From built-in wet bars to bar carts, the idea of a home bar has taken many forms over the years, with each generation putting its own spin on an entertaining friendly home bar setting. Enter the Gen Z Edition: Bookcase Bar.
The bookcase bar is a bibliophile’s dream. A place to entertain as well as store a beloved library (or at least part of it), the bookcase bar is a home bar tailored for ambiverts (which, of course, both introverts and extroverts will love). It blends the luxury of bookshelf wealth with the functionality of a minibar – a practical and aesthetically pleasing way to display your book collection and your favorite bar supplies at the same time.
Bookshelves become bars
The bookcase bar may be a trend driven by Gen Z, but people of all ages are already leaning toward it.
Ina Garten turned her bookshelf into a bookcase bar, stocking the lower shelf with drink cups and bottles, and the middle and upper shelves with her book collection. She displays her collection of cake stands at the top of the bookshelf, on the highest shelf, an easy and visually pleasing way to store kitchen items. She even performed a genius act of hospitality: she placed the glassware on a tray, then placed the tray on the bar so that the glasses could be handed out to guests at any time.
How to build your own bookcase bar
One of the many reasons the bookcase bar is popular is that it’s an inexpensive (and tenant-friendly) way to get a luxurious, large setup in any space. In addition, it can be recreated using supplies you already have. All you need is a bookcase (any type of bookshelf will do), bar supplies, and a few decorative items.