How can I build an inexpensive bar?

Save money by repurposing a cabinet or piece of furniture for the body of the bar. I have seen them made out of old dressers, bookshelves, kitchen cabinets, etc. The side that has doors or drawers would face the "bartender" and can be customized with shelves or drawers. The whole piece can be "lifted" to your preferred height with a simple wood frame and wood facing.

The pipe foot rest sounds great and they sell products that can paint metal brass, copper or steel colored. The side of the bar facing out can be painted, tiled, covered in cedar shakes, a mural, mosaic, metal sheeting, fabric, tufted leather-look vinyl, whatever you like. Here are some pics of repurposed materials used as bars : https://www.pinterest.com/renabor/repurposed-bar-ideas/?lp=true

Hello Cathleen, Well here is a site with free plans on building a bar similar to what you describe but the arm rail and foot rail would be your own addition. READ #4 AND #5 AND keep in mind you CAN keep the costs down:

https://www.homewetbar.com/blog/free-diy-home-bar-plans/

Perhaps you could get some pallet wood and make it from that. The link below is a 2 level, bit of an oval shape cabinet made with pallet wood (of course you don't have to mkae it like this but just wanted to give you an idea of how nice even cleaned up, sanded, stained, and sealed pallet wood can be)

https://www.theurbaninterior.co/100-ideas-make-your-kitchen-awesome-with-pallet/pallet-interior-for-kitchen-42/#main

Below are free plans for a straight bar made with pallet wood. With some modifications you could make it a bit of an oval shape making it 3 slightly angled striaght bars of various lengths ;)

http://www.infarrantlycreative.net/man-cave-pallet-bar/

I do hope these help you Cathleen :) Good Luck and thanks for coming to HOMETALK to find out how to build an inexpensive bar ;)