Whether you’re looking to transform your home bar into a cool speakeasy or searching for unique gifts for your mixologist friend, antique barware is a must. From rare vintage glassware to antique mixing utensils, antique malls can be filled to the brim with all sorts of bar accessories. With our five tips for finding the best vintage barware, you can dress your bar to the nines in no time!
What is Barware?
By definition, barware is an umbrella term for any glassware, utensils, and accessories used to make or serve alcoholic beverages. In the world of antiquing, anything at least 20 years old is considered vintage barware, while antique barware is at least 100 years old. If you’ve ever dreamed of sprucing up your bar cart, vintage glassware and bar accessories are the key to creating a personalized and stylish area of the home.
Why Do People Love Antique Barware?
Antique barware is made to last—and clearly has! Bar tools and vintage glassware from decades past were often made with more durable materials, from high-quality copper collectibles to sturdy, colorful glass. When you curate a collection of vintage barware, you’re not just buying for the present—you’re investing in the future of your bar!
Collecting vintage barware can also go hand in hand with a love of cocktail-making and hosting. Impress your guests with your best hand-crafted drinks at any event while showing off your unique antique cocktail shakers and vintage glassware of all shapes, sizes, and designs. From the groovy vintage drinking glasses from the ‘70s to the Art Deco designs, there is a wide range of antique barware on the market waiting to find its second life.
Popular Types of Vintage Barware
When it comes to antique barware, there’s a utensil for everything. As you shop at one of our antique malls, you’ll likely come across:
Shakers
Jiggers
Strainers
Bottle openers
Shot glasses
Corkscrews
Caddies
Ice buckets
1950s drinking glasses
What Determines the Value of Vintage Barware?
The price tag on vintage and antique barware tends to be determined by the item’s condition, rarity, style, and where it was made. Barware made in Germany, Austria, France, Italy, and the USA tends to be the most valuable. But whether you have a couple of bucks to spend or a few thousand, there are vintage barware tools, glasses, and accessories to be found at every price point.
Our 5 Best Tips for Finding Antique Barware
As you shop around a Chicago antique mall, you’re sure to find beautiful vintage barware nestled in between the vintage cookware collectibles and striking antique furniture. Just remember our five best tips to make your search as easy as possible:
1. Search High and Low
When you stroll the aisles of an Indiana antique mall, remember to comb through every nook and cranny to find what you’re looking for. Just because a booth of a showcase shelf isn’t dedicated exclusively to bar accessories doesn’t mean there aren’t a few pieces lurking. This can be especially true with areas that house specific design eras, such as Art Nouveau or Victorian.
2. Authenticate with Maker’s Marks
To avoid getting fooled by a modern replica of a vintage piece, do a little research on the maker’s marks. These typically are in the form of a stamp, label, or engraving placed on an antique item that can give you important information, such as the year it was produced or the design company. Being able to find and read these can help you authenticate a piece before you buy it.
Common Favorite Vintage Barware Brands
At the very least, most vintage barware pieces will have the brand name. Study up on these popular vintage and antique companies and keep an eye out for their label as you shop for vintage glassware and more:
Napier
Dorothy Thorpe
George Briard
Hazel Atlas
3. Decide Between Mixing or Matching Styles
The best part of collecting antique barware is that everyone’s collection is unique to them! There’s no “right” way to shop for vintage glassware and accessories, but deciding between mixing and matching designs will help you nail down your personal style. Mixing different eras, colors, and styles can help you achieve that trendy maximalist look while sticking to pieces from the same set or company, which will let you achieve a classic, subdued style.
4. Shop at the Antique Mall Often
Unless you’re willing to drop a couple of grand on an all-inclusive matching barware set (more power to you!), it will take time to build up your collection. Make it a part of your weekly or monthly routine to stop in and look at your favorite Algonquin vendor mall booths and showcases to search for stunning pieces. With a constantly rotating stock, each visit is one-of-a-kind—just like your collection!
Pro tip: the more you visit your local vendor mall, the more familiar you’ll become with its contents. Soon, you’ll know which vintage glassware booths and collectors speak to you, and you can head right to them to start your search. You’ll have your showstopping collection in no time.
5. Remember to Inspect Each Piece for Damage
Coming across the perfect piece to add to your collection can be exciting, but don’t forget to take a closer look before checking out as a precaution. Vintage barware pieces should always be inspected for any cracks, chips, tarnishing, or general wear and tear.
Damage to vintage glassware may not render it useless, but it can sometimes be a reason to haggle the price. If you’re fine with minimal damage and it still does its job, then buy away!
The Best Way to Wash Antique Barware
As a general rule of thumb, all vintage ice buckets, shaker sets and spoons, and vintage glassware should be hand washed, as the washing machine can be too rough and unpredictable. Wash each piece of antique barware with gentle dish soap and warm water, allowing it to fully dry before polishing with a soft cloth. Remember to research the care instructions for the vintage glassware’s material to unlock its full beauty and keep it useable for as long as possible.
The only thing better than sipping on your favorite cocktail is the satisfaction of doing so from your one-of-a-kind antique barware collection. Whether you’re looking for the missing piece of your vintage glassware set or are looking to become an antique dealer and sell your pieces, our antique malls have you covered. Stop in today and start your search for beautiful vintage barware!