Social Trends: Vintage Style with a Well-Stocked Bar Cart
We’re 3 months in COVID-19, and Myrtle Beach cases are spiking. One of the things I miss most is a night out with friends. While a party inside may not be the safest option, warm summer nights let us gather at a distance in the backyard. Beers and wine on the back patio is fine, but if you are looking to impress your friends, stock up a sleek bar cart to wheel outside.
Lest you think the bar cart is a relic of the past, the functional and fashionable cart is making a comeback. You don’t need to exude the swingin’ 60s Mad Men style to have one in your home. Modern bar carts can look as vintage or contemporary as you like.
Check out Houzz to browse a variety of bar cart styles to bring a little excitement to your next outdoor get-together.
Stocking Your Bar Cart with Essentials
Due to their portable nature, the bar cart holds many of your home bar essentials on a wheeled-cart. Maneuver across your backyard patio serving drinks, or park it as a self-serve station if you’d prefer to keep things a little more “socially distant.” A well-stocked cart contains spirits and liqueurs, mixers, mixing tools, and drinkware. It’s helpful to know your classic drinks (a YouTube tutorial or smartphone app will help). If you want to craft a signature drink that’s a bit more summery, take a shot at incorporating fresh fruit or herbs.
Staple Spirits
Have a quality bottle of each of these essential spirits on hand for your classic mixed and straight drinks. If you have regular guests, get to know what your friends prefer, and keep something on hand especially for them.
- Kentucky Bourbon Whisky
- Rye Whisky
- Irish Whisky
- Blended Scotch
- Gin
- Rum
- Vodka
The spirits above are the essentials, but feel free to swap depending on the tastes of your social group.
On-Hand Mixers
Keep your mixers well-stocked and organized on your bar cart. There’s nothing worse than run out of a popular mixer like soda water mid-way through a party.
- Club Soda / Sparkling Water
- Tonic Water
- Aromatic Bitters
- Vermouth
The mixers above will help you make classic drinks: martini, old fashioned, gin and tonic, etc. As you expand your mixer inventory, consider special liqueurs like cointreau.
Bar Cart Tools
You can’t have the style of a bar cart and then shake some drinks up between red Solo cups. It’s easy to find inexpensive bar tool kits to get started. At the very least, have these tools on hand:
- Metal two-piece shaker
- Long bar spoon
- Cocktail strainer
- Jigger (1-2oz; 1/2-3/4 oz)
- Ice mold trays and ice container
If you want to start incorporating fresh fruit and herbs, you’ll also want to have a proper strainer and wooden muddler.
Be Safe and Have Fun this Summer
Summer in Myrtle Beach is a great time to stay up late and get some cooler time outdoors after sunset. With a bar cart, you can invite friends over, stay 6-feet apart, and enjoy each others’ company.
Want to design a space to enhance your parties? Let’s chat!