I had seen a repurposed piano on Pinterest and immediately knew I had to try one myself. But instead of a desk or bookshelf, I decided mine would become a Piano bar/Drinks cabinet. After spotting an upright piano on Facebook Marketplace for $120, I jumped at the chance. In hindsight, that was steep—many people give them away if you’re willing to collect. Like all my projects, I wanted to make this one truly my own.

I already knew from experience that anything alcohol-related sells well. But I wasn’t prepared for just how much work this transformation would involve. It wasn’t a weekend project—it took months of labour. But once complete, the result was worth every minute. Here’s how I transformed an old piano into a show-stopping home bar.

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How to Repurpose a Piano into a Bar/Drinks Cabinet

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Materials Needed

• Upright piano (check local giveaways)
• Screwdriver and drill with driver bits
• Angle grinder and cutting discs
• Pliers and a syringe with a thick needle
• Paint scraper, hammer
• Sandpaper (120 and 240 grit) and an orbital sander
• Paint stripper, scrubbing brush
• Spray adhesive and a staple gun
• Faux snakeskin leather fabric or similar
• Small timber strips, plywood for counters and shelving
• Mirror cut to size
• Liquid nails
• Cedar wood stain, satin polyurethane (spray or wipe-on recommended)
• Glass holders (DIY with 10mm plywood)
• LED strip lights
• L-brackets and screws
• Brasso for polishing pedals
• Wine glass rack and bottle holders
• Jigsaw and hole saw

Step 1: Strip the Piano Down

Start by removing all removable panels. The two large panels (top and bottom) usually clip off easily. The keyboard lid is attached with one large hinge and screws, also easy to remove. Underneath, the front panel lifts out once the lid is gone.

I planned to make the keyboard area a drinks counter. The keys lifted straight off, and I removed the wooden base and key spikes, which were glued down. A paint scraper helped get under them.

Step 2: Cut and Remove the Strings

Old pianos weigh around 400 kg, with most of the weight in the iron harp. I attempted to cut the strings using an angle grinder, but it was dangerous. The tension made them snap back violently. My husband helped release the tension first using a drill with a driver bit. He then cut them safely using pliers.

Step 3: Remove the Harp

With the strings gone, I could access the harp bolts. The harp was too heavy to lift alone, so we laid the piano flat and slid it out together. All remaining timber supports were glued in place. Some were removed with a hammer and scraper, though the wood did splinter slightly.

Step 4: Prepare the Inside for Display

I wanted to add a mirror to the back panel, but the pins had to go first. This took ages—each one was unscrewed using a drill. I saved them for a future project.

To improve the look of the piano’s inside, I sanded the back panel using 120-grit discs. Then I glued in faux snakeskin fabric using spray adhesive.

A staple gun held the edges, and I used timber trim to cover the staples and prevent the fabric from moving.

Step 5: Restore and Stain the Wood

The outer veneer looked okay in photos but was damaged in person. I sanded all large flat areas with an orbital sander using 120 then 240 grit. For round or carved areas, I used paint stripper. After applying it with a brush, I let it sit for a few hours and scrubbed the varnish off with warm, soapy water.

Where veneer was lifting, I used a syringe to inject glue underneath and clamped it. Cling wrap prevented glue from sticking to the clamps. I stained the whole piece with cedar stain and sealed it with two coats of satin polyurethane. In hindsight, spray-on or wipe-on poly would avoid visible brush marks.

Step 6: Create the Countertop

I built a new countertop using plywood, which I covered in marble-look laminate. You could also use timber or tile for a different effect. Once it was fitted, I reattached the legs.

Step 7: Build the Wine Rack

For bottle storage, I made a DIY wine rack from two 1200mm x 200mm planks. One plank had 1½ inch holes, the other had 3½ inch holes. I used a hole saw to cut them, then split both planks in half. The smaller holes go at the front for the bottle necks, and the larger ones hold the bases.

Step 8: Add Shelves and Mirror

I added side supports between the lid and base for the shelves. They looked plain, so I cut decorative shapes into them using a jigsaw. To support the shelves, I attached scrap timber strips to the piano sides and screwed the glass shelves in place.

A mirror behind the shelves added a glamorous touch. Since the back was uneven, I first attached plywood, then glued the mirror with Liquid Nails. I framed it with timber trim for a clean finish.

Step 9: Install Glass Racks

To hold glasses, I made a glass holder using 10mm plywood. I cut grooves for the stems to slide into, spacing them to allow for wider modern glasses. Spacer blocks were used so the glass bases fit neatly. I attached the rack to the top of the bar.

Step 10: Add LED Lighting and Final Touches

Before gluing the mirror, I drilled a hole for the LED wire. The lights were tucked out of sight and provided a warm glow at night, highlighting the mirror and glasses.

Finally, I polished the piano pedals using Brasso and reassembled all the side panels with L-brackets.

Final Result

After months of effort, this DIY piano bar is finally complete. The photos don’t do it justice, as it was too heavy to move out of my workshop. I hung a backdrop and laid a rug to hide the mess. Now, it’s waiting for the buyer to collect and take home.

More creative DIY projects.

I recycled an old freezer into a stylish patio cooler—perfect for keeping drinks and ice cold during family gatherings and parties.

This wall-mounted bar, made from recycled pallet wood, features a drop-down counter with storage for drinks and glasses—perfect for outdoor entertaining.

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