Wet Bar vs Dry Bar: What’s the Difference?

Rather than the usual “man cave” or “she shed,” some of us like to entertain at home in surroundings with a touch of class. If you’ve ever wanted to install a bar at your home, or turn your basement into a speakeasy, you have more options than ever before to outfit it exactly as you’d like. One of the most important choices you’ll make is whether to install a wet bar or dry bar, and if you choose the latter option, your next most important decision is your choice of a Sacramento plumber.

Dry Bar

A dry bar isn’t “dry” in the sense of YouTubea pub with no beer. It’s dry because there’s no drainage or running water. A dry bar can be as simple as one of those old-fashioned globes that conceals bottles, a few glasses, and some barware, to elaborate setups that include a refrigerator, blender, and prep area, can seat a dozen people, and have a selection that puts your nearby bar to shame.

Dry Sink

A dry bar shouldn’t be confused with a dry sink. Looking like a bathroom vanity minus the sink, these were common before indoor plumbing; the upper part commonly held a pitcher and basin, while the lower part was used for storage. Your dry bar can be a great place for a small galvanized tub or bucket filled with ice to keep bottled beer cold, or it can be a compact way to set up a dry bar in its own right.

Wet Bar

That brings us to the wet bar, which gets its name from the fact that it’s fully plumbed. A wet bar typically includes plumbing fixtures like a sink with full drainage, or even a small dishwasher. The setup is ideal when your bar is located in a basement or another location far from the kitchen, since it’s a great way to avoid schlepping dirty dishes around the house.

Installation Considerations

There are a number of considerations when it comes to choosing a wet bar or dry bar. Installation of a dry bar — especially if you’re using something small like a dry sink that can fit in a corner of a room out of sight — is quick, easy, and requires practically no professional assistance unless you’re going all-in on custom cabinetry and the like.

A wet bar requires the running of additional water lines and drainage, which is often easiest to do if you’re locating your bar near a room that already has plumbing, like a bathroom, laundry room, or kitchen. Space is a concern, too, since other things you might be installing (a fridge, a compact dishwasher, a keg cooler, taps, or brewing equipment) take up space and may, in some instances, require plumbing of their own.

Plumbing in the Sacramento Area

Like other home improvements, a wet bar isn’t necessarily something you install in hopes of boosting your home price; instead, it’s a personal choice that improves value by letting you use and enjoy more of your home. Whatever your goals may be, it’s worth getting right the first time, so if you’re installing a wet bar, call the plumbing specialists at Contact Ace Plumbing to ensure results that last.