Our Favorite Basement Bar Ideas
Portland is famous for its incredible cocktail scene - from craft cocktail lounges in the Pearl District to cozy neighborhood bars serving creative drinks with local ingredients. If you're looking to bring some of that Portland flavor into your home, here's a guide on how to create a space worthy of the cocktails, or mocktails, you're shaking up this season. Whether you're recreating the intimate atmosphere of your favorite speakeasy or designing a bright, modern space for family-friendly gatherings, the right basement bar design brings Portland's celebrated drinking culture right to your doorstep.
As one of Portland's leading design-build firms, Lamont Bros. has helped homeowners at every stage of the basement remodeling process. We've seen storage rooms become sophisticated wine cellars, unfinished basements transform into entertainment centers, and underutilized rec rooms evolve into the neighborhood's favorite gathering spot.
In this post, we'll provide inspiration for different types of basement bars that work in Portland homes, share practical tips for what basement remodels typically include, and connect you with resources to answer your other basement questions.
Basement Bar Design Styles
The style of your basement bar will really be influenced by the style of your basement. If you already have a finished basement you may be looking for a way to incorporate a bar. If you're remodeling your entire basement you'll have the opportunity to update the style, and having a bar can fit into that.
Working with a Finished Basement
If your basement is already finished but underutilized, your bar style needs to complement existing flooring, ceiling height, and wall finishes. That doesn't mean you're stuck with boring - it means being strategic about where you invest.
For example, if you have standard drywall and carpet, an industrial style bar can add character through the bar itself - think a reclaimed wood counter, metal pipe shelving, and Edison bulb lighting - without requiring major structural changes. The industrial elements become focal points that transform the room's personality.
Similarly, a traditional pub-style bar works beautifully in finished basements with wood paneling or darker color schemes. Rich wood bar cabinetry and brass fixtures feel intentional rather than like an afterthought dropped into the space.
Incorporating Bars into Larger Basement Remodels
When you're already planning a complete basement renovation - maybe adding a bathroom, updating flooring, or creating multiple zones - your bar style can be more ambitious because you're coordinating everything together.
This is where wine cellar sophistication or modern minimalist styles really shine. You can plan proper lighting, integrate climate control for wine storage, or create seamless built-ins that look like they were always meant to be there. The bar becomes part of a cohesive design rather than an add-on.
The basement above was updated to be an entertainment space, house a record collection, 3D printer, and include more storage. Laundry is tucked out of the way, as is the cat's litter box. It also includes a fun, colorful bathroom. The shelving on the right would be a great place to serve drinks and snacks without integrated into the experience of the basement.
Working Around What You Can't Change
Many Portland basements have elements you'll work around no matter what - support posts, low ceilings, existing mechanicals, or foundation walls. The smartest bar styles embrace these features rather than hiding them.
Exposed brick foundations become perfect backdrops for rustic farmhouse or industrial styles. Low ceilings work beautifully with cozy pub atmospheres. Support posts can be incorporated into bar designs or become natural room dividers.
Style Flexibility Within Real Budgets
Your style choice also depends on how much you want to invest beyond the bar itself. A farmhouse-style bar can work in almost any finished basement with the right accessories and lighting, while modern minimalist might require updating other elements to avoid looking out of place.
Industrial styles are particularly forgiving because they're supposed to look a bit rough around the edges. You can achieve the look with bar-specific elements while leaving existing basement finishes largely alone.
The goal isn't to create a magazine-perfect space that requires gutting everything you have. It's to choose bar elements that make your existing basement feel intentional, welcoming, and worthy of the cocktails you'll be serving.
Why Should You Add a Basement Bar?
Not everybody needs a bar in their basement, but for the right type of homeowner, it can be a worthy investment. If you’re the type who likes to gather with friends for a few drinks, here are a few reasons you might want a basement bar.
Great Entertainment Space
Adding a bar to your basement can create a great space for entertaining your family and friends. If you host parties, game nights, or other social gatherings, a bar provides a centralized location for serving drinks and snacks. It’s also a great place for conversation and socializing.
Increases Home Value
Believe it or not, a well-designed basement bar may also add value to your home. According to Remodel Magazine, a basement remodel that includes a wet bar typically adds about 70% of the project cost back in value to the home. Over time, that added value increases as the value of the home increases. In a few years time, the money you spend to add a bar could even turn a profit!
How Do You Design a Basement Bar?
While each basement bar should be uniquely designed to meet the needs of the homeowner, there are a handful of common features that we regularly see in these types of spaces. Here are the most popular.
Bar Sink for Preparing Messy Mixed Drinks
One of the first things you’ll want to do is decide whether you want a dry bar or a wet bar. The difference is that a wet bar has a sink whereas a dry bar does not.
Although not necessary, a sink is more often than not a good feature to have at a home bar. It allows you to easily clean up spills, contain messy drinks during preparation, and wash glasses and other barware. It’s important to consider the placement of the sink to ensure it’s easily accessible and doesn’t take up too much space.
Beverage Cooler or Kegerator for Chilled Drinks on Demand
Both increasingly common features in home kitchens and bars alike, beverage coolers and kegerators are perfect for keeping your drinks cold and easily accessible. A beverage cooler is ideal for storing a variety of canned and bottled drinks, whereas a kegerator allows you to serve draught beer on tap. Kegerators can also be used to serve cold-brew coffee and kombucha, making it a versatile and practical feature to consider for your basement bar.
Display Shelves for Presentation
An especially popular choice among whiskey connoisseurs and collectors, display shelves allow you to showcase your collection of spirits and glasses. In addition to keeping your bottles visible and within reach, display shelves can add an element of sophistication to your bar area.
Small Cooktop for Preparing Snacks
The point of a basement bar isn’t to add an entirely new kitchen to the house. However, a small cooktop can be a great addition to the space if you plan on preparing snacks or light meals. It can also be used to fry up some greasy bar food, keep snacks warm, or even melt cheese for fondue, nachos, or dips.
Cabinet Lighting for Ambience & Dimension
To improve the mood and ambiance of your basement bar, consider cabinet lighting. These cabinet-mounted light fixtures not only improve visibility when working in your basement bar — they can also highlight the space’s unique design features. While some people use LED strips to accomplish this, lights manufactured specifically for under-cabinet applications tend to work much better.
What are the Common Challenges of Building a Basement Bar?
While the end result of having a bar in your basement is certainly rewarding, that doesn’t mean there won’t be a few challenges along the way. Here are a few common issues you should be prepared to address.
Defining the Scope of the Project
The first challenge you’re likely to face is deciding how big or small you want to go with your basement bar. There are many different designs that fall under the category of a home bar. It’s up to you and your design team to figure out what layout and feature will best serve your needs. It can be as simple as a counter with a sink or as complex as a full bar setup stylized to look like a 17th-century Scottish pub.
Adding Plumbing Lines to the Floor
Chances are, your basement has concrete floors. In order for your bar to have running water, you’ll need water supply and drainage lines, which can be challenging to install. Often, it requires cutting through and removing some of the concrete floors, installing the plumbing lines, and pouring new concrete over top of them. This process involves specialized machinery and many hours of labor.
Building Code Restrictions
Another thing you’ll want to be careful about is making sure your basement bar doesn’t qualify as an accessory kitchen. There are building codes that apply specifically to kitchen spaces that don’t necessarily apply to a bar area. These codes have specific requirements that can make it more difficult and expensive to build the space.
Ready to Transform Your Space?
If you're considering a bar as part of your basement remodel, here are a few resources that will help.
1) Check out our basement remodel cost calculator. You can input the details of your remodel and get a ballpark price. Once you're done, send it to one our designers and they'll get to work on making your basement dreams a reality.
2) Dreaming of a basement bar but you don't yet have the basement? Check out this article on converting your crawlspace to a basement.
3. Learn more about how much a basement remodel costs in Portland.
Lamont Bros. helps homeowners all over the Portland Metro area transform their homes into spaces they love. If you're ready to get started with your basement remodel, schedule a consultation now to get started. Cheers!
