By Marianna Poutasse
Photograph by Eric Korenman
A well-stocked bar cart is like the perfect little black dress—it’s always stylish and ready at the last minute, a reliable workhorse that still looks chic and makes the whole affair of entertaining look effortless.
Whether you are rolling out cocktails for a celebration, wine for a cozy gathering, or mocktails that everyone can enjoy, you will want to find something with ample storage. Traditional bar carts are set up well for this service—and have wheels that make moving the whole thing from here to there a breeze. If you don’t have room for an actual cart, keep in mind that bars can also easily be set up on top of a bureau or desk top, or even by taking over a couple of shelves in a bookcase.
Start with your favorite bottles and then mix in the old standbys that make it easy to cater to everyone’s tastes. Put the larger bottles at the back and ones with interesting shapes or labels in the front. Place other bar essentials—an ice bucket, a good cocktail shaker, a wine opener, and any other bar tools you might need—within easy reach. If you have room, store an assortment of glassware on your cart so you can effortlessly meet any request. Mixing and matching glassware in different patterns and colors adds a fun aesthetic vibe. And having a few readyto-go snacks like nuts or olives, along with a small stack of appetizer plates, will ensure your guests won’t go hungry.
Let the finishing touch to your bar be something unexpected, maybe a small lamp with a punch of color, a pair of interesting candlesticks, or something natural like flowers, greenery or even a small bud vase of fragrant herbs. And voila! Your fully stocked bar cart is a versatile and pulled together look for any occasion.
GET THE GOODS
Midcentury Rolling Bar Cart, $625
Hillsdale General Store, Hillsdale, New York
Top Shelf, Left to Right:
Linen Tea Towel, $42
Scout House, Great Barrington
Midcentury Pilsner Glasses, Set of 4, $48.50
Hillsdale General Store
Rechargeable Lamp, $175
Shop Around The Corner, Stockbridge
Bar Cutting Board, $18
Home Love, Great Barrington
Cocktail Shaker, $30
Scout House, Great Barrington
Coupe Glass, $12/each
Ice Bucket, $115
Sett, Great Barrington
Stag Horn Corkscrew, $450
Robert Lloyd Vintage Barware, Great Barrington
Gluggle Jug, $82
Shop Around the Corner, Stockbridge
Lower Shelf, Left to Right:
Cork and Leather Ice Bucket, $75
The Berkshire Galleries, Great Barrington
Appetizer Plates, $8/each
Sett, Great Barrington
Cocktail Spoons, Set of 5/$18
Scout House, Great Barrington
Virginia Peanuts $10 and Martini Olives, $18
Shop Around the Corner, Stockbridge
Spirits and Champagne from Nejaime’s Wine Cellars, Berkshire Mountain Distillers, Klocke Estate, and Hillrock Estate Distillery
