Cocktail carts are back in vogue. Dolce & Gabbana has included one in its first home appliance line. Meanwhile at the luxury design e-commerce site 1stdibs, sales increased by 30%. 1stdibs editorial director Anthony Barzilay Freund said: “People are trying to recreate the experience of happy hour like at home. “And who doesn’t need ‘happier’ hours these days?”
Manhattan trolley in metal and stained glass Ettore Sottsass, 1986, €1,950 © Bruno Staub
The original portable beverage cart was a pretty sober affair designed to serve Victorian ladies their afternoon tea. It wasn’t until the 1950s, and the post-war boom in home entertainment, that the cocktail trolley became a success – inspiring a host of designs that combined theater with practicality. Modern – mid-Middle Ages – particularly Brazilian and Scandinavian pieces – are “especially coveted”, says Barzilay Freund, pointing to the “noble lines” of a cart, says Barzilay Freund. in 1959 rare bronze and wood by Brazilian designer Jorge Zalszupin (€35,840, 1stdibs.com). Another key piece is Atelier Mategot’s Devil Tea Trolley, which features three tiers of perforated metal in red, black and white (€2,759, 1stdibs.com).
Mategot Demon Tea Trolley, €2,759, 1stdibs.com
A 1970s Octagonal Stroller by Karl Springer, $7,200, 1stdibs.com
Alvar Aalto 1940s Tea Trolley, €18,000, 1stdibs.com
The almost childlike simplicity of a 1940s wooden and lino stroller by Finnish designer Alvar Aalto will speak to minimalists (18,000€, 1stdibs.com). As well as the 1986 Manhattan Stroller by Ettore Sottass (1,860€, memphis-milano.com) But if I were to shake a drink, it had to be an octagonal red snakeskin trolley full of glitzy garbage by 1970s designer Karl Springer ($7,200, 1stdibs.com).
A 1960s plant nursery trolley, £475, merchantandfound.com
Paul Middlemiss, Founder of Classical Experts Merchant & Found, there’s “a bit of a fetish” to the stroller. His current favorite is a pair of 1960s aluminum examples he picked up from a plant nursery in Eastern Europe (£475 each). Rattan has also grown in popularity thanks to a ’70s revival. “It’s eco-friendly, it’s got a holiday vibe, and it’s tactile.”
Horm & Casamania Chariot Table, £1,437, amara.com
Cabinet worker Small Halstock create a custom cart (POA). “You can have dedicated spaces for spirits and glassware, a built-in silver cooler and a concealed drawer for bar supplies,” says director Luke Wycherley. “Sometimes a customer asks for a suitable cigar humidifier.” It is also possible to incorporate a rolling shutter – known as a tambour door – which can also be incorporated. “We recently did a project that was decorated with a marquetry night scene,” says Wycherley.
Dolce & Gabbana Blu Mediterraneo Caronte Drink Trolley, POA © Stefan Giftthaler
If space is short, Italian furniture company Kartell some sleek designs in chrome and colored plastic (from £645). But really, this piece of furniture should be for show only. The ice white Chariot table by contemporary designers Horm & Casamania has large wheels that I’m sure rarely move (£1,459) amara.com). But the joy of a cocktail cart is simply knowing that you can swing it if you want to – or even better, someone can bring the bar to you.
