The common room of your college home is to be the center of memories, conversation, relaxation and of course: pregames. One way to tie your home together is a DIY bar cart. Your bar cart provides cocktails nights in and pregames to go out with your best friends. Arguably, the pregame is the best part of the night. Let your bar cart be the center of your apartment and show off you and your roommate’s personality. The girls of Penn State offer their wisdom for their bar cart necessities and pregame tips.
Step 1: Purchase a Bar Cart
The biggest misconception is that your bar cart needs to be expensive. However, there are great options on Walmart, Amazon and Wayfair for prices as low as $35. You can also buy a rolling bathroom cart for $20. A gold cart is also great color option to make your bar cart stand out. Gold spray paint can also go a long way!
Step 2: Drinkware and Barware
Don’t be afraid to get fun with your glassware! Add some pop of color by finding a colorful set of glasses. Finding patterned or texture glassware is a great touch as well! There are multiple options for glassware such as wine glasses, champagne flutes, martini and shot glasses. Investing in two to three types of glassware is a great way to elevate your drinks.
Purchasing barware can be a fun investment to shake up your drinks. Amazon has some great choices for barware kits that include a cocktail shaker, pourer, muddler, spoon, zester and strainer. Silly straws also make your drinks pop!
Step 3: Liquor
Now for the reason you are DIYing a bar cart in the first place: the liquor. Some popular choices are vodka, tequila, rum, wine and of course, shooters.
Step 4: The Decor
Let your personality shine through your decor. Wall art like fun prints, neon lights, sunset lamps and disco balls can add so much to the atmosphere. On your bar cart, you can add colorful books, cocktail recipe books and of course, our latest edition of VALLEY. Another addition is to add pregame games such as For the Girls, Buzzed, Do or Drink and Cards Against Humanity. Starting the night with a game is a great way to let loose and not worry about anything else.
The Pregame
So you DIYed your bar cart and your best friends have arrived. How can you make it the best pregame?
Rania Wright, a senior at Penn State, recommends investing in a good speaker and making use of your space! “Purchase a good speaker to make a collaborative Spotify playlist with your friends,” Wright said. “Move furniture that you care about! If you have a balcony, open it up to utilize the space and get air flow.”
Ashley Mascaro recommends adding a polaroid wall.“Take polaroid pictures of friends who visit your apartment! It is so fun to look at all of the memories you’ve captured,” Mascaro said.
Have a bar cart setup you’re proud of? Send us pictures of yours on Instagram @VALLEYmag!
*VALLEY does not support underage drinking. Please remember to always drink responsibly.
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