If there is anything that’s annoying, it’s having friends or colleagues over to your home or apartment and having nowhere to put your wine, glasses, and snacks. Bar carts are a helpful addition to the home because they can be rolled wherever they’re needed. Bar carts got their start as far back as 1837, during the Victorian Era, and they gained traction when becoming synonymous with cocktails following the repeat of prohibition. Since the 1950s, they’ve been a mainstay in many homes and restaurants.
Today, you may want to purchase a bar cart for many reasons, from wanting to serve drinks when friends come over to needing more space for cooking and holding drinks. Most homes no longer have built-in wet bars, so this small addition can be beneficial in providing a place for you to keep your cocktail mixes, bar towels, and other accessories between dates when you’re planning to entertain.
Many businesses sell bar carts of various styles. It’s likely you’ve seen them in local stores, online and even at garage sales (buyer beware). Here’s a selection of 22 different carts found on Amazon.com from a number of different sellers. Each one has its own style, size, and shape, so take a look to see which one might fit in your home; you may be surprised to see just how many different carts there are to choose from.
1. Pipe Cart
This Dofunilim Pipe Cart has two tiers and an interesting industrial appearance that suits a modern home. It is made with 1.10” thick solid wood and is wear-resistant and waterproof. It’s functional but firm with locking rolling wheels, which are personally a preference of mine. Having two tiers is also nice since you can separate items that are being used from those being saved for later.
2. Metal Shelf Cart
For a modern take on a classic bar cart, try the Zephs rolling bar cart. It has a slick gunmetal finish and black tempered glass that gives it a more sleek and contemporary appearance. It is only 40-inches wide, so there’s room to mix or pour your drinks without taking up too much space. There are spaces to hold wine glasses and bottles, so everything rolls in or out of the room easily, which is a big bonus when it’s weighed down with heavy objects.
3. Helpful Handle
In a small, push-cart style, the Nathan James Carter rolling bar and serving cart has a miniature appearance good for smaller apartments and homes. It has tempered glass, which prevents cuts if it does happen to shatter, and it has a small 24-inch width. The wheels lock, and there are bars to prevent items from falling off the glass tops on both levels. With easy assembly, this is a good purchase for those who don’t like to spend time on set-up.
4. Wood and Metal
For a more rustic addition to your home, try this Haotian bar serving cart. It has three levels and lockable wheels, so you can bring your drinks and snacks out with you into the room easily. The top shelf is removable, so it can be used as a food tray; that’s perfect if you want to bring someone breakfast in bed. It’s sturdy, holding up to 50 kg.
5. Gold Cart
Bring a little razzle-dazzle into your den with the Signature Design by Ashley Furniture. This bar cart is made in Mid-Century Gold, a classic touch for a modern cart. The two glass shelves have mirrored surfaces for an added touch of luxury. It’s 27.5-inches wide and 14.25-inches deep, which is small enough to tuck away when not in use. If you have an affinity for Gatsby, this is one piece to take a look at.
6. Industrial Bar Cart
Industrial homes require an extra bold look, which is what you get with this Christopher Knight Home bar cart. It has a faux wood overlay and ash veneer, and it’s accented with iron. There aren’t as many bars across this unit, so there’s a potential for spillage or falls from the shelves, but locking wheels and two barred sections for wine bottles make it a little safer.
7. Cage Cart
Maybe you have kids that you don’t want getting into your alcohol, or perhaps you just want a better sense of security; whatever the issue, this WE Furniture bar cabinet can help. It is 33-inches long and 17-inches wide. It features fixed shelving and a classic metal mesh that contains items inside the cabinet. You can see in, but you also have the ability to add a lock to the two rounded handles on the doors, which sit side-by-side. The top shelf is left open, so it’s easy to access.
8. Wine Cart (Stylish)
For a stylish wine cart, try the O&K Furniture industrial bar cart. It has an amazing rounded design with two shelves and 16, yes, 16, spaces for your favorite wines. The mobile cart has four casters with locks, so it won’t roll away unexpectedly. At 29.3-inches wide and 16.1-inches deep, this unit fits almost anywhere. It has a rustic design with an MDF wood veneer and metal frame.
9. The Ship-Design Cart
Winsome Trading, Inc., produced a brown Jimmy cart, which is not the most beautiful design but does have space. It has wheels that can be removed and a space for a towel. Three levels with small bars keep items in place. There is a drawer as well as a cabinet along with six spaces for wine bottles. While it’s not particularly charming, it is able to hold a good amount of wine and other items.
10. Round Cart
This round butler rolling table by Southern Enterprises is everything that any industrial or rustic home needs. It has a beautiful aged bronze finish and eclectic style that is hard to find among the traditional bar carts. Each tray holds up to 20 pounds, and the rolling casters allow the unit to roll or turn as needed. There are also handles on each of the two trays; they’re removable, making for easy serving. It’s a clever design and made for small spaces, so it’s one piece you should consider if the size is a concern.
11. Shopping-Style Bar Cart
It’s a flashback to the 80s and 90s with this metal and glass shopping-style bar cart. It has a design much like a grocery store cart, including a long rounded bar that you can push it with. It has caster wheels that make it easy to push. While a little bit of its time, this cart does have the benefit of smaller size at 25-inches wide and 18-inches deep.
12. The Tower Cart
If you love industrial styles and need a skinnier bar cart with more shelving, this is the unit for you. It is made with metal, wood, MDF veneer and antiqued black finished frame. It has built-in glass holders and wine racks, and locking wheeled castors grace the underside. The Baxton Studio cart has 12-inch deep and 18-inch wide shelves on its 38.8-inch frame.
13. Stroller-Style Cart
Victorian-styled homes may look even more unique with this Tangkula rolling bar cart. It is made to look like an antique stroller, including two large wheels to the rear and two caster directional wheels on the front. It has three levels, one that is a rounded rectangle, another that is round and one that is square, giving it an eccentric kind of appearance. In white and silver, each shelf holds up to 15 pounds. This cart won’t be for everyone, but for those with an affinity for vintage attire, homes, and accessories, it fits the bill.
14. Globe Bar Cart
Travel the world every time you grab a drink with this Design Toscano Italian replica globe bar cart cabinet. The thing that makes this cabinet so amazing is that the top completely opens up to reveal space for wine bottles, glasses, decanter bottles, and more. This unit is made with handcrafted, solid hardwood legs. It has applied paper maps and MDF components as well. The wheels allow the globe to move about easily when you want to push it into another room. It’s only 22 inches in diameter, fitting even in the smallest rooms.
15. Glass Cart
House your liquor and wine without the appearance of a dark or solid bar cart with the Christopher Knight Home Evee bar trolley. This bar cart is completely clear with acrylic shelving that is transparent. For smaller rooms or areas where it might be difficult to match new furniture, this is a great solution. This is a heavy unit, standing at 59.8 pounds without anything on it.
16. Removable Serving Tray Cart
One of the major benefits of the LEVE bar cart is that you can remove the top tray for serving. All tiers are 24-inches long and 18-inches wide, so there is ample storage available. The three-tier stand’s top tier is removable and has two sturdy handles to prevent drops. The casters on the unit lock, so you don’t have to worry about the unit rolling or being pushed when you want it in one place.
17. The Ice Box Bar Cart
This clever design by Christopher Knight Home is perfect for anyone who loves wicker. There is an ice bucket designed into the bottom portion of the cart, and there are three sections where you can hang your stemmed glasses. The glass top gives this piece a glamorous touch. It’s usable inside or outside. Unfortunately, it only has two wheels, so one side does have to be picked up to move it (this requires moving some items). On the other hand, the lack of wheels also means that it’s more likely to stay in place on slick areas near the pool if that’s where you’re serving.
18. Chain Cart
This is one of the most unique bar carts on the market, using metal chains to hold up the upper tray instead of boring rectangular metal legs. The industrial design is a delight, and the casters are made to roll in any direction, so the cart is easy to push around. It has a simple handle to push it with and three slots for wine bottles. The top tier has guards in place to prevent items from falling off. This unit has a darker appearance, which has a masculine feel.
19. Kitchen Island Cart
For plenty of storage and a look that suits most homes, try this Home Styles kitchen cart. It has a pine-toned body and a stainless steel top, a spice rack and towel holder. There are two large cabinets with shelving and four drawers. There is space for a pop-out tabletop, so all you need are two stools to complete the overall breakfast bar. This is among the heaviest on the list, ranking in at 141 pounds. Its dimensions are 19.2 x 52.5 x 36 inches.
20. Mini-Cart
This Baxton Studio Triesta mini cart isn’t very big, so it won’t take up much space. It does hold 10 wine bottles and six glasses. It weighs a surprising amount at 41 pounds despite being only 15.5 x 32 x29 inches overall. It does have a unique half-circle design and antiqued-bronze finish that stands out in industrial or rustic settings. This suits people who want to store several bottles of wine at the same time without taking up much space.
21. Wood Entertainment Cart
Another mildly attractive entertainment cart by Winsome wood has space for 10 wine glasses and multiple bottles, but its overall appearance isn’t as fancy as some other models. It has a simple rectangular structure with four shelves and a cabinet on the bottom. Casters make the unit easier to roll, and one shelf is adjustable. It comes with a serving tray, so that is a nice benefit for parties or events.
22. Rustic Butcher Block Bar Cart
If you love to use your bar cart as a butcher’s block, then you might appreciate this Crosley Furniture Roots Rack industrial-styled kitchen cart. It’s made with solid hardwood and veneer, so it has a stained appearance that looks good in rustic settings. There are two drawers on full-extension glides and powder-coated steel shelves to hold your goods. It has larger casters, which may be needed to move the larger 43-pound unit.
