Do you have any martini tables in your home? Even if you’re not a lover of martinis, they’re some of the handiest furniture pieces to have around! If you’ve ever sat on your sofa or a chair and wished you had an easier spot to rest a drink or book, this post’s for you! I’m sharing everything you need to know about martini tables, including what they are, where they’re used, and my stylish favorites. Let’s get to it… (post includes affiliate links; full disclosure statement available {here})
What Is a Martini Table?
Not familiar with martini tables? Also called drink tables, they’re simply small side tables with a slim base and small top that’s the perfect size for holding a drink:

Source: Pottery Barn
Along with being the just-right table for keeping coffee or a cocktail within reach, martini tables can also be used to hold a plant, vase, scented candle, or book.
Where to Use a Martini Table
Martini tables are most often used in living rooms where they’re placed next to a sofa or chair:

Source: Mark & Graham
While usually used indoors, some martini tables are made with outdoor-friendly materials such as {this powder coated martini table}. They have a small footprint, making them easy to move within a room or back and forth to different rooms in your home. While you might usually keep your martini table near the sofa where you enjoy an evening cocktail, you could easily move it to your bathroom to hold a candle or drink while you take a soak in the tub:

Source: Amazon
Martini tables can also be used in lieu of your typical side table in small spaces, making them a great fit for apartment living.
My Favorite Martini Tables
When we moved from Connecticut and split up our furniture between our new home in North Carolina and our tiny studio apartment in New Jersey (the why behind our move is detailed in {this post} if you missed it), our martini table ended up in New Jersey where we use it as a side table. We’ve been missing having a martini table in NC so I recently went on the hunt to find one. I was surprised by how many pretty options there are because when I bought our other martini table about five years ago, the selection was very limited. I thought it might be helpful to share my favorites of the many martini tables I found in my search, starting with the one that ended up in my shopping cart!
After shopping around, I ended up buying {this tini side table} that has the cutest scalloped top:
It’s the perfect size, and the style of it works with any room that we put it in! We use it most often in our family room where we don’t have space for a side table (it would block the flow of traffic from that space into our dining room) and the coffee table is a far reach if you’re sitting on the end of our sectional or in the corner of it.
Want to see my other favorites?! These were my 15 final contenders, including a variety of styles and wood or metal finishes:
Martini table sources: 1. Scalloped martini table | 2. Spiral drink table | 3. Black indoor/outdoor martini table | 4. Shaker drink table | 5. Faceted brass drink table | 6. White & gold drink table | 7. Black & white bone inlay table | 8. Modern dual pedestal table | 9. Black steel martini table | 10. Round marble C-table | 11. Scalloped martini table with shelf | 12. Mid-century marble drink table | 13. Black & white round marble drink table | 14. Paint dipped wood drink table | 15. Brass & marble drink table
I’ve been working on the bookcases next to our family room fireplace this week and am excited for that it’s-been-torn-up-forever room to finally be done! I’ll be sharing more about our fireplace remodel, our decision to hang our TV above the fireplace, and bookshelf styling in the coming weeks. If you have any questions about those projects, let me know so I can include them in my posts. Enjoy the rest of your weekend!
XO,
Lorie Moreton says
I love the information you provided. I have shared your site with many a friend. I would love it if you did a post on narrow side tables and taller martini like tables 28″ – 30″ high. So many of the tables are too low next to sofa arms. Thanks again for all you do! Lorie
Sally says
You’ve provided some really great options for martini tables. I couldn’t find what the tabletop of your choice is made of, but it is very cute. Can’t wait to read the blogs about your fireplace and bookshelf styling.
Kris Jarrett says
Hi Sally – they describe it as “lacquered aluminum” but if I didn’t know better, I’d think it was ceramic (it has the same weight and feel). Hope that helps!