Bar-warming gifts

What would be the top three ideal gifts for a brand new home bar?

Booze
glasses
napkins

PJ,

In addition to numbers 1+2 above, I'd recommend the shaker/jigger/tongs etc. tool set. Williams-Sonoma et al. carry nice ones.

-JTD

[ Edited by: JTD on 2003-10-12 09:47 ]

A couple of nice artsy martini glasses.

One of those plastic dodads for rimming glasses with sugar or salt, nobody ever thinks to buy them, but they do come in handy. I never use salt, but like to rim several martinis with flavored sugar.

Progressive religion: http://universist.meetup.com

out of the ordinary mixtures,
cool background light fixture,
napkins/stirrers

A new liver!

A new liver!

Box or gift bag?

unless you know the taste of the individual bartender and what tools they already have, there is nothing like a bottle of 'the good stuff.' you know, the stuff you covet at the liquor store, but might feel a bit guilty buying for yourself.

persoanlly i say avoid obscure stuff that ends up at the back of the liquor cabinet - and stick to the mainstream acohol (rum, vodka, gin, or maybe some good cognac) that your friends will enjoy making their old favorites with.

Don't get them the penis shaped ice cube tray. The chilly willies melt too fast and water down your drink!

I tell ya what... The one thing that I appreciate in my own bar above and beyond all other items (and it was not a gift but something I bought for myself) is my Ice Crusher. I got one of the Electric Rival Ice-O-Matics (as recommended by someone in Tiki Central) on ebay and have never been disappointed. It is a thing of Perfection in an otherwise Imperfect world.

Worth the price at whatever it may be (don't pay more than $20 for it, though).

a cool novelty item I saw in the AFTER 5 catalog: an ice mold that makes shot glasses. I'm kinda tempted to pick one up myself.

-Z

Three words: Top shelf booze.

keg-o-rator would be cool.

A matching set of genuine Third Reich swizzle sticks...actually, Tiki Farm has some really cool frosted bar glasses out(come in sets of four). I just picked up the double old-fashioned 4-pack the other day. Still breakin' em in.

Depends on the personality of the bar owner. Me, I'm very particular, and if I haven't already bought something for my bar, it may very well be because I didn't want it. So, unless you're planning on shelling out for some sort of sure-fire, one-of-a-kind item, like a cool old tiki, I say stick with consumables (read: primo rum!). At least, if you're buying a gift for someone like me. :)

What would be the top three ideal gifts for a brand new home bar?

Well it the gift is coming from a Tiki Central member I'd have to say -

#1 - A SOLID Tiki Drink Recipe Book - (second choice a copy of the 1949 Esquire's Handbook for Hosts via Ebay). If you're his/her main Tiki Friend they'll appreciate your contribution.

#2 - A nice cutting board and knife. It helps when you're making fresh margarita's or need it for putting limes into a Vodka Tonic.

#3 - A gift certificate to a Quality Specialty liquor store. Most likely the owner will have you over to sample the purchase...the gift that will give back.

T.B.