You may have to work a bit to make your home bar welcoming, especially if it's in the basement. Here are some entertaining tips from event planner Geri Wolf, owner of Style Laboratory in Minneapolis.

• Make guests feel at home. "I've never asked my guests to take off their shoes," she said. "Their comfort is more important than my rugs." But if it's snowing or raining, she keeps a towel by the door to clean off shoes.

• Create ambience. Candlelight emits a romantic glow and is the most complimentary type of lighting for everyone's skin, she said. For safety, place candles in enclosed vessels. Dim other lights in the room.

• Play music that follows the bar's theme, such as 1960s Exotica for a tiki bar and jazz for an ultra-contemporary glass and metal lounge.

• Offer an assortment of appetizers, especially if you're serving alcohol. Make sure they're substantial and plan for five pieces per person. At her last cocktail party, Wolf served tomato soup in shot glasses and triangles of grilled cheese. "As a parting snack, I do a shot of milk with a chocolate chip cookie," she said.

• Stock the bar with beer and wine as well as water, soda and kid-friendly drinks if it's a family gathering. For large adult parties, Wolf suggests two or three signature drinks. "Manhattans and sidecars are coming back because of the 'Mad Men' rage," she said. "I love pomegranate martinis."

• If possible, hire a bartender and a server or ask friends or family members to pitch in to replenish food and pick up dirty dishes. "You don't want to be tied up with tasks during the party," she said.

• Don't have a guest B-list. "They always find out," said Wolf.

LYNN UNDERWOOD