The bar cart is an iconic piece of furniture that has resurfaced as a must-have item for glamorizing a space with old-world charm. From “Downton Abbey” to “Mad Men,” television and film have showcased the bar cart as an accessory that adds a chic vibe to any corner of your home, showing that all spaces can be maximized for both convenience and trendiness.
The Winsome Wood entertainment cart has incorporated all the best elements of the traditional bar cart into a beautiful and highly functional piece that will highlight your glassware and impress guests with its versatility.
What to know before you buy a bar cart
Styles of bar carts
First, consider the space you will be filling with your new bar cart: is it in a more ornate or a more functional area? Are you using the bar cart as a posh touch to an adult space, or to put a unique spin on the storage of personal items? Once you determine the look you are going for, then you can buy the cart which best suits the area.
Industrial: A stainless steel cart will suit industrial decor quite well, giving your cart an edgier aesthetic.
Elegant: A dark-stained hardwood bar cart can elevate a space with a classic, academic look.
Modern: Modern-style bar carts are often built with mixed materials: metal and glass or metal and wood. They suit trendy apartment and loft spaces well, or an interior design style that focuses on the eclectic.
Antique: Antique-looking bar carts will often feature brass pieces or may have a drop-leaf tabletop.
Size and weight
When choosing which bar cart to buy, look up the specifications and determine the size to help you visualize whether it will fit in your space. It is also worth noting the weight, as moving heavier carts can be cumbersome if you intend to continuously push them around, which can be difficult on carpet.
Alternative uses for your bar cart
A bar cart doesn’t necessarily have to display alcohol or glassware if that isn’t your thing. It can be virtually anything you want it to be. For example, a bar cart would make an excellent plant stand or a movable snack tray when having a family game night. It can be used to showcase your afternoon tea service or can be a fun way of building a taco bar when inviting friends over for dinner. It can also, depending on the bar cart you select, be ideal for holding tools in your workshop or for displaying trinkets and tchotchkes.
Bar cart features
Wine rack
Some bar carts include a wine rack, often on the bottom tier, for storing wine bottles. This is an ideal feature for your bar cart if you are hosting a dinner party or a wine and cheese night. The wine rack will keep the bottles secure and the drinks flowing without interrupting the event.
Glass rack
A glass rack is another useful feature that some bar carts have. It facilitates storage for wine glasses or other glassware, keeping them from tipping or breaking. This addition to your bar cart makes it look like a more high-end option than a basic model.
Locking casters
The casters on your bar cart may have a locking option, which is excellent for keeping it securely in place and preventing the cart from rolling when it gets nudged. This feature helps prevent spills and makes it sturdier overall.
Bar cart cost
A bar cart is a piece of furniture and, as such, your bar cart purchase price will depend on your personal style. Whether you are looking at wooden, glass or metal carts or some combination of those materials, the price can vary significantly. A good range to aim for when buying a bar cart is between $150-$300.
Bar cart FAQ
Are bar carts fashionable?
A. Yes! Bar carts have been in circulation as a piece of home decor for well over a hundred years and were the hottest furniture item on the market during the 1950s. They rotated out of popularity for a few decades and are now revitalized as a must-have item for any savvy home decorator.
I don’t drink alcohol. Should I still get a bar cart?
A. A bar cart is an incredibly versatile piece of furniture that can serve many different functions in the home. Serving mixed drinks is only one of them.
What bar accessories should I include on my cart?
A. Specialty glassware like martini, margarita, wine, scotch and port glasses are a great place to start. Mixology tools like a cocktail shaker, mojito muddler, a double-sided jigger, a mixing spoon and some ice tongs are also ideal for having a stocked drink mixing station. Popular liquors to offer guests at cocktail parties include staples like gin, vodka, tequila, rum and scotch. Liqueurs that are frequently mixed in cocktails include Cointreau, Triple Sec, Bailey’s and Kahlua. Bitters are also nice to have on hand.
Which bar cart should I get?
Best of the best bar cart
Winsome Wood entertainment cart: available at Amazon
Our take: This bar cart is an elegant and solid piece perfectly designed to serve cocktails with ease and class.
What we like: This bar cart includes features not seen on competing products, such as a towel rack, wine glass rack and cabinet. It has considerable shelf space for whatever you display and spin casters on the wheels which rotate easily for transport through the home.
What we dislike: Some reviewers felt the instruction manual wasn’t detailed enough and that they needed to read through it thoroughly for assembly.
Best bang for your buck bar cart
COASTER serving cart: available at Amazon
Our take: This classic bar cart is a great option for buyers looking for a simple, stylish, bar cart that doesn’t take up too much space but includes the necessities.
What we like: This bar cart has storage space for three bottles of wine and two tiers of shelving with guardrails. It is also on casters for fluidity of movement and is easy to assemble.
What we dislike: The brass accents may not be suitable for all types of home decor.
Honorable mention bar cart
Seville Classics utility cart: available at Amazon
Our take: This all-purpose utility cart functions well as a modern-looking bar cart, yet can be easily used for showcasing tools in a workshop or for shelving food in cold storage.
What we like: This bar cart can support loads up to 500 pounds, has adjustable shelves, has heavy-duty wheels and is zinc-plated to prevent rusting or corrosion. It is a versatile cart that is very favorably reviewed and built to last.
What we dislike: This utility cart isn’t as stylish as a traditional bar cart as it has a more industrial look.
Ashley Britten is a writer for BestReviews. BestReviews is a product review company with a singular mission: to help simplify your purchasing decisions and save you time and money.
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