It all started when I began planning to become a trail angel….a trail angel needs a travel bar, doesn’t she? To bring craft cocktails to the resting thru-hikers, of course. Soon I came across a piece of vintage luggage disguised as a briefcase, and designed on the inside for a few bottles of booze and drink ware. But they had it all wrong. We don’t need aluminum cups and just bottles of base spirits, we need bitters and shakers and juicers and proper glassware.
So I set out to curate my first travel bar - the Happy Traveler.
Vintage Travel Bars
Each Happy Traveler is based on a specific cocktail (whether spirit-free or spirit-forward) and includes all the bottles, bar tools, and glassware you need to create that cocktail for sharing with friends. Almost all items are vintage or second hand, creating a one-of-a-kind transportable bar and intended to elevate your cocktail experience.
All the Lustre.
This set-up was curated to feature one of my very own spirit-free cocktail recipes. It is composed of 4 equal parts of ingredients which are shaken. This rare glass cocktail shaker came all the way from an antique shop in Oslo, Norway.
Picnic Pleasure.
My collection of 1930s era picnic baskets make amazing travel bars with room for a snack! I love the leather straps on these, a perfect way to secure the vintage plates and utensils I’ve curated. The placements are the work of my friend John who repurposes vintage record album covers - so creative and the theme and colors are perfect for thes baskets.
A stunning set of glassware and cocktail pitcher embellished with a family crest make the perfect show for sharing whisky with friends. This old-meets-new set-up also includes silver plated ice tongs from Northern Ireland and a tea towel designed by an artist from the same region, home to the world’s oldest distillery.
Whisky Tasting.
Bartender’s Special.
A gift for a bartender. You know the one - she brings her own jigger, tasting glasses, flask of special vermouth and favorite gin to every gathering. She’s always prepared to make the cocktails for everyone else. With this case she’ll arrive in style with all of her necessities.
After Dinner Special.
Not everyone realizes how many liqueurs are suitable to be enjoyed after dinner or with dessert. This set-up for 6 includes an Amaro, Metaxa, and a Tawny Port paired with 3 varieties of chocolate; all served out of a vintage train case. When this travel bar shows up to the party, it will definitely upstage the host - oops!
Margarita Picnic.
I have become infatuated with these Sirram and Brexton wicker baskets from England. While I appreciate the excitement over the creation of molded plastics in the 30s, it just won’t do when you want to elevate the experience. So those plates and cups have been replaced with more appropriate vintage items to set-up a picnic for two complete with margaritas. Notice the daisy patterns on the linens? Symbolic as margarita means daisy in Spanish.
Interested in owning your very own curated, vintage travel bar?
If you’re interested in owning one of my Happy Travelers, or want to gift it to another cocktail-lover, contact me to discuss curating something special. This site is meant to inspire you of the possibilities. I have multiple cases, a great collection of glassware, and barware ideas to share.
Contact me via email to chat about a custom set-up.
Note that no food or liquids are sold with my travel bars. But I’m happy to suggest the appropriate spirits or snacks to make your Happy Traveler complete.
