Page 148 - South Mississippi Living - October, 2026

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story by Holly Harrison
and Shannon Stage
The Art of the Bar
We know how to have a good time in
celebrity-like status in a new age of
into the layout. Today, we still see built in
South Mississippi. Every hamlet along our
premium ingredients and unique flavors,
bars—particularly in newly-constructed
Coast has its favorite hangouts offering
with enticing names to match. Smokey
homes—but with more sophisticated,
cold libations that tickle the taste buds,
speakeasy lounges of the past have gotten
high end design elements. We are also
live music to get the toes tapping, and
a makeover and there does not seem to be
seeing homeowners opting for creating a
new friends who do not even need to
a limit to the imagination and creativity in
bar that is more adaptable to their needs
know your name to enjoy your company.
today’s bar scene.
and less permanent.
You can let your hair down and just enjoy
The same trend of updating and
A bar can function as a mini kitchen,
being here.
expanding the flexibility of a bar is
or it can simply be a unique spot
Unlike the days where one bar tended
happening at home too. Decades ago,
for displaying and storing essentials.
to look like any other bar and the menu
bars were often built into the kitchen
Furniture specifically designed to function
at each was practically the same, we have
or the living area. They were typically
as a bar can work well. There are a lot
entered a whole new world. The art of
cabinets that matched the other millwork
of options and it should be easy to find
the cocktail is taking us far beyond the
in the home, often with open shelving,
a piece that will fit every homeowner’s
basics of a good stiff drink and someone
and were very practical for storing bottles
space. But often folks already own
to listen to us while we consume it.
and accessories. It was common to find
something that can be fashioned
Bartenders are now mixologists gaining
a small sink and refrigerator integrated
into a unique bar, such as interesting
148 | October 2026 www.smliving.net | SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living