The bar cart has had a resurgence of popularity over the last several years and the trend is not going away! It’s not only stylish but can be a great option for decorating and entertaining on a budget – or with limited space. A bar cart is portable and can be moved closer to the party or pushed to the side to create more room for guests.
The Cart
The most important piece of advice in choosing a cart is to consider the space. How much space will you have for the bar cart? Next, decide if you would like the cart to blend in with your other furniture or serve as a conversation piece and pop!
You can transform an existing piece of furniture, such as a TV cart, office cart, or even a shelf. If you’re handy, a fresh coat of paint and castors will go a long way in creating a nice piece. If you would rather purchase a cart, there are plenty of options out there for any budget.
Once you physically have the cart, what do you need to turn it into a bar cart? Below are some suggestions for a beginner cart. You can think about how often you will utilize the cart and what types of drinks you will serve regularly and build out from there.
Tools
- Boston shaker
- Strainer
- Mixing Glass
- Spoon (long spoon for stirring)
- Jigger
- Y peeler (for garnish)
- Corkscrew
- Glasses
- Bar towel
Alcohol (suggestions for a well-rounded cart)
- Scotch
- Bourbon
- Gin
- Vodka
- Tequila
- Rum
- Wine
Miscellaneous
- Tonic
- Lemons
- Limes
- Bitters
Don’t overload your bar cart – it needs to be functional and elegant. Decide how to organize the items on the cart in a way that works for your needs. You might consider grouping similar items together – for example, if you have a three-shelf bar cart, place tools on the top shelf, garnish and glasses on the second shelf and alcohol on the bottom shelf. You can also use baskets to corral glasses or tools and a bowl or vase to hold lemons and limes.
Don’t be afraid to personalize your bar cart with some decorative items that help tie it into the space around it. Next – invite some friends over and show off your new space!
