Celebrity Home Bars: A Tasteful Escape or Tacky Display?
After lockdown transformed staying in into the new going out, a surge of homeowners rushed to install private bars, recreating the pub experience without leaving the house. For celebrities valuing privacy, these home bars offer a secluded spot to enjoy drinks away from prying eyes. Singer Ed Sheeran, for instance, has a full pub set up in his basement, while others opt for luxury marble slabs or DIY nooks for their Grey Goose and Aperol. Colleen Rooney's £20 million Cheshire mansion boasts an art-deco inspired bar, and Amanda Holden upgraded her Surrey home with a well-stocked, mirror-lined bar. However, having the budget for a private drinking den doesn't always guarantee tastefulness. Here, interiors expert Jordana Ashkenazi reveals which stars have crafted elegant spaces and which should urgently renew their private members club memberships.
Colleen Rooney: Classic Luxury
Colleen Rooney's £20 million Cheshire mansion includes a myriad of opulent spaces, featuring an art-deco style bar with a rounded design and hanging glasses. Jordana notes that this bar sits firmly in the classic luxury category, making an immediate impression upon entry. The circular layout gives it a professional feel, akin to a high-end cocktail bar, clearly designed for entertaining. While some areas of her home may feel understated, this space shows deliberate effort with well-thought-out materials and structure. It embodies the "footballer mansion" luxury feel, serving as a focal point that's properly stocked and ready for parties. Verdict: Luxurious, impressive, and undeniably classy.
Ed Sheeran: Personal and Relaxed
In 2023, Ed Sheeran offered fans a rare glimpse of his £3.7 million Suffolk estate, dubbed 'Sheeranville', in a Disney+ documentary. His pub, The Lancaster Lock, is covered with Ipswich Town flags, guitars, and memorabilia, featuring working beer pumps in a log cabin style. Jordana praises this setup as refreshingly different, focusing on personal and relaxed vibes rather than glamour. It feels comfortable and sociable, designed for friends gathering over pints, exuding authenticity and character that aligns with Ed's personality. Verdict: Relaxed, personal, and full of character. Classy.
Karen Gillan: Underwhelming Cabinet
Scottish-born star Karen Gillan keeps a taste of home in her California cottage with a rustic, dark-wood bar set-up in her living room, as revealed by Architectural Digest. Jordana finds this setup surprisingly underwhelming for a celebrity home designed with professional help. It reads more like a cabinet or sideboard than a proper bar, with minimal glasses and bottles, lacking atmosphere or character. The aesthetic feels stuffy and dated, barely registering as a functional drinks area. Verdict: Underwhelming. More cabinet than cocktail bar. Tacky.
Molly-Mae Hague: Over-Curated Aesthetic
Influencer Molly-Mae Hague's Manchester home features a dedicated bar area with trendy grey stone décor and an oval-shaped recess for drinks display. Jordana notes it fits her polished, neutral influencer aesthetic, with sleek joinery and creative design. However, the styling loses impact with decorative bust vases and dried flowers, making it feel more like a styled shelf than a functional bar. It's beautiful but over-curated, lacking personality and practical display. Verdict: Classy, but a little too curated.
Mark Wright and Michelle Keegan: Bold and Glamorous
Mark Wright's £3.5 million Essex home features a private bar with two stylish marble slabs, dark stone, and an illuminated onyx panel. Jordana says it makes an impression as a proper entertaining space, with bold design and high-end cocktail bar feel. The bar serves as a central focal point, though the surrounding room needs more character with stools or artwork to soften it. Overall, it's designed for entertaining with a glamorous touch. Verdict: Bold, glamorous, and impressive. Slightly showy, but overall classy.
Stacey Solomon: Charming DIY Effort
Stacey Solomon attempted a crafty DIY bar in her cottage, with garnishes and syrups at the ready, reflecting her warm, countryside aesthetic. Jordana commends the sustainability and creativity of this DIY creation, which looks neat and considered. However, as a bar, it feels underwhelming, resembling a kitchen pantry more than a dedicated drinks station, with little alcohol on display. Verdict: Charming DIY, but barely a bar at all. Hard to even say if it's tacky or classy.
Lydia Bright: Masculine Afterthought
Lydia Bright's mini-bar set-up features masculine, library-style interiors with dark timber cabinetry and arched shelving. Jordana finds the joinery nice with warm tones, but the bar element feels ambiguous, as if it were an afterthought rather than intentionally designed. It looks over-staged, more like a bookshelf displaying glasses than a functional bar. Verdict: Masculine and nicely designed joinery, but the 'bar' itself feels more like an afterthought.
Chloe Sims: Practical Pantry
Reality star Chloe Sims has a concealed drinks station doubling as a coffee bar, tucked inside cabinetry. Jordana notes it's practical and tidy but reads more like a pantry cupboard than a glamorous home bar, lacking presence or atmosphere for entertaining. Verdict: Practical and stylish, but more pantry than party. Hardly a bar.
Amanda Holden: Glamorous and Dramatic
Amanda Holden installed a swanky bar in her lavish abode, with dramatic shelving, layered lighting, and rows of bottles. Jordana praises this as a space where theatricality works perfectly, offering a moody evening vibe designed for late-night entertaining. It feels stocked and ready for parties, embracing fun and personality. Verdict: Glamorous, dramatic, and classy.
Chloe Ferry: Gaudy Overload
Chloe Ferry's Newcastle home features a private bar with black, grey, and gold furnishings, including a glitzy chandelier. Jordana criticizes this as an example of theatricality gone wrong, with shiny surfaces and competing statement pieces creating a chaotic, overwhelming feel. It crosses into gaudy territory, lacking sophistication. Verdict: Ick! Very tacky.
David and Victoria Beckham: Effortlessly Classy
David and Victoria Beckham's Cotswolds home shows glimpses of a mini bar set-up with neatly arranged glassware and refined shelving. Jordana describes it as understated and elegant, focusing on a calm, sophisticated aesthetic that feels timeless. It's a beautifully styled drinks storage area in a classic country house, perfect for relaxed evenings. Verdict: Effortlessly classy.
