Bar carts were common in the living rooms of the 1950s and ’60s.
Thanks to our collective renewed love of all things vintage, ushered in by shows like “Mad Men,” bar carts have made a major comeback.
And, they’re not just pretty to look at—bar carts offer storage for cocktail glasses and liquor bottles, provide a surface to mix drinks and give guests a signal to go ahead and help themselves (while you’re busy plating hors d’oeurvres in the kitchen). Plus, you can move these versatile workhorses from room to room, which means they’re always ready to party. We’ll drink to that.
Just in time for holiday entertaining season, we’ve rounded up some of our favorite bar carts to suit every design aesthetic.
Vintage-Inspired: Connaught Antique Brass Bar Cart, Kathy Kuo Home
With a classic shape and fine materials, this cart is just as at home serving high tea or high balls.
Glamorous: Carr Gold Bar Cart, Layla Grace
Gold-leaf finish lends lady-like elegance to this Layla Grace stunner.
Industrial: Styler Bar Cart, Jayson Home
Decorating an urban loft? Check out this distressed wood and iron bar cart in neutral gray.
Mid-Century: Rosewood Danish Bar Cart, a la Mod
You can almost picture Don Draper pouring himself a scotch (at 10 a.m.) fromon this 1960s Danish bar cart.
Versatile: Libations Bar Cart, Crate & Barrel
With a neutral burnished finish, this Crate & Barrel cart can fit in anywhere. Depending on how you style it, this piece could easily work in a range of modern or traditional rooms.
Rattan: South Seas Bar Cart, Serena & Lily
Picture the mojitos and margaritas you could mix up on this easy-going rattan bar.
Masculine: Ebony Trolley Bar Cart, Ligne Roset
Constructed of sturdy chrome and heavy ebony oak, this manly bar cart is the perfect finishing touch for a handsome study.
Bargain: Chrome and Tempered Glass Bar Cart, Overstock
Deep discounting from Overstock lets you check out the bar cart trend on the cheap. Holiday shopping hint: A twenty-something would love this “party on wheels” for their first apartment.
Outdoor: Luxembourg Bar Cart with Wheels, Fermob USA
Summer seems worlds away right now, but eventually the sunshine will return. Be prepared for poolside bartending with this colorful outdoor bar cart.
Sophisticated: Vince Polished Stainless Steel Bar Cart, Zinc Door
Studs and shiny stainless steel make for a sleek look.
Formal: Brass Bar Cart with Removable Top Tray, Lief
This brass cart is sophisticated enough to house your crystal decanter and single-malt scotch in a formal living or dining room.
Quirky: German Light Bulb Bar Cart
Fashioned after a 1920s light bulb testing machine, this unique find from Restoration Hardware will double as a conversation piece.
Splurge: French Art Deco Bar Cart, Newel
This sturdy bleached oak bar is high on French Art Deco style and will be a fashionable fixture at your cocktail parties for years to come.
Retro: Uptown Hollywood Regency Iron Bar Cart, Kathy Kuo Home
Mirrored shelves add to the retro vibe of this rolling black iron bar.
With Cabinets: Clive Bar Cabinet, Crate & Barrel
If space is what you need, this bar cart with cabinets fits the bill.
