Anatomy of a Bar Cart
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Whether you’re in the midst of serious holiday entertaining, making Sunday dinner with friends and family, or having a watch party to catch up on your latest favorite TV show, nothing says “best host ever” like a well-stocked bar cart that’s beautiful, to boot! But putting together a gorgeous bar area in the living room or dining room isn’t as easy as throwing a few drinks and cocktail glasses on a serving cart. There’s a lot more that goes into the anatomy of a bar cart if you want it to look great and function well.
Even if you don’t partake in cocktails or wine all that often, a bar cart still serves as an organized and beautiful area where all of those contents can live. That means you’ll spend less time searching through the cabinets for the right ingredients to make a mojito and more time effortlessly serving guests their favorite drinks with grace—complete with the right glassware, garnish, and all. To make sure you’re including everything you need to make your bar area stylish and complete, we put together a list of must-haves to get you started.
First: A Clever Bar Cart
Is a bar cart a must? Not necessarily. But does it add that extra bit of flair that makes the experience of hosting and gathering that much more magical? Absolutely! If you have the space for it, incorporating a bar cart into your dining room or living room setup can be the perfect addition you didn’t know you needed. Bar consoles come in many shapes, sizes, and styles, so chance’s are there are a few out there that’ll surely fit your eye for design. If you don’t have room for a bar cart, however, you can always dedicate a space on the dining room sideboard or even your floating shelves.
Then, Break Out the Basics
The cornerstone of any bar cart is the spirits, so start with those. All the usual suspects should be present: Vodka, gin, whiskey, rum, and tequila. Add Campari, Aperol, amaro, and vermouth, depending on your preference. And don’t forget zero-proof spirits—you should always have options for those who prefer a mocktail.
Next, add small cans or bottles of mixers (big liter bottles of club soda or tonic just don’t look quite as nice!) as well as an ice bucket, bar-tool set, and shaker. All these tools will make your bar cart look complete, and guarantees that whatever cocktail your guests are craving, you’ll be able to whip it up no problem.
Accessorize With Chic Style
Greenery, like a small potted plant or tall structural branches, adds life and texture to your bar area among all the bottles. You should also have a few accessories that are both functional and pleasant to look at, like a beautiful decorative bowl for citrus, or a colorful small cup for holding cocktail picks.
Necessities can also function well as accessories. Looking for pieces that combine form with function guarantees that your bar cart will never be a sore sight. Consider replacing plastic straws with stylish paper straws or reusable colorful glass straws. Likewise, opt for a cocktail shaker and bar set that matches your other decor—whether that’s gold, silver, glass, or something else.
Incorporate the Best in Glass
Show off all your prettiest glassware, making it easy for guests to grab a glass when they make a drink. Don’t worry about them all being uniform—a mix of colors and shapes shows off your personal style! If you don’t have enough room on the cart to put out enough glasses for all of your guests, keep an eye on the bar area and add more as needed.
Don’t Forget the Finishing Touches!
Round out your bar with some finishing touches like handy cocktail books, a mini cutting board, a tray for serving (or just corralling glassware on your cart), a pretty decanter, a bar towel, and cocktail napkins. Now take a deep breath and pour yourself a drink—you’ve created a beautiful bar that all your guests will love!
By Hannah Baker | Photographs by Kelsey Hansen | All product images courtesy of the brands
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