A Masculine Wood and Metal Bourbon Bar Cart

Today’s post is about a little corner I created in our dining room for my husband, who is a big fan of all things bourbon and has quite a large collection of brown water. We actually had three separate areas in our house where we were stashing bottles, and he never knew where to find a particular one.

We both love the idea of a bar cart but realized that wouldn’t be quite enough space for his collection. I fully expect that in our forever house he’ll have a “real” bar in his office or a rec room, but for now we’re making a corner of the room work.

I asked my friend Ashly to come over a few weeks ago to help me in a few areas where I was stumped (you can see her beautiful home here). She recommended that I pull my wood and metal rolling kitchen cart into the dining room and turn it into a bar cart. Since it hadn’t really found a home at Magnolia Cottage, it was hanging out on the front porch by the swing and I was actually thinking about selling it or putting it in storage. I like this idea so much better!

With the exception of a few cute bottles of mixers, I didn’t buy anything to create this area, I just gathered things from around the house. I’ll list my sources at the end of the post.

I’ve used the rolling kitchen cart in two kitchens (once as an island), in a rec room to store games and a TV, and now as a barn cart. It’s such a versatile piece and I do think the metal and wood give it a masculine feel.

I’ve been buying vintage barware for years, mostly at thrift and antique stores, but you can find lots of it on Etsy and eBay. I was amazed when I saw what the cut crystal martini shaker and ice bucket go for online, though, because I think I paid $20 for mine.

Can you see my reflection in the photo below?

The crystal sugar jar holds Amarena cherries when it’s time to make Manhattans, and my great grandmother’s champagne coupes are on the middle shelf as the glassware of choice for Manhattans and martinis.

Yes, my husband is in the Army, but the old matchbook from the O Club at Andrews Air Force Base–now Joint Base Andrews –is a fun touch. There’s also an old-school lighter underneath it for our cigar-smoking friends.

As promised, here are sources for the same (or similar, for the vintage pieces) items: