What Features Define a True Wet Bar?
The dictionary says that it’s “a bar with running water for serving alcoholic drinks at home“. That’s the simplified definition. There’s much more… So what are the specific features that define a true home wet bar?
A Wet Bar Is More Than Just Running Water and Drinks:
First, a wet bar should include a sink with running water and a drain. The drink prep area should be designed to both prepare cocktails and contain spills. The bar top design should also prevent overspill onto the floor in the horrific event that someone tips over a full glass of precious beer, wine, or liquor. This article will provide our take on proper home wet bar set up and give you plenty of links to related products that will accent and complete your project.
Our site also offers complete wet bar construction plans.
Wet Bar Features:
- Basic plumbing, faucets, and sinks
- Proper drainage of the bar top and entire bar area
- Electrical Safety using Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters
- Drip Mats and Liquid Catches
- Floor Anti-Slip / Anti Fatigue Mats
- Beverage Dispensing Systems
- Beverage steps and speed rail racks
- Refrigeration Systems
- Let’s not forget the essential bar rag
Features Unique to a True Wet Bar
The dictionary says that it’s “a bar with running water for serving alcoholic drinks at home“. That’s the simplified definition. There’s much more… So what are the specific features that define a true home wet bar?
Proper Surface Drainage
What doesn’t make its way directly to a sink drain must be considered. In large part, spigot drains and spill catches define a true wet bar, one definitely located under your beer tapper, preferably made of stainless steel or brass. A beer gutter is also a key bar top design feature that allows you to mix drinks or dispense tap beer in a wet area with proper drainage. Beer gutters are absent on most other plans, but not ours. You can opt to skip these features without losing the wet bar function. Take a look at the following wet bar examples and notice the subtle liquid catchment edges and gutters.
Bar Faucets and Sinks
Basic plumbing is a wet bar essential. Of course, basic plumbing consists of a hot and cold water source and a drain. The difference for home bar use is that wet bar faucet and sink sizes are typically scaled down to roughly half the size of a conventional kitchen sink, although the use of large sinks and faucets are not excluded if available space allows. The most popular wet bar sink and faucet option is an all-in-one drop-in bar unit.
KINDRED Stainless Steel, Essentials Kit 15 x 6-inch Deep Drop-In Bar or Utility Sink in Satin, FBFS602NKIT, One Size
$150.91MR Direct 1512-18 Stainless Steel Undermount 15 in. Single Bowl Bar Sink, 18 Gauge
Dekor Sinks 27199Q Duxbury Composite Granite Prep Sink with One Hole, 16", Black
Houzer CS-1105-1 Club Series Undermount Bar Prep Sink, Basket Strainer Included, 9.25" x 18" x 5.5"D, Stainless Steel
15 Bar Sink Undermount - Lordear 15x17 Inch Stainless Steel Undermount Sink Bar Prep Sink 16 Gauge R10 Tight Radius Deep Single Bowl Sinks
$149.99HOUZER CS-1307-1 Bar Sink, Stainless Steel
Kohler STERLING B153-1 Secondary Sink 15-Inch by 15-Inch Top-mount Single Bowl Bar Sink, 1.44, Stainless Steel
Moen 2200 Series 22 Gauge Single Bowl Drop In Sink, 15 x 15, Stainless Steel (G2245622)
Houzer E-100 MIDNITE Quartztone Granite Series Bar Sink - Black Dual Mount 13 x 13 inch Single Bowl Sink, Durable Construction, Perfect for Kitchen or Food Prep
$194.31Basic Wet Bar
Outdoor Wet Bar
Classic Home Wet Bar
Safety first! Install A Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter
Water and electricity are a deadly mix. In any wet bar area, proper electrical protection should be provided using GFCI (ground fault circuit interrupter) protected electrical power outlets. This safety breaker device protects against dangerous electrical faults that could occur in drink mixers and other electrical devices. GFCI protection is recommended for outlets near any sources of moisture. Don’t forget, they now make power receptacles with USB charging plugs!
TOPELE 15 Amp GFCI Outlet 125 Volt Tamper-Resistant and Weather-Resistant, Receptacle, Indicator with LED Light, Nylon Wallplate and Screws Included,TR WR White, UL Listed
$11.99Leviton GFCI Outlet, 15 Amp, Self Test, Non Tamper-Resistant with LED Indicator Light, Protection from Electric Shock and Electrocution, GFNT1-W, White
Outlet with USB High Speed Charger Totally 3.4A Charging Capability,Duplex Receptacle 15 Amp, Tamper Resistant Wall Socket USB Outlet,Child Proof Safety,2 Wall Plate Included,Gray and White (2Pack)
Leviton T5632-W Type-A USB In-Wall Charger with 15A Tamper-Resistant Outlet, USB Charger for Smartphones, White
Leviton T5632-HGW 15-Amp Hospital Grade USB Charger/Tamper-Resistant Duplex Receptacle, White
TOPGREENER USB Outlet with USB Type C/A Charging Ports 5V/4.8A, 15A Tamper Resistant Receptacle, Compatible with iPhone 11/11 Pro/XS/MAX/XR, Samsung Galaxy S9/S8/S7 & More, UL Listed, TU21548AC, White
TOPGREENER High Speed USB Charger Outlet, USB Wall Charger, Electrical Outlet with USB, 15A TR Receptacle, Decorator Wall Plate, UL Listed, TU2154A, White
$18.99Drip Mats and Catches
Counter tops should have glassware mats for proper drying and sinks should include drain filters to prevent stir sticks from clogging the trap. Mold and mildew are always a threat, remember to stock up on kitchen cleaning products designed to kill germs. Lysol or a simple bleach solution will prevent bar moisture from turning into bar mold.
Bang Tidy Clothing Bar Runner Welcome to Your Name's Bar Drip Spill Mat Personalized Bar Gifts
$17.97Stella Artois Beer Professional Bar Mat Spill Mat Rail Drip Mat
$24.99Maker's Mark Bar Rail Drip Mat
$26.99PROPER POUR Surface Mount Stainless Steel Beer Drip Tray with Tower Cutout and Non Slip Rubber Pad for Perfect Use with Kegerators, No Drain
$40.00Winco 27-Inch x 3.25-Inch Bar Mat, Black,Medium
Bud Light Beer Professional Bar Mat Spill Mat Rail Drip Mat
TITO'S BAR MAT
Avoid Trench Foot:
The floor area behind the bar should be sloped toward the nearest drain with anti-fatigue floor matting installed to reduce foot fatigue and prevent the bartender from getting trench foot standing in beer swill all night. They also prevent slips and falls.
A good carpet runner is suitable for most home bars, but if you lean towards wilder parties, rubber floor mats will last longer and are easier to clean. Rubber mats also provide additional electrical safety.
Genuine Joe 53231 Anti-Fatigue Mat, Vinyl Foam, Beveled Edge, 2-Ft x3-Ft , Black
Envelor Anti Fatigue Rubber Floor Mat Non-Slip Restaurant Mat for Floors Bar Drainage Mat Doormat Utility Garage Home Slip Pool Entry 36 x 60 Inches
FCH Rubber Floor Mat, 36x60 inch Anti-Fatigue Drainage Mat, for Wet Areas, Non-slip Bar Kitchen Industrial Rubber Cushion, Bathtub Bathroom Bath Mat (Black)
$24.99 (as of March 18, 2024 03:56 GMT -05:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)SafetyCare Interlocking Rubber Drainage Floor Mat - Anti-Fatigue - 24 x 16 inches - 2 Mats
$29.97Rubber Floor Mats Door Mats Restaurant Kitchen Anti Fatigue Drainage Floor Mat Durable Non Slip Bar Floor Mats Used for Indoor Outdoor Wet Area Black 36" x 60"
$44.99Lykos Heavy Duty Large Non-Slip Mat Bar Kitchen Industrial Multi-Functional Anti-Fatigue Drainage Rubber Non-Slip Hexagonal Floor Mat Black (60x35)
$45.99Envelor Hollow Rubber Floor Mat Non-Slip Drainage Mat Utility Garage Floor Mat Doormat Outdoor Indoor Rubber Flooring Mat Restaurant Kitchen Floor Mat Bar Rubber Mats for Outside 32 x 47 Inches
$59.99New Star Foodservice 533517 Commercial Grade Grease Resistant Anti-Fatigue Rubber Floor Mat, 36" x 60", Black
$59.97Rubber-Cal 03_116_WBK 7/8-inch Dura Chef Rubber Comfort Kitchen Rubber Mats, 7/8" x 38.5" x 58.5", Black
Beverage Dispensing Systems
Accurate beverage dispensing is not only neat and efficient, it’s downright fun! If bottles and cans are your thing, that’s fine, but nothing gets the real home bar atmosphere cookin like a draft beer tap tower. You’ll definitely impress your friends and family. If you want to take it to the whole next level, install a high-tech SideBar Beverage Dispensing System. This electronic system can dispense both hard and soft drinks with the magical push of a button.
Krome Stainless Steel 3 Faucet Draft Beer Kegerator Tower, 3" Dia Column Beer Dispenser Tower, 100% Stainless Steel Beer Tower Dispenser for Homebrewing and Beer Kegging - C1032
Krome Dispense Glass Rinser Drip Tray
Beer Faucet and 4in Shank – 2-Pack – Standard and Universal Tap Faucet and Shank Kit for All Beer Lovers
(as of March 18, 2024 03:56 GMT -05:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)Taprite Keg Pump, D System, Black
Heavy Duty Complete D-System Beer Party-CPE86 , 1-Pack, Chrome
Kegco KC D4743DT-SS Draft Beer Kegerator Tower, 3 inches, Stainless Steel
EdgeStar KC2000SSTWIN Full Size Stainless Steel Dual Tap Kegerator & Draft Beer Dispenser - Stainless Steel
$799.00Refrigeration Systems
With few exceptions, cold liquid beverages are better than warm. You can use whatever you have, be it a Styrofoam cooler or an old used fridge leftover from a kitchen upgrade. My favorite was an old 1940’s icebox that still worked great and used sulfur dioxide as the coolant. That classic look was awesome, but modern fridge units will give you a cleaner look. Here are a few home wet bar fridge suggestions…
3-door Glass Front Back Bar Beverage Cooler; 54" Wide, Counter Height Refrigerator (Black)
Danby 120 Can Beverage Center, Stainless Steel DBC120BLS
New Xiltek 65″ Horizontal Commercial Bottle Cooler Refrigerator
$2,149.00 (as of March 18, 2024 03:23 GMT -05:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)Ivation 18 Bottle Thermoelectric Red And White Wine Cooler/Chiller Counter Top Wine Cellar with Digital Temperature Display, Freestanding Refrigerator Smoked Glass Door Quiet Operation Fridge
NewAir Beverage Refrigerator Cooler | 126 Cans Free Standing with Right Hinge Glass Door | Mini Fridge Beverage Organizer Perfect For Beer, Wine, Soda, And Cooler Drinks
$288.79Whynter BR-130SBS 120 Can Capacity 3.1 cu. ft. Beverage Refrigerator and cooler, Mini Fridge with Glass Door Stainless Steel
$300.68Danby Designer 3.2 Cubic Feet Compact Refrigerator (DCR032C1BSLDD), Silver
RCA 3.2 cu. ft Fridge, Black Erase Board Refrigerator with Neon Markers
$227.62What are Dry Bars?
Our definition of a dry bar is basically a standard beer & soda serving bar. Any of our wet bar designs could be used as a juice bar too. We have several models to serve as dry bars, they include:
EHBP-01 Straight Standard Bar
EHBP-02 L-shaped Standard Bar
EHBP-05 Portable Tailgate Bar
Keep in mind, these so-called “dry” models can also serve as wet bars and include beer/cocktail prep gutters to contain spills.
Of course, you can also look at a bar establishment itself as “wet” or “dry” depending upon whether or not they sell or dispense adult beverages.
Oh, and one small inaccuracy in the dictionary definition of the wet bar, it does not require alcoholic drinks. In fact, we know of many folks who run a home bar but mix only non-alcoholic drinks. In that case, you might call it a wet bar that’s gone dry. Wet or dry it’s all the same to me, and after twenty years in this business, I myself have become somewhat of a teetotaler.
Faux Wet Bars:
Free plans and articles are fine, but a proven plan can make short order of your project. We’ve reviewed other bar-related sites and found most lack true wet bar details and adequate spill containment and never any mention of electrical safety.
So stop guessing and do it right the first time, get started building your bar today!
Just for scrolling way down here, you can get our free bar plans sample.
Bar Stools for Your Home Wet Bar
There are literally thousand of options, but here are a few of our favorite home wet bar stool models:
I’ve seen some so called “wet bar” designs offered online, but they are hardly to be considered a wet bar. home wet bar is probably the funiest example, just a box and a top.