13 Sumptuous Basement Bar Ideas for Next-Level Hosting
Get your cocktail shakers and bottle openers ready: These 13 basement bar ideas will inspire even the most die-hard woman- or man-about-town to host the party at home. With wine cellars, moody taprooms, luxurious lounges, and even a nautical-themed bar fit for a cocktail-loving captain, these decor ideas from interior design pros around the country include inspiration for every type of tipple and entertaining style. Plus, with tips on color palettes, hardware choices, lighting, and cabinetry for the modern basement bar (read: not your dad’s man cave or grandma’s wood-paneled watering hole), you’ll find recommendations fit for a DIY touch-up as well as a full-fledged basement renovation. If you’re planning a bar space above the basement level, be sure to check out our roundup of home bar ideas worth toasting to—but if you’re looking to set a sultry mood below deck, read on.
Photo: Jared Kuzia1/13Lean into a theme
“We’re always up for weird,” says Jeanne Barber of Camden Grace Interiors in West Hartford, Connecticut. Barber and her team converted a ship-themed finished basement, which was originally built as a children’s playroom in the 1960s, into a swanky basement bar design. “We took our inspiration from Trader Vic’s, known for its hanging Japanese floats and somewhat kitschy seashell decor, then juxtaposed fabrics: pretty florals meet tiger stripes.”
Photo: Stephen Busken2/13Wow with wood surfacing
Some might consider wood-paneled entertainment spaces outdated, but Jeff Andrews of the LA-based AD PRO Directory firm Jeff Andrews Design shows that leaning into wood features can still be stunning. This basement remodel in a contemporary family home in Pacific Palisades, California, features wood surfacing in the Angles pattern from Andrews’ own line, Variations for Jamie Beckwith Collection. “The bar is the centerpiece of the home’s entertaining level, which also features a billiards room, wine cellar, golf simulator, and home theater,” he says. The pendants are Gabriel Scott, and the stools are from Quintus.
Photo: Brad Knipstein3/13Create an inviting wine cellar
No windows? No worries—especially when you’re designing the ideal basement space to store wine. “For this family home in San Francisco, we transformed the windowless ground level space into a sleek, contemporary wine cellar and bar for the couple to unwind and host guests,” says Kristen Peña of the AD PRO Directory firm K Interiors in San Francisco. The wine display is by Chambers Art & Design, and the wallpaper (featuring monkeys indulging in some true party animal behavior) is by Astek.
Photo: Courtesy of Plan Architecture4/13Deck a nook in neutrals
A light color palette—as seen in this project by AD PRO Directory firm Plan Architecture in Washington, New Jersey—fits a multipurpose room. Plus, it’s fresh and airy and doesn’t have even a hint of a dingy basement. Dan D’Agostino of Plan explains that the design here “brings together the functionality of a dedicated wine storage space with the cozy ambiance of a home lounge, creating the perfect spot for relaxing or hosting guests.”
Photo: Charlotte Lea Photography5/13Use ice as your inspo
The glass shelving in this bar is more than a storage solution; it’s a conversation piece. Inspired by blocks of ice, Vitale Design Group in Hermosa Beach, California, worked with cast glass in custom molds. “We designed each piece of glass with movement to make it feel like the ice was melting,” says Alexis Vitale, the firm’s founder. “This bar is an entertainer’s dream and a beautiful piece of art.”
Photo: Anna Routh6/13Go glamorously bold with black and gold
For a basement bar that exudes sophistication, try a moody palette with luxe touches. “The black-and-gold pendant lights make a bold statement, while the studded accent wall adds depth and texture,” says Michelle Murphy of Demi Ryan in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. “Velvet upholstered bar stools in a marbled blue-gray introduce a touch of softness against the sleek black stone countertop. Thoughtfully placed lighting—from the stair sconces to the ambient glow of the bar—enhances the intimate and upscale atmosphere.”
Photo: Courtesy of Plan Architecture7/13Make a multipurpose game zone
“This bespoke basement bar blends style and function, featuring a sleek pool table for friendly games, a pull-up bar for informal spirits, custom back bar lighting with a liquor display, and a large-screen TV perfect for game days or movie nights,” says D’Agostino. This bar makes room for guests who want to stay glued to the game on TV as well as those who want to play a game of their own.
Photo: Ryan Hainey8/13Bring on brass details
Designer Amy Carman tells AD that her Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, firm has been making a point of incorporating metal—“especially brass”— into their cabinet designs. “Exposed shelving supported by tubular brass fittings can hold glassware, spirits, and mementos, evoking a pub atmosphere,” she says. Carman adds that her team has also been featuring brass mesh in their cabinet doors, which is an ideal technique for showcasing one’s prized wine or spirits collection.
Photo: Reed Brown9/13Add integrated lighting
Give your bottles and glassware the museum treatment with lighting that makes your collection the center of attention. This works with open shelving and floor-to-ceiling cabinetry—or both in the same space, as seen in this bar by JFY Designs in Nashville. Integrated lighting is also the perfect invitation to add artwork to your display—“extra points if you gather some fantastic vintage glasses and decanters at second-hand stores,” says Marie-Joe Bouffard, the firm’s principal designer.
Photo: Ryan Hainey10/13Select high-grade hardware
“Rather than using typical cabinet knobs, we’ve been opting for full-length cremone bolt hardware,” says Carman of the basement bar pictured. “This elevates the cabinetry and contents even further. With stately hardware that requires unbolting, it is assumed whatever is inside must be quite special.” Here, the luxe and lengthy hardware upgrades the look of the rattan-style bar cabinets and complements the brass faucet and lighting.
Photo: Allison Elefante11/13Make the most of vertical space
If square footage is limited but you still dream of a dedicated cocktail crafting zone, choose just one wall for your basement bar. Here, a wet bar with a tiled backsplash provides space to shake and stir, while open shelving shows off a liquor collection and cabinetry helps hide away additional tools (like a blender) and glasses. For a budget-friendly option in tight quarters, Bouffard says a large bar cart could be your best ally. “A couple of floating shelves above would go far to store and display a larger selection,” she explains.
Photo: Ryan Hainey12/13Choose dark and cozy colors
“Dark, rich, and adventurous colors continue to provide the foundation of our lower-level bar designs,” says Carman. “Many lower levels are found in colder climates, so deep maroons, inky blues, or dark, saturated greens can feel quite cozy and comforting in the winter months.” With deep colors as a base, lighter hues like tan bar stools, brass details, and a collection of curated mementos will pop, as evidenced by the setup in this navy bar.
Photo: Courtesy of Plan Architecture13/13Carve out a breakfast bar
Modern basement bars don’t have to be dedicated to cocktails. Consider creating a nook where you can serve a variety of drinks and snacks. “Breakfast bars are versatile powerhouses that can seamlessly serve multiple purposes, from a morning coffee station and a spot for cereals to an evening hub for cocktails and liquor,” says D’Agostino. A basement breakfast bar would be especially fitting if you have a lower-level guest room.
What basement bar ideas are trending in 2025?
Because basement bars are separated from the rest of the house, they offer an opportunity to take a design risk or choose a look that might not meld with your other home decor. “They’re the perfect place to add unique flourishes since basements are self-contained spaces that welcome close family and friends,” says Barber. “And this means a lot of people are leaning into kitsch—personalized spaces that speak to the homeowner’s particular interests.” This might mean giving a nod to a favorite destination (like Tokyo, to show off your Japanese whiskey collection) or going for a full-fledged nautical theme (see number one above).
For more basement ideas, Murphy says that custom shelving (floating shelves, built-in wine racks, and glass cabinets for showcasing spirits and glassware); high-contrast materials (for example, pairing matte black finishes with metallic accents, or natural wood with sleek stone); dramatic lighting (oversized pendant lights, LED strip lighting, and under-cabinet lighting); and dual-purpose bars (a space that doubles as a home office or lounge area) are all popular design ideas for home bars. She’s also a fan of dark and moody color palettes. “Deep, rich hues, like black, navy, and emerald green are popular for creating a cozy, speakeasy-inspired feel, which I absolutely adore!” she says.
How to build a DIY basement bar
Rolling in a bar cart is both DIY friendly and budget friendly. Bouffard suggests adding floating shelves above the cart to create a more substantial bar area with additional storage. To upgrade your shelving, Carman suggests including a large antique mirror glass panel as well. “This adds depth, elegance and a perfect place to show off a collection of spirits,” she says. “And don’t start from scratch on your accessories or glassware either. Search through those long-forgotten boxes of family memorabilia and glassware. Old trophies, antique wine glasses, and vintage photos will add an element of family lore and authenticity (and it would make your family tree proud!).”
How to maximize a small space for a basement bar
“If you don’t have space for a sink and ice maker, consider just a dry bar,” says Barber. “It can create the same vibe but in half the space.” She also encourages being mindful about the use of vertical space in a small basement bar by incorporating glass and brass bistro shelving, which “can add a sparkle while still allowing the space to feel open and not too cramped.”
How much does it cost to build a basement bar?
Of course there’s a wide range in costs depending on whether you’re going with that bar cart or building out a basement bar area in a large space with a kitchenette, custom cabinetry, game room, and media room. “I’d say $25,000 is the entry for decent cabinetry, counters, lighting, hardware, plumbing, and appliances,” says Barber. “But large basement bars with multiple taps, ice makers, fridge drawers, and other bespoke details fall well in the six-figure range—similar to what a high-end kitchen would cost.”
Bouffard echoes that sentiment. “The cost of a basement bar can vary wildly; $5,000 could set the mood for a simple, cozy bar, while $150,000 could transport you straight into the jazziest 1920s watering hole.”
