The J-Town "Full Court Press" Dry Bar

At Open Grain Woodwork, we know that March in Kentucky means two things: high-stakes hoops and hosting. When a client from right here in J-Town came to us, she wasn’t just looking for a cabinet—she wanted a “Sixth Man” for her kitchen that could handle the madness of tournament season.

The goal? A versatile, free-standing dry bar that keeps the drinks cold and the celebration centered, whether you’re bleeding UofL Red or UK Blue.

Design Meets Game-Day Functionality

The centerpiece of this build is a built-in wine fridge, flanked by storage solutions as balanced as a perfect bracket. To achieve the ideal mix of style and utility, we designed this unit with a championship-level scouting report:

  • Custom Dimensions: The final piece stands at approximately 42 13/16″ tall with a generous 63 1/2″ wide top—plenty of room for a spread of appetizers.

  • Intelligent Storage: Two 6″ top drawers sit above spacious cabinet doors, perfect for stashing coasters or your lucky game-day jersey.

  • Hidden Features: The interior includes adjustable shelving and a pull-out drawer at the bottom for easy access to your collection when the game goes into overtime.

  • Connectivity: We included a 21 3/8″ slotted opening in the back for discreet power cord management, so your fridge stays humming without messy cables cluttering the court.

Premium Materials: The Color Commentary

To give the cabinet its signature “furniture” feel, we utilized a mix of premium hardwoods and finishes that pay a subtle tip of the hat to our local rivals.

  • The Base: Crafted from Maple and high-quality Plywood. It’s finished in Sherwin Williams Bungalow Blue (SW0048)—a sophisticated nod that’ll make any Wildcats fan feel right at home.

  • The Top: A massive live-edge solid Walnut top. The rich, dark wood brings a warmth and strength that reminds us of the classic Cardinals grit.

  • Hardware: Sleek, modern silver pulls that complement the stainless steel of the wine fridge.

Material Quantity
Walnut 30 BF
Maple 10 BF
Plywood 3 Sheets

Bringing it Together: A Slam Dunk

By combining the client’s hand-drawn inspiration with our technical precision, we created a piece that doesn’t just hold wine—it anchors the room. Whether you’re hosting a watch party for the Cats and Cards or just enjoying a quiet glass after the final buzzer, this cabinet is built to perform.