Furniture, Entertaining, InteriorRobert MaurerJanuary 01, 2022bar, alcohol, party, tiki, island, hawaii, virtuebros, vintage, furniture, eames, tikimug, collection, dip, recipe, pog, tikidrink, 1950s, 1960s, interiordesign, haryyee

Building the Bar

Tip:

Keep your styling fresh by swapping out collections and colors as the seasons change.

When styling a bar, I recommend a balance of playfulness and functionality. While a cocktail station can certainly be a place to go a little wild with design, it should also be a surface that allows for easy drink-making. Follow these guidelines to style your own bar, and create a charming space where the cocktails flow freely.

ELEGANCE: Transfer spirits, mixers, juices, and syrups to decanters and pitchers. Display in a prominent place, and use a tray to keep groupings organized.

NATURAL BEAUTY: Bring color and softness to your bar with a fresh floral arrangement, or a few sprigs of greenery. This is an excellent opportunity to put a vintage vase or pottery to use.

ACCESSIBILITY: Keep bar essentials such as an ice bucket, shaker, jigger, and coasters on display and within reach. Store vintage glassware in a caddy for guests to easily access.

DISPLAY: The top of your bar is a great spot to feature a collection. Select just a few pieces to showcase for a look that feels edited and intentional.

CURATED COLLECTION

As mid-century enthusiasts, many of us have collections. One of mine is tiki mugs, which I’ve acquired from a variety of antique shops, online auctions, and artist galleries. I’ve been collecting these pieces for about 6 years, and it’s been a fun way to support some of my favorite small businesses and artists. My collection of mugs ranges from new and mass-produced to vintage, rare, and one-of-a-kind.

For me, one of the most enjoyable aspects of collecting tiki mugs is the sense of community between artists and collectors. As I grow my collection, I’m continually connecting with lively and interesting people who share the same passion for creativity and cocktail culture. I’m discovering more as I dive deeper into tiki culture, and having a blast with every indulgence.

A few tiki mugs from my collection include designs by Whittle Woodshop, Gecko’z South Sea Arts, Kevin Kidney, and SHAG.

SIP & DIP

Now that you have your bar looking first-rate, it’s time to reward yourself with a tasty snack and artful cocktail. Arrange colorful vegetables on your favorite vintage tray, and serve them with this delicious, addictive dip. Wash it all down with this fruit-forward cocktail inspired by a classic Trader Vic’s recipe from the late 1960s.

Herb Veggie Dip

Yield: 2 cups

INGREDIENTS:

1 c mayonnaise
1 c sour cream
1 Tbs dried dill weed
1 Tbs dried minced onion
1 Tbs fresh minced parsley
1 Tbs Beau Monde seasoning

DIRECTIONS:

Stir together all ingredients in medium sized bowl. Cover and refrigerate overnight. Stir just before serving. Note: For a vegan-friendly version, use plant-based mayo and dairy-free sour cream.