Entertaining season is here, and you may be planning to host a party at some point in the coming weeks. One infallible way to add style to your soirée? Two words, dear reader: bar cart. It’s easy to host the best party ever at your home if you’ve furnished it with one of the chic practical luxury bar carts available right now. They’re both functional and fun. And there’s one out there that’s perfect for you.
it’s easy to host with chic practical luxury bar carts
The rage for all things mid-century seems to have fueled the resurgence of interest in the bar cart – or drinks trolley, as it’s more commonly referred to in the UK and Europe. A throwback to simple, sophisticated days past, bar carts can bring a dash of Old Hollywood glamour to home decor.
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why so much love for the bar cart?
There are several positive elements of bar carts that seem to be fueling their lasting popularity. Starting with how easy they are. When you’re not using them, bar carts tuck effortlessly into small nooks. Although lots of people use them as permanent pieces of furniture, and decorate them as they would an end table, bookcase or nightstand.
Photo Credit: Serena & Lily.
One Kings Lane makes the point that a bar cart can be an item of home decor upon which differing spouses can agree: “There’s something slightly masculine about even the most ornate bar carts, and your spouse will dig the fact that the bourbon is just an arm’s reach away.”
And thanks to their mobility, bar carts can follow the party wherever it migrates.
In an interview with Departures magazine, party planner to the stars Bronson van Wyck noted: “A drink that’s mixed on a cart – not a counter – tastes just a little bit better and definitely seems a whole lot fancier.”
We are All. In.
And the best news of all? It’s easier than ever to find a bar cart that suits your interior design scheme – and your budget. Here are some of our favorite ones right now:
1. Nautical: Peroni x Johnathan Adler Bar Cart
Perfect for a summer day, this limited-edition Peroni x Jonathan Adler bar cart is – in the words of Adler: “as crisp and refreshing as a cold Peroni on a hot day on the Amalfi coast.” We love the light spirit of the clear acrylic, polished nickel and opposing stripes in turquoise and navy. The usage instructions are as follows: “Roll it out like you’re bringing in a breeze off the Mediterranean.” Roger that.
BUY NOW $1,450.
2. HB 128 Bar Cart
The HB 128 Bar Cart was originally designed by Horst Brunning in 1968, and is now manufactured by Lange Production. The frame is chrome-plated steel, the tray is black with oak edges and the handgrip is leather. Each one is made-to-order, so plan on 8-10 weeks of production time after you submit your order.
BUY NOW $
3. Art Deco: Larkin Bar Cart Serena & Lily
The Larkin bar cart is an entertaining classic, made of brass and glass (and conveying an instant sense of class). The two shelves allow for plenty of room for all your supplies. And when the party’s done, it’s small enough to tuck away. But we think it’s too pretty for that – just add books, flowers and other ephemera and it’s an instant side table.
BUY NOW $1,498.
4. Space Age: RH Polyhedron Bar Cart
The sculptural modernism of midcentury Italian design is echoed in this sleek all-black faceted, geometric bar cart. Three hinged sections in the wood polyhedron open like a flower, revealing a trio of mirrored surfaces for tools and glassware surrounding a deep well for bottles. The mirror-clad flaps also offer space to mix and pour.
BUY NOW $2,595.
5. Artistic: Made Goods Lulu Bar Cart
Check two on-trend luxury home decor boxes at one time with this rattan-wrapped bar cart from Made Goods. The Lulu’s retro space-age shape accommodates two glass shelves and four brass wheels.
BUY NOW $2,200.
6. Yachting Life: One Kings Lane Hyannis Bar Cart
Full of refined seaside style, this iron bar cart with an antiqued gold finish features two glass shelves and a twisted-rope motif frame. Caster wheels allow you to move the party from the kitchen to the bar to the living room with ease.
BUY NOW $754.50.
7. Tropical: Serena & Lily South Seas Bar Cart
The design of Serena & Lily’s South Seas bar cart is inspired by a mid-century antique. Available in both natural and black, the piece checks another hot home decor trend with its use of the textural beauty of handwoven rattan. A rail on the bottom keeps bottles and barware in place. And sturdy handles on each end make it easy to work the room.
BUY NOW $648.
8. French Chateau: One Kings Lane Vintage French Grapevine and Walnut Bar Cart
If your grand country estate has a chateau vibe, this French bar cart with walnut shelves and grapevine legs, circa 1920’s, might be perfect. The feet are also made from grapevines that rest over the original brass casters. Black Sheep Antiques, owned by a married couple who travel throughout Europe to find the best and most interesting pieces of antique furniture and home accessories, sourced this special item.
BUY NOW: $2, 525.
9. Swanky: Serena & Lily Parisian Bar Cart
In homage to the centuries-old églomisé tradition, the backs of two glass shelves on the Parisian bar cart from Serena & Lily are gilded with antiqued silver leaf. The result is a refined, reflective finish. The piece also features an ebony frame and antiqued brass details. For effortless entertaining, the top shelf doubles as a removable tray.
BUY NOW $998.
10. Scandi Style: Fuori Serving Trolley Monique Consentino for Skagerak Denmark
mixes the luxurious with the institutional in an audacious and harmonized design – added a subtle hint of industrialism. The trolley’s teak shelves are spacious and draws a beautiful contrast to the rounded and powder coated steel frame. Over time, the teak patinates with a silver-grey glow that gives the trolley a new visual expression.
BUY NOW $799.
11. custom: Roman and Williams Guild
Stephen Alesch and Robin Standefer, founders of Roman and Williams, offer custom editions of their Bachelor Bar Cart in a variety of wood and metal finishes. Each piece is bespoke and comes with a Certificate of Authenticity So think of these these pieces as modern heirlooms in the making. Built from thirteen individual pieces of wood with complex, critical angle cuts, this top-of-the-line bar cart is a perfect mash-up of Mid-century modern design and solid Old World craftsmanship.
BUY NOW: $9,450.
12. Earl Custom Bar Cart
Furniture designer Chris Earl custom-builds his signature bar cart in Los Angeles at his home studio. Each one is made to order from ebonized oak wood. Each handcrafted cart has tempered glass paneling, brass hardware, and hand-cut joinery. It’s sleek and elegant, and also quite practical: there’s a mini-well that keeps favorite bottles close at hand, and a place for a bar towel.
BUY NOW $2,040.
it’s easy to host with chic practical luxury bar carts
That’s it! Our top picks for the best luxury home (and patio) bar carts and drinks trolleys right now. What’s your favorite? And when’s the party starting?
join our community
For access to insider ideas and information on the world of luxury, sign up for our Dandelion Chandelier Newsletter here. And see luxury in a new light.
Join our community
For access to insider ideas and information on the world of luxury, sign up for our Dandelion Chandelier newsletter. And see luxury in a new light.