The 10 Best Bar Carts of 2023

Entertaining is a lot of work, but a bar cart makes serving everyone’s favorite libations easy. Give your guests autonomy by setting up a bar cart and allowing everyone to fetch their drinks. This way, there’s plenty of time to mix and mingle — not without your own drink in hand.

Bar carts are essentially small bars on wheels. The wheels make them easily movable, whether you’re setting up for an indoor or outdoor gathering, and generally include lots of storage space for various drinks and bar tools. Many also have handy features, such as wine bottle holders, towel hooks, shelving for a range of glassware, and more. While two shelves are good, experts agree that if you are splurging on a bar cart, you should opt for a model with three shelves. They are more functional and provide a three-tier approach: A spot for mixing and pouring drinks, a place to house all the libations and ingredients, and a third shelf to hold a menagerie of glassware.

The Icarus Wide Rolling Kitchen Cart takes our top spot for good reasons: It has lots of room for bar-top serving, plenty of storage and organization, and the ever-desirable hanging stemware racks to keep your wine glasses free of water spots and at the ready for your next shindig. Still, plenty of other options on our list serve up form and function.

Our Top Picks

• Best Overall: Icarus Wide Rolling Kitchen Cart
• Best Versatility for Indoor and Outdoor: Margeurite Sand & Stable Bar Cart
• Best Splurge: Tianna Rolling Bar Cart with Wine Rack
• Best for Small Spaces: 2L Lifestyle Paxton Bar Wine Cabinet
• Best for Wine Lovers: Bartram Bar Cart
• Best Vintage Style: Mid-Century Bar Cart
• Best with Removable Serving Tray: Frederic Bar Cart
• Best Stationary Bar Cart: O&K Furniture Industrial Wine Rack Table
• Best for Storage and Accessories: Winsome Trading, Inc. Jimmy Cart
• Best for Outdoor: Best Choice Products Outdoor Rolling Wicker Cart

Best Overall: Icarus Wide Rolling Kitchen Cart

Available at Wayfair

Pros: The bottom shelf is divided for wine bottles and spirits bottles, appropriately sized and styled for each.

Cons: This is a large bar cart and will require ample space.

A generous bar top adorns this very functional bar cart. The wheels on this one are optional, so if you prefer a stationary setup, simply leave them off. One of the defining features of this best overall pick is the bottom shelf that is split in two for styles of bottles: wine bottles laid on their side and tall spirits bottles that live standing up. The tall mid-shelf space leaves plenty of room beneath the hanging stemware racks for cocktails-based glassware and smaller bottles of tinctures, liqueurs, and mixers. The top shelf is large enough for crafting cocktails and pouring classic drinks, decanting wine, and more. Add a serving tray with garnishes and set out wine keys, as there’s plenty of room for a full bar setup on this sophisticated bar cart.

Price at time of publish: $160

• Dimensions: 34 x 31 x 12 inches
• Material: Wood and metal
• Storage: Yes; includes wine bottle and wine glass storage
  

Best Versatility for Indoor and Outdoor: Margeurite Sand & Stable Bar Cart

Available at Wayfair

Pros: Reviewers rave about how easy this is to put together. The natural hardwood is suitable for indoor or outdoor use.

Cons: The solid wood construction will require extra care if used frequently outdoors.

The Margeurite Sand & Stable Bar Cart is a great value for its aesthetically pleasing design, solid wood construction, and functionality. Two nicely sized shelves make for lots of room on top for serving. Beneath, there’s lots of space for storage, like a small ice bucket or even a trio of bottle holders (note that wine bottles stored in this manner should only be done so for short periods before opening and enjoying). It’s simple, classy, and sure to be a reliable watering hole — whether you’re setting it inside or on your back patio. 

Price at time of publish: $208

• Dimensions: 31.5 x 42.75 x 22 inches
• Material: Wood and metal
• Storage: Yes; includes wine bottle storage
  

Best Splurge: Tianna Rolling Bar Cart with Wine Rack

Available at Overstock

Pros: This elegant cart offers a lot of functionality for wine lovers: a stemware rack and storage for up to ten wine bottles laid on their side.

Cons: This is a larger cart and will require a big space.

This splurge-worthy cart offers storage for ten bottles of wine and a large hanging stemware rack for stems of all sizes. We like that the shelf beneath the stemware rack is big enough for old-fashioned glassware and such. On the bottom shelf, a split design makes this one of the more sophisticated bar carts; it has a spot for tall liquor bottles beside the wine bottle racks. In addition, the length of this cart allows for wide serving space on top. There’s no shortage of storage here, and if wine is a go-to, this cart will not disappoint. Bonus points for the open handles that make for easy maneuverability and double as hanging towel racks.

Price at time of publish: $380

• Dimensions: 50 x 18 x 36 inches
• Material: Wood and iron
• Storage: Yes; includes wine bottle and wine glass storage

Best for Small Spaces: 2L Lifestyle Paxton Bar Wine Cabinet

Available at Amazon

Pros: This stylish bar cart is ideal for tiny apartments.

Cons: This is a stationary bar car.

When space is limited, this tiny cabinet-style bar cart is a nice pick. There’s room for a handful of wine stems and more than a few bottles. We like the drawer on the top that’s good for storing wine keys, foil cutters, party favors like wine charms, and practical items like hand towels and coasters. This little wine cabinet would be well-placed in a small dining room or kitchen.

Price at time of publish: $181

• Dimensions: 19.1 x 12.6 x 37.5 inches
• Material: Wood
• Storage: Yes; includes wine bottle and wine glass storage

Best for Wine Lovers: Bartram Bar Cart

Available at Wayfair

Pros: Locking wheels help set this cart in place.

Cons: There is no drawer storage space in this cart.

We like the modern look of this cart, with its contrasting wood and metal style. It holds a bountiful 21 wine glass stems and 14 bottles of wine, with the recommended third shelf for additional glassware and spirits. This is a fabulous choice for wine lovers, as the wine bottles are appropriately laid on their side — keeping air out and corks remaining sealed tight. Store this bar cart away from windows in a temperature-controlled dining room, and you can confidently keep your wine bottles safe and easily accessible. Form and function come together in this affordable wine lovers’ bar cart, and the industrial-chic aesthetic is a nice look.

Price at time of publish: $167

• Dimensions: 33.7 x 41.9 x 16.1 inches
• Material: Wood and metal
• Storage: Yes; includes wine bottle and wine glass storage

Best Vintage Style: Mid-Century Bar Cart

Available at Westelm

Pros: Simple and classy design for spirits enthusiasts.

Cons: No additional storage beyond the two shelves.

Take it old school with this snazzy cart from West Elm that takes you back to the era of Mad Men — when mid-day drinks were so in fashion, bar carts like this filled offices. This is a reasonable, mid-sized bar cart with a classic two-tier design: the top shelf for serving and the bottom for storing. We recommend filling the bottom half with spirits, liqueurs, mixers, etc., and placing a bottle on the top shelf alongside a whiskey decanter and a few old-fashioned glasses. When in need, add an ice bucket and tongs for those who prefer their spirits on the rocks. This simple and classically designed bar cart with antique brass rails gives just enough pop to the walnut finish for a sleek and classy look.

Price at time of publish: $550

• Dimensions: 32.2 x 19.9 x 32 inches
• Material: Solid eucalyptus wood, antique brass
• Storage: Two shelves, no extra storage

Best with Removable Serving Tray: Frederic Bar Cart

Available at Urbanoutfitters

Pros: The top shelf is removable and serves as a serving tray.

Cons: Less stemware and wine bottle storage.

If you’re looking for a minimalist style with lots of function, the Frederic Bar Cart fits the bill. It’s compact and efficient, offering a trio of wine bottle holders and two small hanging stemware racks for just enough glassware for you and a handful of friends. Stock the enclosed, railed shelf on the bottom with libations and their accompaniments, stout glassware on the second shelf, and get to pouring on top. The top shelf functions as a removable tray, too, so you can lift and place it on a dining room table, coffee table, or other location for serving.

Price at time of publish: $200

• Dimensions: 24 x 15 x 31 inches
• Material: Wood and steel
• Storage: Yes; includes wine bottle and wine glass storage

Best Stationary Bar Cart: O&K Furniture Industrial Wine Rack Table

Available at Amazon

Pros: Holds seven bottles of wine laid on their side.

Cons: This is a stationary bar cart.

This is a practical stationary bar cart that’s chock full of function. If you want something stationary, this is the real deal, complete with wine glass hangers, slots for seven bottles of wine to be laid on their side, and a bottle shelf for storing squat liquor bottles and ample glassware. The bar-top shelf is wide and offers plenty of room for mixing up drinks, decanting wine, setting out glassware and wine keys, and more. At just over $100, this is a super affordable upgrade for home entertaining.

Price at time of publish: $130

• Dimensions: 15.7 x 39.4 x 34 inches
• Material: Engineered wood and metal
• Storage: Yes; includes wine bottle and wine glass storage

Best for Storage and Accessories: Winsome Trading, Inc. Jimmy Cart

Available at Target

Pros: This bar cart has all the best features for the storage of glassware, wine bottles, and accessories.

Cons: The top serving shelf is about half the length of the full width of the cart.

The Jimmy Cart is for the type-A personality who craves organization in their kitchen. There is no shortage of extra features, storage space, drawers, and purposeful shelving on this bar cart. Three small-railed shelves hold glassware and liqueur bottles, while two small shelves offer side-laying wine bottle storage. There’s also a small drawer conveniently located at the top for wine keys and more and a larger cabinet located at the bottom for tucking away special bottles. Hidden underneath the top shelf is a hanging stemware rack.

Price at time of publish: $150

• Dimensions: 35 x 35 x 15 inches
• Material: Wood and wood composite
• Storage: Yes; includes wine bottle and wine glass storage.

Best for Outdoor: Best Choice Products Outdoor Rolling Wicker Cart

Available at Bestchoiceproducts, Amazon

Pros: There's a built-in ice bucket, stemware racks, and bottle holders.

Cons: This is only a two-tier cart.

The Best Choice Products Outdoor Rolling Wicker Bar Cart checks all the boxes for an outdoor bar cart. With a built-in ice bucket, stemware racks, and bottle holders, it's an excellent value for the price. While this bar cart only has two shelves, the bottom shelf is so functional that we can't resist recommending it. On the bottom shelf, there's room for three bottles of wine and liquor, any mixers you may need on the adjacent side, and an ice bucket in the middle for keeping all your beverages cold. The hanging stemware rack is a bonus. The classic wicker weave will match a range of outdoor furniture pieces, and it's easy to wipe down at the end of the party.

Price at time of publish: $185

• Dimensions: 45 x 18 x 36.5 inches
• Material: All-weather wicker, steel frame, and tempered glass top
• Storage: Yes; includes wine bottle and wine glass storage

Our Favorite

You can’t go wrong with this list of bar carts, as they are all stylish and practical and allow you to get a bit more serious about your at-home bartending. For those eager to get things set up quickly and at a fair price, our best overall Icarus Wide Rolling Kitchen Cart is the ticket. It offers everything you need with a surplus of storage space, hanging stemware racks, wine bottle holders, and a wide bar top — it’s the ultimate upgrade for home entertaining.

Factors to Consider

Size

Be sure to measure your space to accommodate the size of the bar cart and its maneuverability if you plan on using it in more than one location.

Usage + Purpose

Deciding on a bar cart will depend on your usage and purpose. Consider if you will have nice glassware in your cart, and if so, how the glasses will be displayed and stored. If wine is your go-to, choose a cart with hanging stemware racks and sturdy, side-laying slots for holding bottles of wine; for white wine bottles, you’ll need room for a standalone ice bucket. For the cocktail connoisseur, a three-tier cart is recommended by expert bartenders, so you have enough space for serving, storage, and numerous ingredients.

Features

There are quite a few features to consider for a bar cart, but the most important is how many shelves you want. Shelf space depends on your usage and purpose (see above). Added features like storage drawers, wine racks, and hanging stemware racks are worth considering.

Q&A

How do I stock a bar cart?

When catching up with Hayley Teague, Beverage Director at Hathorne in Nashville, Tennessee, she shared a few great tips for stocking your home bar. She says, “If you entertain, I recommend having a quality selection of base spirits. Vodka, gin, tequila, rum, and bourbon are great starting points. From there, I would recommend a dry curacao for tropical drinks and a bitter liqueur for spritz and negroni cocktails. Finally, have a couple of options of bitters on hand to both elevate your drinks and to be able to make classic recipes.”

Regarding bar tools, she recommended this short list: “For barware, I recommend a shaker tin, a mixing glass, your preferred style of jigger with engraved measurements for precision, a Hawthorne strainer, a julep strainer, a mixing spoon, a fine strainer, a small cutting board, small ice bucket with a scoop, a paring knife, and a channel knife for garnishing.”

What are some must-have liquors for a home bar?

For must-have liquors, Teague says, “You cannot go wrong with quality base spirits on your home bar. When it comes to my personal bar cart, I include Belvedere Single Estate for my vodka, Citadelle gin, Diplomatico Reserva rum, Tequila Ocho Plata, and Angel's Envy bourbon. Should you find yourself with no mixers on hand, these spirits are of such fine quality to be elegant and pleasant on their own.”

Our Expertise

Years of tasting and writing about food, wine, and spirits guide Melissa Vogt's research. As a tourist, Vogt seeks out the very best in local food and drink, and she's well acquainted with where to find good libations and eats in her hometown of Santa Rosa, California. Read more of her writing on her website and in Napa Valley Life, Very Napa Valley, and Wine Country This Month. As part of her research, Melissa connected with several bartenders and drinks program directors from around the country. The expertise of Hayley Teague, Beverage Director at Hathorne in Nashville, Tennessee, helped inform her research, list curation, and recommendations for stocking and supplying.