The home bar is actually a mid-century gift to us all!
As WWII came to a close and soldiers returned home, thousands of new neighborhoods sprang to life across the country. Millions of “cookie-cutter” suburban homes sprang quickly to life to accommodate the fast-growing number of middle-class American families and their desire for modern housing. American women who had supported the war effort by taking on jobs in machine shops, manufacturing facilities and even sewing military apparel, were eager to start families. (The term “Baby Boomer” was later coined in reference to the spike in childbirths from 1946 through the early ’60s, a trend credited to a new optimism that had swept the country thanks to end of the war and the harshness of the Great Depression fading from recent memory.)
Men returned from war and took on well-paid civilian jobs. Families benefited from a substantial increase in spending money and, without the daily concerns of war, leisure time became a new asset of the middle class. Women had enjoyed the social connectivity that was a byproduct of the wartime domestic workforce and, with the war effort now over, they now longed for more social connections with other adults. Likewise, men were eager to reconnect with fellow brothers-in-arms from the war – and were eager to show off their post-war success – often demonstrated by material means. The result? The birth of the cocktail party – along with the birth of the home bar.
Home Bar. Photo Credit: Popular Mechanics, August 1967.
The home cocktail party was the perfect event at the perfect time in America. One could invite a wide variety of guests, socialize with friends, make new acquaintances – all while showing off that newly appointed home, filled with a myriad of new and improved furniture and decor thanks to the 1950s manufacturing boom.
The roles of the cocktail party hosting couple were unwritten but quite clear. Women were responsible for the majority of the hosting duties and hors d’oeuvres, but drinks, those were the man’s domain. (Which may explain why home bars were rarely added to kitchens!)
Home bars and swanky cocktail parties remained popular until the end of the 1960s when they began to fall out of style. Grown baby boomers didn’t want to drink at home. On the contrary, they wanted to get out of the house – attracted to the rising allure of ritzy new nightclubs and shiny-chic discotheques of the 70s and 80s.
Nostalgia brought home bars back in style during the 90s (think wood-paneled basements, dart boards, and neon beer signs). Today, home bars once again, are making a comeback by way of the pandemic, which encouraged people to design their homes to accommodate activities they previously left home for. The home bar was back!
Designing a Mid-Century Modern Home Bar
Achieving the mid-century modern look when designing a home bar is actually fairly approachable!
The first step is choosing the location of your bar. Whether there’s an entire basement to work with or just the corner of a living room, your mid-century modern bar can be designed to fit most any space. And when almost no space exists, one can still opt for a classic bar cart setup. The bar cart may not hold all your liquor bottles, mixers, and accouterments, but additional storage space within a cabinet or closet works fine as a bar cart can be easily curated to accommodate whatever seasonal cocktails you are enjoying at the moment! And bar carts can go wherever the party takes you!
Another space-saving home bar option is the bar cabinet. During the 50s and 60s, numerous furniture designers created their own version of the perfect bar cabinet. These were specialized cabinets with features like hanging glass racks and fold-out workspaces that made them convenient and functional. When the party was over, everything had its place back inside the cabinet, hidden from view – and out of sight of the children!
Ashley at her home bar with Andy Rieger and Hailee Bland-Walsh.
Of course, if you have the room and the budget, a full bar is an amazing option! The classic bar countertop with bar stool seating is always a hit – and using materials like glass or acrylic to construct the bar can provide a more more nuanced vibe. As long as you have the storage and space to craft cocktails, your home bar can take on most any form you like. One great option is to utilize existing built-in shelves or cabinets and design your home bar around them, creating a more professional, permanent effect. Instead of traditional barstools, create a comfortable nearby lounge area with lower, more casual seating in an intimate space where you and your guests can relax while enjoying drinks and conversation.
It’s important not to forget the essential bar tools and accessories. Over the years, there have been endless collections of glassware, shakers, coasters, pitchers, decanters, measuring tools, strainers, and more manufactured during the home bar’s heydays, making it relatively easy to find vintage sets in thrift stores or online. And most any home-goods retailer will doubtlessly have a wide selection of new designs in bar-related accessories available for mixing and matching.
Mid-Century Modern Cocktails
With your mid-century modern bar ready to go, it’s time to make some drinks! Popular concoctions from 50s and 60s cocktail parties would, of course, include the martini – and also Sloe Gin Fizzes, Tom Collins, a variety of highball creations, the Old Fashioned, Manhattans, Grasshoppers, Pina Coladas, White Russians, Daiquiris, Aperol Spritzes, the Moscow Mule, and many, many more. Read on below for a few easy-to-make recipes perfect for mixing it up at your own MCM home bar!
Tom Collins – Liquor.com
Tom Collins
- 2 oz. dry gin
- 1 oz. fresh lemon juice
- 5 oz. simple syrup
- Club soda, to top
- Lemon wheel and maraschino cherry to garnish
Add the gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup to a Collins glass. Fill to the top with ice and top with club soda. Give it a stir, add garnish, and enjoy! Recipe Credit: Liquor.com
Grasshopper – Liquor.com
Grasshopper
- 1 oz. green crème de menthe
- 1 oz. white crème de cacao
- 2 oz. heavy cream
- Nutmeg for garnish
Add the crème de menthe, crème de cacao, and heavy cream to a cocktail shaker and shake hard until everything is extra chilled. Strain into a cocktail glass and add a light dusting of nutmeg to the top. Recipe Credit: Liquor.com
Manhattan – A Couple Cooks
Manhattan
- 2 oz. Bourbon or rye whiskey
- 1 oz. sweet red vermouth
- 3 dashes of bitters
- Cherry for garnish
Add whiskey, vermouth, and bitters to a cocktail shaker with a scoop of ice. Don’t shake! Grab your bar spoon, and give it a good stir for about 30 seconds. Strain into a coupe glass and add your garnish. Recipe Credit: A Couple Cooks
Moscow Mule – Esquire.com
Moscow Mule
- 2 oz. vodka
- 5 oz. fresh lime juice
- 6 oz. ginger beer
- Lime wedge for garnish
Use your favorite copper mug and add fresh lime juice. Fill the mug to the top with ice, add vodka, top with ginger beer, and garnish with lime. Recipe Credit: Esquire.com
