Entertain and impress guests with grade A cocktails without the hassle of going out to the bar. Drinking and getting together with friends shouldn’t be a stressful experience and with a bar cart right at your fingertips, you have an easy fix for avoiding large crowds, long waits and transportation coordination.
The bar cart makes creating cocktails convenient and less cluttered. Everything needed for the perfect drink can be found right on the shelves of the cart. No more crowded bottles on the countertop or endless searching in a cabinet to find that specific liquor to make one cocktail. The bar cart is perfect for any mixologist looking to curate a more laid-back drinking experience.
“I think with bar carts there has to be sufficient room to add another piece of furniture and enough room so people don’t bump into it,” Dafna Adler, head interior designer of Interiors by Dafna Adler, said. “I use it for one of two purposes: I use it as a place where I can put alcohol and drinks so it’s not on the table during the meal and not blocking conversation, or I use it as a placeholder to transfer something from the kitchen to the dining room.”
A bar cart can make a statement. It generally sets a tone for the guests as a well as directs them towards the focal point of the party. It should be regarded as a welcome for those invited into your home. During the colder months, it’s best to keep it in a common area in the home where people will be at that given time. In the summer, the cart could be moved to a patio, and if you’re not entertaining, the cart is always useful for other items, including toiletries, decor and even books.
“It’s a tool, sometimes it’s necessary, sometimes it adds something to the room,” she said. “I don’t see them as a permanent place to hold anything.
Bar carts are available in an array of styles so it depends on personal preference. The current trend seems to be two open shelves with simple furnishing. While the function is more for practical purposes, appearance and aesthetic are important as well.
In terms of style, Adler explained that metallic finishes are the way to go.
“You don’t want it to look heavy,” she said. “You want it to be light and not a focal point, nothing that’s too noticeable. It’s more of a tool for other things.”
Adler recommends the use of bar carts in traditional homes rather than modern designs. The extra furniture can make the home feel cluttered and she says they are less commonly used because homes have less furniture.
“It can be good for a small dining room if you want to have a formal dinner and there’s no room on the table for all the liquor and the wine,” Adler said. “Whatever it is, it’s nice to set it aside and people can get up and take some and come back to the table.
“It is also a nice transitional piece for bringing stuff out from the kitchen and having a place to put things temporarily before it goes to the table.”
If using the bar cart for drinking purposes specifically, it is important to have the proper tools at hand. Make sure there is a variety of alcohols, juices/mixers and non-alcoholic options as well for those not partaking in alcohol consumption. Also, put out ice and glasses in preparation for guests. The bar cart is the perfect little place to store those dinner party essentials.
Serve in style with our favorite bar carts
By Cyndi Zaweski
Stock the shelves of these go-to beverage carts.
Melrose Bar Cart
Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams • www.mgbwhome.com • $2,207
“Art Deco-inspired bar cart pairs shimmering metal with chic acrylic. Design features built-in handles and a mirrored top and shelf for added glamour. A slim rail along the bottom shelf prevents roll-offs and offers a pretty, yet practical touch. Visually light and well-sized for compact quarters. Offered in polished stainless steel or a warm brass finish.”
Porthole Bar
Restoration Hardware • www.restorationhardware.com • $3,295
“Modeled on a 1920s industrial iron sphere, the Porthole Bar evokes cocktail hour on the high seas. Set atop a pipework base, its dramatic glass door is edged in metal with exposed rivets and features a mirrored interior.”
Kehlani 2 Shelf Bar Cart
Perigold • www.perigold.com • $530
“This bar cart is a contemporary spin on show-stopping art deco style. It meticulously features a deluxe jade and gold design that’s framed by a luxurious brass metal finish.”
