| It's great to plan those holiday parties, but | | | | out and buying a new piece of furniture. The |
| once the commitment is made, reality sinks in | | | | chances are you have something lying around |
| and the work begins. Not everyone is blessed | | | | the house that will be suitable. Small tables |
| with a finished basement, ready made for | | | | or serving carts work well. I've even seen |
| parties, and complete with an oak wet bar and | | | | someone use an old barrel. |
| dance floor. Not to worry, with a little work | | | | |
| and some creativity you can create your own | | | | Stock Your Bar |
| temporary bar. | | | | |
| | | | Ice storage should be one of your first |
| Portable bars are great. You can wheel them | | | | considerations. A small ice bucket, |
| out whenever you need them and they're | | | | constantly in need of refilling, will only |
| already pre-stocked with all the necessities. | | | | create unnecessary work. Try to get a larger |
| If you don't own one of these, a make shift | | | | container, such as a cleaned out planter, an |
| bar station can easily be set up and tailored | | | | urn or large bowl. I've even seen someone |
| to your needs. Here are some things to keep | | | | take a large cooler, place it beside the bar |
| in mind when setting up your beverage center. | | | | and have it over flowing with chilled |
| | | | beverages. |
| Location, Location, Location | | | | |
| | | | Display your bottles, glasses, openers, and |
| Location is probably your most important | | | | mix so that guests can easily help |
| decision when setting up you bar station. | | | | themselves. Be sure to include juice, pop, a |
| Guests automatically gravitate to the bar | | | | pitcher of water, sliced lime and/or lemons |
| during a party so decide what area of the | | | | and olives. |
| house you want people to gather. If you have | | | | |
| a small kitchen, this may not be the best | | | | Give Your Bar Some Pizzazz |
| location. Close proximity to a sink is a | | | | |
| perk, but not a necessity. Some people like | | | | Now is the time to pull out your showy pieces |
| to set up their bar so that it doubles as a | | | | and make your bar stand out. Grab those |
| blockade to prevent guests from wandering | | | | crystal bowls to hold your condiments and |
| into certain areas of the house. Try to find | | | | silver trays to show off glassware. If you |
| an area where you have room to store extra | | | | have a theme for your party, try and reflect |
| bottles and supplies in behind. A kitchen | | | | it in your bar decor. Have it resemble a |
| island or other designated space works well | | | | beach hut for that Hawaiian theme or display |
| as long as you can handle the traffic jams | | | | pine boughs for a holiday party. Set up a |
| while you're preparing food. I've also heard | | | | wine tasting area by pre-opening various |
| of people using bookshelves or outside patios | | | | bottles and setting them out. If the party is |
| (if the weather cooperates). Wherever you | | | | for a big game, set up your keg and stick up |
| decide, make sure there is space for people | | | | a few sports pictures or other memorabilia. |
| to stand around and mingle. | | | | |
| | | | Once the set up is complete, pour yourself a |
| Reuse and Recycle | | | | drink to celebrate and wait for the guests to |
| | | | start pouring in. |
| Setting up a portable bar does not mean going | | | | |