27 Basement Bar Ideas That Make Staying In More Fun

By
Kristin Hohenadel
Kristin Hohenadel
Kristin Hohenadel
Kristin Hohenadel has written on design for publications including the New York Times, Interior Design, Slate, Fast Company, and the international editions of Elle Decor.
Learn more about The Spruce's Editorial Process
Updated on 12/27/22
basement bar ideas

Louis Duncan-He Designs / Eymeric Wilding Photography

If you've got the space, there's nothing more relaxing than going downstairs at the end of a long day to have a drink in your very own basement bar. A stylish basement bar will make your home more entertaining when you're staying in hanging out with the family or hosting friends. Whether you're looking to recreate a moody lounge vibe, a game room with benefits, a sophisticated home wine cellar, or searching for some simple DIYs for adding a mini bar or building out a basement kitchenette, here are some basement bar ideas that will ensure your underground watering hole is as stylish as the rest of your house.

  • 01 of 27

    Define with a Dropped Ceiling

    basement bar ideas

    Louis Duncan-He Designs / Eymeric Wilding Photography

    Louis Duncan-He Designs created a tropical basement bar with a dropped ceiling to define the bar area of this sprawling entertainment space. Vibrant patterned wallpaper, pink velvet bar stools, a round table with beetle-style green velvet upholstered chairs anchored by a fun pendant light, and two separate lounge areas complement the spacious and well lit space.

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  • 02 of 27

    Use Kitchen Cabinets

    Basement bar ideas

    Design by deVOL Kitchens 

    To create a basement bar that is cohesive with the rest of the house, try using the same style of cabinetry that you have in your kitchen. This U.K. cellar dry bar is made up of elements from the Real Shaker Kitchen by deVOL Kitchens, a simple way to create a polished bar space with plenty of closed and open storage for bottles and glassware. Homey touches like a tall plant, an antique candelabra, and a vintage French tobacco shop sign make it feel inviting.

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  • 03 of 27

    Make It Moody

    Basement bar ideas

    Christina Kim Interior Design

     

     

    "We had a blast designing this small but mighty basement bar," says Christina Kim of Christina Kim Interior Design. "Most basements don't get a ton of natural light so we fully committed to black-on-black finishes for drama and to keep things sophisticated." The designer used Benjamin Moore Wrought Iron paint for the cabinetry and Compac Unique Marquina for countertops and the wall behind the bar, with matte black Brizo plumbing fixtures and a black granite sink. "The shelves were styled with bits of glass and bright brass to reflect light," Kim says. "We used glam lighting and added black grasscloth with gold rivets on the adjacent wall to tie it all together."

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  • 04 of 27

    Add Built-Ins

    basement bar ideas

    Britt Design Studio

    Britt Design Studio created a small wet bar surrounded by built-ins and a row of glass-front cabinetry for display. Tones of gray, silver, and dusky blue create a serene, grown-up feel.

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  • 05 of 27

    Keep It Neutral

    basement bar ideas

    Design by Chango & Co. / Photo by Nicole Franzen & Chris Coe

    This stylish neutral-toned basement bar from Chango & Co. has plenty of closed storage, a textured tile backsplash, and a sleek pool table floating in the center of the room, anchored by an airy pendant light.

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  • 06 of 27

    Install Banquette Seating

    Basement bar ideas

    Design by Studio DB / Photo by Mike Garten  

    NYC-based Studio DB designed the architecture and millwork and NYC-based Studio Riga designed the furnishings for this Tribeca home of a growing family. A built-in bar niche with a tile backsplash, open shelving, and glass-front wine and beverage storage keep everything within reach. A cozy corner banquette upholstered in butterscotch-colored leather, a tree trunk round table, classic Eiffel chairs, groovy patterned wallpaper, and glittering Sputnik chandelier hung from a slightly dropped ceiling creates a stylish grown-up space that is suitable for the whole family.

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  • 07 of 27

    Go All Out

    Basement bar ideas

    Rae Duncan Interior Design

     

     

    For the design of what she calls the "ultimate man cave," Chicago-based designer Rae Duncan of Rae Duncan Interior Design created a polished, fully stocked bar space that rivals any public drinking establishment. Hanging pendant globe lights with brass details anchor the seating area outfitted with comfy bar stools and glossy blue paint creates a soothing, luminous atmosphere.

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  • 08 of 27

    Add a Mirrored Backsplash

    basement bar ideas

    Design by Chango & Co. / Photo by Jacob Snavely

    Chango & Co. added a mirrored backsplash to this bright Amagansett beach house basement bar that reflects light and makes the space feel bigger. A glass and metal pendant light over the pool table provides plenty of illumination for nighttime games while practically disappearing when not turned on.

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  • 09 of 27

    Add Vintage Vibes

    basement bar ideas

    Design by Leanne Ford Interiors / Photo by Reid Rolls

    Leanne Ford Interiors painted the ceiling, doors, and arched built-in nook matte black and stocked it with choice bottles and a vinyl collection to create a mini bar with retro vibes. Vintage rose wallpaper, a classic film poster, and a tall French bistro table with a pair of bar stools completes the cozy cafe feel.

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  • 10 of 27

    Add a Live Edge

    basement bar ideas

    Louis Duncan-He Designs / Eymeric Wilding Photography

    Louis Duncan-He Designs used a live edge varnished wooden bar counter that adds warmth to this dark blue basement bar with open shelving and small white-trimmed windows that let in natural light.

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  • 11 of 27

    Use Dramatic Stone

    basement bar ideas

    Emily Henderson Design / Photo by Sara Tramp

    This bright and open basement bar from Emily Henderson Design is designed like a kitchenette and fit into a long and narrow closet niche with the doors removed. Navy cabinets are mixed with stainless steel appliances, and a sleek quartz countertop is paired with a marble-effect backsplash and an open shelf that runs the length of the bar, creating a streamlined look and display space for bottles that's well out of reach of the kids.

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  • 12 of 27

    Create a Multipurpose Space

    Basement bar ideas

    Design by Board & Vellum / Photo by John G. Wilbanks 

    Seattle-based design firm Board & Vellum transformed this basement into a bright, cheerful multi-purpose space suitable for the whole family with what it describes as "a bar fit for a bartender" and "three walls full of meticulously organized Lego bricks."

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  • 13 of 27

    Hang Some Art

    basement bar ideas

    Britt Design Studio

    Britt Design Studio hung a painting in a gilded frame over this basement bar complete with a picture light above that doubles as extra lighting for the bar area.

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  • 14 of 27

    Back It Up

    basement bar ideas

    Design by Martha O'Hara Interiors / Photo by Troy Thies

    Rather than bar stools, this light and airy basement bar from Martha O'Hara Interiors includes a seating area with a love seat backed up against the front of the bar area, a comfortable ottoman coffee table, and a pair of mismatched armchairs.

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  • 15 of 27

    Fill a Niche

    basement bar ideas

    JL Design / Reagen Taylor Photography

    JL Design created a simple dry basement mini bar by filling a niche with cabinetry and a wine fridge, then adding a patterned tile backsplash and open shelving. This simple and affordable idea is perfect for those with a finished basement and an empty niche in search of a purpose.

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  • 16 of 27

    Add Industrial Vibes

    basement bar ideas

    Cindy Witmer Designs / Photo by Wade Blissard  

    This industrial-chic basement wine cellar from Houston-based Cindy Witmer Designs has built-in bottle storage from its polished concrete floors to its warm wood-paneled ceilings. Silver pendant lights and a long butcher block style table with bar stools create an area for sipping. A black metal-framed wall of glass and extra built-in ceiling lighting creates a jewel box effect.

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  • 17 of 27

    Freestyle It

    basement bar ideas

    Design by Living With Lolo / Photo by Life Created

    This DIY bar setup from Living With Lolo is an affordable solution for adding a dedicated cocktail area that could work in any basement (or dining or living room). Just find yourself a good-looking new, used, or vintage buffet or sideboard, set up your favorite bottles and bar essentials on the top, hang some chunky floating shelves above to store glassware and display objects, and anchor it with a pair of plants on either side to define the space.

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  • 18 of 27

    Game the Room

    basement bar ideas

    Courtney St. John Studio / Gibeon Photography

    Courtney St. John Studio turned the basement of this Beaver Creek, CO home into a Western-style après-ski bar and game room, closely collaborating with the homeowners to source one-of-a-kind pieces. A contemporary shuffleboard table runs along a stacked stone wall, bar stools are decorated with wildlife silhouettes, and an antique billiards table from Jackson Hole, WY takes center stage.

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  • 19 of 27

    Keep It Clean

    Basement bar ideas

    Design by Board & Vellum / Photo by John G. Wilbanks  

    To create a clean, modern basement bar in an old brick house remodel, Seattle-based design firm Board & Vellum relocated the stairway to the basement to open up the ground floor layout and used the same pale neutral aesthetic throughout the entire house. "The refinished basement includes a cozy family room with a fireplace and custom-built wet bar, a mudroom with built-in storage and seating, and a large bonus room where the homeowners can play ping-pong with family and friends," the designers say. "Consistency in the use of materials and palette—such as the quartz countertops, white subway tile, and soft gray hues—paired with custom features, such as built-in storage throughout, give the home a cohesive, designed look from top to bottom."

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  • 20 of 27

    Build a DIY Wine Cellar

    Basement bar

    My 100 Year Old Home

     

    You don't need a big interior design budget to create a welcoming basement bar space at home. Blogger Leslie from My 100 Year Old Home uses her Waco, TX. cellar as a romantic setting for warm weather date nights with her husband in the coolest room in the house. While the walls are stocked with an impressive collection of bottles, to create a place to sip and dine, she DIY'd a vintage table with a riddling rack top and added seating, candles, wine glasses, and dishware.

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  • 21 of 27

    Mix Materials

    Basement bar ideas

    Design by Studio Life/Style  

    In this Santa Monica canyon home designed by Shannon Wollack and Brittany Zwickl of West Hollywood, CA-based Studio Life/Style, a custom backlit pale wood wine storage wall houses a sizeable collection of bottles and glassware. Black metal grid framed glass wall partitions contrast nicely with the rustic ceiling beams, and a pair of armchairs just outside provide a place to pause for a drink.

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  • 22 of 27

    Keep It Open

    basement bar ideas

    Design by Pluck

    In this London basement kitchen designed by Pluck, the adjacent dining room has a wall of closed stained wood storage with a central niche that houses an informal open bar.

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  • 23 of 27

    Make It L-Shaped

    basement bar ideas

    WRJ Design / Photo by Tuck Fauntleroy

    WRJ Design created a basement bar and game room in this Yellowstone Club, MT house that includes a spacious L-shaped bar made of reclaimed wood and surrounded with elegant Poltrona Frau swiveled bar stools.

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  • 24 of 27

    Use Cool Tones

    Basement bar ideas

    Cindy Witmer Designs / Photo by Kerry Kirk 

    This home bar from Houston-based Cindy Witmer Designs is painted in a rich navy that creates a relaxing atmosphere and highlights the room's millwork. Plenty of glass, bright brass accents, lucite bar stools, and a showstopping chandelier add a touch of glam that adds boutique hotel vibes.

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  • 25 of 27

    Zone Out

    basement bar ideas

    Design by Martha O'Hara Interiors / Photo by Troy Thies

    This bright basement from Martha O'Hara Interiors has herringbone floors and zones for lounging, playing board games, and drinking, with the spacious bar area placed next to the windows in the corner and defined by a pair of pendant lights hanging over the peninsula-style bar counter.

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  • 26 of 27

    Tuck It Behind the Stairs

    basement bar ideas

    Design by Chango & Co. / Photo by Sarah Elliott

    This light and bright basement from Chango & Co. has a small that's tucked behind the stairs, keeping it accessible but out of the way so that the space can be used as a family room and kids play room before cocktail hour.

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  • 27 of 27

    Build a Wild West Saloon

    basement bar ideas

    Design by Kibler & Kirch / Photo by Audrey Hall

    Kibler & Kirch created a custom-built Wild West saloon in the basement of a sprawling Cody, WY residence, anchored by a 24-foot-long, late-19th-century mahogany bar that set the tone for the movie set level space.

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