Bar Styling: 3 Ways

Bar Styled 3 Ways

The holidays are underway and we want to help you stock the bar in style! If you don’t have a designated cocktail station in your home for entertaining, here are three ways to style three different spaces: a credenza, bar cart, and a built-in! Plus, we’re rounding up our favorite cocktail recipes, books, and accessories.

Ok, first up: the credenza. It’s a great piece for storing glassware and bar items, but it also makes a statement because of the size. Sideboards are typically larger pieces of furniture and if you have the room for one, they’re a fantastic addition to any dining room or living area.

We like to leave the essentials out on top: a tray filled with liquor and mixers, recipe books, a bottle opener, corkscrew, ice bucket, shaker, and of course- a fun little bar sign. Keep the glassware, additional alcohol, extra napkins, and other utensils stored inside until needed. The closed storage keeps the look clean and organized.

Bar Styled 3 Ways

Bar Styled 3 Ways

Favorite Sideboards

Sideboard 01 // Sideboard 02 // Sideboard 03 // Sideboard 04

Next up, the obvious solution: a bar cart. The best thing about a bar cart is the mobility. It’s not limited to a single room.

Bar Styled 3 Ways

Bar Styled 3 Ways

If your bar cart is in a permanent space, hang artwork above it to complete the vignette. With a limited amount of space, style the cart with your glasses, bottles, and anything you’ll need to entertain. We love using pretty packaging to our advantage (ahem, Chambord!) … it definitely gets left out of the tray intentionally.

Bar Styled 3 Ways

We’re excited that everyone has jumped on the bar cart bandwagon. There are so many fantastic options these days. We’re saving up for one of these larger versions:

Favorite Bar Carts

Bar Cart 01 // Bar Cart 02 // Bar Cart 03 // Bar Cart 04

Last, but not least: the built-in bar. If you’re short on space or don’t feel like investing in books or accessories to style your built-in bookshelves… by all means, turn it into a bar!

Bar Styled 3 Ways

There’s really no rhyme or reason to styling the built-in bar; it’s just a matter of personal preference. Be sure to keep everything low enough to easily access or reach. If you have a tall built-in, use the lower portion for the bar and the upper section for accessories or items you won’t use frequently. With so much space, it’s a great place to show off cutting boards, glassware, and fun bar accents.

Bar Styled 3 Ways

Bar Styled 3 Ways

Of course a bar wouldn’t be complete without the recipes to shake up delicious cocktails. We can’t resist a good cocktail book for the bar! From the beautiful images, pretty typography, and amazing drinks they produce, these are our favorite go-to books:

Bar Styled 3 Ways

Best Cocktail Books for the Bar

Vintage Cocktails // Shake // Wise Cocktails // Rising to the Occasion // NY Times Book of Cocktails // The Mixer’s Manual // Winter Cocktails // The Architecture of the Shot // American Whiskey Bourbon & Rye // The Curious Bartender // Tequila Mockingbird

Now that you’re inspired to stock the bar and serve up drinks at your next holiday party, here are a handful of recipes we’ve tested (and recommend), right here on the blog: Maple Bourbon Cider, Hot Buttered RumFrench Fizz MartiniSpicy Grapefruit Margarita, French75Clementine Julep, Pink Grapefruit Cocktail, Affogato Speciale

This year you’ll be the hostess with the mostess! Do you already have a bar set up in preparation for the holidays? Or, maybe it stays year round? Either way, what’s your preference… cart, credenza or built-in? Stay tuned for a boozy egg nog recipe tomorrow!

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