Our first foray into interiors together… with one of my favorite spots in our home, the bar cart. Before I got my bar cart, I had wanted one for years. I had a few fun cocktail pieces at the time but they were all hidden away in cabinets because I had nowhere good to display them. Being someone who loves to host others, a bar cart was a necessity for parties or just drinks with girlfriends because it set up a fun little area of our apartment. I still remember that wonderful day that my mother-in-law rolled that beauty into our apartment as a surprise. Now Fridays at 5 have never looked better.

 

ANATOMY OF A BAR CART

When I first set up my bar cart it took me forever to find the perfect placement for all of the things. I probably rearranged glasses 54432723 times like my life depended on the perfect placement. After a few adjustments and some additions over the years, I think I’ve finally got it. So here are a few items that make up the anatomy of a good bar cart:

SPECIALTY DRINK WARE

Having a variety of glassware on your barcart is not only practical for accommodating different drinks but also creates some great variety in shapes and design for your barcart. This includes decanters which are often much more aesthetically pleasing than a liquor bottle.

Drinkware: Collections I love Here, Here, and these lilac ones here. Moscow mule mugs here, and basically everything on this page here

Decanters: Decanter 1, Decanter 2

BAR ACCESSORIES

If you’re going to have a bar cart, you’re going to also need to up your cocktail game. Adding fun pieces like shakers, muddlers, and more is a must and add great elements to the style.

Copper pieces I love: Shaker, jigger, muddler, spoon and muddler combo

A few other gems: bottle opener, strainer

ARTWORK

One element you wouldn’t necessarily expect with a bar cart is art, but when I was looking for inspiration for my own, I realized that having some type of art/signage on or around you bar cart really made a difference.

Make your own cute signage with a letter board, or go with some fun and flirty artwork like this.

COCKTAIL/COOK BOOKS

When I buy cookbooks, it’s usually because they are beautiful and I couldn’t help myself. So showcasing them on your bar cart is a great way to add some interest to your cart and remind you to open those bad boys every once in a while. A few of my favs are: Cravings, Cashmere and Cupcakes, and The Art Of Mixology

MIXERS/GARNISHES

If you’re setting up your bar cart for a shin dig, setting up some mixers such as sparkling water (Peligrino and la croix are safe bets) will provide options for your cocktails and fresh garnishes including limes, lemons and herbs will add some additional textures, colors and playfulness to your cart.

ALCOHOL

Of course no bar cart is complete without some of the goods. I like to have a bottle of red and white at the ready at all times just in case, and we typically have some dark liquor in the decanter mostly because it looks good 🙂 Having a variety means you’ll have something for any guest and there is nothing more hospitable than that.

Looking for more inspiration? Below is some bar cart inspiration I love and if you don’t have one yet, I’ve linked a few below.

via SandandSisal.com

via Gingersnaps

via Erika Brechtel

via @designbyceres

Is it happy hour yet?

 

XO,

JESS

 

Bar Cart Recommendations: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5