In light of the current events, this may seem like a petty post. I am deeply saddened by what is happening in our country right now. This blog has never been a political pulpit and I think it best to keep it that way. I do sincerely hope that all Americans can find a place to come together in peace. We are all one.
Currently, we can’t go out and enjoy a fancy cocktail, so why not make our own? There are so many stylish bar carts out there I thought I would share some of my favorites and let the experts tell you how to stock them. Creative styling can make a bar cart functional, fashionable, and the heart of the party. Let’s take a look at Stylish Bars and Barcarts with a Collected Look.
My Instagram idol Maura Endres has one of the prettiest bar setups I have seen. Maura completely embraces the collected look in everything she does.
Don’t know where to start when it comes to styling a bar? Check out One Kings Lane Essential Guide to Bar Carts
What makes this little number interesting is the aged mirror behind the otherwise simple cart from Brian Hart Hoffman. It instantly looks more polished and put together.
If a cleaner, leaner, collected look is more your jam you will love this one from Studio Monroe
What’s more fun than having a bar cart outside. This one from seaweed salvage on Instagram is summer perfection.
If you are lacking space you don’t need to sacrifice style. Your bar can be as simple as a stylish tray like this one from Habitually Chic
I love it when a piece of antique furniture is repurposed as a bar like my friend Mary Ann from Classic Casual Home did in her SF apartment. She has limited space so it needs to be multi-functional.
I love the idea of a rolling metal bar cart that can be wheeled from room to room indoors or out. Ronda Carmen styled this one beautifully in her book Entertaining at Home.
While compiling this post I realized I am drawn to rattan when it comes to bar carts. Who better to style one than the incomparable Bunny Williams. You will enjoy her eight style rules here.
If you need help on how to stock your bar cart you might enjoy
Food & Wine 15 Essentials to Stock Your Bar Cart Like a Pro
Food 52 Recipe for a Well-Stocked Bar Cart.
Williams Sonoma Home has some great stylish bar tools here
The Spruce How to Build a Home Bar
STYLISH BAR CARTS AND ACCESSORIES FOR EVERY BUDGET
I hope reading Stylish Bars and Barcarts with a Collected Look offered you a little distraction during these trying times. Thank you for reading and commenting. Your comments are what make this blog engaging for all of us.
Nan of TN says
One most memorable summer meal at the venerable McCrady’s Restaurant in Charleston, SC included an introduction to a Prohibition era cocktail, “The Last Word”. In lieu of wine- our server recommended it as the perfect pairing with the rosemary grilled lamb chops I ordered. Now it is my signature summer cocktail to serve. Perfect for savoring a summer sunset from the porch or patio while ensconced at home.
The Last Word:
1 part Gin
1 part Green Chartreuse Liqueur
1 part Luxardo Liqueur
1 part Lime Juice
Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker over crushed ice. Shake and strain into a glass. Garnish with either: a lime slice, maraschino cherry, or sprigs of fresh basil or rosemary leaves.
Note: Green Chartreuse Liqueur is made by French monks from 130+ Alpine herbs and Luxardo is an Italian maraschino cherry liqueur. These are quite pricy alcoholic liqueurs bought at liquor stores, but they are integral to the magical concoction!
Cin Cin!
classic casual home says
Love being seen here with all these exceptional bar carts! Putting the liquor on top of the antique bookcase actually got me to clean everything inside…and the bottles on top. Howard likes a martini but I will stick with wine…unless Tommy or Alie is here and fix and an interesting cocktail!
Mary Ann
Janet Arden says
Thanks, Cindy, for the distraction as well as some inspiration. have a traditional tea cart in my dining room desperately in need of restyling, perhaps a bar cart is the way to go!
Dora Renata Pala says
Buongiorno Cindy
Grazie di questa gradita distrazione, non è essere superficiali, ma un benessere mentale. Ottima idea un piccolo bar casalingo, poi mi riporta col pensiero a Venezia Harris Bar con un glass of Bellini. Bei tempi.
Cindy Hattersley says
Buongiorno Dora
L’Harrys Bar di Venezia sembra un posto meraviglioso dove stare adesso. Sembra che le cose stiano migliorando nella bellissima Italia.Mi piace sempre sentirti
Karen B. says
Cindy,
I’ve always loved the welcoming appearance of a bar cart. It says “hospitality” to me. Even if it’s stocked with soft drinks.
There are some inspirational images here. Thank you.
xo,
Karen
Cindy Hattersley says
Hi Karen
I agree. I think I need to step up my cocktail game!
Linda Henderson says
My kingdom for a frozen margarita!
Cindy Hattersley says
Hi Linda
That sounds wonderful right now…well not exactly right this second but later today!
Heidi says
Hi Cindy,
This little distraction was just what I needed after a long discussion about current events with my husband. I’m all tied up in knots.
I have a really cute brass cart but it is filled with what I hope is a nice display of “stuff” (vases and trays and huge candlesticks). I’m not really a drinker, and my husband prefers imported beer, so no real use for a bar cart. Today, however, I could be persuaded to change my ways, learn to mix a drink, and actually drink it! And possibly another.
Xo Heidi
Cindy Hattersley says
Hi Heidi
We only drink wine but my son and daughter in law can craft a mean cocktail. I think it is time to learn!
Georgia says
Many years ago, my British parents-in-law influenced my liking for bar carts with their “drinks cabinet,” which was centrally placed in theIr drawing room. Their drinks cabinet was a modest-sized, re-purposed antique with a marble top. My current “bar cart” is a large tray on top of an antique drop-leaf table, with a big vintage mirror on the wall behind it. Decanters from my in-laws’ house have a place of honor, reminding me of them and of the lovely ritual that preceded dinner at their house. The filled ice bucket (for the American daughter-in-law) would be brought to the drinks cabinet and all in the house would gather to enjoy a pre-dinner drink together.
Cindy Hattersley says
Hi Georgia
What a lovely story. If nothing else, the pandemic has forced us to slow down and enjoy the little things. Thank you so much for sharing.
Judy says
Thank you, Cindy, for the distraction. I’ve never had a bar cart but I can see where one would be handy for a party. We have a wet bar cabinet, enclosed, thank heavens, so no one has to look at our obscene number of liquor bottles. Our local liquor store is doing a booming business during Covid!
Cindy Hattersley says
Hi Judy
Your comment made me smile as well. We too have a designated bar even though we are not cocktail people. We do enjoy our fare share of wine! Lately I have been interested in learning to make some interesting cocktails. I guess it is the pandemic!
Joni says
You need to learn how to make a good Old Fashioned and a Sazarac! I’m envious of a bar area but I’m inspired now to think about turning our built in into a bar!
Cindy Hattersley says
Buongiorno Dora
L’Harrys Bar di Venezia sembra un posto meraviglioso dove stare adesso. Sembra che le cose stiano migliorando nella bellissima Italia.Mi piace sempre sentirti
Cindy Hattersley says
Hi Joni
I know that is just what I have been thinking. Maybe one day you can give me a few lessons!
Linda says
In the 48 years I’ve been married I have always had a bar cart but we always called them tea carts. The one I have owned for the last 25 years or so is brass & glass oval. I mostly use it to hold & display current placemats, napkins & rings and assorted dishes for entertaining . Right now it’s keeping handy my outside placemats and melamine appetizer plates. Tea/bar carts are worth the investment and can be used in many other rooms of the house. Love your blog!
Cindy Hattersley says
Hi Linda
We just had our 45th anniversary. I do not own a bar cart myself but find them so interesting. We have an actual bar area in our wine room., and guess what I have no clue how to make a cocktail. I do think people are having a lot more fun with bar carts now that we are all staying home. I wonder when the tea carts got turned into bar carts? Interesting thought.
home before dark says
When I redid my kitchen, I took the niche that had once held the washer and dryer and am using that space as a bar+pantry (in baskets). My style tends to be a little left of center but practical. Several of the walls in my kitchen are covered in sheet mirror!!! Yes, the 80s may have called, but I answered. It is practical and throws light back into the room. Most of the area is open shelving. I put a chrome metro shelf in the back of the bar niche and added a Metro cart in front. The back shelving holds glasses. The cart holds bottles of wine. The top shelf of the cart I had a wooden shelf made for it, painted it black and had a mirrored top made. The whole area sparkles. In Kansas we can’t get wine delivered locally!!! I’ve joined two wine clubs. As I say, I may have to cook everyday, but who says I have to do it sober? I agree with you that these are very difficult times. I hope some great good and progress will come of this pain.
Cindy Hattersley says
Hi Patricia
Your bar cart area sounds wonderful. I know from your comments that you have great style. My friend Kim from Northern California Style used mirrors behind her built in in her dining area and it looks fabulous! Not 80’s at all. Thanks for brightening my day. This is such a sad time.
Pierrette says
Sounds great! Wish we could see it.