TAD HUTCHISON
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One of the best gifts for the holiday season can be assembled in anyone's abode in Legolike fashion, big or small, classic or kitsch, mod or old-school, each part evolving into a fabulous, gleaming, awe-inspiring shrine of love and positivity—that's right—the home bar. In fact, regardless of the particular love shack you may live in, a well-appointed barroom will get you a million miles further than Ralph Lauren or the Pottery Barn ever could. So turn that double-wide into an irresistible spirit house! Build a saloon from scratch as a stress-relieving gift to yourself, or give bar components to friends, loved ones, your Mormon parents, or that buddy who's having a little trouble getting laid. Aside from a lava lamp, kick-ass neon-blue shag carpet, or the body of Ricky Martin/Gina Gershon, there's really nothing better to get the juices flowing than your own personal grog shop.
As Martha Stewart will attest, a central mixing station provides a wealth of options for festive gatherings or intimate affairs—not to mention those celebratory times when Martha herself has one too many G&T's, puts a lampshade on her head, and begs the nearest Vinyardite to ride her like the bucking bronco she really is. It's all part of the good life!
The ultimate lounge decor depends on the mixologist's personal preference: There are more bar styles than cocktails. We all know the genres: Gilligan's Island Polynesia, mirrored disco, nautical, LA poolside (or swim-up, if the budget affords), kitsch-collectible, neon palace, Godfather villa, Daddy's den, pink flamingo, tequila cantina, pool-table tavern, hippie haven, or, one of my favorites, Playboy mansion (if you can rent the costumes). Hell, you may like eight beers on tap and a big-ass moosehead on the wall.
Regardless of what you're after, the list of add-ons (and gift possibilities) is never-ending: cocktail glasses, soda siphons, wine racks, decanters, salt and sugar glass rimmers, muddlers, citrus reamers, bottle openers, pornographic ice trays, olive-grabbers, deco cocktail napkins and invites, ice-makers, and, of course, those little umbrellas that adorn Zombies and Singapore Slings. As cigar boxes and lighters are to the chimney set, so are shakers and shot glasses to the crocked clan.
First, remember that every detail of your home inebriation system is critically important—like a trip to Everest, you must have the right equipment for your journey to the spirit world. One false move, and all the previous moves (dinner, dancing, sparkling conversation, foreplay, etc.) hit you in the face like a checkmate from hell. The bar is the ultimate closer, the home-court advantage, the big finish, so don't skimp on details: Go to Pasta & Co. for the olives, Tiffany's for the right martini shaker, then make sure you've got the perfect vintage glassware, classic swizzle sticks, and an elegant wine key. Imagine Bond— James Bond—driving a Ford Taurus or drinking wine coolers, and you'll get my drift.
Here's a little shopping list to get your lounge up and swinging:
The bar itself: The best way to begin conceptualizing the home bar is to steal ideas from the pros. Check out Luau (2253 N 56th, 633-5828), the Frontier Room (2203 First, 441-3377), Serafina (2043 Eastlake E, 323-0807), the Lizzard Lounge (2325 California SW, 923-0877), and Canlis (2576 Aurora N, 283-3313), and see what style you like (while there, "borrow" coasters and bar napkins). Jukebox City (1950 First S, 625-1950) is a good place to start spending, with chrome stools ($99), diner booths ($995), jukeboxes (check out the bubbling, deco, 1946 Wurlitzer, $8,995), lava lamps, and gumball machines ($125, and since you'll be the one filling the machine, they can dispense peanuts, olives, or amphetamines).
Danny Vegh's (800-275-9404) also has functional yet boring home bars for sale. You can even add a pool table to the room for $10,000 (an 1870 Brunswick-Balke-Collendar). Cheaper, more stylin' alternatives, including some cool "cocktail" signs, can be found at antique dealer Area 51 (401 E Pine, 568-4782).
Theme props: Go ahead and get creative when erecting your Temple of Liquid Love. (If it helps to sample the product before building the store, go right ahead, barkeep!) If you're doing the South Pacific Tiki Theme, get yourself some palm fronds, bamboo mats ($8; Cost Plus, 2103 Western, 443-1055), masks ($10-$300; Milagros Mexican Folk Art, 1530 Post Alley, 464-0490), and wooden crates for bar stools (available free on Sundays at Esquin, 2700 Fourth, 682-7374). Daniel Smith (4150 First S, 223-9599) has all sorts of thatched huts, Buddhas, carved tabletops, and wacky donkey carts that can, with a little imagination, be turned into your own swamp-root sanctuary. Snag a luau shirt ($5.99; Goodwill, Rainier and S Dearborn, 329-1000) and a bag of sand ($1.95 for a 50-lb bag; Home Depot, 1335 N 205th, 546-1900), and BOOM!--it's you, Ginger, Mary Ann, and a (hopefully) passed-out Gilligan playing spin-the-bottle in your own little paradise!
Glassware: You can never have too many cool glasses: martini glasses, tumblers, highball glasses, ponies, shot glasses, wine chalices, margarita glasses, and the list goes on. Alhambra (101 Pine, 621-9571), though ridiculously expensive, has incredible glassware, from cognac snifters to stem glasses (for straight-up martinis) to champagne flutes. Go to Fremont's antique stores for great vintage glassware. Hell, pick up a punch bowl and cups if you're in the mood to go totally wild (see "Luau" theme above).
