Suitcase Rolling Bar

Needed:
Suitcase or trunk
Plywood or similar wood
Adhesive
Saw

Before the rolling suitcase, you had to carry a suitcase, no matter how heavy or awkward. Magically, the rolling suitcase appeared, and life got easier when it came to traveling. Additionally, the prices have gone down on luggage making it easier to replace the suitcases when needed. As for the old pieces, why not turn one into a portable bar?

A portable suitcase bar – or one made from a rolling trunk – is crafted by first removing the top of the suitcase. Unzip the lid and remove it. For a trunk, remove any hardware that holds the lid on. With a sharp knife or scissors, cut the door off of the suitcase; remove hardware and take away the lid of a trunk.

Remove any pouches or pockets; the inside of the suitcase should be completely empty except for any fitted fabric. It’s an easy sawing and gluing job to prepare shelves for inside of the suitcase. With the case standing on its wheels, measure the width and height, on the inside back. Cut a piece of wood for that area. Industrial-strength adhesive, which is appropriate for wood as well as fabric, can be used to attach the wood backing to the inside of the suitcase or trunk.

On the four walls inside of the suitcase, measure each, and cut a piece of wood for each side. Glue them in place like you did with the back wood piece. Although the wooden interior of the portable bar is nice it’s actually optional. With the frame in place (unless you’ve opted for no wood frame) all you have to do is install the shelves. For them, measure and cut two or three shelves, slide them in place, and draw a line under each one, at each end. Those lines are where you will glue molding, rulers, or other material to hold the shelves. Don’t want to cut wood? Use pre-cut glass or other pre-cut shelves.

For a quicker version of the portable bar, use a set of shelves that you already have, or that you buy, and cut them to fit inside the suitcase. You’ll often find small bookcases at a thrift store. With the shelves in place, stock them with glasses, stirrers, bottles of liquor, sodas, and other things that you’ll need for your bar. Keep heavy items, like bottles of liquor, on the bottom shelf. Use the handle on the suitcase to roll it where you want it. Take it to the patio, the deck, your living room, or even the bedroom. It’s quite handy to have around.