Building A Bar In My Basement

[acoustix]

So after getting settled in my new house, the little woman and I decided we need a bar in the basement. We took the hundreds of dollars worth of Home Depot gift cards we got as house warming gifts and bought the lumber and some new toys (circular saw, miter saw, jigsaw, etc.).

What I know I will have:
Bar will be 42" high, 24" deep, and 72" long
Framing of the structure and cabinets will be made out of 2x3 pine
Sides, front, and cabinet doors will be made out of 1/2" MDF
Will have built in wine rack made from 1/4" sheets of cedar, laid out in the standard diamond pattern.
Will have the padded rail

What I need ideas for:
What type of wood for the top?
What type of veneer for the front and sides?
Should it have the brass footrail?
What would I use for something like that?
What other general tips/suggestions do you have? (not necessarily about bars, but also woodworking in general)

I have built things before and love to work with wood, but more input is always much appreciated.