How to Create an Epic Home Theater Snack Bar

You don’t need a state-of-the-art theater to enjoy movies at home. But if you want to take your movie-viewing experience to the next level, it won’t hurt to have a home snack bar that rivals the concession stand at your local theater. 

Here are some home theater snack bar ideas to get you started:

Choosing the Perfect Location

When you’re thinking about where to assemble your home theater snack bar, ask yourself these questions:

• Is it easy to access?
• Does it have enough room for your snacks and drinks?
• Will it distract from the movie?

You can use a table, countertop, or rolling cart — it up at a corner of the room or behind the seats so others can still enjoy the movie.

Deciding on a Snack and Drink Selection

Now for the most exciting (but probably toughest) part! What will your home snack bar be serving? 

To help you narrow down your selection, here are some suggestions — feel free to mix and match as you see fit: 

Popcorn Bar

Popcorn and movies have been an inseparable duo for decades, so you can’t go wrong with setting up a popcorn bar. It’s the obvious choice if you had to pick only one movie snack to serve. 

For a true movie theater experience, don’t settle for microwave popcorn. Do yourself a favor and get yourself a Popsmith Starter Set. It comes with a stainless steel Popper and a box each of our pre-measured Oh Sooo Buttery Popcorn and Classic Kettle Popcorn.

Just choose a popcorn kit, pour the ingredients into the Popper, turn the crank, and serve! You’ll fill your home with a mouthwatering aroma and satisfy everyone’s craving for theater-quality popcorn. 

PRO TIP: Include a variety of sweet, savory, and salty popcorn toppings so your family members and guests get to customize their popcorn. 

Chips

Chips are another snack you can serve. It’s best to provide different types, especially if you’re the kind of person who loves having guests over. Salty and cheesy are safe choices, but you can also offer healthy alternatives to potato chips or some unusual flavors.

Candy Corner

Since candy is a staple in concession stands, consider adding a few kinds to your home snack bar. Stash M&M’s, Sour Patch Kids, Twizzlers — whatever makes your sweet tooth happy. You can even use these candies as popcorn mix-ins. 

Related: 9 Must-Try Candy Popcorn Mix Ideas

Nacho Station

Nachos require more effort than the rest of the snacks here (and are also the messiest), but they’re worth serving for special movie nights. You’ll need tortilla chips, of course, and ground beef (or grilled chicken), sour cream, pickled onions, lettuce, queso, tomatoes — you get the drift.

Drinks

Offer a selection of sodas and juices that will complement the snacks. Don’t forget to have ice ready!

Organizing Your Home Theater Snack Bar

After deciding on what snacks and refreshments you want your home movie theater snack bar to have, the next thing to do is figure out what you’ll do about the organization — both for practical and aesthetic reasons.

Here are some tips to help you keep everything in order:

• Place napkins, utensils, and bowls at the front of the snack bar for easy access.
• Group snacks together (ex. popcorn and toppings on a counter, chips and candy on a shelf).
• Have different serving spoons or scoops for each snack, if applicable.
• Consider placing drinks on a separate table to prevent crowding.
• Keep a trash can nearby so garbage doesn't pile up.

Completing the Cinema Ambiance

This part is optional, but if you really want your home theater snack bar to look like it came straight from the cinema, some special touches would be:

• Displaying posters of your favorite movies
• Hanging a small marquee sign
• Installing LED strips to mimic theater lighting  
• Providing snack trays and popcorn tubs

Sit Back, Relax, and Enjoy the Show 

With great company, thousands of movies to choose from, cozy seating, and a home theater snack bar stocked with all kinds of treats, you never have to go to the cinema again! 

Want more snack ideas? Check out this list of 18 movie night snacks or visit our blog for inspiration. And remember to grab a Popsmith Starter Set if you haven’t already — it’s the secret to the perfect movie night.