Dry Bars vs. Wet Bars: Which is Right for Your Home?

If you love entertaining guests and hosting gatherings, you’ll likely benefit from adding a wet bar or dry bar to your home. Installing an in-home bar provides a designated space to host your guests, as well as a spot to store, prepare, and serve beverages. But which would better suit your home—a wet bar or dry bar? At Allikriste, we want to help you make the best decision for your home, so we’ve laid out the pros and cons of wet and dry bars.

What Are Wet Bars and Dry Bars?

Before you can determine which is a better fit, it’s important to understand the difference between a wet bar and a dry bar. Both are large countertops where you’re able to prepare beverages and store items such as drinks, liquors, and mixers. A wet bar is larger than a dry bar and includes a sink with running water. A dry bar does not include a sink but still has space to prepare drinks or store items. Now you know what wet bars and dry bars are, so which is right for you? Let’s weigh the pros and cons of each.    

Pros and Cons of a Wet Bar

Wet bars are great for entertaining large groups of people. Thanks to the inclusion of a sink, you can prepare drinks throughout the night and wash glasses as you go, without darting to and from the kitchen. Another bonus is that wet bars often have more storage space so you can store even more drinks and mixers.

On the other hand, wet bars are more expensive to install than dry bars. That’s because a wet bar must be installed near an existing plumbing line, and you’ll need to rely on a professional plumber to connect the new sink. Another problem is that wet bars are often considered outdated in the modern home market. This means a wet bar might not provide a high return on investment if you sell your home.

Pros and Cons of a Dry Bar

Dry bars are typically less expensive to install than wet bars, because they don’t require proximity to an existing plumbing line. They can also fit into most spaces regardless of size. Even better, dry bars are becoming more popular among home buyers and can help make your home more desirable.

Of course, dry bars do have their faults. Since they are smaller in size and lack a space to wash your glasses, dry bars are less ideal for hosting large groups. In addition to cutting down your number of guests, you may also want to put a limit to what drinks are on the menu to limit the number of trips to the kitchen, since you won’t have a sink.

Which is Right for You?

If you have no intention of selling your home, have a decent sized budget, and you prefer to entertain a large number of guests at a time, then wet bars are right for you. However, if you want to boost your home’s value affordably, and you prefer more intimate gatherings with a smaller group of people, then definitely look into installing a dry bar.

No Matter Your Preference, Trust AlliKriste

Whether you opt for a wet bar or a dry bar, you should always put you trust in AlliKriste. For more than 25 years, we’ve been the go-to company for homeowners looking to enhance their home’s interior with custom cabinetry and expert remodeling. To learn more about our services or to schedule an in-home consultation, contact AlliKriste today!