Q:My husband and I are looking for a very functional bar for our dining room. We like this one from Z Gallerie, but it's a little over-the-top for our lifestyle. We like the drawers and storage place, and the fact that it doesn't look like a kitchen island, like so many "bars" do. Does anyone have suggestions for unique-looking (non-C&B) bar/cabinet/consoles that one could store liquor inside and mix drinks on top?
Sent by Lauren
Editor: Leave your suggestions for Lauren in the comments - thanks!
• Got a question? Email yours with pic attachments here (those with pics get answered first)
Dirty Little Secrets of Tidy Families
Hillary & Michael's Refined Roost
Good Food to Share 
The Big Book of Small, Cool Spaces 
Apartment Therapy Presents 
The Eight-Step Home Cure 
Sprout Side Table
Kitchen Before & After: A Cookbook Author Transforms His 1950s Kitchen
Recipe: Ham, Cheddar & Chive Egg Bakes
Keep your eye on Craigslist. That's where I have all of my best (and most unique) furniture finds.
you could always DIY something from a Craigslist/yard sale find.....
Maybe something from Room & Board? Their Zen cabinet might fit the bill.
http://www.roomandboard.com/rnb/product/detail.do?productGroup=19803&catalog=room&category=rm_dining_spaces&subcategory=din_cabinet_stor
My friends are sloppy, so I'd probably have glass cut to the size of the top of any wood piece to make it a more protected, working surface.
I agree with scouting Craigslist. I was looking for exactly the same thing and I found the perfect piece for only $20. All I had to do was paint it.
Pottery Barn has some bar cabinets with similar storage and aren't too kitcheny. My fave is the Markham-- it doesn't answer your storage requirements, but, sigh, I just love to look at it.
Okay, pet peeve time-- Three comments in 20 minutes telling you to go to Craigslist isn't terribly helpful. Everyone knows they should keep an eye on CL. That doesn't mean they're actually going to find anything that works. For example, my local CL, despite being a major city, is a total wasteland for furniture.
Not quite as sleek, but Home Decorators has a similar sideboard that you could work with...
http://www.homedecorators.com/P/Martha_Stewart_Living_Larsson_Buffet/210/
Or Pier 1:
http://www.pier1.com/Catalog/Furniture/tabid/981/CategoryId/155/ProductId/29443/ProductName/Sage-Brown-Marchella-Buffet/Default.aspx
http://www.pier1.com/Catalog/Furniture/tabid/981/CategoryId/980/ProductId/5697/ProductName/Wycliff-Chest/Default.aspx
http://www.pier1.com/Catalog/Furniture/tabid/981/CategoryId/980/ProductId/32631/ProductName/Heera-Cabinet/Default.aspx
@ sororitysheep - totally agreed! Craigslist if very hit or miss.
I also don't have time to deal with flaky buyers or sellers. And I'm terrified of bedbugs (which are more common in soft furnishings, but can hitch a ride anywhere), so I avoid used furniture.
I've seen a lot of pieces of similar style in unfinished furniture stores. Add a top that pleases you (a remnant of granite or marble or sheet of zinc), paint, add molding and you've got a custom piece!
This may sound crazy, but have you also looked at children's furniture? That piece above makes me think of a blinged out changing table.
Go to an import store, preferably Asian. I had my eyes on a bar that when the door swung open, the bar top hinged open and sat on it, creating a worktop. Fabulous! It had all sorts of organizational things to hold bottles, glasses etc.
Check out Horchow: consoles.
http://www.horchow.com/store/catalog/prod.jhtml?itemId=cprod71010018&parentId=cat000014&masterId=cat000010&index=14&cmCat=cat000000cat000001cat000010cat000014
Circa Who sometimes has good finds.
http://circawho.com/category/cabinets/page/3/
Also maybe Layla Grayce
laylagrayce.com
If you like mid-century style, check out vintage/antique stores in your area. I've seen tons of bar cabinets that lift up or open out on top to reveal a storage/drink mixing area with cabinets for glasses below. Here's a photo of one as an example (the top photo):
http://www.refurnishedliving.com/2010/04/08/finds-gorgeous-mid-century-furniture/
West Elm has a good alternative coming out in October!