Maitland Smith Bar Cart
Late 20th Century British Anglo Raj Carts and Bar Carts
Stone, Brass
Vintage 1960s American Chinoiserie Carts and Bar Carts
Brass
People Also Browsed
2010s Mexican Art Deco Carts and Bar Carts
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Asian William IV Dry Bars
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Modern Dining Room Chairs
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Art Deco Carts and Bar Carts
Marble
Antique Early 19th Century French Empire Bookcases
Walnut
Mid-20th Century French Art Deco Carts and Bar Carts
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Benches
Velvet, Wood, Ebony
2010s Philippine Drop-leaf and Pembroke Tables
Wood
Mid-20th Century French Art Deco Carts and Bar Carts
Brass
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Carts and Bar Carts
Brass
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Tables
Brass
Vintage 1960s Mid-Century Modern Carts and Bar Carts
Wood
2010s American Modern Cabinets
Brass
Mid-20th Century Italian Art Deco Carts and Bar Carts
Brass
Vintage 1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Wardrobes and Armoires
Chestnut
Early 20th Century English Charles II Settees
Tapestry, Velvet
Recent Sales
Late 20th Century Modern End Tables
Brass
Late 20th Century Philippine Hollywood Regency Carts and Bar Carts
Wrought Iron
Vintage 1970s Philippine Chippendale Tray Tables
Brass
Finding the Right bar-carts for You
Forever a sleek and elegant furnishing that evokes luxury and sophistication, a vintage bar cart will prove both functional and fabulous in your living room.
Bar carts as we know them were originally conceived as tea trolleys — a modest-sized table on wheels, sometimes featuring both an upper and lower shelf — to help facilitate tea service during the Victorian era in England. Modern bar carts weren’t really a common fixture in American interiors until after the end of Prohibition in the 1930s, when they were rolled onto the sets of Hollywood films. There, they suggested wealth and status in the dining rooms of affluent characters.
As tough as the 1930s had been on the average working American, the postwar era yielded economic stability and growth in homeownership. Increasingly, bar carts designed by the likes of Edward Wormley and other furniture makers became an integral part of sunken living rooms across the United States in the 1950s.
Bar carts were a must-have addition to the sensuous and sleek low-profile furnishings that we now call mid-century modern, each outfitted with the finest spirits and savory snacks that people had to offer. And partially owing to critical darlings like Mad Men, vintage cocktail carts have since seen a resurgence and have even become a selling point in restaurants.
Bar carts not only boast tremendous utilitarian value but also introduce a fun, nostalgic dynamic to the layout of your space, be it in the bar area or elsewhere. In addition to showcasing your favorite bottles of rye and local small-batch gin — or juices and mocktail ingredients — there is an undeniable allure to stacking statement glassware, vintage martini cocktail shakers and Art Deco decanter sets atop your fully stocked mid-century modern bar cart. And one size or style doesn’t fit all — an evolution of cocktail cart design throughout history has yielded all manner of metal bar carts, rattan carts and more.
We invite you to add a few more dashes of class to cocktail hour — peruse the vast collection of antique and vintage carts and bar carts on 1stDibs today.
Read More
The Ultimate Guide to Types of Tables for the Home
Whether you’re just moving in or ready to give your home a makeover, our guide will give you pointers on tables that are fitting for every room, nook and hallway.
Riotous Shapes and Colors Have Made Uchronia’s Designs the Toast of Paris
Julien Sebban’s energetic design collective is radically reshaping the look of 21st-century European furniture and interiors.
Is Lionel Jadot the Willy Wonka of Upcycled Belgian Design?
From his massive collaborative workshop in a former paper factory, the designer concocts funky furniture from disused materials, as well as luxe hotel interiors like the new Mix Brussels.
Inspired by the Cosmos, Sandra Nunnerley’s Nova Table Has a Futuristic Feel
The designer’s innovative use of an unexpected material gives this console a lift.
This 19th-Century Gilded Desk Displays a Fanciful Kingdom in Marquetry
The stately piece brings both gravitas and whimsy to any work space.
In Guadalajara, These Luscious Side Tables Are Chiseled from Volcanic Rock
Use them as tables or stools, indoors or out.
How to Arrange Furniture + Layout Ideas
Here, we give design advice and show layout examples to help you create the perfect living room setup.
Why Hollywood A-Listers Can’t Get Enough of James De Wulf’s Concrete Furniture
Starting with a 900-pound Ping-Pong table, the Los Angeles designer has built a sturdy furniture-making career out of concrete.