How much does it cost to stock a home bar?

A solid starter home bar can be built for $150–$250 with 4–5 bottles and basic mixers. A fully stocked bar with 8–10 bottles, liqueurs, and mixers typically runs $400–$600. Our staff at Clackamas Liquor and More can help you build the right bar for your budget.

What is the best liquor store near Portland to stock a home bar?

Clackamas Liquor and More at 16142 SE 82nd Drive, Clackamas, OR 97015 is one of the best-rated liquor stores in the Portland metro area with over 1,800 products including a wide range of spirits perfect for building a home bar. Our knowledgeable staff can help you select the right bottles for your needs and budget. Open until 10pm Thursday through Saturday.

What tools do I need for a home bar?

Essential home bar tools: a cocktail shaker, a jigger (for measuring), a bar spoon for stirring, a strainer, a muddler, and a citrus juicer. Optional but useful: a mixing glass, a peeler for citrus garnishes, and a good ice tray for large cubes.

How to Stock a Home Bar | Clackamas Liquor and More

Q: What bottles do I need to stock a home bar?

A well-stocked home bar should include: one clear spirit (vodka or gin), one brown spirit (bourbon or whiskey), tequila or mezcal, rum, a bottle of dry vermouth, and something sparkling. With these six categories covered you can make hundreds of classic cocktails. All available at Clackamas Liquor and More, 16142 SE 82nd Drive, Clackamas, OR 97015.

Products Tastings Our Story Hours

2

Add a Versatile Second

Gin or vodka as your second bottle covers almost every cocktail recipe. They work with citrus, soda, tonic, and most mixers — making them the most flexible spirits you can own.

3

Stock Your Mixers

Soda water, tonic, fresh lemons and limes, simple syrup, and bitters. These are cheap and make every cocktail dramatically better. Don't skip the fresh citrus.

4

Add Depth Over Time

Once your foundation is solid, start adding modifiers: sweet vermouth, Campari, an orange liqueur, a bottle of bubbles. Each new addition opens up dozens more cocktails.

Three Tiers

Choose Your Level

Pick the tier that fits where you are right now. You can always build up — and our staff can help you shop any of these lists in one trip.

Starter Bar

Beginner

Bourbon or whiskey
Vodka or gin
Angostura bitters
Simple syrup
Soda water & tonic
Fresh lemons & limes

~$100–$150

Covers: Old Fashioned, Whiskey Sour, Gin & Tonic, Vodka Soda, and more. Everything you need for casual nights at home.

Well-Stocked Bar

Full Bar

Enthusiast

Everything in Well-Stocked
Mezcal
Scotch or Irish whiskey
Cognac or brandy
Amaro or herbal liqueur
Champagne or Prosecco
Flavored spirits & liqueurs
Oregon craft spirits

~$600–$900+

A bar that impresses. Every guest can find something they love, and you can explore the full world of cocktails.

Tools of the Trade

What You Actually Need

The bottles matter, but so does how you use them. These six tools cover 95% of cocktail recipes.

🥤

Cocktail Shaker

Essential for any shaken drink. A basic three-piece cobbler shaker works fine.

📏

Jigger

Measuring is the difference between a good drink and a great one. Don't eyeball it.

🥄

Bar Spoon

For stirred cocktails (Negroni, Manhattan). Also good for layering drinks.

🔵

Strainer

A Hawthorne strainer keeps ice out of your finished drink. Pairs with the shaker.

🍋

Citrus Juicer

Fresh juice makes a dramatically better cocktail. A simple hand juicer is all you need.

🧊

Large Ice Tray

Big ice cubes melt slower and dilute less. Makes any drink look and taste better.

Oregon Craft Spirits — Worth Exploring

If you're building a bar, there's no better place to start than Oregon. Our state has an incredible craft distillery scene — gins, whiskeys, vodkas, and liqueurs made right here in the Pacific Northwest. Come in and let us walk you through what's local and what's worth having on your shelf. It's one of the things we love talking about.

Common Questions

Home Bar FAQ

What bottles do I need to stock a home bar?

Start with bourbon or whiskey, gin or vodka, tequila, and bitters. Add sweet vermouth and Campari when you're ready to expand. These cover the majority of classic cocktails.

How much does it cost to build a home bar?

A starter bar runs $100–$150 with 3–4 bottles and basic mixers. A well-stocked bar is $300–$450. A full enthusiast bar can reach $600–$900+. Start small and build up as you discover what you drink.

What's the first bottle I should buy for a home bar?

Buy what you actually drink. If you enjoy whiskey, start there. If you prefer tequila, begin with a good blanco. The best home bar is the one built around your actual taste — not someone else's checklist. Come in and we'll help you choose.

Can the staff at Clackamas Liquor help me build a home bar?

Absolutely — it's one of our favorite things to help with. Come in or call (503) 656-5186, tell us your budget and what you enjoy drinking, and we'll build a shopping list with you on the floor. Located at 16142 SE 82nd Drive, Clackamas, OR 97015. Open until 10pm Thursday through Saturday.

Let's Build It Together

Come In and We'll Walk the Floor With You

Tell us your budget, what you drink, and how often you entertain. We'll put together the right shopping list so you leave with exactly what you need — nothing more, nothing less.

Call — (503) 656-5186 Hours & Location →

📍16142 SE 82nd Drive, Clackamas, OR 97015

🕙Open until 10pm Thu–Sat · Oregon's latest open liquor store

Oregon's Latest Open Liquor Store · Est. 1978

Occasions

Hosting a Party Date Night Stock the Bar

Store

About Us Hours & Location Friday Tastings Wholesale

21+ Only