Home Bar Setup: The Complete Equipment Checklist (2026)

KingCave
2026-04-14T13:01:17+10:00

Setting up a home bar? This is the complete equipment checklist — everything you need, nothing you don't. We've broken it into tiers so you can start simple and upgrade over time. The essentials (fridge, glasses, opener, a few bottles) cost under $500. A fully kitted home bar runs $1,500–$3,000.

Whether you're building a corner bar in the living room, a full setup in the garage, or an outdoor alfresco station — this checklist covers the gear, the layout, and the bar fridge that ties it all together.

Jump to: The Essentials · Glassware · Spirits & Mixers · Bar Fridge · Bar Tools · Furniture & Layout · Finishing Touches

The Essentials Checklist

These are the non-negotiables. With just these items, you have a functioning home bar.

Item | Budget | Notes
Bar fridge | $358–$1,200 | Glass door for display, front-venting for under-bench
Bottle opener | $15–$25 | Wall-mounted with magnetic cap catcher
Glasses (set of 6–12) | $20–$60 | Pint glasses + tumblers cover most drinks
Ice | $0–$5/bag | Freezer ice trays or buy bags. Ice machine for serious setups.
Surface / bar top | $0–$500 | Existing bench, DIY timber, or dedicated bar

Total for the bare essentials: $400–$600. You can run a great home bar with just these five things.

Glassware Guide

You don't need 15 types of glass. Here are the four that cover 95% of home bar drinks:

Pint glass (560ml) — Beer, cider, shandy. The workhorse. Get 6–12.

Tumbler / rocks glass (300ml) — Whisky, bourbon, negroni, old fashioned. Get 4–6.

Highball (350ml) — G&T, vodka soda, rum & coke, mojito. Get 4–6.

Wine glass (universal) — One good set covers reds and whites. Get 4–6.

Optional upgrades: Champagne flutes (celebrations), shot glasses (mates night), martini glasses (cocktail enthusiasts), copper mugs (Moscow mule).

Starter Spirits & Mixers

A well-stocked home bar doesn't need 30 bottles. Start with these and expand over time:

The core six spirits

1. Vodka — The base for half of all cocktails. One mid-range bottle ($35–$50).

2. Gin — For G&Ts and martinis. Australian craft gins (Four Pillars, Archie Rose) are excellent.

3. Rum — Light rum for mojitos and daiquiris, dark rum for sipping and rum & cokes.

4. Whisky/Bourbon — For old fashioneds, whisky sours, and sipping neat.

5. Tequila — Margaritas, palomas, shots. Blanco for mixing, reposado for sipping.

6. Triple sec / Cointreau — The unsung hero of cocktails. Goes in margaritas, cosmopolitans, sidecars.

Essential mixers

Tonic water (Fever-Tree or Schweppes)

Soda water

Cola

Ginger beer

Fresh limes and lemons

Simple syrup (equal parts sugar and water, heated until dissolved — lasts weeks in the fridge)

Angostura bitters

Keep spirits on the shelf at room temp. Keep mixers, citrus, and beer in the fridge. A glass door bar fridge displays your cold drinks and keeps everything at the right temperature.

Choosing Your Bar Fridge

The fridge is the functional anchor of your home bar. Here's how to pick the right one:

Beer + soft drinks only: 46–118L glass door fridge. Budget: $358–$800.

Holden GTS 70L Retro Mini Bar Fridge View Product →

70L, glass door, retro Aussie branding. Great for small bars and corner setups.

Built-in / under-bench: 118–164L front-venting fridge. Budget: $800–$1,200. Front-venting is essential — rear-venting needs 100mm+ clearance behind.

Entertaining / full bar: 200–370L upright glass door. Budget: $1,000–$2,000. Holds 150–300+ cans.

Outdoor: Tropical-rated, heated glass door. Budget: $800–$1,800. See our outdoor fridge guide.

Noise matters: If your bar is in a living area, aim for under 41dB. Near a bedroom: under 39dB. See our noise comparison guide.

Browse all options: Bar Fridges for Entertaining

Bar Tools Checklist

If you're making cocktails (even simple ones), these tools make the difference between a proper drink and a rough pour:

Cocktail shaker ($20–$50) — Boston shaker (two-piece) for serious mixing, cobbler shaker (three-piece with built-in strainer) for simplicity.

Jigger / measure ($10–$20) — Consistent pours = consistent drinks. Double-ended: 30ml / 60ml.

Bar spoon ($10–$15) — For stirred drinks (martinis, old fashioneds). The long handle reaches the bottom of any glass.

Muddler ($10–$20) — For mojitos, caipirinhas, old fashioneds. Wooden or stainless steel.

Strainer ($10–$15) — Hawthorne strainer fits over a Boston shaker. Keeps ice and pulp out of the glass.

Cutting board + sharp knife — For citrus garnishes. A small dedicated board near the bar saves trips to the kitchen.

Ice bucket + tongs ($15–$30) — Keeps ice accessible without opening the freezer every round.

Budget tip: A 10-piece bar tool set from Amazon or Kmart runs $30–$60 and covers everything above.

Furniture & Layout

Bar top options

Existing bench or counter ($0) — Most kitchens have a bench that works as a bar. Just add the fridge and accessories.

DIY timber bar ($200–$500) — Reclaimed timber, Bunnings butcher block, or a kitchen benchtop offcut on hairpin legs.

IKEA hack ($150–$300) — KALLAX shelf units with a timber top. Storage + serving surface in one.

Custom joinery ($1,500–$5,000+) — For built-in bars with integrated fridge, shelving, and sink.

Seating

Bar stools (750mm seat height) — For a standard 1,000–1,100mm bar top. Allow 250–300mm legroom.

Counter stools (650mm seat height) — For kitchen counter bars (850–900mm height).

Custom branded stools — Custom bar stools with your team or business logo.

Finishing Touches

LED strip lighting — Under shelves, behind bottles, around the fridge. Warm white (2700K) for pub feel.

Bar mat — Protects the surface, absorbs spills, looks professional.

Signs — A custom light box or metal sign with your bar's name. See our signs guide.

Bluetooth speaker — Background music is non-negotiable. Mount it high for better distribution.

Coasters and napkins — Small detail, big impact on the feel of the space.

Custom fridge wrap — The single most impactful upgrade. Your logo, your team, your artwork on a custom branded fridge. From $490.

Get a free mockup — see your design on a fridge before you buy →

FAQ: Home Bar Setup

What do I need for a basic home bar?

A bar fridge, bottle opener, glasses (pint + tumbler), ice, and a surface to serve from. Total: $400–$600. Add 3–6 base spirits ($200–$350) and you're fully operational.

How much does a home bar setup cost?

Essentials only: $400–$600. With spirits and mixers: $600–$1,000. Full setup with bar top, stools, lighting, and tools: $1,500–$3,000. Custom branded setup: $2,000–$5,000+.

What size bar fridge do I need?

Beer and soft drinks only: 46–118L. Under-bench built-in: 118–164L (must be front-venting). Full entertaining: 200–370L. Browse: bar fridges for entertaining.

What are the must-have spirits for a home bar?

The core six: vodka, gin, rum, whisky/bourbon, tequila, and triple sec. With these plus basic mixers (tonic, soda, cola, citrus, bitters), you can make most classic cocktails.

Can I build a home bar on a budget?

Absolutely. A 46L bar fridge ($358), a bench or table you already have, glasses from Kmart ($20), and a wall-mounted bottle opener ($15) gives you a functional bar for under $400. Build out over time.

Ready to set up your home bar? Shop bar fridges or get a free custom mockup.

Bar Fridges for Entertaining

Glass Door Bar Fridges

Under Bench Fridges

Bar Fridges Under $500

Custom Branded Fridges

Custom Bar Stools

Bar Bundles — Save up to 15%

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Custom Branding Guide

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