With the price of cocktails heading north of $10, and closing in on $15 in some places, a lot of guys are opting for a round of pre-game warm-up drinks at home before heading out. And using it as an excuse to get a date back to their place for after dinner drinks.

Like I've said before: It doesn't matter if you're mixing a simple gin and tonic or making a dreaded Cosmo for your date, you'll need the right tools to get the job done. I asked master mixologist Tony Abou-Ganim, creator of the cocktail program at the Bellagio in Vegas and producer of the instructional DVD Modern Mixology, what he thought the average guy should have on his home bar. The following is a list of Tony's suggestions, and depending on the quality you choose and your personal tastes, you should be able to get the whole shebang for under $75. That's less than a round of drinks downtown.

Essential Bar Tools:

	Boston Shaker(16 ounce mixing glass and a 24 ounce mixing tin) - The mixing glass fits into the tin and forms a tight seal for when you want a drink that's shaken not stirred. Most bartenders prefer this to the traditional cocktail shaker with built-in strainer and cap.
	Hawthorn Strainer - Proper name for the wire strainer that fits into the stainless steel part of the Boston Shaker.
	Julep Strainer - Looking like a large spoon with holes in it, this strainer fits the glass part of the Boston Shaker.
	Double Jigger (Jigger 1 1/2 ounces & Pony 1 ounce) - For a more perfect pour. You might like a strong drink, but as with any recipe, sometimes more isn't better.
	Bottle Opener - How many parties have you been to where there wasn't one?
	Church Key (Can opener) - To open juice cans for mixers. You don't want to have to use a screwdriver to make a Screwdriver.
	Cork Screw (Waiter’s Helper) - The only corkscrew I've used that consistently takes corks out easily and cleanly. Just remember to brace the lever on the bottle's edge with your finger. Multi-purpose with bottle opener on one side, foil cutter on the other.
	Citrus Stripper - Makes professional looking garnishes for drinks. And chicks love a guy who can garnish.
	Cutting Board - Because a bar top with gashes in it is unacceptable.
	Knives - For cutting fruit and making garnishes get a 5 inch paring knife and a 6 inch serrated knife.
	Martini Beaker (Pitcher) - When you're mixing a batch for the room, rather than individual drinks for you and her.
	Muddler - For muddling, or crushing, fruit and/or mint in the bottom of a glass for drinks like the Mojito. Just like in baseball and sex, it's better to be using wood.
	Lewis Bag - This canvas bag is perfect for crushing ice. Place cubes in, twist the top closed and whack away with your muddler. The canvas won't split under the abuse and it'll absorb excess moisture that can water down your drink.
	Hand Held Lime Squeezer - Drinks taste better with fresh juice, and this lets you get more out of the fruit than hand squeezing.
	Twisted Bar Spoon - Some drinks are meant to be stirred, and this long-handled spoon was designed to do the job in even the tallest glasses.

Essential Bar Accessories:
Here's a list of stuff you should always have on hand.

Ice Bucket and Tongs
Cocktail Picks
Cocktail Stirrers / Swizzle Sticks
Coasters
Cocktail Napkins (Try to stay away from the ones with the stupid humor.)
Cocktail plates
Serving Tray (Sterling Silver)
A Good Cocktail Recipe Book