Experts Reveal the 20 Items Every 20-Something Needs in Their Bar Cart

This Safavieh bar cart with a Metal Finish ($240) is perfect for creating an intimate and inviting environment – but if it's a tad too pricey, consider DIYing an affordable bar cart yourself. "Take a cue from your room and coordinate details with your existing decor", explained Francesco Bilotto, design and entertaining Expert. "For example, if you have an accent color or a prominent metallic finish in your space, think about bringing that in and taking your basics to bold."

Be prepared for any guests with a preference for sweet and flavorful drinks. "You’ll need a selection of smart mixers like the Be mixed Variery Pack ($33), which are my new go-to guilt-free cocktail mixers — they have premixed flavor assortments that are actually healthy," said Francesco. We love them because their colorful bottles make them an elegant addition to a stylish bar cart.

"Something I have on my bar at home is a small leather-bound journal for entering special cocktail recipes that I’ve either accidentally made or that others have suggested," shared Francesco. "It serves as a journal of good times shared plus a catalog of personal recipes." This decorative Gold & Brown Notebook ($20) is perfect for jotting down notes near your bar.

To avoid looking like an amateur drink mixer, nix all regular spoons from your bar cart and invest in a handy bar spoon, which is designed to be long enough to property swirl and mix ingredients in long glasses. This Gold Bar Spoon ($9) also includes a muddler on the bottom for conveniently smashing up ingredients like mint sprigs.

Your bar area will be a mingling hotspot, so pay attention to the small details, like these Brass Inlay Coasters ($12). When your guests are fighting over cute coasters, you'll never have to worry about water marks.

William Yin and Sam Zaghal, cofounders of Morgan Street Co. and the duo behind the popular Whiskey Stone Kickstarter, both recommend stocking your bar cart with fresh garnishes for your guests. "You'll need fresh fruit slices, fresh berries, pomegranate seeds, fresh herb sprigs, novelty ice, specialty sugars and salts for rimming, and edible glitter stars," they explained. This Mimira Platter ($24) is perfect for laying out ingredients and garnishes.

"I love a variety of swizzle sticks (vintage and new), colorful paper straws, sterling-silver straws, these Plastic Pink Flamingos ($8) — you know, for fun!” said William Yin, chief gin-sipper at the Morgan Street Co.

According to Sam Zaghal, you should keep a whiskey decanter, along with some whiskey glasses in your stock. The Daphne Decanter and Glasses Set ($60) will add an elegant (and expensive-looking) touch to your bar.

Every novice drink mixer has to start somewhere. Urban Outfitters' Metallic Cocktail Shaker Set ($39) is the ultimate bar starter kit, as it comes equipped with a cocktail shaker, jigger, bar spoon, and strainer.

Prevent table spills like a pro with this stunning Wine Aerator and Pourer ($35). It's small enough to keep at your bar at all times and will help your drinks smell and taste amazing from the moment your pour.

What's the one thing experts always keep stocked in preparation for those unexpected dinner guests? "Bubbles!" shared Diane McMartin, wine consultant and author of This Calls For a Drink!: The Best Wines and Beers to Pair With Every Situation. "Always have a few flutes — these Star Cluster Flutes ($14) are elegant and affordable! [Keep] on your bar cart or shelf and a bottle of a sparkling wine you love in the refrigerator."

Be prepared to open that chilled bottle of wine within a moment's notice. "Pulltaps makes the tried-and-true, iconic waiters' corkscrew, and unless you're opening a lot of older bottles, it's all you need," said Diane McMartin. "They come in lots of colors and they're not so expensive. . . . I have the Pulltap's Pink Corkscrew ($5), and it makes me happy every time I see it."

We love indulging in Sugarfina's Liquor-Flavored Gummies — and they're the perfect addition to your home bar. Not only do they add an affordable stylish touch to your cart, but these Peach Bellini Gummies ($8) will be a sweet treat for your guests to munch on while they're hanging out.

Ever gone to a party and seen dozens of poured glasses lying around? Make sure everyone can spot their drink by stocking up your bar with these colorful Gummed Up Drink Markers ($10).

The key to the perfect cocktail? Proper measurements! This adorable 3-Piece Mixed Metal Double Jigger Set ($30) will help ensure that your cocktail has the correct amount of liqours and flavors.

This Stainless Steel Ice Bucket and Scooper ($67) will make it possible for you to keep ice for your drinks or cocktail shaker within an arm's reach.

Your bar cart deserves its own set of citrus juicers, plus you'll avoid running back and forth from the kitchen whenever a craving for a mojito strikes. The colorful Chef'n Fresh Force Citrus Juicer ($25) juices lemons and limes effortlessly and reduces pulp for perfect drinks.

This isn't your grandpa's home bar, so make this Copper Pineapple Cocktail Shaker ($80) the statement piece of your cart. Not only will it be an Instagram-worthy conversation piece, it'll mix and cool the perfect cocktail every time.

Didn't quite finish off that bottle of wine? These Silicone Wine Stoppers ($5) will preserve your unsealed wine and help prevent spills when used on the open bottles your guests might be passing around, and they'll look cute while doing it.

These Hello Beautiful Pint Glasses ($15) make your beer-loving guests feel flattered when they come over for a beer.