Recently I’ve been working on a wet bar design, so I’ve been spending lots of time thinking about the art of the cocktail.
Evidently I’m not alone.
Have you noticed how many Bar Hounds are running around lately?
Bar Hounds Print. Image: Constance Coleman
It’s true.
Crack open your Pottery Barn Holiday Catalog and you’ll find a few Dogs ready for yappy hour.
Bulldog Cocktail Shaker. Image Pottery Barn
You’ll find a Bulldog cocktail shaker in “antique-silver,” complete with an ID tag dangling from its Dog collar ready for engraving.
At $39, the Puppy is going to blow out the door.
Bulldog Cocktail Shaker. Image Pottery Barn
No bar would be fully stocked without a few Canine cocktail accessories in the mix, so why not top off a few of your bottles with this Bulldog:
Bulldog Bottle Pourer. Image: PB
A bottle pourer is so much more chic than unscrewing a cap, don’t you think?
I’m going to pick up a pack of the Bulldog bottle pourers for before my next cocktail party.
The Bulldog pourer would sure look nifty on this bottle designed with a spiked collar around its neck:
Dog Collar Bottle. Image: Bulldog Gin
Those Bulldogs must be real Bar Hounds.
But Bulldogs are not the only breed inspiring cocktail accessories.
You’ll find Dog inspired designs on everything you need for your next cocktail party right down to the napkins…
Dog Cocktail Party. Image: Mariposa
Mixed drinks need the right glasses. Any party animal would appreciate sipping a Salty Dog out of paw print etched barware.
Caspari’s colorful cocktail napkins can add another Canine touch to any yappy hour illustrated with these Dogs:
Images: Mariposa, Caspari, A Pet’s World
You’ll find there are plenty of vintage Dogs for the bar, too.
Vintage cocktail shakers & accessories, once a symbol of glamour & sophistication, are very collectible.
I’ve collected vintage cocktail shakers for years and there is never a shortage of Scottie Dogs.
Scotch on the rocks, anyone?
Vintage Scottie Dogs. Image: Sheryl’s Art Deco
The French Newspaper Cartoon created by Pol Rab (Paul Abraham 1898-1933) in the 1920’s featured Terriers named Ric & Rac. The Dogs inspired a merchandising frenzy in the 1920’s & 1930’s.
Here Ric & Rac are illustrated sitting in a Paris nightclub on the pages of La Baïonnette Magazine in 1926.
Pol Rab’s Dogs, Ric et Rac, 1926. Image: HPrints
The tango watching Dogs inspired several versions of Ric & Rac cocktail sets.
Made by Sudre in the 1930’s, the Dogs flank cocktail picks adorned with red bakelite ends.
After all, what would a cocktail party be without any hors dourves?
Ric & Rac Vintage Cocktail Picks
Today the vintage Dogs’ cocktail sets fetch almost $500 a piece!
Here is another Best In Show for Art Deco Dog cocktail accoutrements:
A sleek Greyhound Cocktail Pick set. Isn’t it fabulous?
Art Deco Greyhounds Cocktail Set
The Bar Hound print at the beginning of this post was created by artist Constance Coleman in the 1950’s.
Her artwork graced the walls of many nightclubs, country clubs, bars and game rooms in the fifties in the form of wallpaper.
Vintage Dog Wallpaper. Image: C. Coleman
Sold in four panels and covering over 9 feet of wall, here’s the original advertising copy for the Bar Hounds wallpaper:
“A novelty scenic with endless decorating possibilities. Build your Bar or Game Room around it. Create an outstanding conversational piece. Observe the apparent humor! Little Mr. Timid with his first cocktail, Roving Eyes as the powder room is about to be occupied, etc.”
1950’s Bar Hounds Postcard. Image: CardCow
The vintage advertising postcard doesn’t mention the maker, only the bargain price of $39!
Today, the retro Bar Hounds are once again available as both wallpaper and art prints from Dog & Horse Fine Art in a grey, tan & yellow colorway. (Like the first image of this post.)
So get shakin’ and create your own Dog Bar…
1930’s Scottie Bridge Tally. Image:Vintage Paper
…or at least have a yappy hour with a few Canine cocktails.
Cheers!
Later, I’ve got to let the Dog out,
You can find more information on the Bar Hounds at Dog & Horse Fine Art, here.
Taffy, our charming 
