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The Spruce Eats / Lecia Landis
Whether you’re camping, glamping, on holiday, or just picnicking in a park, you deserve bar-quality cocktails. But how do you tote a bar’s worth of tools, plus a few essential bottles? With a handy travel bar kit.
Travel bar tools wrap up mixers, shakers, jiggers, and bar spoons, all into one easy carrying case. They range from camp-ready backpacks to bartender-approved bags to Bond-ready suitcases. Most have room for a bottle or two for an effortless setup. With one in hand, you have all the fixings to create excellent cocktails—just add alcohol.
Ahead, the best travel bar sets.
Best Overall
Legacy by Picnic Time Hamilton Portable Cocktail Bar
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Target
Wide range of bar tools and glasses
Slots to store spirits
Sturdy, durable construction
Very large
Expensive
This travel bar kit is outfitted with everything you need to host an elegant cocktail hour. The front and top open up to reveal an arsenal of mixology tools. There are the standard ones: a shaker, a strainer, a double jigger, and a stirrer. Then there are a few that will really come in handy for more elaborate drinks: a small cutting board (yes, really), a knife, ice tongs, cocktail picks, and a muddler.
The set also includes four modern rocks glasses and three slots to store your favorite bottles of spirits. Everything gets safely locked up in a 14 x 10-inch hard case outfitted with padded dividers that you can take anywhere without having to worry about broken glass or spilled liquids. This is your perfect secret weapon to bring to parties and on vacations—and not to mention gifting as a housewarming present. Plus, for those living in a smaller-sized apartment, this is an excellent alternative to a bar cart.
Price at time of publish: $458
What’s Included: Four glasses, four cocktail picks, jigger, shaker, paring knife, cutting board, strainer, tongs, stirrer, muddler | Bottle Storage: Three | Size: 14 x 10.5 x 10.5 inches
Best Budget
Pepe Nero 27-Piece Professional Bartender Kit and Cocktail Shaker
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Amazon
Durable
Rust-resistant tools
Easy to transport
No bottle storage
Pepe Nero 27-Piece Professional Bartender Kit and Cocktail Shaker has it all at a great price. Perfect for professional and amateur mixologists, it comes with two cocktail shakers, a wine opener, a wooden muddler, 3 kinds of strainers, a double-sided jigger, ice tongs, liquor bottle pourers, a lemon juicer, a lemon zester, metal straws, and a mixing spoon. Basically, every kind of cocktail you could want can easily be made with the tools in this kit.
With so many tools, it’s essential to stay organized. Fortunately, there is a slot for each tool. When you’re finished cleaning up, just roll up the kit. Two buckles click in to assure everything can be stored easily and transported safely.
Price at time of publication: $48
What’s Included: 27-ounce cocktail shaker, 20-ounce cocktail shaker, wine opener, bottle opener, wooden muddler, shaker towel, fine strainer, Julep strainer, Hawthorne strainer, double-sided jigger, ice tongs, four bottle pourers, lemon juicer, four metal straws, a lemon zester, mixing spoon | Bottle Storage: None | Size: 11.69 x 6.65 x 5.47 inches
Best for the Serious Cocktailer
Mixology & Craft Travel Bartender 17-Piece Bar Tool Kit
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Amazon
Rolls up small
Stylish and sturdy
Pro-level bar tools
No room for bottles
Bar tools may tarnish over time
For expert cocktails or serious entertainers, this kit comes stacked with a bartender’s toolbox (yes, literally—there are 17 different tools). There are strainers (three in total, including Hawthorne, Julep, and Fine), a double-ended opener, a Boston shaker, two liquor pourers, a juicer, beechwood muddler, 10-inch cocktail stirrer, zester, double lever corkscrew, ice tongs, and a Japanese jigger. There are 27 different pockets that will perfectly fit your favorite tools, small bottles of syrups, bitters, and bags of garnishes. There’s even a Lewis bag tucked into the slot for crushing ice for mint juleps.
All of this wraps up into an easy-to-carry canvas bag complete with shoulder strap and handle. Smart leather straps with brass buckles add a rustic flair. Just add booze bottles and mixers, and you’ve got portable cocktail heaven—making you the star of any party. All of the tools are dishwasher safe and made with premium stainless steel.
Price at time of publication: $170
What’s Included: Bag, shoulder strap, Boston shaker, wooden muddler, three strainers, wine opener, tongs, double-sided jigger, beer opener, juicer, two pourers, Lewis ice bag | Bottle Storage: None | Size: 16.1 x 5.35 x 5.16 inches
“I suggest purchasing a bar tool bag that has slits that fit most tools, including strainers, jiggers, bar spoons and shaker tins,” says Ashly Levi, bartender and mezcalier at Miss Agave. “If you don’t have one available, you can store the jigger, smaller bar spoons, bottle openers and julep strainers inside the tins to keep it all together."
Best Backpack
Summit51 Bartender Bag
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Amazon
Made with water-resistant material
Padded shoulder straps
Mesh waist padding
Needs more tools for a full kit
Thinking about using a backpack to tote around your bar tools? The Summit51 Bartender Bag is an excellent choice. This backpack is designed with multiple detachable dividers to create pockets for up to six bottles. So, there’s plenty of flexibility, whether you plan to pour from a 750ml bottle or a 1.75-liter bottle. Better yet, because the dividers are padded, you don’t have to worry about the bottles knocking into each other or clanking on the go.
No need to leave any of your favorite bar tools at home because the front section of the backpack has plenty of pockets to fit whatever you need. Made of high-quality nylon, the bag has a waterproof bottom to prevent accidental leaks, making this a durable choice that will last for years to come.
Price at time of publication: $60
What’s Included: Martini shaker, cocktail spoon, jigger, muddler | Bottle Storage: 6 | Size: 10.5 x 12 x 17.25 inches
Best for Camping
Sky Fish Cocktail Travel Set
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Amazon
Lots of tools
Pocket for ice
Easy to carry
Doesn’t include glasses
If you’re looking for a cocktail set to take with you camping or on picnics, the Sky Fish Cocktail Travel Set has it all and more. This set includes two cocktail shakers, a double jigger, a Hawthorne Strainer, two liquor pourers, a stainless steel muddler, a mixing spoon, ice tongs, a corkscrew, a bartender knife, and a wood bar board. With pockets for each tool, it's easy to stay organized.
Best of all, everything is packaged in an insulated bag (just add ice) that has a Bluetooth speaker, another necessity when drinking around a campfire. With room for three full-size bottles, you can make a wide variety of cocktails with this kit, even in the middle of the woods. One downside here is that you will need to provide your own drinkware.
Price at time of publication: $70
What’s Included: 26-ounce cocktail shaker, 16-ounce cocktail shaker, double jigger, Hawthorne Strainer, two liquor pourers, stainless steel muddler, mixing spoon, ice tongs, corkscrew, bartender knife, wood bar board, Bluetooth speaker within insulated bag | Bottle Storage: 3 | Size: 16.54 x 5.91 x 12.6 inches
"To keep your bar tools clean, simply rinsing and washing with warm water and a bit of Dawn soap can do the trick when you’re on the go,” says Levi. “You can bring this in a travel-size container. The key is to dry it all really well using a microfiber towel, which is easy to keep on you when traveling.”
Best for Martinis
Franmara Martini Travel Bar Set with Case
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Walmart
Perfect for martini lovers
Extra padding to avoid breakage
Includes lock
Not for all cocktails
For all martini lovers, here is a travel case for you. Whether you like this classic cocktail with gin or vodka, dirty or dry, this case has you covered. While you’ll need to supply your own gin, vodka, or vermouth, this kit contains everything else you need to bring your favorite drink on the go. It includes two martini glasses, a stainless steel flask for easy alcohol transportation, a jigger, a funnel, and an 8-ounce stainless steel shaker. It even includes two reusable olive spears to dress your martini the way a bartender would.
The travel case itself has a black exterior and a velvet interior—an elegant look that belongs in an upscale martini bar. The kit locks up with two keys for safe travels. Just don’t forget the olives.
Price at time of publication: $120
What’s Included: Lockable box, flask, jigger, funnel, shaker | Bottle Storage: None | Size: 7 3/4 x 8 x 7 inches
"I use soap and water to clean my tools on the go, but I always polish them with vodka for extra shine." — Ervin Machado, Certified Sommelier and Beverage Director at Big Time Restaurant Group.
Best for Gifting
Concession Express Portable Travel Bar
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Amazon
Great for gifting
Secure combination lock
Leather case
Glasses are small
Could use extra padding
This portable bar is a classy, James Bond-worthy gift. To start, the sleek briefcase can only be opened with a three-digit combination. You’ll feel especially suave popping open the gold latch. Swing open the travel bar to reveal martini essentials—two mini martini glasses (remember: shaken, not stirred), a bottle opener, two speed pourers for your vodka, gin, and vermouth, and a double-sided 1-ounce and 2-ounce jigger. (Note the martini glasses are on the smaller size, so adapt your favorite martini recipe accordingly!) There's even a flask for an even more travel-friendly sip.
Divided into two sections, one side holds your tools and the other has three slots to hold your favorite bottles. Elastic straps with snaps hold everything in place to ensure everything arrives at your destination unscathed. The overall packaging and vintage-inspired classic nature of this set make it perfect for giving to a friend as a housewarming gift, too.
What’s Included: Two martini glasses, 6-ounce flask, jigger, two speed pourers, bottle opener, leather case with combination lock | Bottle Storage: Three | Size: 5.5 x 13 x 12 inches
Best Mini
Viski Travel Bar Tool Kit
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Viski
Stainless steel and wood tools
Good for on the go
Attractive design
Could use more tools
Tools must be handwashed
Do you travel with bar tools or like to take them on vacation? The Viski Travel Bar Tool is small and portable, but mighty. It comes with a Cobbler cocktail shaker, Hawthorne strainer, jigger, bottle opener, muddler, and bar spoon. Packaged in an attractive canvas storage bag, you can roll everything right up. With a storage compartment for each tool, clean-up is nice and fast.
This set is so compact, you can even bring it in a tote bag, weekender or suitcase. While there aren’t a ton of extras, tools, or space for bottles, the basics are certainly covered.
Price at time of publication: $70
What’s Included: Canvas bag, Cobbler cocktail shaker, Hawthorne strainer, jigger, bottle opener muddler, bar spoon, muddler | Bottle Storage: None | Size: 4.6 x 11 x 5 inches
For a large and in charge setup that holds a wide range of bar tools, glasses, and up to three bottles, we recommend the Legacy by Picnic Time Hamilton Portable Cocktail Bar. If you're in charge of tending bar on an upcoming camping trip, the Sky Fish Cocktail Travel Set will transport your supplies from A to B.
What to Look for in a Travel Bar Set
Tools
A well-stocked travel bar should contain everything you need to make your favorite drink. Maybe that’s as simple as a bar spoon, shaker, and jigger. If you’re looking to seriously entertain on the go, opt for a travel bar packed with everything from Hawthorne strainers to corkscrews to olive spears.
Portability
Consider how portable your travel bar is. Working bartenders may want a roll-up bag, so they can tote their tools from home to shift (this is also a great option if you’re headed to a hotel or party where all your bar tools will be needed). Boxed options are great for train travel or picnics and do a great job of protecting the contents, but they can be cumbersome to carry.
Bottle Storage
Some travel bars are outfitted to carry just a small flask, while others have the capacity to store up to three or four of your favorite bottles. Pick a travel bar accordingly. If you simply want to sip a dram on the go out of decent glassware, the former type of travel bar will suffice. If you’re looking to craft Negronis, martinis, or other cocktails, consider a travel bar with a capacity that can hold all your ingredients.
FAQs
What is included in a travel bar set?
A travel bar will include all the tools you need to craft cocktails on the go. Depending on the size of the bar, that can include a shaker and jigger or a full spate of bar tools. Often the travel bar set have space for bottles, too.
How portable is a travel bar set?
Travel bar sets are designed to be toted around. Some will be like small, hardshell suitcases complete with handles and locks. Some come in the form of a backpack, while others are rolled up and can be carried around like a briefcase.
Why use a travel bar set?
Travel bar sets are excellent in a range of situations; bring one on a picnic, take it on your next vacation, or pack it for your next backyard drinks. These tiny bars also double as an excellent option for those living in small spaces and don’t have room for a full setup.
Why Trust The Spruce Eats?
Kate Dingwall is a sommelier and spirits writer. She has been writing about the bar and spirits world for five years and has her BarSmarts and WSET certification. She loves a good martini—wherever she may be.
This roundup was updated by Amanda Lauren, an experienced lifestyle writer who loves a good cocktail no matter where she is. She prefers bourbon to vodka.