SLEIGH bells may not be the only thing ringing this festive season – the tinkling of your new drinks trolley or bar cart loaded up with glasses of booze as you entertain friends could be the new sound of Christmas.

And just like a cute puppy, the best trolleys and carts are not just for December 25th. Yes, they make a great addition to any festive party – but if you choose the right one, it will be a statement piece of furniture that draws admiring looks at gatherings throughout 2020. From birthday gatherings to barbeques and even just having a few friends over for dinner, a great-looking drinks trolley or bar cart will add to the sense of occasion. Whether you are making lavish cocktails or pulling a few chilled beers from the fridge, they are a handy way of serving drinks.

Cocktail Glasses And Kits Make Ideal Christmas Or Birthday Gifts

And if friends or family get stuck on what to buy you for Christmas or a birthday present, owning a trolley or cart gives them lots of options for gifts. You’ll soon be loaded up with bottles of spirits, cocktail shakers, gin balloon glasses, cocktail stirrers and swizzle sticks.

It’s worth noting that supermarkets sell five times the amount of booze around the holidays - with Brits likely to spend as much on their favourite tipples as they do on presents. More people are also choosing quality branded spirits over cheaper own brands. With the average shopper buying 12 bottles of spirits, seven bottles of wine plus a bottle of champagne, it’s no wonder people want to show off their collection on a drinks trolley or bar cart.

Great Tiki Bar And Gin Trolley Designs

The barware trend has led to some great designs coming on the market. Although they have a range of names from drinks trolley, gin trolley, bar cart and even tiki bar, they all serve the same purpose. But there are some essential things to consider when choosing the right one for your home. The first point is whether you want it to be mobile or stationary?

Then consider the interior style of your home – would a modern trolley with a chrome frame fit in better with your scheme rather than a retro wooden finish?

Size is also a consideration, so get out the tape measure and check your measurements before committing to buy. Then of course there is price. While you may not have the budget for a £1,300 drinks trolley that Harry and Meghan included on their wedding gift list, you do get what you pay for so expect to stump up around £150-£350 for a great statement piece.

Catherine Wilman, a residential interior designer in London, has noticed the barware trend influencing her clients’ decisions. She says: “The trend for drinks trolleys shows no sign of slowing down. There are some fun designs on the market and the trolleys are a great way to free-up cupboard space, especially for people living in small flats.  With more people entertaining at home, drinks trolleys have become a must-have home accessory. I love the versatility of some of the products I’ve seen on Where Saints Go and other sites. The trolleys can look great in a bathroom with towels and products on, and also as a makeup or hair products trolley - or even in a kitchen for fruit and veg. Then when you have guests, you can double up as a drinks trolley. They are just great.” 

Ten Best Bar Carts And Drinks Trolleys

Here at Where Saints Go we have put together a list of our ten favourite drinks trolleys and carts from UK suppliers that will impress your guests during the festive period and beyond.

Design-wise, a vintage drinks trolley will likely be inspired by Art Deco, with shiny metallic finishes. The clink of cocktail-making accessories, spirits and gin balloons as you trundle into a room with one of these is sure to impress.

The Where Saints Go Art Déco Inspired Lama Drinks Trolley with Black Marble £350

This trolley brings together polished black marble and a gold-coloured metal frame. Stack its shelves with your cocktail kit or use it as a glam side table. (H80cm, W76cm)

 The Where Saints Go Circle Shelf Unit Drinks / Bar Trolley Gold With Glass Shelves £269

Circle Gin Trolley still live

And this Art Deco-inspired elegant drinks / bar trolley, is ideal for family get-togethers and dinner parties. Made from painted steel it has three glass shelves for storing bottles and glasses. The design provides a great show piece for the corner of any room. (H95cm, W80cm)

Another favourite of ours is the Round Brass And Marble Drinks Trolley from Rockett St George.

Due to the marble, it’s very heavy but glides along effortlessly on its wheels. The brass finish looks great too. (H84cm, W76cm)

 And Cox and Cox also have an Art Deco-inspired trolley – their Smoked Glass & Brass Cocktail Trolley £475.

Inspired by antique deco pieces, the feminine cocktail trolley features an oval brass frame and two smoked, mirrored glass shelves. The perfect combination of practical and decorative, it has four castors making it easy to wheel out at parties. (Total H76cm x Dia. 50cm)

 Another Art Deco-inspired favourite is Rose And Grey’s Zelda Brass & Glass Drinks Trolley £365.

This stunning antique brass trolley features removable glass and mirrored panels for storing glasses and bottles. (H81cm, W62cm)

 And while wearing flares and jiving to the Bee Gees is not compulsory, a 1970s-inspired trolley or cart could make you worthy adding some retro cool to your home.

For this look think wooden shelving and metal frames, such as:

 Where Saints Go Circle Shelf Round Shelf Unit / Room Divider (Large) 120m £299

Where Saints Go Tiki bar / Trolley

Next drinks revolution is Rum just as Gin did Rum is the next big thing, be on trend with this little Retro roller. This Tiki Bar Cart offers up stylish storage for libations and their accoutrements. Get the party started with Where Saints Go Tiki Bar Cart £199 

And the Where Saints Go Provencal Gin / Drinks Trolley on Castors £249

Add a little bit of coolness to your room with this Provencal drinks trolley. Inspired by the recent gin revolution its brushed steel frame and antique finished wooden shelves provide a balanced blend of modern and vintage. Small castors make the trolley easy to move around. (H83cm, W60cm)