How Much Does It Cost to Build a Bar in Your Basement? [2024 Data]
Normal range: $800 - $22,500
The average cost to install a bar in your basement ranges from $800 to $22,500, with a national average of $8,000. Expect to pay more for custom bars and high-end countertops.
What if you could design your own personal swanky bar scene for friends in your finished—or currently unfinished—basement? The average cost to install a bar in your basement ranges from $800 to $22,500. From wet or dry bars and from custom to premade designs, expect to invest an average of $8,000 in this haven for hanging out. This guide will touch on everything you need to know from the floor up—from tiling and plumbing to the design of the bar itself.
- Average
- $8,000
- Low end
- $600
- high end
- $33,800
Cost Factors to Build a Basement Bar
The cost range to build a bar in your basement is so large because the price depends on many different factors, including the size of your bar, the type of bar, and more.
Size
As you can imagine, the size of your bar is going to play a significant role in your total installation costs, with larger bars adding more to your total for each additional linear foot you add. On average, you can expect to pay between $100 and $1,500 per linear foot, depending on materials, design, and more.
| Bar Size (Linear Feet) | Typical Cost |
|---|---|
| 4 | $400–$6,000 |
| 6 | $600–$9,000 |
| 8 | $800–$13,500 |
| 10 | $1,000–$15,000 |
| 12 | $1,200–$18,000 |
| 15 | $1,500–$22,500 |
Type of Bar
The type of bar you build or purchase will have a significant impact on your project total, as well. You can expect to pay some of the highest prices for a wet bar, which includes plumbing and a convenient place to wash glassware, while a simple bar cart or freestanding bar cabinet can help keep your costs as low as possible.
| Bar Type | Cost |
|---|---|
| Bar cart | $150 – $1,000 |
| Built-in wall cabinet bar | $900 – $2,500 |
| Custom sit-down dry bar | $2,000–$10,000 |
| Freestanding bar cabinet | $150 – $2,000 |
| Premade sit-down dry bar | $1,200 – $6,500 |
| Wet bar | $6,000 – $22,500 |
Pre-Made Bars
Countless furniture designers and stores sell prefabricated bars, countertops, and islands that make excellent dry bars (by dry bar, we mean you're not hooked up to any form of plumbing). Between materials and labor for installation, pre-made options will cost between $1,200 and $6,500 without any extra bells and whistles.
Pre-made bars will almost always be more affordable than custom-built bars, but they may not be an option, depending on the clearance you have entering your basement space.
Custom Bar Additions
Custom bar designs often include wet bar installation, lighting, refrigerators, counters, and floors. The most elaborate home bars overall can cost upwards of $22,500, especially if you’re opting for high-quality, expensive materials like mahogany or another species of hardwood.
Here are some additional costs for each part of a home basement bar, including both materials and labor.
| Bar Addition | Price |
|---|---|
| Additional plumbing | $300 – $1,800 |
| Cabinets | $900 – $7,000 |
| Countertops | $200 – $4,000+ |
| Lighting and electrical | $200 – $1,000+ |
| Refrigeration | $500 – $5,000 |
| Sink | $200 – $1,000 |
Basement Renovation
Do you need to lay the groundwork for a great socializing spot before building the bar? If you're starting from the bare foundation walls and floors, finishing a basement costs between $30 to $75 per square foot depending on the needed level of work.
This cost can easily double or triple your cost, but it’s a crucial first step to make the space a comfortable place to hang out. Contact a local basement remodeling contractor if you need help.
Electrical
If you don’t have ample lighting in your basement to illuminate your new bar setup, you might consider having an electrician in to install new light fixtures. An electrician will usually charge between $50 and $100 per hour, or between $150 and $1,000 per fixture.
This portion of the budget can easily increase if you want custom lighting in your cabinets to illuminate your bottles or glassware, or if you want special underlighting for the bartop.
Plumbing
For the ultimate basement bar, you’ll need to route plumbing to the space. Doing so will give you the opportunity to install a sink for dumping drinks and washing glasses without having to carry them upstairs to the kitchen. Plumbing lines running to your basement bar also mean you can connect an ice maker, which improves the utility of your space.
Expect to pay somewhere between $200 and $1,000 to route supply lines and drain lines to your set up, plus between $200 and $600 to install a sink in your bar. Costs can be lower or higher depending on how close your nearest water and drain lines are.
Flooring
No bar is complete without non-slip flooring and finished flooring on the exterior of the bar. If you don’t already have flooring in the area where you’re planning the installation, expect to pay between $3 and $11 to lay down flooring. You can get some non-slip bar mats for around $50 each. You might need a few mats, depending on the length of your bar.
Geographical Location
The cost to build a bar in your basement will vary based on where you live, as labor and material costs fluctuate based on supply and demand in different areas. Generally speaking, you’ll pay more in major cities where the cost of living is higher than you will in suburban or rural areas.
| Location | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Austin | $6,300 |
| Chicago | $7,100 |
| Dallas | $6,700 |
| Houston | $7,200 |
| Los Angeles | $7,500 |
| New York | $8,000 |
| Philadelphia | $7,600 |
| Phoenix | $8,800 |
| San Antonio | $7,400 |
| San Diego | $7,100 |
Labor
On average, you can expect the labor costs to build a basement bar to sit around $4,000, or close to 50% of your total. Labor costs will be higher for more complex or ornate custom basement bars, or for those that require changes to your electrical and plumbing systems to accommodate them.
Depending on your home bar ideas, you may need to hire a few different professionals to get the job done:
Carpenter: $75–$100 per hour
Drywall installer: $50–$100 per hour
Electrician: $50–$100 per hour
Floor installation tech: $60–$120
General contractor: $50–$150 per hour
Painter: $20–$50 per hour
Plumber: $45–$200 per hour
Structural engineer: $100–$250 per hour
How Much Does It Cost to Install a Bar Basement Yourself?
Installing a prefab dry bar yourself is an option—if you're up for the challenge. Like most large furniture items, you can either purchase the dry bar already constructed or in pieces. For comparison, the cost for a local furniture assembly pro runs from $90 to $150 an hour.
But once you get into wet bar or electrical installation territory, it's best to stick with the pros. Some locations and certain projects require that a certified professional completes the work, often with an approved construction permit. Even if it isn’t a requirement, plumbing and electrical work are inherently dangerous, and making a mistake as a DIYer is more likely and can lead to expensive consequences.
If you have some experience and skill in the carpentry department, you can plan and build your own bar, for which you’ll likely spend around $4,000, on average–about half the cost of hiring a pro. This work is still difficult, so we recommend hiring a pro if you’re not confident in your woodworking skills.
How Much Does It Cost to Install a Bar in Your Basement by Type?
Before you opt for a complex wet bar, remember that you have your pick of sizes and varieties depending on your needs. A built-in cabinet bar can be just as elegant as a full-sized counter to shake up a fine martini, so choose carefully based on your budget and needs.
Wet Bar
A wet bar simply has connections for plumbing, usually including a sink for rinsing and washing glassware, and to dispose of unfinished drinks with ease. Many homeowners who opt for wet bars will also run a water supply line for an ice maker to have on-demand ice ready for their next get-together.
Expect to pay some of the highest prices for a wet bar, usually between $6,000 and $22,000.
Dry Bar
In contrast to a wet bar, a dry bar doesn’t have any plumbing lines run to it. You can still have storage, a bar top, stools, and a mini fridge or wine cooler built into the set up, but you’ll need to transport your glassware upstairs for cleaning.
Dry bars are less convenient, but they are also significantly less expensive, coming in around $1,200 to $6,500 for a pre-made bar, or $2,000 to $10,000 for a custom-built one. In addition to savings, you won’t have to cut into walls to install access or utilities, so installation is faster and less invasive.
Freestanding Bar Cabinet
A freestanding bar cabinet is more like a piece of furniture that houses all of your bar equipment. Most of these have a small surface for preparing garnishes and pouring drinks, as well as storage for glassware and bottles. You just won’t have a bar top where guests can sit.
Freestanding bar cabinets are even easier to set up than dry bars, and they’re less expensive, averaging between $150 and $2,000, depending on the complexity and size.
Built-In Wall Cabinet Bar
A built-in wall cabinet bar is similar to a freestanding cabinet in appearance and functionality, so you won’t have a sink or access to an ice maker. Instead, the bar consists of cabinets, shelves, and a prep surface that your professional will either set into the wall or attach directly to it.
Expect to pay between $900 and $2,500 for this type of basement bar.
Bar Cart
A bar cart is the easiest and most affordable way to install a bar in your basement. These are carts on wheels that provide bottle and glassware storage, along with a work surface to prepare drinks. You won’t get seating or a permanent bar set up, but part of the appeal is that you can move it out of the way to repurpose the space if you need to.
Bar carts usually cost between $150 and $1,000 depending on the size, material, quality, and arrangement.
Common Add-Ons
Adding a bar to the bottom level of your home is a fun way to reimagine your basement space. While you’re at it, you might want to consider the following add-ons to complete your setup:
Adding a kegerator for drinks on tap
Installing a wine cooler or wine rack, or a wine cellar if you have the space and budget
Placing arcade games or a dart board near your bar
Adding a bathroom near your basement bar
Building an entertainment system
Adding built-in bookshelves
How to Save on the Cost to Install a Bar in Your Basement
Building a bar in the basement is a dream for many homeowners, but the project can easily get expensive. Below are a few tips to help keep costs down and make your dream a reality without breaking the bank:
Size your bar carefully. Larger bars are often more desirable, but prices increase with each linear foot you add. Think carefully about how many people you’ll be entertaining and how often to make sure you don’t build too big—or too expensively.
Stick with a dry bar. One of the easiest ways to reduce the cost to build a basement bar is to choose a dry bar. It’s less convenient having to move glassware upstairs for washing, but you’ll likely save a few thousand dollars by avoiding plumbing work.
Choose the right kind of basement bar. There are a few kinds of basement bar setups, so picking one that doesn’t require altering walls, utilities, or flooring—like a bar cart or a built-in wall cabinet bar—can help reduce your total, largely because you won’t be on the hook for the cost of a basement remodel.
Opt for more affordable materials. A mahogany bar with a live-edge bar top might be nice, but it will cost thousands more than building your bar out of plywood or composite material. Keep costs down by choosing more affordable materials.
Tackle the DIYable aspects yourself. If you’re an experienced DIYer, consider building your custom bar yourself, or installing shelving and cabinets. Just make sure to work within your experience, and always leave plumbing and electrical to a professional.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you have the woodworking experience to build a bar from scratch and you have the time, DIYing the work is a no-brainer and can save a few thousand dollars. However, if you’re looking to include a sink, additional lighting fixtures, or high-end bar tops and cabinets, it’s usually a better idea to call in a pro. It will cost more, but the finished product will likely be worth it.
Envision the type of bar experience you'd like to create for your guests. For example:
Does your basement have enough finished space for bar stools or seating?
What type of additional lighting would set the tone for the room?
Are there basement windows or an HVAC system?
Do you need new plumbing in your basement for a proper wet bar?
Could you be happy with a built-in wall cabinet bar rather than a full-scale wet bar?
Building a bar in the basement will likely add value to your home, although it’s unlikely that you’ll see a significant return on investment (ROI) unless you plan on using the space for you and your guests. If you think you’ll use the area frequently, though, it’s probably worth the investment, and you should see a bump in value if or when you sell your property.