Blog

Jul 26, 2023

The 8 Best Bars for Homes of 2023

Gear-obsessed editors choose every product we review. We may earn commission if

Gear-obsessed editors choose every product we review. We may earn commission if you buy from a link. Why Trust Us?

Serve drinks in style with a cozy bar for your home.

If you think buying a home bar automatically means parting with a small fortune, think again. There are plenty of high-end pieces that'll run you a few thousand dollars, and we've included the best ones below, but there are also options for budget-minded partiers priced well below $300.

Bars in homes create a gathering space for guests and a place to serve booze, and you can even set up an outdoors bar set for summer nights. While the high-end picks have premium perks, choosing a less expensive home bar doesn't necessarily mean sacrificing style or functional features.

You'll find our top picks for the best home bars we think are worth consideration below, along with some tips to keep in mind while shopping.

Looking for more pieces to entertain family and friends? Check out our stories on the outdoor sectionals, and sleeper sofas, and bistro sets.

First consider if you need storage for spirits, wine, or both. Most bars made for the home include several stemware racks and open shelving for spirits, and some feature utility drawers and cabinets. But only a handful of home bars we cover have wine racks, so make sure to look for it if you’re a wine aficionado. It's worth noting that wine racks are typically a feature on the budget end, and you shouldn't assume high-end home bars have them. A few nice-to-have features include lockable cabinets, bottle openers, and integrated power outlets. Beyond that, it's all about style.

While comparing bars for home use, we looked at attributes such as price, quality materials, aesthetics, and top features as mention above. Our selection includes several home bars in the $200 range, midrange options from $400 to $700, and a few high-end bars that cost upwards of $1500. We always review customer feedback to make sure to only recommend furniture that'll look good and last a while.

Here's a home bar with serious presence, bound to be the centerpiece of your living room.

The handsome, rustic piece features a rich mahogany stain and distressed finish, with fine details like English dovetailed drawers, a latched cabinet, and a bottle opener. Its crafted of poplar, a medium-density hardwood that shows natural grain and knots, with an iron foot rail, bronze hardware, and a Carrera marble work counter.

Other features include two utility drawers, a latched cabinet, and open shelving, along with four stemware racks.

Pottery Barn offers white-glove service for delivery and assembly. Though for a piece with this price tag, it's disappointing that there's only a 30-day return policy and no warranty.

This industrial-style home bar is an upgrade in terms of overall design, plus it comfortably seats four people on stools. There's no wine rack, which may be a dealbreaker for some, but there's plenty of shelf space for spirits on two tall shelves.

The bar and foot rail are powder-coated in matte black and the bar top is made of solid and manufactured wood, with a rich brown wood-grain finish.

Other highlights include four built-in stemware racks and additional storage space under the counter for lowball and martini glasses. Although you can see exposed hardware on the side panels, it isn't obvious or unappealing.

For a home bar with a light and airy modern look, this option from 17 Stories fits the bill. Done in all white, the bar features perforated metal front and side panels, along with a foot rail.

Storage includes two tall shelves for spirits and barware and five stemware racks. There's no wine rack and the particle board bar top is a drawback, but the bar does come with a one-year warranty, which is more generous that most of the competition in this price range.

If you're shopping for a home bar on a budget, look no further than this bar with a solid lineup of desirable features.

The style is decidedly industrial, with a metal powder-coated frame and manufactured wood shelves and countertops that have a rustic gray wood-grain finish. The foot rail is a nice extra detail that makes this feel more like a bar counter.

In back, there are two shelves for spirits and barware, seven stemware racks, and a wide wine bottle rack for at least a dozen vintages. The bar offers great value for the price, though the exposed hardware on the side panels gives it a low-budget look.

Extend the party out onto the patio with this home bar set—a fantastic value for the price. It includes a bar and two chairs, all with metal frames that have a soft bronze powder-coated finish and distressed solid acacia wood slats that add visual interest.

The bar has a generous overhang to tuck in the low-back bar stools. On the opposite side, two open shelves offer ample storage space, but the bar lacks basics like stemware racks that other options have.

There's a lot to like about this eye-catching traditional home bar. For starters, it's made of solid poplar and oak veneer, with handsome front paneling and a brushed-nickel foot rail. The two-tone dark espresso base and medium-brown counter is a nice detail that elevates the overall look.

In back, you'll find three shelves for barware and three stemware racks. There's also a utility drawer and cabinet for storing spirits, though no wine rack.

This home bar has top-notch features and gorgeous details that add polish to its rustic look.

It's crafted of solid elm and poplar with a beautiful natural grain, along with manufactured wood for durability. Another highlight is the brushed bronze, wrap-around foot rail, and we love the live natural edge along the bar counter, too.

Storage is generous and varied, and includes a six-bottle wine rack, four stemware racks, and adjustable shelves to accommodate 750-liter bottles of spirits. There's also a utility drawer and a locking cabinet, plus two power outlets and two USB outlets.

The bar comfortably seats up to five adults on stools, making it a great focal point for your entertainment space.

This affordable home bar is the perfect candidate for a den. Its curved design works well in corners, and highlights include a see-through metal mesh front panel to show off attractive bottles and a polished chrome foot rail.

There's no wine rack, which is probably not a big deal since no one will be drinking pinot noir, and the stemware racks are spaced out enough to hold beer sniffer glasses.

Rachel Klein is a Senior Commerce Editor for Popular Mechanics, where she writes about everything from garden hose reels and patio furniture to mesh wifi systems and robot vacuums. She started her career as a daily newspaper reporter and was a travel editor for more than a decade before she started testing and reviewing luggage, noise-cancelling headphones, and other travel-related products. Fast-forward another five years and her area of expertise includes home decor, appliances, tech, and outdoor adventure gear. In her spare time, you'll find her planning her next trip, reading historical fiction, and seeing as much art as she can squeeze into a weekend.

The Ninja Air Fryer This Restaurant Chef Suggests

Shop the Best Memorial Day Refrigerator Sales

Get a Grill for Less With These Memorial Day Deals

This Editor-Loved GE Nugget Ice Maker Is 26% Off

The Best Electric Burners for Small Kitchens

The Best Grills of 2023, Tested and Approved

All the Oxo Kitchen Items Our Staff Loves

The Best Outdoor Gas Grills to Rule Any Cookout

The Best Cast-Iron Skillets for Any Recipe

The Best Backpack Coolers for Drinks and Food

Best Charcoal Smokers for Barbecue Season

Get a Samsung Smart Fridge for 26% Off at Wayfair