The research
Why you should trust us
I’ve been editing, writing, and researching articles about interior design, food and wine, home-entertaining, and holiday parties for more than two decades as a lifestyle journalist for national media publications. I have always loved a good vodka martini (straight up with olives) and will dabble in any cocktail that’s not overly sweet. I’m equally intrigued by the growing wave of alcohol-free mixers, spirits, and other alterna-boozes, now that my midlife body reacts to one cocktail like it’s two or three. (Buzzkill, sorry!)
I interviewed experts in the worlds of furniture, interiors, and cocktails to find out what features they might look for in a bar cart and wha…
The research
Why you should trust us
I’ve been editing, writing, and researching articles about interior design, food and wine, home-entertaining, and holiday parties for more than two decades as a lifestyle journalist for national media publications. I have always loved a good vodka martini (straight up with olives) and will dabble in any cocktail that’s not overly sweet. I’m equally intrigued by the growing wave of alcohol-free mixers, spirits, and other alterna-boozes, now that my midlife body reacts to one cocktail like it’s two or three. (Buzzkill, sorry!)
I interviewed experts in the worlds of furniture, interiors, and cocktails to find out what features they might look for in a bar cart and what features they might consider red flags. These professionals included:
- Amy Devers, a furniture-design critic at the Rhode Island School of Design and the host of Clever, a design podcast
- Designers Young Huh, principal of Young Huh Interior Design, and Beth Diana Smith, CEO and principal designer of Beth Diana Smith Interior Design
- Julie Reiner, co-owner of the New York bars Clover Club and Milady’s and the author of The Craft Cocktail Party: Delicious Drinks for Every Occasion
- Kaitlyn Stewart, a cocktail consultant, recipe developer, content creator, and the author of Three Cheers: Cocktails Three Ways
Like all Wirecutter journalists, I review and test products with complete editorial independence. I’m never made aware of any business implications of my editorial recommendations. Read more about our editorial standards.
A smooth roller in teak: Sundays Stir It Up Bar Cart
Michael Murtaugh/NYT Wirecutter
Top pick
Why it’s great
The more we looked, the more we liked. One of two cart finalists designed for outdoor use, the Sundays Stir It Up Bar Cart is made from solid teak, a wood that naturally repels water and can withstand backyard hangouts. (We’ll test this cart outdoors for a future guide update.) A little “ta-da” feature upped the appeal: the recessed tray on top (laminated for protective oomph) lifts out for use on its own, revealing a bonus work surface underneath.
The top tier of the Sundays Stir It Up Bar Cart is a tray and a shelf in one. Michael Murtaugh/NYT Wirecutter
It’s a dream to drive. The luxury SUV of our picks, this cart has comforting heft and stability, and it moved with surprising grace. It was the only cart in our tests to glide effortlessly over any surface, even on an uneven concrete floor, when packed with bottles and glasses. The wheels turned in sync, and the brakes were easy to snap in place.
The wheels on the Stir It Up cart were the sturdiest and most maneuverable we tested. Michael Murtaugh/NYT Wirecutter
**It’s made with quality materials. **To help resist rust and other damage, the hardware is a marine-grade stainless steel sometimes used in boats. The wood is certified by the FSC (Forest Stewardship Council), a third-party group that oversees environmentally responsible sourcing.
The Stir It Up cart moved smoothly, even on a rug. Aubrey Patti/NYT Wirecutter
Flaws but not dealbreakers
It doesn’t have a real guardrail. That said, side handles on top and a slight (roughly 0.5-inch) lip on the bottom tier help keep contents from taking a dive. Booze and barware stayed put during our tests, but we’d like to see if that remains true over time.
Despite lacking real guardrails, the sturdy, smooth-rolling Stir It Up cart proved to be a reliable spot to serve up our drinks. Miranda Van Gelder for NYT Wirecutter
**The wood may need love. **We noticed one scrape on a handle already. And while teak is famously durable, it does require care over the long haul. The manufacturer recommends embracing coasters day-to-day and breaking out a teak cleaner and sealing annually.
Key specs
**Dimensions: **31 by 31 by 19 inches (HWD)
**Finishes: **teak
Materials: FSC-certified solid teak, marine-grade stainless steel
Weight capacity (per shelf): 75 pounds
White-glove service: no, but assembly is straightforward; the cart comes flat-packed in a box, with hardware and tools included
Return policy and warranty: return within 30 days of receipt in original condition; buyer pays for shipping; warranty covers “confirmed imperfections in manufacturing or craftsmanship” for up to five years after delivery
Steely standout: Hay Arcs Trolley
Michael Murtaugh/NYT Wirecutter
Top pick
Why it’s great
It’s stable and sleek. We had concerns that a three-tier cart might be too space-hoggy, too top-heavy, too tall. Instead, the high Hay Arcs Trolley balances a substantial, grounded frame with a slender profile — all while rocking a scalloped edge. One of the taller carts in the running, at just over 34 inches, it’s also comfy height to work on without feeling like it will topple. With high-gloss color in a charming silhouette, this cart can mingle not just at any party but also in almost any room.
It’s a storage trifecta. Three levels feel downright roomy compared with the typical two. This triplex setup builds in a convenient way to stay organized, with bottles on the bottom, glassware in the middle, and plenty of room on top to make drinks and stash the ice bucket. The cart as a whole is also rich in cross-functional potential. It can double as an extra kitchen shelf for pots and pan or a nicer-than-average storage unit in a laundry room. (We also tested the two-shelf version, which makes for a delightful side table but a too-short bar cart with less space to stash your stuff.)
Assembly is intuitive. Putting the cart together was shockingly straightforward — no tools involved. The legs have built-in hardware that easily tighten into place between the shelves.
The wheels pass the test. With plastic wheels on the smaller side, our expectations were low. But the cart rolled easily and steadily — if sometimes very noisily — over a range of floor types, bumpy and smooth.
The two-shelf Hay Arcs Trolley works better as a side table than a bar cart. Michael Murtaugh/NYT Wirecutter
Flaws but not dealbreakers
The wheels don’t have brakes. We didn’t experience any runaway episodes — the frame stayed grounded wherever it was parked — but brakes would offer an added level of safety.
The “railing” and shelf heights are short. The scalloped border is only about a 0.5-inch high, so although quasi-functional (and everything did stay put during our rolling tests), it doesn’t quite rise to the level of an official railing. In addition, space between shelves is about 13 inches — too small, we realized, to accommodate taller-than-average booze bottles (such as our long-necked tequila bottle).
We spotted some scuffs in an older sample that the company uses for photo shoots. A pristine powder-coat paint job is one of the attractive features of this cart. So although we don’t know how the damage occurred — it could have been something that happened in transport, not normal use — we’re curious to see how the finish holds up long-term. But in our short-term testing, the cart resisted spills and dents.
Hay’s in-house sample of the Arcs Trolley (which is lent out for photo shoots) showed some wear and tear. Miranda Van Gelder for NYT Wirecutter
Key specs
Dimensions: 34.25 by 24.75 by 17.25 inches (HWD)
**Finishes: **auburn red, eggshell
Materials: powder-coated stainless steel
**Weight capacity (per shelf): **22 pounds
White-glove service: no; it comes flat in a box and involves simple assembly, no tools or hardware involved
**Return policy and warranty: **return in original condition within 30 days of receipt with a restocking fee of 10% of the purchase price; buyer pays for shipping; five-year warranty on HAY furniture products sold through Design Within Reach from date of purchase; HAY has a 10-year warranty for products sold by HAY Aps in Denmark
A touch of glitz: West Elm Albee Bar Cart
Michael Murtaugh/NYT Wirecutter
Top pick
Cocktail-bar sparkle
West Elm Albee Bar Cart
This steel-and-tempered-glass combo delivers classic bar cart looks, along with unexpected strength. Good thing, because the removable shelves can easily slip during cleaning.
Why it’s great
Its shape fits more than you’d think. Rectangular and square surfaces are more efficient for storage, with corners to keep things flush. So we were pleasantly surprised to see that the West Elm Albee Bar Cart’s oval tiers hold a comparable number of items to similarly sized angular competitors. Although the upper railing is a partial one, items stayed in place during our tests. Ample height above the bottom shelf made it easy to store taller items, including one statuesque tequila we had on hand and an aperitivo in an unconventional bottle.
The cart as a whole is old-school but not dated. A take on Art Deco design, the Albee cart has clean, curvy lines and the kind of polished good looks that rarely go out of style (especially in the brass finish). The two tempered glass panels — transparent on top, mirrored on the bottom — offer the requisite bar cart twinkle.
The materials are surprisingly strong. They’re contract-grade, meaning they’re designed for commercial use and potentially more durable. I unintentionally put this claim to the test with one butterfingers move: The top glass slipped out of my hand, crashing into the bottom glass panel before both clattered to the concrete floor. Shockingly, the tempered glass for both stayed intact, with nary a scratch.
Flaws but not dealbreakers
The rather narrow ledge on the West Elm Albee Bar Cart’s frame means the trays can slip if not carefully placed. Michael Murtaugh/NYT Wirecutter
We wish it felt more secure. Aside from a few small colorless bumpers we spied around the inner frame, which itself is quite thin, there is little to hold the glass shelves firmly in place. As one tester noted, “The glass would give me pause because my cats jump on everything.” And if you remove the panels for deeper cleaning, it can be difficult to maneuver them back in place without losing your grip, as I did.
Frequent cleaning required. Water rings, smudges, and condensation showed up quickly on the glass, particularly on the high-touch top shelf. Some people might want to wipe down filminess regularly. We also noticed that liquid could seep between the panels and the frame and — depending on the stickiness of the spill — leave icky residue behind, which could go unnoticed (that’s exactly what happened after our cocktail party).
It’s a three-wheeler. The cart has two wheels up front and another in the back. That said, we found it rolled as well (or as average) as some of the four-wheel carts in tests.
Key specs
Dimensions: 31.4 by 20.75 by 27 inches (HWD)
**Finishes: **antique brass or anthracite
Materials: contract-grade steel frame and tempered glass shelves
**Weight capacity (per shelf): **100 pounds
White-glove service: yes; the other option is door delivery, which also provides the cart fully assembled
**Return policy and warranty: **return within 30 days of receipt; no warranty, but West Elm told us it will review any product defects within a year of purchase
Mid-century yet modern: Article Cotu Bar Cart
Michael Murtaugh/NYT Wirecutter
Top pick
Why it’s great
Putting it together is easy. Instructions promised the Article Cotu Bar Cart could be assembled in “approximately 10 minutes.” We probably took half that. Small metal clasps on the legs help the shelves lock into place, dispensing with the usual need for tools or bitty screws that get lost.
The parts feel stable, and so will your stuff. The shelves are thick, with secure sides — high at the back, tapering lower in the front — to keep contents snug and safe. And the castered wheels rolled ably, if a bit noisily and bumpily, over most surfaces in our tests.
**It has Goldilocks energy. **Size-wise, this cart has a compact footprint but doesn’t feel cramped. You could stow it in a corner or treat it like a showpiece. The dark wood and brass-finished hardware look traditional but don’t come across as stodgy.
Flaws but not dealbreakers
We have questions about wear. After testing and a cocktail party, the cart already has some minor discoloration on the handle hardware and one ledge, as well as faint scuff marks. While the cart cleaned up easily when subjected to drills of melted ice and soggy cocktail napkins, we’re curious how the finish will hold up over long-term testing.
By the end of our testing, we noticed a few areas where the Article Cotu Bar Cart’s veneer didn’t hold up. Joanne Chen/NYT Wirecutter
The handle is a bit low. It helps with pushing — and its placement was okay for my 5-foot-6-ish frame. But it necessitated a bit of hunching over for one 5-foot-8 Wirecutter staffer.
Key specs
**Dimensions: **30.5 by 17.5 by 29 inches (HWD)
**Finishes: **walnut
**Materials: **solid American black walnut (side panel, legs, crossbars), MDF and wood veneer (shelf panels), brass-finished steel (handles, casters)
**Weight capacity: **none specified; a rep recommended the cart for “typical household items like dishware or bottles”
White-glove service: yes
**Return policy and warranty: **return within 30 days of receipt for a full refund; shipping fee applies; manufacturer’s warranty covers defects for one year from delivery
A rattan dupe for indoors or out: Serena & Lily Captiva Bar Cart
Michael Murtaugh/NYT Wirecutter
Top pick
Why it’s great
It’s a convincing dupe. Genuine rattan, though frequently mistaken for being weatherproof, will mold and “get gross” in reality, designer Young Huh explained. The facsimile used here looks natural to casual observers, with subtle variations in color and little to suggest it’s actually a resin. The Serena & Lily Captiva Cart is safe to take outdoors but looks equally good indoors. (We will test its outdoor durability in a future update.)
The Serena & Lily Captiva Bar Cart looks like rattan, but it’s actually resin on an aluminum frame. Michael Murtaugh/NYT Wirecutter
Taller can be comfier. I’m about 5-foot-6, so I was surprised that some carts felt shorter than ideal. The Captiva cart — one of the tallest among our finalists — minimized stooping over the top shelf. And thanks to comfortable spacing from the floor, the bottom shelf was easier to reach, too.
The shelves are generous. This model held more than most others in the competition. Even after we piled the cart with our full collection of bottles, glasses, and cocktail fixings, it had room to spare.
Flaws but not dealbreakers
The wheels disappoint for the price. An online description promised “smooth-rolling casters,” but in our tests the cart was difficult to maneuver. The stiff wheels look small for a cart of this size, and they never seemed to hit their stride, even on smooth surfaces. In one test, a wheel left a black scuff mark on the hardwood floor.
The wheels on the Captiva struggled a bit, even on a wood floor, but it still did better than those on the carts we dismissed. Abby Balter/ NYT Wirecutter
Key specs
**Dimensions: **35.75 by 41 by 16 inches (HWD)
**Finishes: **driftwood, light dune
Materials: all-weather resin on aluminum frame
Weight capacity (per shelf): 175 pounds
White-glove service: yes, depending on other items in your order; otherwise, it’s delivered in one piece via Fed-Ex Large Delivery
**Return policy and warranty: **return within 30 days of receipt, restocking fee applies; no warranty
A small-space server: Umbra Bellwood Bar & Storage Cart
Michael Murtaugh/NYT Wirecutter
Top pick
Why it’s great
The design is clever. Smaller than many competitors, the handle hits the 31-inch mark, but the top shelf is only 24 inches high. Still, the Umbra Bellwood Bar & Storage Cart can hold a decent number of bottles and wares. The top and bottom trays are removable, and it’s easy to pop them out of the frame for deeper cleanings or to use on their own.
The Umbra Bellwood Bar & Storage Cart was the smallest cart of the bunch, but it still fit quite a bit on each tray. Miranda Van Gelder for NYT Wirecutter
Cleanup is quick. Subjected to our spill drills and melting ice, the powder-coated trays were easy to wipe down and impressively quick-drying.
The cart is versatile. With its industrial design — sturdy twin trays and an easy to grab wooden handle — this cart is amenable to odd jobs. Anyone who needs a bar cart only occasionally could easily use this one as an improvised side table for breakfast in bed or as a catchall for kitchen supplies.
The top and bottom shelves on the Bellwood cart pop out for use as a tray. Michael Murtaugh/NYT Wirecutter
Flaws but not dealbreakers
It’s a two-wheeler. We gave this cart a pass on the rolling test with trays full, because of its smaller size and weight, which made it fairly easy to pick up and move. The cart can also be pushed like