How to build the ultimate at home bar cart

Serving serious style is as important as serving delicious drinks!

November 22, 2021 9:55 a.m. EST

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The bar cart is such a functional, staple decor piece in so many homes. By adding a few key accessories, and a little extra. thought, your bar cart can truly become a focal point in your home.

Don't overlook bar tools when stocking your bar cart. They're necessary for shaking, stirring and straining cocktails. Charles the Butler is showing us how to set up the ultimate at-home bar cart, and the exact products we need to be fully stocked for happy hours, cocktail parties, and more!

When it comes to setting up guidelines in terms of drinks, glasses and napkins per person, Charles suggests sticking with:

Three drinks per person
Three glasses per person
Three napkins per person

Charles says it’s easier than you think to assemble a cart with all the restaurant-level tools—and there’s no time like the present to start investing in all of the fixings. Here are the materials you'll need to set up your ultimate at-home bar cart.

Ice bucket

Ice is an essential and sometimes overlooked, player in cocktails. Drinks would not be as tasty or inviting without the chill that ice provides, whether it’s large, small, hand-cut, crystal clear, cubed, or crushed. Ice buckets not only keep your ice cool but usually serve as a decorative accent as well.

SHOP: Double-Wall Stainless Steel Insulated Ice Bucket With Lid and Ice Tong, $35.99 on Amazon

Tongs

Tongs are a great bar cart tool to have on hand to save you the extra step of going to the kitchen and can add an elegant touch to your serving style. TIP: Buy some extra ice tongs so your guests can freshen up their own drinks.

SHOP: Stainless Steel Kitchen Tongs Utensils Food Tongs, $15.99 on Amazon

Shot glass or Jigger

When it comes to making drinks, it's all about precision! If you’re going to make a good drink it should be measured correctly. It’s best to grab a jigger that measures up to two ounces in half-ounce measurements.

SHOP: OXO Steel Double Jigger, $21.57 on Amazon

Bar spoon

Whatever you have in your silverware drawer just won’t make a martini as easily as the twisted, long-handled bar spoon will. It will fit into any tall mixing glass and the design makes it easy to pour ingredients down the spoon.

SHOP: Two-piece Bartender Cocktail Shaker Spoon, $12.99 on Amazon

Small cocktail fork

Ideal for any occasion, these small utensils make it easy to garnish cocktails with lemon and lime slices.

SHOP: Fiaze 16-Piece Stainless Steel 2-Tines Forks, $16.55 on Amazon

Paper cocktail napkins

Napkins are great for added decor and so practical for clean up! Pick out your favourite pattern or colour to make your bar cart pop!

SHOP: Party Essentials 2-Ply Paper Cocktail Beverage Napkins, $10.29 on Amazon

4 rocks glasses

For rocks glasses, the ideal size is between eight and ten ounces, enough to put a decent-size chunk of ice in there. Look for durable and machine-washable glasses. These beauties are perfect for sipping Scotch neat—but they’re also versatile enough for a multitude of cocktails.

SHOP: Luigi Bormioli On The Rocks 13.5 oz DOF Double Old Fashioned Glasses (Set of 4), $52.74 on Amazon

4 wine glasses

Wine glasses are a classic bar cart essential. You're almost guaranteed to have someone at your party drinking wine, so having a few on hand is a great idea to prepare.

SHOP: Amazon Basics Tritan Wine Glasses, $29.77 on Amazon

4 champagne flutes

Pop! Fizz! Clink! When the bubbly comes out and the cork pops off, it’s time to celebrate! Champagne— the drink associated with all things joyful and celebratory—deserves stunning glasses to make the occasion all the more special.

SHOP: JoyJolt Champagne Flutes, $32.82 on Amazon

Insulated champagne bottle cover

Keep your champagne cool all night long with an insulated bottle cover you can leave right on the cart. Pick one with an elegant pattern or colour and it can add a stylish element to your cart.

SHOP: Vacu Vin Active Cooler Wine and Champagne Set, $47.35 on Amazon

A good bar cart needs a variety of liquor to suit multiple moods. Charles suggests stocking up on: