Looking to build a bar cart? Here are 35 drool-worthy projects to get your wheels turning.

It’s safe to say that I love bar carts. One of my first posts on Top Shelf DIY was a roundup of Ikea Bar Cart Hacks and more recently I built a bar cart with 1x1 aluminum tubing. There are many pre-fabricated options to choose from, but why not design and build your own? I say go for it!
To qualify for this list these bar carts needed to be A) on wheels and B) 100% made from scratch. Here’s what made the final cut.
1. DIY Industrial Bar Cart from Aluminum Tubing

In my tutorial I’ll teach you how to make this without welding equipment. At 38” wide, this bar cart is a beast. Let’s just say mama keeps a lot of booze and bartending accessories nearby at all times.
2. Patriotic Rolling Bar Cart via Ana White

A versatile outdoor bar cart with free plans via The Queen of free woodworking plans. At $55, this cart is a steal! Get the free plans over on Ana’s site.
3. Utilitarian Cart via Ana White

A great way to get started with aluminum angles! This cart isn’t marketed as a bar cart, but it would look great in a dining room filled with bottles of wine. Get the tutorial here.
4. Galvanized Steel Bar Cart via Jen Woodhouse

This build features Jen’s go-to Simpson Strong-Tie brackets, a removable top tray, and wine glass brackets. Adding this cart would free up a lot of storage space in a small kitchen. Get the full tutorial here.
5. Baking Cart with Folding Leaf via Houseful of Handmade

Baking cart by day, bar cart by night. With a handy folding leaf for cutting up herbs and garnishes, this build has the makings of a fabulous bar cart. Get the build plans here.
6. Mid-Century Modern Bar Cart via 3X3

A gorgeous walnut bar cart made from dowels and lots of fun router bits. You’ll need a working knowledge of circle jigs and lots of clamps to make this work, but the end result is totally worth it. Full tutorial and video here.
7. Outdoor Bar Cart with Built-in Beer Cooler via Jaime Costiglio

Just looking at this bar cart makes me thirsty. With built-in cooler storage you’ll be able to offer beverages straight out of the ice bucket. CheeSee the full post here.
8. Outdoor Serving Cart via Build Something

This project is testimony to the beauty and versatility of 2x2s. Make it out of cedar for a more permanent outdoor fixture. I love how they added a bottle holder and removable tray! Get the plans here.
9. Mixed Materials Outdoor Bar Cart via DIY Done Right

Simpson Strong-Tie connectors add an industrial feel to an otherwise straightforward 2x4 build. Download the free plans here.
10. DIY Bar Cart with Marble Tile Inlay via Handmade Weekly

Repurposed laundry room tile for the win! I love Hannah’s choice of rose gold metallic accents for the side bars. Adding rails to the bottom shelf is key to keeping tall bottles from falling out...#firstworldproblems. Get the full tutorial here.
11. Copper Pipe and Wood Bar Cart via DIY Huntress

Spindle sander for the win! Not that I have one, but if I did I would totally use it to build a bar cart. I also love how she made a jig to carve holes for her copper piping. Note: welding equipment is needed for this build. Tutorial and video available here.
12. Mitered Bar Cart via BuildSomething.com

This bar cart is brought to you by the letter “Z.” I'm loving this sleek design and all the sexy angles. This build just goes to show that anything is possible with pocket holes. Get the woodworking plans here.
13. Dowel Bar Cart via Mr. Build It

In which Alex from Mr. Build It makes a bar cart out of dowels using mortise and tenon joinery (and wood screws). This is definitely an expert build, so school yourself by watching his video.
14. Angle Iron Industrial Beverage Cart via Simply Designing

Easy directions and a beautiful end product. Definitely doable for beginners – you’ll need little more than a kreg jig, a drill, and a miter saw to get the job done. See the full tutorial from Simply Designing here.
15. Walnut and Copper Bar Cart via Handy Murse

Because people in the healthcare industry need a lot of alcohol right now. Construct the side frames from walnut and then add slats for your shelving. Check please. Tutorial here.
16. Industrial Pipe Bar Cart via Black + Decker

Iron pipes, flanges, and elbows. Secure pieces together through plywood shelves. Voila. Get the tutorial here.
And thus begins a number of variations on the industrial pipe concept.
17. Iron and Oak Bar Cart via HomeMade Modern

This guy should be the spokesperson for the band Iron and Wine. Seriously. Cool as a cucumber. He makes building a bar cart from steel tubing look like a walk in the park.
Watch the video tutorial here.
18. Iron and Cedar Bar Cart via BHG

Variation #3 on the plumber’s bar. The addition of iron couplings gives this cart a bit more visual interest. Try not to pour your cocktails down the “drain.”
Learn how to build this one here.
19. Steel and Scrap Pine Bar Cart via Addicted 2 DIY

For a weather-proofed spin of the classic pipe bar cart, see this project by Katie over at Addicted 2 DIY. She uses galvanized steel and 2x6 boards protected with outdoor stain. I'm not sure which is more impressive -- the bar cart or her collection of top shelf liquor!
20. DIY Pipe Bar Cart with Wine Glass Holders via Life Designed

First off I love Nancy’s writing style which is very unfiltered. Her eager beaver tendencies get the better of her a few times, but the bar cart she produces is still a smashing success (pun intended). This tutorial does include wheels f
21. Expedited Industrial Pipe Bar Cart via Thrillist

Also known as variation #6 on the “pipe dream” plumber’s bar. I love how Alex got right down to business and built this cart in an hour. For $180 in materials, this build is well worth your time.
22. DIY Versatile Coffee Cart via Fresh Mommy Blog

This coffee cart would do well as a bar cart. Hats off to Tabitha for swapping out metal tubing for plastic PVC – you’d never know by looking at the photos. Now there’s a mom who knows how to get the job done. She also rocks a killer mom bun.
23. No-Weld Copper Pipe Bar Cart via Grillo Designs

Our girl Medina rocks this build, showing us how easy it is to work with copper pipe once you apply a little elbow grease. All you need is a manual pipe cutter, drill, and a few cans of spray paint to make everything come together beautifully.
24. Copper Pipe Bar Cart via Design By Studio C

The secret to this build is a fast-acting adhesive used to secure copper fittings. Gorilla Glue epoxy secures the copper to your casters. I’m a visual learner and Cher does a great job breaking down her steps with photos.
25. DIY Bar Cart from a Single Board via Workshop Diaries

A bar cart from a single 2x10 board? Shara’s planning skills are on point in this build. Clocking in at approximately $7, I’m pretty sure she wins the award for the cheapest DIY bar cart, too. See the full tutorial here.
26. DIY Wood Bar Cart via Angela Marie Made

Kind of amazing what Angela has made from just a few 2x2 furring strips. I love the finishes she chose – you’d never know those are wood dowels and not steel rods supporting the bottom shelf. See how she built it here.
27. DIY Bar Cart via Saws on Skates

Another great build for a budding woodworker.
Scott is a mixing master in the homemade stain department (he shares a lot of recipes on his blog); in this bar cart tutorial we see one of his trademark tricks for aging metal on the corner braces.
28. Old Drawers turned Bar Cart via Anika’s DIY Life

Anika found the drawers to make this bar cart on the side of the road! Take her lead and save money by repurposing old shelves collecting dust somewhere. Paint the shelves a lovely color and use 2x2s for the frame.
29. Wood Bar Cart via Everyday Enchanting

This sturdy bar cart wins the award for being “most likely to survive a hurricane.” Thank God because we're going to need a lot of alcohol to steady our nerves after the storm.
30. DIY Pallet Bar via My Pinteresting Life

Two wooden pallets tipped on their side provide the perfect nestling space for bottles of booze. Add shelves between the pallets and start tucking goodies inside. Get the full tutorial here.
31. White Outdoor Bar Cart via Table & Hearth

Here's how to turn an old bookcase into a bar cart so you can sip whiskey whilst channelling your inner Hemingway.
32. Copycat Crate and Barrel Bar Cart via Shanty 2 Chic

Who needs to spend $800 on a bar cart when you can get the same thing for $150? Beautiful results with a surprisingly simple set of instructions. Get them here.
33. A Bar Cart from Ikea Bed Slats via Nifty Nest
A bar cart made entirely out of repurposed IKEA bed slats? Genius.
Turn your bed into a bar (who needs a bed anyway) following these instructions.
34. A Bar Cart Made from Crates via Family Handyman

With this tutorial you can skip a lot of the heavy lifting by using pre-constructed wood crates. Simply stack and wrap with planks for added stability. Three tools will get the job done!
35. DIY Bar Cart via Little House on the Corner

A stunning modern bar cart made with large wooden hula hoops. Not only is this bar cart drop dead gorgeous, but they staged it beautifully as well.
If you made it this far congratulations. You deserve a drink.
From wood to aluminum, copper pipes to PVC, the options are endless. There's no reason why you can't incorporate 3 or 4 of your favorite elements into a design that will deliver for many years to come.
Cheers,
Erin

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