you have made a design on paper. It should have a raised area where people can sit, and a lower cabinet for drink preparation. If you need help building the bar, get a cabinet maker to help you with it.
• Add cabinet doors and storage space under the lower cabinet top. This cabinet will give you storage room to store different bar materials and also complete the bar.
• Buy a great round poker playing table with the green felt covering, and comfortable chairs.
• In the basement toilet have a poster with a funny saying behind the door. Have the guest towels inscribed with designs of poker chips.
• The last part is the best. This is where you can go to a card shop and get all kinds of poker paraphernalia such as trick cards, stickers and funny t-shirts and slogans and banners to dress up the area. Get the glasses imprinted with playing cards and funny poker playing slogans.
• Have a clock on the wall so you don’t play throughout the night.

The Sports Bar

Did you know that according to Consumer Reports Magazines Americans spend $25 million a year to spruce up their homes? One of the best ways to add recreation ambience and a personal touch is to add a basement sports bar to your home. It’s a fantastic way to entertain friends, and for the big games a giant plasma screen where your buddies can come and watch the game can be most enjoyable. This bar is for the sports enthusiast. You may want your seating in a straight row, or L-shape; so that everyone can view the big game. Consider placing a nice flat panel television behind your bar for game viewing. Keep snacks and beverages within easy reach at this bar. If your basement is the hub of recreation for family and friends, it is even more so. A sports bar can imitate the real thing, where people come to hang out and talk to friends. The host or hostess is the center of attention. You can have board games for those who want to play Scrabble, and a poker table where your poker buddies can come and play cards. As the family expands, a basement sports bar can also double as a party center for children. The refrigerator in the bar can be used to refrigerate drinks. There could be a pool table where everyone can come and play pool. A dart board is another game your children can play. Depending on the design and state of your home, a basement bar can be a major selling point for prospective buyers.

Tips on how to put together a sports bar:

• The first thing you have to decide is whether or not you want a wet bar in the basement; a bar with a sink and plumbing. This will allow you the opportunity to dispose of drinks and ice and assist with the washing of glasses. Additionally, a bar with plumbing can also be attached to an ice machine or dishwasher for added convenience.
• Decide whether you want a basement back bar or a classic basement bar. Basement back bars offer the advantage of using minimal floor space in the area. A classic basement bar design adds a convenient and comfortable social center in the bar where the host can chat with friends. A popular option is to choose a combination classic and back basement bar design. This design allows for increased storage and more options for accessories such as a kitchenette, blender, or a mirror.
• If you’re planning to install shelving or mounting a plasma TV, Total Basement Finishing’s EverLast Basement Wall Panels are a good choice as each square foot of paneling can hold up to 300 pounds of weight without the need to locate a stud.
• Consider the shape and location of the bar as basement bars often look their best when located in the corner of a room. If your house is on a hill or by the lake you can position the bar so that your guests can and enjoy the view.
• Plan for at least 50% more space than you think. As you use your basement bar more often and your activities diversify, you’ll find yourself accumulating a wider collection of things for your basement sports bar.
• You could have a corner for one or two pieces of gym equipment and an exercise ball. Make the most of your new basement sports bar.

Wine bar

For the all the wine connoisseurs out there.  These bars resemble a more upper class and niche setting. Often dark woods mixed with deep colors are used to resemble an expensive and classy life style. Solid wood is preferred and ample storage space and wine racks for the wine collections.

Cocktail Lounge

For the trendy and modern, a cocktail lounge serves as the perfect entertainment spot and serves all kind of exotic drinks. This type of bar usually have modern design lines with added metal surfaces and bright colors to brighten up the bar including neon lights.  Just like the drinks it serves the cocktail lounge is exciting and vibrant. Televisions playing the latest music videos help to set the exciting and trendy mood in this type of bar.

These are just a few of the cool bar designs for basement. Designing basement bar ideas for yourself can be a great deal of fun. The only limitation you have is your budget (and possibly your imagination). With a bar you have the opportunity to create a space that is uniquely yours. The man of the house rarely jumps up when asked to help decorate any other room; but ask for his help with basement bar ideas and see how quickly he rushes to give assistance! Getting a bar up and running shouldn’t be too hard, especially if you hire a professional to setup the bar for you. just be sure that you chose right option out of the many basement bar ideas available.