Illustrations by Allie Manch

Here’s a way to make any matchbook-sized apartment into a superswank party den. Bring back the classy glamour of the Murphy bed with your very own Murphy bar. This piece of wood fixed to your wall folds down to become a surface for serving drinks and doubles as a piece of art when space is tight. Follow our 10 steps, and even the tiniest studio can become the coolest new watering hole in town.

NECESSARY MATERIALS
Fir plywood
Spray paint (one can)
Brass hinges (two)
3/16″ screw eyes (four)
1/4″-thick white nylon rope (at least four feet)
Chalkboard, artwork or other decoration
Epoxy glue
Level
Electric drill and variable-sized drill bits
Pencil

1. Begin with a piece of fir plywood 20 inches long by 15 inches wide. If you’re not the table saw-type, try asking the friendly people at your local hardware store to make some cuts for you.
2. Spray-paint both sides of the wood your favorite color. Two coats will make for a more vibrant hue.
3. Once the paint is dry, affix two small brass hinges flush with one edge of the 20-inch side of the wood, five inches in from the ends.
4. Insert two screw eyes into the edges of the 15-inch sides of the wood one inch from each end that will be opposite the wall when the bar is lowered. Drill holes first for easier insertion.
5. Now you get to decide how to decorate the outer-facing side of the bar. You can epoxy a mini-chalkboard or stick any number of thrift store art finds to the front. Remember, this piece needs to be well secured so it doesn’t fall off the wood when the bar is lowered.
6. Back to tool time. Take out that tape measure, and mark two points on the wall that are three-and-a-half feet high and 10 inches apart. (Use the level to ensure accuracy.)
7. Drill the top half of the hinge to the wall over the pencil marks. Your bar is now attached to the wall in its “lowered” position.
8. Drill the remaining two screw eyes into the wall 20 inches apart and 14 inches above where the wood is fixed to the wall. These should line up with the screw eyes in the wood when the bar is raised.
9. String two lengths of nylon rope through the screw eyes so that the bar can be raised or lowered using the rope, and tie a knot at either end. When your bar’s not open for business, the nylon rope should be pulled taut to keep it raised, much like a drawbridge.
10. Tie the ends of rope together for a nautical effect. Untie and pull down to party!