If you’ve recently scoured TikTok for home improvement ideas, you may have come across a “kitchen bantry.” 

It’s essentially a hybrid between a bar and pantry. And interior designers agree that it’s gone viral for good reason.

“Whether you’re hosting dinner parties, preparing for a relaxing evening with family, or baking treats for all the neighbors, a ‘bantry’ provides the necessary space you need to hide the mess from guests and step away for a break when needed,” says Jennifer Stickler, principal broker and co-owner at Mountain Luxury in Eden, UT.

If you’re intrigued by the concept of a bantry, it’s up to you to explore its benefits and costs so you can determine whether it’s the right fit for your home and lifestyle.

Why the ‘bantry’ is having a moment

At its core, a bantry is a pantry doing double duty as a bar.

“It has closed storage below it, a working counter at standing height, open shelving for glassware and bottles above it—and if the owner is serious, a small fridge. The door is what makes it a bantry instead of a bar. You can close it,” explains Kam Oveisy, owner of Desire Basements Inc. in Toronto.

Designers are all about it because it solves a serious dilemma many homeowners have about their open-concept floor plan: Everyone can see everything in their kitchen all the time.

“The espresso machine, the blender, the bottles, and the chargers all need to live somewhere. A bantry gives daily clutter a room of its own so the kitchen can stay calm,” Oveisy says.

Essentially, a bantry bridges the gap between an entertaining space and practical storage. 

“The bar is already an entertaining spot. It’s where you stand around and chat during holidays or dinner parties. A pantry is extra space with a bunch of built-in storage. A bantry combines the best of both worlds,” explains Mitch Coluzzi, head of construction and co-founder of SoldFast in Des Moines, IA.

This feature may also come in handy if and when you plan to sell your home.

“Trend names expire but storage never does. Built as excellent storage first, a bantry reads as a walk-in pantry with benefits and works for every buyer who tours the house. Built as a shrine to cocktails, it narrows your market. Build the storage. Let it serve drinks,” adds Oveisy.

What to consider before adding one

If you decide to build a bantry, Oveisy suggests running more outlets than you think you need—at counter height and shelf height—because every appliance in the house may eventually migrate there. 

Also, make sure every handle and fixture share the same metal finish and are ideally from the same manufacturer. 

“Each brand’s gold is different, and mismatched metals can make the whole thing look off,” says Oveisy. 

In addition, be mindful of the lighting you choose.

“A warm LED strip under the shelves is the difference between a standout feature and a dark closet,” adds Oveisy.

Coluzzi recommends adding pull-out shelves, revolving trays, and other features to make reaching everything in the cabinets easy. 

Whether you need a sink is your choice, but in most cases, you’re close enough to the kitchen sink that another one isn’t worth the extra cost and hassle. However, if you think you may want to add one to the bantry in the future, rough in the waterline while the wall is open. 

“Adding plumbing to a finished bantry later is a renovation, not an upgrade,” explains Ovesiy.

According to Oveisy, the cost of a bantry comes down to one question: Does water run into it?

“In the projects I work on, a full wet bar with a sink, plumbing, a stone counter, and custom millwork adds around $15,000,” Oveisy explains.

A dry bantry built into an existing pantry or closet comes in well below that, because the walls and door already exist and you’re simply buying cabinetry, a counter, shelving, lighting, and outlets. 

For a basic dry bantry, Coluzzi says you’re looking at $3,000 to $5,000 for labor and materials depending on how many bells and whistles you want.