Should I Put A Bar In My Basement?

The inclusion of a basement bar can liven the space, allowing household members and guests to chat and drink while hanging out. But should you put a bar in your basement? We consulted with experts in the property management sector to help you decide, and here's what they have to say.

Adding a bar in a basement can be an excellent entertainment space. Additionally, basements that maintain a comfortably cold atmosphere can help maintain the flavor and kick of different drinks. However, small basements might not be ideal for a bar because of the limited space.

If you can, a basement bar can provide numerous benefits. But it’s still important to think about this decision as it can affect the home’s value. Keep reading to learn more about the advantages and disadvantages of putting a bar in your basement.

Rustic interior of a basement with wooden cabinets, marble bar countertop, and hardwood ceiling, Should I Put A Bar In My Basement?

Basement 101: Putting A Bar Underground

Homeowners who like to entertain household members and guests may have considered adding a bar to their basements. Even a reasonably small bar can enrich the basement area, allowing folks who stay in the space to chat and drink.

A small bar located in the rustic inspired basement with dangling lamps, brick walls, and a refrigerator on the side

Although the thought of adding a bar is alluring, you should still consider certain factors that can affect the overall experience. Take note of the advantages and disadvantages of adding a basement bar to help with your decision to pursue this project.

The Advantages of A Basement Bar

Interior of a beige colored basement with carpeted flor

Different benefits are in store for you when you add a basement bar. Some of these advantages include the following:

Additional Entertainment Space

If you like to use your basement for entertainment, then adding a bar into the space makes for a great improvement. Whether it takes up a small area or an entire wall, a basement bar greatly increases your entertainment capabilities.

Keeps Drinks Cold

Your basement bar can have a mini-refrigerator to keep different drinks cold.

Although you can place your cocktails and other beverages in your main refrigerator in the kitchen, other foods in the appliance might mix with the ingredients for your cocktails, causing dissimilarities in consistency and taste. Therefore, it can be a wise decision to install a bar in your basement, particularly one with a mini-refrigerator.

Make sure to keep the basement’s temperature at a comfortable level to help reduce the risks of spoiling the ingredients for your drinks. If you want to learn more about the best temperature for your basement, check out our post: What Is The Ideal Temperature For A Basement?

Preserves The Kitchen’s Cleanliness

Visiting guests would like to hang around a certain area of your home. If you and your visitors stay in the kitchen while drinking, you’ll likely make more messes than usual.

A basement bar can be an ideal addition to your home if you take into account that scenario. You can keep your kitchen clean and orderly. Additionally, you can separate your alcoholic beverages from other drinks, which can be beneficial if you have children at home.

Ensures Glasses Are Washed Immediately

This benefit is specific to a wet basement bar. It’s because the general wet bar design will have a sink nearby, allowing hosts to wash the glasses of their guests within the immediate space. Therefore, you don’t have to carry trays with glasses to the kitchen, which can be quite dangerous if you don’t have the required dexterity.

The Disadvantages of A Basement Bar

A gorgeous basement with entertainment areas, beige walls, and wooden flooring

Although basement bars offer several benefits, they can still deliver some disadvantages to some homeowners. Some of the cons to expect from a basement bar are as follows:

Not Ideal For Tall People

Some basement bar designs don’t have countertops or chairs, which can be ideal for quick talks. However, the relatively low ceiling of many basements might not be ideal for tall people to stand in for extended periods.

In turn, the setup can lead to uncomfortable experiences. You can also read our post on How Tall Does A Basement Ceiling Need To Be? for more information about the ideal basement ceiling height.

Sacrifices Walking Space

A small basement might not be ideal for a dry or wet bar. Take note that a basement bar should enhance the space and not impede it. With that said, installing a bar in the basement might not be ideal if it disrupts the walking space in the area.

How Much Space Do You Need For A Basement Bar?

Like relatively any addition to your home that uses space, you need to consider the available space before installing a basement bar. Basement bars come in a broad range of shapes, sizes, and designs. But indiscriminately adding a bar to your basement without considering the available dimensions can lead to disastrous results.

With that in mind, here’s a list of some of the key components of basement bars and the average amount of space they take.

  • Countertop: 42 inches high and 24 inches deep.
  • Bar stools: One stool can stand up to 32 inches from the floor. Extra space might be necessary if you want to add several stools.
  • Foot rail: Generally located about 7 to 9 inches above the floor.

If you want to build a sit-down basement bar, you might need more space in the space than intended. However, you can still enjoy drinking cocktails and other beverages in the basement with a walk-up bar, which generally consumes less space than a sit-down model.

Check out the Leopard modern square adjustable bar stool on Amazon.

How Much Does It Cost To Put A Bar In Your Basement?

The average cost to build a conventional bar at home is about $8,000. Additionally, the costs can skyrocket to about $22,500 for custom basement bars. The addition of accessories, such as shelves, lighting, and larger countertops contribute to the bump in fees.

Furthermore, you also need to consider professional design fees, particularly if you’re looking for expert services to help create the look of your basement bar.

Is A Wet Bar Better Than A Dry Bar?

A wet bar can be better than a dry bar, but not in every aspect. Take note that a dry bar will generally include a countertop for the drink, along with storing supplies. You may also add some small appliances like a refrigerator to help chill beverages. Dry bars are also ideal for reasonably small spaces.

On the other hand, a wet bar will have roughly the same components as a dry bar but with the addition of a functional sink. It can be an ideal place to wash dishes without hauling those items back and forth to your kitchen. It also means that you need to allocate additional space for the plumbing, which might not be ideal for fairly small rooms.

Do Wet Bars Increase Home Value?

Yes, a wet bar increases a home’s value. A basement remodel that includes a wet bar and bathroom can increase the overall value of the property by around 70 percent. The wet bar can enhance the functionality of the living space, promoting homebuyers looking for a contemporary living style to pay a premium price for the property.

Final Words

The decision to put a bar in your basement can depend on certain factors. Think about the basement’s available space as you design the bar.

You may still add a walk-up bar to the area if you want a place to make and drink beverages in the basement without compromising a significant amount of walking space. But if your basement has fairly large dimensions, a wet sit-down bar can be a good option.

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