The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

in si de ha lto n. co m O ak vi lle B ea ve r | T hu rs da y, A ug us t 23 ,2 01 8 | 32323 The first FREE marketing platform for Real-Estate Professionals FREE Member Forum FREE Articles & Guides FREE Referral Directory FREE Marketing Checklists JOIN TODAY! www.agent8.ca Many people enjoy opening their homes to friends or family. In fact, ac- cording to the National Eating Trends survey and custom research by the NPD group, in 2016 the average per- son ate 38 meals at other people's homes. Knowing how to cook, set the mood and entertain is increasingly impor- tant for many homeowners. Installing and outfitting a home bar can provide guests with the features of a night out, only without the crowds or bar tabs that come at the end of the night. A home bar is a place where hosts and their guests can gather and enjoy great conversation. Such a spot also can serve as a neighbourhood hang- out -- a smart choice for those who want to indulge safely and not have to drive home afterward. Creating a home bar need not be a difficult project. By investing in basic equipment, stocking up on preferred liquors and gaining some mixology ex- pertise, hosts can impress and enter- tain their guests. Establish a bar setup Home bars can range from rolling carts to built-in wet bars to a single tray of items. Space in a home will dic- tate the kind of bar homeowners can have. Rolling bar carts are popular and versatile, and they can be kept station- ary or rolled in and out of a room as needed. If a bar cart is open, organiza- tion is key, as you don't want it to look unkempt. A full-blown wet bar will require more construction, including plumbing and electricity if you need outlets for plug- ging in appliances. Wet bars are ideal in dens, renovated garages and fin- ished basements. Stock up on equipment A new home bar requires barware and glassware. Various drinks are best served in requisite glassware and prepared with the right equip- ment. A home bar will benefit from a muddler, jigger, cocktail shaker, strainer, ice cube trays, and bar spoon. Glassware can include short glasses, tall glasses and wine glass- es with stems. Martini glasses pro- vide a chic look and are practical for those who prefer cosmopolitans and martinis. Fill it with spirits No bar is complete without alco- hol and mixers. Homeowners can buy the types of spirits they love and complete their bars with the ba- sics for mixing. When stocking a bar, keep in mind that everything does not have to be top-shelf. Vodka, gin, tequila, rum, and whiskey are some of the more popular spirits. Simple syrup, fresh fruit, club soda, cola, and bitters are examples of versatile mixers. Entertaining guru Martha Stewart says to have enough supplies on hand for guests. Expect each person to have three drinks (requiring three glasses), use a pound of ice, and three cocktail napkins per two-hour party. Don't forget to also have non- alcoholic items on hand for those who don't imbibe. (MCC) Tips for how to build your own home bar at home Advertorial