Styling a perfect bar cart all comes down to personal taste, but there are some key pieces and principles to consider when you’re creating your ideal look. First, make sure the bar cart you choose is the right size for your space and the number of people you plan to entertain.
You’ll also want to make sure to have some basic bar tools, such as a bottle opener, corkscrew or jigger. Also, stock the cart with basic cocktail ingredients like vodka, gin, whiskey, bitters, liqueurs and mixers.
Then, add glassware and cool, unique barware accessories. Finally, provide enough coasters, napkins and stirrers to keep your guests happy. You can also add a few interesting decorative items such as candles, trays or flower arrangements to give your bar cart some personality.
Use your bar cart to set the tone of the party and get your guests in the mood for a great night ahead.
How can I spice up my bar cart?
Adding a few elements to your bar cart can really help to give it a spiced-up look. A great place to start is to add some brightly colored and patterned items, such as drink towels, stirrers, cocktail shakers, and even a stylishly designed ice bucket.
You should also incorporate pretty glassware, such as champagne flutes, margarita glasses, and whiskey tumblers. Adding other bar accessories, like bottle openers, a jigger, and a corkscrew, will also help give it that over-the-top look and can also be functional.
The beauty of decorating a bar cart is that you get to combine elements of design and function. Finally, if you want to really go all out, experiment with some extra decorative touches, such as a gold framed mirror, or a personalized sign with your favorite saying or recipe.
With these few simple changes, your bar cart will be transformed into the perfect spot for entertaining with friends.
What should I put on my bar cart?
If you’re looking to make your bar cart the envy of your friends, here are some ideas to get you started:
1. Variety of Alcohol: Start with the basics: vodka, gin, tequila, rum, whiskey, and/or aperitifs. Be sure to include low and non-alcoholic drinks as well.
2. Mixers and Garnishes: Sodas, juices, tonic water, olives, limes, lemons, and bitters are good additions for making a variety of drinks.
3. Bar Tools: You’ll need a jigger, a martini shaker, a muddler, a bar spoon, and some wine openers.
4. Stemware: Highball, lowball, and martini glasses are classics, but you might have space for some pilsner, hurricane, and champagne glasses.
5. Ice Bucket: You’ll need something for your ice (plus a scoop to get it out).
6. Decorative Elements: Accessorizing with plants, candles, and coasters can make your bar cart stand out.
Where should a bar cart be placed?
When deciding where to place a bar cart, it is important to consider the purpose of the cart. If it is to serve drinks at a party, then it is best to place it near a central area where guests can access it easily.
If the bar cart is for everyday use, then it should be situated where it can be accessed easily, such as near a dining area or kitchen. It is also a good idea to make sure that the cart is placed somewhere that it can be properly viewed.
Try to position the bar cart somewhere with good natural lighting, or set it away from the walls to help it stand out. If possible, make sure that the bar cart can be moved easily; if it’s a heavy piece of furniture, then consider storing it in a closet when it’s not in use.
Once the cart is in place, it’s time to accessorize! Add bottles, glasses, and other items to create an inviting space for entertaining.
How do I stock my first bar?
Stocking your first bar can be an exciting but daunting task. To start, you’ll want to establish what types of drinks and spirits you want to serve. Once you’ve decided on a selection, it’s important to purchase the right type of alcohol for the drinks and determine what quantity of each you want to keep on hand.
You’ll want to keep basic bar staples such as vodka, gin, whiskey, rum, and tequila, as well as popular mixers like tonic, soda, and juice. Vermouth, amaretto, triple sec and bitters round out the list of essential liqueurs.
If you plan to serve wine, make sure to stock a good selection of red and white wines and the appropriate wine glasses. You will also want to ensure you have enough glassware to meet the needs of the types of drinks you plan to serve, plus enough to accommodate unexpected guests.
Keep in mind the size and shape of the glasses, as you will want all of the drinks to look consistent. Equally as important is ensuring that you have the right tools and other supplies, such as ice buckets, muddlers, shakers, measuring spoons, bottle openers, strainers, and stirrers.
When you’re ready to get started, make a list of the items you need and shop for items that fit your establishment’s style and budget.
How should bars be stocked?
When stocking a bar, it is important to include a variety of alcohols and mixers that will be able to accommodate the preferences of all guests. The type of drinks and amount of alcohol largely depends on the type of bar and the budget.
Generally, a bar should be stocked with spirits such as vodka, gin, rum, whiskey and tequila, as well as cordials such as schnapps, liqueurs and vermouth. It is also important to have a selection of wines and beers, as well as mixers such as club soda, tonic water, fruit juice, and ginger ale.
Creating a relationship with a liquor distributor can help you stock your bar at lower costs and save money. With a larger budget, it can be beneficial to stock some more luxury liquors for speciality drinks.
In terms of garnishes, citrus fruits like lemon and lime are versatile additions to both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. Olives, cherries, and herbs are also popular ingredients for more complex cocktails.
All bars should also be stocked with all the necessary tools for bartenders, such as stirrers, ice tongs, bottle openers and jiggers, as well as glassware such as highball, martini, and shot glasses.
Ultimately, the types and amount of alcohol stocked should depend on the demographics of the establishment and its guests. When stocking a bar, it is important to remember to provide quality ingredients while also remaining mindful of budget.
Can a bar cart go in the living room?
Yes, a bar cart can definitely go in the living room! Bar carts can be a great addition to any living space as they provide both a stylish decorative element and a functional way to store and serve drinks.
When choosing a bar cart for a living room, try to hold it to the same style as the rest of the furniture and decor. Finding one that has a color or material that matches the other pieces in the room can help to tie it all together.
Consider the size of your space and the type of drinks you will be storing when choosing a cart. If you are tight on space, you may want to look for a bar cart with more shelves or tiers so you can maximize your storage space.
If you plan on only serving a few different types of drinks, you may want to select one with less storage capacity but more decorative touches. A well-placed bar cart can really tie the living room together and provide a place to store and serve your favorite drinks.
What era are bar carts from?
Bar carts originated in the Victorian Era, which spanned from the 1840s to the turn of the 20th century. During this period, bar carts were a testament to the wealth and sophistication of homeowners.
The invention of the bar cart coincided with the rise of mixed drinks, and the carts were designed to provide a mobile solution for transporting different liquors and cocktail-making equipment. Bar carts were an essential part of any luxury estate or party hosted in one’s home, and their portability allowed them to be used anywhere from drawing rooms to the garden.
Bar carts could also be found in contemporary pubs and taverns during this period.
In recent years, bar carts have experienced a resurgence in popularity as a stylish and convenient way of storing alcohol and cocktail supplies. For some, they are used to house a well-stocked home bar, while others prefer to use them as accent pieces to display their interest in mixology.
Decorators also enjoy using bar carts as a way to display special liquors, glassware, and other items, while adding a vintage touch to the home.
Where do you put a drinks trolley?
A drinks trolley can be placed in a number of locations in your home, as long as there is ample space. A popular spot for a drinks trolley is near the dining area or near the living room, as this provides easy access for when entertaining guests.
Another good place for a drinks trolley is in a hallway or entranceway, as it can act as a great décor piece and provides a convenient place for your guests to help themselves to refreshments. It can also be useful for hosting parties where you have multiple guests coming and going, as a drinks trolley will be close by to help keep everyone served.
Are drinks trolleys fashionable?
Whether or not drinks trolleys are fashionable is largely subjective and ultimately depends on individual taste and personal style. That said, over the last few years, drinks trolleys have become increasingly popular in modern home and event décor, especially for individuals seeking a nostalgic, mid-century vibe for their living spaces and parties.
Their practicality and versatility make them highly useful for entertaining and displaying a variety of beverages and other items, but their popularity also comes from the distinctive style that they bring to a room.
The combination of the on-trend colors and materials, combined with the vintage allure of their design, offers a unique visual appeal that can’t be replicated by other furnishings. Modern consumers are buying drinks trolleys to make a statement in their space and, in this sense, it could be argued that they are indeed fashionable.
