Getaway Bar Cart
The Family Handyman Getaway, the beautiful second home we built in northern Wisconsin, was furnished with modern style and functionality in mind, and this bar cart was an obvious choice. The top provides ample space to mix up beverages and multiple shelves hold ingredients and bartending gear. This beauty can stay put in a favorite spot — it has two locking casters — but can also be wheeled around to guests or to n different location. And, if something spills, it’s easy to wipe down with a cloth and glass cleaner.
Best Outdoor Bar Cart
This bar cart is rugged enough to weather any weather, thanks to its heavy-duty construction: a powder-coated aluminum frame, corrosion-resistant surface and stainless steel top. It’s also mega modern and minimalist in style. It’s inspired by the iconic, and much spendier, 1966 Knoll serving cart — and its sturdy construction is perfect for outdoor life. Add a few bottles, decanters or a vase of flowers to add softness. Plus, the stainless top is food safe, making drink prep and cleanup a snap.
Best Budget Bar Cart
It doesn’t come with any bells or whistles, but Ikea’s Raskog is popular because it gets the job done for only $30. It’s not just a budget saver, either — it’s also a space saver with its slim profile. Steeper sides keep bottles from tipping over or out when you push it on its casters, and also keep smaller items out of sight—making you look like the hostess with the mostest. Plus, it’s easy-clean and looks good with almost any decor. Brilliant.
Best Mid-Century Bar Cart
The easy, sleek line and walnut finish with brass detailing on this gorgeous bar cart make it look like a mid-century original. It’s made from FSC (Forest Stewardship Council)-certified kiln-dried wood in a Fair Trade Certified facility, plus it’s GreenGuard Gold certified for low VOC emissions, which makes it utterly modern.
Best Collapsible Bar Cart
This kiwi-green cart brings the spirit to the party — literally and figuratively: Simply unfold from its flattened state and load it up with spirits, barware and more. When the party’s over, easily fold it back down and slide it under a bed or in a closet. The color is festive, the two-shelf design is simple but perfectly serviceable and casters allow you to wheel it to the backyard, the sunroom, the deck or the living room with ease.
Best Boho Bar Cart
If you have you own personal style and rattan is your jam, this rattan-and-teak bar cart will fit right in with your eclectic vibe. And, it’s highly functional, thanks to its tabletop space where you can mix up drinks, display the menu and have six bottles of wine at the ready in its holders. Cabinet doors allow you to put the party away and enjoy the construction of the piece itself — and keep your space decluttered — when not in use. Bonus: It looks like a permanent fixture, but casters allow you to move it around wherever you need it.
Most Versatile Bar Cart
The most important thing to know about this solid beech wood bar cart is that its top and middle shelf are also detachable serving trays. Make and then pass snacks and drinks on the trays, or use one as a barrier to keep sweaty glasses from dripping on your tabletop. Plus, there’s lots of room to cart around all of your party supplies. Detachable trays! Sold.
Best Contemporary Bar Cart
If you have a little extra space, this bar cart with rounded edges is a fun take on modern maximalism. The gold frame feels right in step with current home trends, as does the geometric styling. Two big shelves accommodate bar tools and bottles at party time, but could just as easily be styled with houseplants and books for quieter days.
Best All-Around Bar Cart
If either farmhouse style or max organization are your jam, then this is your bar cart. It’s a great all-around cart because: The wood-and-metal finish plays nicely with many different types of decor, from modern to traditional; and it has lots of shelving, hooks and slots for barware — keeping wine glasses safe and everything in its place. It’s not oversized, but can haul a lot for its size. It’s got casters. And the price is right. What’s not to like?
Best Bar Cart Splurge
The Avalon bar cart from Burke Decor is not flashy — its antiqued brass finish and wood shelving is the very picture of understated sophistication — but nothing gets more luxe than a built-in ice bucket for top-shelf bubbles! Railings hold wine glasses, so they don’t clink together before a rousing “cheers,” and there are shelves to hold bottles, barware and garnishes. The tabletop allows for mixing on the spot, too.