Sip Sip Hooray! 5 Home Cocktail Bars

Why go out for a nightcap when a custom-stocked private bar is steps away? From an Upper West Side townhouse to a San Francisco high-rise, these bars will inspire staying home and sipping in style.

Mediterranean-Inspired Houston Hideaway

Houston, Texas | David Atkins & Jason Lee Villarreal, Martha Turner Sotheby’s International Realty 

Tucked amid stately trees, this 9,922-square-foot Mediterranean-inspired home is a harmonious, satisfying retreat in Houston’s bucolic Tanglewood. It features generously proportioned spaces, including five bedrooms, living and dining rooms, a well-outfitted kitchen, a butler’s bar and wine room, a library with 18-foot ceilings and an upper-level mezzanine, a media room with a projector, a 300-square-foot gym, a game room, and a sitting room with a cocktail bar boasting reclaimed ceiling beams, an eye-catching sink, and antique cabinetry.

Designer Aerie in San Francisco

San Francisco, California | Gregg Lynn, Sotheby’s International Realty – San Francisco Brokerage

High above Russian Hill, this two-bedroom, 2,600-square-foot aerie designed by the acclaimed Jay Jeffers basks in sweeping panoramas of the bay waters and the city skyline. The chic and inviting living room appeals with its warming travertine fireplace, walk-out terrace, and streamlined wet bar with a wine chiller and ample storage that encourages soigné cocktail parties. Other highlights include an expertly equipped kitchen, a media room with Murphy bed, and sophisticated home automation systems.

Greenwich Grandeur

Greenwich, Connecticut | Helene Barre & Fran Ehrlich, Sotheby’s International Realty – Greenwich Brokerage

Classic Connecticut grandeur meets 21st-century sophistication and technology in this majestic 12,402-square-foot six-bedroom manor on 4.02 emerald acres in Greenwich. Beyond a stunning foyer and formal living and dining rooms, the heart of the home is a glorious, light-flooded great room with a fireplace, space for lounging and dining, and a vintage-inspired bar. Outdoor entertaining is equally easy thanks to generous terraces, an alfresco kitchen, a fireplace, a pool and spa, a pool house, and a lake with a fountain.

Impressive Upper West Side Townhouse

New York, New York | Cathy Taub, Sotheby’s International Realty – East Side Manhattan Brokerage

Impeccably renovated, this Upper West Side townhouse on a prime block near Central Park offers seven floors of impressively chic living, entertaining, and sleeping spaces as well as a loggia, multiple terraces, and a spectacular rooftop deck with a full outdoor kitchen and sitting areas. Stylish gatherings are effortless on the main entertainment level, which provides dining space for up to 20 guests, two sleek gas fireplaces, and a striking wet bar with shelving for dozens of desirable bottles and fitting glassware.

Texas Treasure

Fulshear, Texas | Raghda Henthorne, Martha Turner Sotheby’s International Realty 

Occupying 2.8 enviably private acres not far from the Brazos River, this estate comprises a regal main residence, a unique guesthouse, and a 20-car garage. In addition to five bedrooms, the home offers an opulent dining room, a paneled library, a kitchen with adjoining family and breakfast rooms, a theater, and a game room featuring a Western-inspired bar with a mirrored wall and glass shelves. French doors lead to the terrace, summer kitchen, and refreshing pool.

Inspired by these home bars? Here are some tips for your next gathering