Goodbye Bar Cart, Hello Bookcase Bar: Why At-Home Bar Setups Are Sliding onto Shelves

From built-in wet bars to bar carts, the idea of an at-home bar has taken many forms over the years, with members of each generation putting their own spin on an entertaining-friendly, at-home bar setup. Enter the Gen Z version: the bookcase bar.

Bookcase bars are what book lovers’ dreams are made of. A spot both dedicated to entertaining and capable of storing a beloved book collection (or at least part of it), the bookcase bar is the at-home bar tailor-made for ambiverts (though of course introverts and extroverts alike would enjoy one, too). It blends the luxury of bookshelf wealth with the functionality of mini bars—a practical and beautiful way to display your collection of books and your favorite bar supplies at the same time.

The bookcase bar may be a trend driven by Gen Z, but people from all generations are already leaning into it.

Ina Garten turned her wall-to-wall bookshelves into a bookcase bar by placing drink glasses and bottles on the lower shelves and her book collection on the middle and upper shelves. She topped her bookcases with a display of her cake stand collection on the highest shelves, a simple and visually pleasing way to store kitchen items. She even pulled a genius hosting move: She put her glassware on a serving tray and placed the tray on the bar, so glasses can be distributed to guests at a moment’s notice.

How to Set Up Your Own Bookcase Bar

One of the many reasons the bookcase bar has gained popularity is that it’s an inexpensive (and renter-friendly) way to get a luxurious, large-scale setup in any space. Plus, it can be recreated using supplies you already have. All you need to get the look is a bookcase (any type of bookshelf will work), bar supplies, and a few decorative items.

When styling your bookcase bar, be sure to keep ease and functionality in mind. Keep glasses and liquor bottles on lower shelves so they’re easily accessible, and place more niche items on upper shelves, where they’re safely elevated. Decorate with frames, vases, and bowls to fill empty space. And don’t forget to add your collection of books: Put cocktail and recipe books on display, and use the rest of your collection to fill space on the sides of the shelves or under glasses and bottles. Stir spoons, cocktail picks, and decorative napkins can also add visual interest to the bookcase bar.

A helpful tip when styling a bookcase (or any space) is to use the rule of thirds. Place glasses, bottles, or books in groups of three on the shelf to add visual interest and depth. You will notice your eye naturally prefers groups of three over groups of two or four glasses or books; the same rule applies to decorative objects you may use like candlesticks or pieces of art.

Another tip when decorating with hard-cover books is to remove the sleeves. If you aren’t attached to the graphic sleeve, most books have a solid color cover underneath, and these solids will go together better than the disparate colors and patterns of the sleeves would. If you gravitate toward color coding, choose books with covers in complementary colors for your bookcase bar so it matches the color scheme of your home.

The next time you’re ready to entertain, restock your favorite liquors and place refrigerated and frozen items (garnishes and ice) on your bookcase bar for easy access. Consider adding ice buckets to keep drinks cool and ready to serve all night long.