Serving carts & mobile bars

First consider what needs to go on the cart. A serving cart is narrow and has two or three tiers. You work on the top, with your supplies underneath. The Bar Professional Mixology Serving Cart is designed for this and has room for bottles, glasses, and tools all at once. A wine serving cart is designed for bottles and decanters, leaving the top free for pouring.

A mobile bar is larger. You stand behind it and your guest stands on the other side, as with the Evolution, the Village, and the Cabrio. Pay attention to the working height and the width of the top. Also check whether the piece of furniture will fit through your doors. If your floor isn’t completely level, wheels with brakes are definitely a worthwhile feature.

Set up the cart the way a bartender sets up their station behind the bar. Put spirits and liqueurs on your pouring-hand side, ice in the middle, and garnishes and tools within arm’s reach. Put the glasses on the lower shelf. That leaves you room to work on top.

If you’re mostly making cocktailsone evening, get everything ready beforehand. Put the shaker and stirring tools on top, an ice bucket beside them, and only the bottles you’ll actually use that evening. If you’re serving wine, do the opposite. Keep the top clear for open bottles, glasses, and a decanter. Roll the cart to the table and pour there. Your guests will see the label right away.

Most carts and bars have a powder-coated steel or aluminum frame, with wooden or laminate tops. Wipe the top after use with a damp cloth and a mild detergent. Dried sugar syrup and citrus juice can damage the finish. Give the frame a quick wipe too, so no rings are left behind.

Check the wheels now and then. Hair and dust wrap around the axles, making the cart harder to steer. If you leave the furniture standing for a long time, release the brakes. This helps protect the rubber.

Is a whole piece of furniture more than you need, and are you just looking for the tools to put on top? Then take a look at the cocktail shakers, bar spoons , ice buckets. You’ll find everything together on the bar tools page, including the little helpers you can easily forget. If you’re serving a large group, drink dispensers are more convenient than individual bottles. And you’ll find the glasses for your cart under cocktail glasses.