How to Set Up the Perfect Mid-Century Modern Home Bar

The Mad Men era of the 1960s had its problems, but they got a couple of things right: mid-century modern design…and drinking at work. You can honor both of these traditions with a retro home bar cart or cabinet.

A swanky bar will also make you a rock-star party host. Whether you are more Deck the Halls or Bah Humbug, ’tis the season for a strong drink.

So I turned to my favorite boozy blogger, Christine (aka The Uncorked Librarian), to learn how to stock a home bar. Christine writes about three of my passions: books, travel and booze. She kindly agreed to share her expertise in today’s guest post below!

Note: This article contains affiliate links. See my disclosures for details.

Bar Cart Inspiration

Here at The Uncorked Librarian, we don’t believe that what your bar cart looks like from the outside matters. Instead, we care about the inside; its heart. 

Is your bar cart full of soul warming bevies? Does it make drinks look and feel good? Does your bar cart spark inspiring conversation?

Clearly, we love our wine, beer, and cocktails. Spirits remind you of a place that you visited, a feeling you once had, or a taste that you want to reimagine. Shared among friends and family or for a quiet night in, drinks unite us and invite us to share.

Find Your Retro Bar Cart or Cabinet

• Mid-Century Bar Carts
• MCM Bar Cabinets
• More Home Bars

Must-Have Bar Tools

My must-have bar tools are not just the traditional mortar and pestle, jiggers, shakers, bottle openers, corkscrews, and strainers. You will need these, but I have stronger preferences.

I cannot resist a Manhattan and Old Fashioned on the rocks, which means that you need the right ice cubes. Be sure to purchase those massively large square ice cube trays. No one wants a watered-down drink. Plus, I prefer my cocktails to look the speakeasy, refined part. Shaved ice just won’t cut it for the classics. Yes, this is always my biggest judgement. First world booze problems.

A basic bar cart may also include whiskey stones, long mixing spoons, ice tongs, and a zester. However, these are bonuses versus the essentials. When in desperation, I’ll stir my cocktail with any utensil…just look at that over there…clink, clink.

Also, not essential to your home bar but a bonus, we own a mini-wine fridge that lies next to our libation area. We leave most red wine out on display unless it is sweet—you may want a gorgeous wine rack or wall display—and chill whites in the wine fridge.

Stock Up on Modern Bar Tools

• Citrus Zesters
• Bar Mixing Spoons
• Ice Bucket and Tongs
• Large Ice Cube Trays
• Whiskey Stones
• Wine Fridges
• More Bar Tools

Home Bar Accessories

Personally, I am not a fan of toothpicks, but stylish ones work for skewering fruits and garnishes. 

Colorful and playful stirrers for guests spice up a drink that double function as straws. Not everyone wants to stain their pearly whites.

Accessories are a drink’s best friend. I cannot live without wine charms—the cuter the better. You can find playful charms with cats, sloths, and unicorns that hang off of a glass rim or you can use beaded charms that wrap around the stem. You don’t want guests confusing their drinks.

Don’t forget a fun wine stopper, too. We have a glow-in-the-dark marble one from our friends in the Netherlands. Ok, and a Mickey Mouse head too. We are classy like that.

Have you seen the latest wine bottle decorations? You can place an owl head or sparkling gems on your wine bottles that are on display. A bit much? Maybe. Cute AF? You bet.

Don’t forget your beer drinkers and have beer koozies for those not wanting to use a glass.

Give Your Bar Some Flair

• Reusable Straws
• Retro Cocktail Napkins
• Mid-Century Tea Towels
• Wine Stoppers
• Wine Charms
• MCM Coasters

Bar Glassware

We have a section of our kitchen designated just for bar glassware, and every year, we have to downsize. Somehow the glasses just magically accumulate. Mind you, our glassware isn’t elegant but represents our traveling adventures.

We have souvenir high and lowball glasses, logo-printed glasses from winery tastings, mismatching flutes and cordial-ware from antique shops, and a variety of beer glasses from our favorite breweries around the world. I’m a little bummed that I didn’t keep my Glühwein mug from the German Christmas markets, as we love making our own mulled wine.

My glassware recommendations: Start with your typical wine and beer glasses. We love beer steins and mugs along with tulip glasses for craft beer with a higher alcohol content.

If wine isn’t so much your thing, own the basics: white and red wine glasses along with champagne flutes. And if wine is your thing, check out my favorite gift ideas for champagne lovers for even more fun accessories to add to your bar.

Whether as glassware or an accessory, invest in a decanter, too.

For fine liquors, cordials, schnapps, and distilled beverages, consider cocktail, whiskey, and port glasses. Although shot glasses are occasionally tacky, you can find swanky ones. Trendy these days, consider mason jars for your boozy punches. 

We don’t own a wide variety of these glasses, but a few will do for the casual and yuppie guest.

Build Your Glassware Collection

• Whiskey Decanters
• Wine Decanters
• Wine Glasses
• Champagne Glasses
• Highball Glasses
• Old Fashioned Glasses
• Coupe Bar Glasses
• Beer Glasses
• Moscow Mule Mugs

Stock Your Bar

These days, guests have eclectic wine and beer tastes. When hosting a party, try to have a few dry and sweet red and white wine options available and served at their respective temperatures.

I always pick up a growler of local craft beer and keep popular state-wide canned brews in the fridge. Not everyone is into the craft beer scene, though; I recommend stocking up with a few generic and popular brands, too. Have cider for your gluten-free guests.

As for the hard stuff, you want to invite the whiskey family to your party, including bourbon and scotch (whisky; cough, cough). Every bar cart should have gin, rum (light and dark), brandy, and a port. You can pick your favorite cordial or liqueur of choice. Growing up, my mom loved her Galliano. Don’t forget tequila and vermouth.

Somewhere in the background, don’t forget your mixers/juices, bitters, triple sec, and simple syrup too.

For garnishes, cut-up the basics: lemons, limes, and oranges. Cherries are great, and pineapple if you are going tropical. Fresh mint is a must for mojitos.

Mid-Century Cocktails

My dad is obsessed with his mules—in the proper steel mug. This perfect mid-century cocktail is making a comeback, but you need a seasonal twist. Think about adding a trendy flavor like apple cider for the fall and winter.

We also love any take on a Bee’s Knees and a Manhattan, which are truly classics. Hot Toddy’s are circulating the internet as a cure for the common cold—I am not a doctor so back off—and Sidecars are sneaking their way to bar menus once again.

Cocktail Recipe Books

• Mod Cocktails: Modern Takes on Classic Recipes from the ’40s, ’50s and ’60s
• Tequila Mockingbird: Cocktails with a Literary Twist
• Tiki Drinks: Tropical Cocktails for the Modern Bar

A Closing Note From Hammer & a Headband

I want to give a huge thank you to Christine from The Uncorked Librarian! You can follow her on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or Pinterest, and keep up with her boozy, literary travels on her blog.

Combining Christine’s bar cart inspiration with my mid-century modern accessories, I had lots of fun setting up my bar for the holiday season.

To go even more retro, you might like these tike bar decor ideas.

• Tiki bar decor guide
• DIY hanging tiki bar lanterns
• How to create a tropical gallery wall