• HOME
  • small food ideas
    • meal planning + prep
    • kitchen basics
    • hospitality
    • foodie finds
    • live happily
  • recipes
    • breakfast + brunch
    • appetizers + snacks
    • salads
    • soups + stews
    • side dish
    • main dish
    • desserts
    • drinks
  • NWAFOODIE
  • SHOP
  • About
    • Privacy Policy
  • CONTACT
Simple Joyful Food

small ideas that add joy to life

drinks

The bar cart has made its comeback. Wondering how to stock it with essentials?

April 26, 2015 Leave a Comment
chairish.com Vintage bar cart in the living room (c)nwafoodie

 

This is a love story where the main character is the proverbial “man vs. himself.”

That “man” is me.

The love story is mine.

Almost thirty years ago my beloved and slightly eccentric Aunt Peggy from New Jersey died, leaving behind a household full of trinkets from travels around the world, photographs of generations of the Cole family {my maiden name}, and beautiful furniture pieces that her father, my grandpa whom I never knew, either crafted himself or had a prominent spot in his own home. I inherited much of Aunt Peggy’s goodies at a young age, perhaps too young. You see, I didn’t fully appreciate what I had been gifted, although my late-teen self would have vehemently denied it.

 

In my twenties and early thirties I gave much of her stuff away to either family members or to random garage sale visitors. One of give-away regrets was a charming bar cart that my grandfather modified and customized to nest his vast collections of glassware. I’m assuming this is why he modified it. Perhaps it was modified for Aunt Peggy, who never married yet loved to entertain. Somewhere along the way I set that bar cart out at a garage sale where my mother-in-law saw the charm in it and asked for it. Always happy to share family treasures within my family, I was thrilled she loved it and gladly gave it to her.

As the years wandered by and I {somewhat} matured, I struggled at times with my internal self. You see, as I grew up from using plastic drinking cups and buying cheap furniture made in China, I remembered that I used tohave items of quality that I often tossed aside. Now, don’t get me wrong, half of my house is decorated from Aunt Peggy’s treasures as well as a mountain in storage in the basement. Some things definitely needed to go. While others… I missed them.

One of them came back to me.

My mother and father-in-law moved out to Centerton from Bella Vista almost two years ago.  As she was packing and purging, she innocently asked us, “would you like that bar cart back?”

Would I?

Absolutely and positively yes.

Yes.

Yes.

Yes!

Do you have your own vintage bar cart story?

Every time I wander down a flea market or browse online and come across a bar cart, I wonder about its past. By definition bar cart are tied to good times, right? Surely each vintage cart has many grand tales to tell from the past and in its future.

People are figuring out that bar carts are becoming the “it” furniture piece to own. Did you know that? If you want help in locating one that speaks to you, I recently discovered a uniquely curated online marketplace for vintage and used furniture called chairish.com. It has a plethora of vintage bar carts, bar items and tabletopcollections. It is actually fun to browse their collections and play the “do I want this one or this one?” game.

Once you acquire your own bar cart, you are going to have to get that baby stocked and ready to share. Here is my list of bar cart essentials.  What are yours?

1.

Make sure you have a conversation-worthy cart.

Yes, you can put together cardboard boxes and cover it with a tablecloth, but why would you want to? Get something you are proud of and can pass along the generations.

chairish.com Vintage bar cart (c)nwafoodie

2.

Stock with the wine and spirits basics.

I like to stock a cabernet sauvignon for the red wine offering and a muscato for the white wine. If a guest likes a softer wine, you can always add a splash of sprite or lemon-lime and create a wine cooler. Add whiskey and a clear distilled spirit, such as gin or vodka. I like to keep beer in the wine fridge, so the bar cart can stage what is available. In this case I picked Heineken, Blue Moon, and Samuel Smith’s Oatmeal Stout (a personal favorite).

chairish.com Vintage bar cart - add alcohol (c)nwafoodie

3.

Add an assortment of glassware.

Half the fun of serving drinks is the conversation that surrounds it. While I inherited tons of glassware from my Aunt Peggy, there are definitely plenty of classics to stock up on from stores like Williams-Sonoma and antique malls. I suggest wine classes, double old-fashions, and a quirky glass or two.

chairish.com Vintage bar cart - add glassware (c)nwafoodie
chairish.com Vintage bar cart - add glassware up close (c)nwafoodie

4.


Accessories make the outfit, or in this case, the cart.

Out comes the corkscrew and bottle opener in plain view so guests can help themselves as needed. I like to add trays to catch the drips and bottle caps. Vintage stir-sticks and whimsical straws add interest to your cart as well as function. Think through what can make your cart a full service by adding ice buckets to keep the white wine chilled, a shaker for the bold in the group, tonic water and lemon-lime for those who want to stick to classics. The goal is have your bar cart ready to go for when you are busy elsewhere with your guests.

chairish.com Vintage bar cart - fully stocked (c)nwafoodie
chairish.com Vintage bar cart - stir sticks (c)nwafoodie
chairish.com Vintage bar cart - beer (c)nwafoodie
 Happy bar carting.
Eat well, my friends. Eat well.

 

Lyndi

You might also like...

Might I propose a toast? Or perhaps a sip? 10 things that spark joy (c)nwafoodie10 things that spark joy and encourage entertaining. Packing kitchen essentials for our cabin getaway.

Share

Share
Tweet
Email
Pin
Comment
Previous
Next

Comments Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




My name is Lyndi Fultz, and I live in the beautiful Ozark Mountains, which span Northwest Arkansas and Southwest Missouri.

I like to share small ideas for living simply and eating happily.

You will find that I talk a lot about food because we all need to eat. Why not add little bits of food joy where possible?

Read more

SJF social links

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Newsletter signup

Please wait...

Thank you for signing up!

search categories

Search by Year

Trending posts

FOLLOW ON INSTAGRAM

Lyndi Fultz

simplejoyfulfood

In pursuit of small joys that add simplicity to life. + @nwafoodie

There are signs of spring everywhere, and I am rea There are signs of spring everywhere, and I am ready for it! Yet..... that doesn't mean that I'm still hopeful for some cool mornings where we can light a fire!
So, you're at a restaurant, and this is your place So, you're at a restaurant, and this is your place setting. In what order do YOU proceed?

My answer in the comments - share yours!
There is something quite glorious about simplicity There is something quite glorious about simplicity. I'm really feeling it as Dennis and I sit here in our living room, next to the crackling fire. Full disclosure, this picture isn't me BUT I do have the exact same coffee cup. Anyoo, I'm reminded how wonderful it is to be still. Not that I ever forget that reminder, it's just easier to revel in it, next to a fire. With snow softing falling outside. You know what I mean?
My coffee routine is alllll over the place! Firs My coffee routine is alllll over the place! 

First, it was a percolator.
Then came the Breville coffee maker.
Next, along came a bodum pour over.
Quickly replaced by a French Press.
Then came an Aeropress.
Followed by a rediscovery of a favorite instant brand we enjoyed in Isreal.
Now, Aeropress is making a comeback. 
And our beloved LaVazza espresso.
Which tastes like vacation at the Sonnelap in Vail.

Am I the only one who does coffee in phases?

What's next?

Probably need an espresso maker!
Isn't it interesting how two things with the same Isn't it interesting how two things with the same word can convey entirely different moods?

Microwave turntable = quick, fast, speed

Record player turntable = slow, easy, chill

Both have their places. But man, oh man, I am finding myself craving more of the latter: slow, easy, chill. 

Now, to get a record player...
Arkansas Black Apples are in season, and the persi Arkansas Black Apples are in season, and the persimmon trees are loaded down hard. Even though many markets are closed for the season, there is still a bounty if we look around!

What seasonal goodies have you discovered lately?
Load More... Instagram

contact

lyndi@thejoyofeatingwell.com

inspiration

“Just like becoming an expert in wine–you learn by drinking it, the best you can afford–you learn about great food by finding the best there is, whether simply or luxurious. Then you savor it, analyze it, and discuss it with your companions, and you compare it with other experiences.” – Julia Child

Copyright 2025 thejoyofeatingwell