Wet Bar, Dry Bar and Coffee Bar Cabinets: A Planning Guide

A home bar can be a full wet bar in the basement, a dry bar in the dining room or a compact coffee station off the kitchen. The cabinets are the same family of pieces in each case; what changes is the plumbing, the appliances and how much space you give it. This guide walks through the choices.

Wet bar, dry bar or coffee bar?

• Wet bar: has a sink with running water. The most useful for entertaining, rinsing glasses and making drinks, but it needs a water supply and a drain.
• Dry bar: no sink. Simpler and cheaper to install, it fits almost anywhere there is a wall and an outlet.
• Coffee bar: a small station for the coffee maker, mugs and supplies, often with a small sink or a plumbed coffee machine if water is close by.

Where to put it

• Basement or family room: the classic spot for a wet bar, near seating and a TV.
• Dining room or butler's pantry: a dry bar or buffet-style bar for serving during dinners.
• Kitchen edge: a coffee or beverage station that keeps people out of the cook's way.
• Under the stairs or in a nook: a compact dry bar or coffee bar.

Plumbing is the deciding factor for a wet bar. A spot near existing water and drain lines keeps cost down. In a basement, check whether the drain can flow by gravity or whether a pump is needed.

Power and appliances

Plan outlets and dedicated circuits early. Common bar appliances:

• Beverage or wine fridge: usually 15 or 24 inches wide and built to fit under a standard counter. Make sure it is rated for built-in (front-venting) use if it goes under the counter.
• Ice maker: typically 15 inches wide; many need a water line and a drain.
• Under-counter dishwasher or dishwasher drawer, if you entertain often.
• Coffee maker, espresso machine or kettle: outlets at counter height, and sometimes a water line for a plumbed machine.
• Lighting: under-cabinet lights over the counter and lighting inside glass-front cabinets.

Cabinet and counter sizes

A home bar usually uses standard kitchen cabinet sizes.

• Base cabinets: about 34½ inches tall plus the counter, for a 36-inch counter height. Standard depth is about 24 inches; a shallower 12- to 18-inch depth works for a slim dry bar or coffee bar.
• Bar-height counter: about 42 inches if guests will stand or sit on bar stools at the bar.
• Upper cabinets or open shelves: start about 18 inches above the counter, leaving room for bottles and appliances.
• Length: a compact coffee or dry bar can work in 4 to 5 feet; a wet bar with a sink, fridge and storage is usually 6 to 10 feet or more.

Storage worth planning

• Glass-front uppers or open shelves to show off glassware, with lighting inside.
• Stemware racks under an upper cabinet.
• Wine storage: diagonal or cubby racks for bottles, or a wine fridge for temperature control.
• Drawers for bar tools, napkins, coffee pods and supplies.
• A deep drawer or cabinet for bottles that should be kept out of children's reach (a lock is easy to add).
• A pull-out trash and recycling bin, especially at a wet bar.

Bar-top and counter materials

The bar top takes spills from wine, citrus, coffee and soda, so choose with that in mind.

• Quartz: non-porous and easy to clean; a practical favorite for bars.
• Granite and quartzite: durable natural stone; seal as recommended for the stone.
• Marble: beautiful, but acids like wine and citrus can etch it, so it suits people who don't mind a patina.
• Wood: warm and traditional, especially for a bar-height ledge; it needs a durable finish and regular care near water.

Sink choice for a wet bar

• Bar or prep sinks are smaller, often 12 to 18 inches wide, which leaves more counter space.
• An undermount sink in a stone counter makes wiping spills into the sink easy.
• A high-arc or pull-down faucet makes it easy to fill pitchers and ice buckets.

Quick planning checklist

1. Choose wet bar, dry bar or coffee bar.
2. Pick the location, and check water, drain and power if you want a sink.
3. List appliances and their sizes (fridge, ice maker, dishwasher, coffee machine).
4. Decide counter height and depth, and the overall length.
5. Plan storage for glasses, bottles, tools and supplies.
6. Choose the bar top and sink.

Bring your measurements and appliance list to one of our showrooms. We can plan the bar with you, and our own shop builds the cabinets while our fabrication shop cuts the bar top.