Somehow I’ve never written about bar carts on Style and Cheek. When I first started blogging in 2011 they were becoming really popular. People were just getting into making craft cocktails at home and wanted cool pieces to house all their classy booze and shiny bar tools. Now it seems as though the popularity of the bar cart has become less of a craze but I still love the idea of them.
They’re incredibly cute, functional, and remind me of one of my favorite shows, Mad Men. You either have one for your home or for your office, or both. We don’t have room for one at this time, all of our alcohol sits on top of a wine fridge, but one day I would like to get one. They’re just so fun, especially if you’re a fan of making cocktails so what better time for some bar cart inspiration than now.
When I went to Gracious’ Spring Fling Soiree they had a bunch of bar carts all beautifully styled and I asked how many different bottles of alcohol a bar cart should feature. As a naive individual I’ve been misdirected by other images on Pinterest which feature a ton of bottles, so I assumed you needed every bottle under the sun. Well that just ain’t so. Keep your bar cart neat, tidy, and topical!
You only need to stock your cart with your favorite drinks, or if you’re having a party, the supplies needed to make a select cocktail (or two) for everyone to enjoy that evening. Let’s take a Manhattan as an example, put out a bottle of whiskey, sweet vermouth, maybe one or two types of bitters, and some maraschino cherries. A nice, pretty set up that keeps your plastic bottle handles of rum out of sight. For a more general set up, go with what you drink most – say whiskey and gin, a few mixers, and a bowl of lemons or limes. You can always keep other bottles in a cabinet, or the freezer (like vodka), and display what you use the most.
At Home With Courtney Arcese of Love + Brain Films | Glitter Guide – I love the wine bottle and glass holders underneath. This bamboo styled bar cart is super cute.
A Layered And Colorful DC Home Tour | Glitter Guide – Here is my kind of cart. Totally devoted to the art of drinking with different glassware below and an ice bucket, straws, and assorted alcohol above.
Scandinavian Home | Style Me Pretty Home – Simple. Chic. Modern. This bar cart is great for the minimalist drinker, focusing on one or two kinds of alcohol and a mixer to make their signature cocktail.
Meg Galligan’s San Francisco Home Tour | The Everygirl – Isn’t this beat up bar cart so sweet?! I love the dedicated spaces for the different bar essentials.
Kellee Khalil’s NYC Apartment Tour | The Everygirl – Here we have my other favorite bar cart with its feminine, vintage styling. The mixed metallics are a nice eclectic touch with the variety of bottles.
Home Tour A Glam Bohemian Loft in Chicago | My Domaine – This is a really classic, simple bar cart that’s part vintage, part modern. I like their choice of glasses above with the alcohol and bitters with shaker below.
