Trend alert: Be your own bartender

Craft your own cocktails with Stratus' bar carts.  Credit: Provided Craft your own cocktails with Stratus’ bar carts. Credit: Provided

Bottle services comes outside — and loses the cocktail waitress — at Stratus Rooftop Lounge. The see-and-be-scene bar atop the Hotel Monaco in Old City is rolling out tableside cocktail carts loaded with house-made cordials and mixers, spirits, garnishes, glassware, ice and all the equipment you need to play mixologist and create a craft cocktail, likejiggers, strainers, ice buckets, shakers and muddlers.The downside is once those drinks start flowing, you might get too heavy on the pours — but on a positive note, making drinks becomes part of the fun of a night out.

Mixers include A Walk in the Garden,an herb-infused, house-made lemon syrup made to pair with vodka, gin, tequila or cognac;The Stratus, amaraschino liquer, grapefruit juice and hibiscus syrup concoction that works with vodka, gin or rum; and theLiberty Bell, Cherry Heering liquer, Lillet Blanc and Allspice Dram to drink with rum, tequila or whisky.Along with the drinks fixins’, you’ll get appetizers from chef Jorge Chicas.

Carts are available for parties of four or more, starting at $350.