A bar cart is the cheapest way to give a man cave a bar. It holds the bottles, tools and glasses for a round of drinks, fits against a wall, and rolls over to the couch when people come round. These are the sizes, three carts worth buying, and what to put on one.
Quick answer: for most man caves, get the Nathan James Sally. It's a two-tier cart, 27 x 18 x 34 in, with tempered glass shelves rated at 66 lb each, a metal frame and four locking wheels. If you keep a lot of wine, the VEVOR 3-tier cart holds 12 bottles in its rack; if you want glasses on show, the South Shore City Life hangs up to 12 wine glasses.
| Cart size | Length | Depth | Height |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small | Under 30 in | 15 to 20 in | 30 to 35 in |
| Medium | 30 to 40 in | 20 to 25 in | 30 to 35 in |
| Large | 40 to 50+ in | 25 to 30 in | 30 to 40 in |
Size ranges are from Sierra Living Concepts' bar cart guide. The Sally's size and shelf rating are from its Home Depot listing.
How to choose a bar cart
- Measure the spot. A small cart fits beside a couch or in a corner; a large one needs 40 to 50 in of clear wall.
- Check your doorways. A large cart has to get through them, and in a basement man cave it has to get down the stairs too.
- Decide what it holds. If you keep a lot of wine or spirits, get a cart with a wine rack or a third shelf.
- Get locking wheels. They stop the cart drifting when someone leans on it.
- Pick a material you can clean. Glass and metal wipe down after a spill; wipe wood and wood-effect shelves straight away.
The best bar carts
| Pick | Key specs | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Nathan James Sally Best overall | 27 x 18 x 34 in; 2 tempered glass shelves, 66 lb each; metal frame; 4 locking wheels; raised handle | Small enough for any room, and the glass shelves wipe clean |
| VEVOR 3-tier bar cart Most storage | 46 x 15.8 x 36 in; 300 lb total, 100 lb per shelf; 12-bottle wine rack; hanging glass rack; 2 of 4 wheels lock | Holds a full bar's worth of bottles in a slim 16 in depth |
| South Shore City Life Best for glassware | 41 x 15.75 x 33.5 in; 2 shelves, 50 lb each; holds up to 12 wine glasses; steel frame, faux marble top; 2 of 4 wheels brake | Keeps glasses hanging and ready next to the bottles |
The Sally's specs are from Home Depot ($159.04 at the time of writing), the VEVOR's from VEVOR ($93.90) and the City Life's from South Shore. The VEVOR and City Life were out of stock at their makers when we checked, so look at the listing before you buy.
What to put on a bar cart
Stock it for the drinks you actually make. Sierra Living Concepts' list is a good starting point:
- Spirits: the two or three you drink most. Keep backups on the lower shelf. Our guide to drinks to stock a home bar covers the rest.
- Tools: a shaker, a jigger, a muddler, a Hawthorne strainer and a fine-mesh strainer. See the home bar essentials for more.
- Glasses: highball, lowball and martini glasses, or whiskey glasses if that's what you pour.
- Extras: coasters, cocktail napkins, a bottle opener and a non-slip mat or rail on the top shelf so bottles stay put when the cart rolls.
Park the cart in a corner or against a wall so nobody walks into it, and lock the wheels once it's there. Every so often, pull hair and dust out of the wheels so it keeps rolling.
Bar cart FAQ
What size bar cart do I need?
Measure the spot first. Small carts are under 30 inches long and 15 to 20 inches deep, medium ones 30 to 40 inches long and 20 to 25 inches deep, and large ones 40 to 50 inches or more long and 25 to 30 inches deep. Most stand 30 to 35 inches high. Check that a large cart fits through your doorways before you buy.
What should I put on a bar cart?
Start with the two or three spirits you drink most, a shaker, a jigger, a strainer and a few glasses that suit those drinks. Add a muddler and a bottle opener if you make cocktails, and keep coasters or a non-slip mat on the top shelf so bottles don't slide when the cart moves.
Are bar carts worth it in a man cave?
Yes, if you don't have room for a built-in bar. A cart holds the bottles, tools and glasses for a round of drinks, and it rolls to wherever people are sitting. Get one with locking wheels so it stays put once it's parked.