Key takeaways
- 40cm (16") diameter globe
- Genuine Italian bar globe made in Rimini, Italy
- 17th century old-world mapping
The best globe bar for most homes is a 17.5-inch floor-standing model with a lower shelf and casters, the style sold by Costway, Goplus and similar brands, while the Design Toscano Sixteenth-Century Italian Replica globe bar is the step up for a larger, sturdier showpiece and Zoffoli’s handmade Italian globe bars sit at the luxury end. Globe bars are mostly about looks, so the smart purchase comes down to how many bottles you need to store, how much floor space you have and how much you will tolerate MDF and printed paper versus real hardwood.
Our top picks
Art 40 Made in Italy Bar Globe- 40cm (16") diameter globe
- Genuine Italian bar globe made in Rimini, Italy
- 17th century old-world mapping
Zoffoli Since 1949 Morientez Art 88 Globe- 50cm diameter globe ball
- Genuine Italian bar globe, made in Rimini, Italy
- 17th Century Old-World mapping
Volcano bar Globe by Zoffoli Made in- 17" Ball diameter
- Solid beech wood legs
- Vintage map
| Product | Key specs | |
|---|---|---|
Art 40 Made in Italy Bar Globe | 40cm (16") diameter globe Genuine Italian bar globe made in Rimini, Italy 17th century old-world mapping | Check price |
Zoffoli Since 1949 Morientez Art 88 Globe | 50cm diameter globe ball Genuine Italian bar globe, made in Rimini, Italy 17th Century Old-World mapping | Check price |
Volcano bar Globe by Zoffoli Made in | 17" Ball diameter Solid beech wood legs Vintage map | Check price |
Zoffoli Da Vinci Classic Floorstanding Globe Drinks | Holds 2 bottles & 9 glasses Size: 21.7 x 21.7 x 36.6 in Color: Rust | Check price |
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Know the Three Tiers Before You Shop
Nearly every globe bar uses the same idea: the top half of a globe lifts back on a hinge to reveal a recessed tray for bottles and glasses. What changes from tier to tier is size, material and finish quality.
| Tier | Example | Globe diameter | Overall height | Typical materials | Bottle capacity (750 ml) | Typical price range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Entry, floor standing | Costway / Goplus 17.5″ globe wine bar | About 17 to 17.5 in | About 35 to 39 in | MDF globe, hardwood or eucalyptus legs, plastic interior tray | About 4 to 6 inside, 4 to 6 on lower shelf | $100 to $200 |
| Entry, large | 34.5″ diameter globe bar carts from brands like LDAILY | About 34.5 in | About 40+ in | MDF and wood, larger interior | About 8 to 12 inside | $250 to $450 |
| Mid-range | Design Toscano Sixteenth-Century Italian Replica Globe Bar | About 22 in | About 38.5 in | Hardwood frame, MDF globe, printed antique map | About 6 to 8 inside plus shelf | $400 to $700 |
| Luxury | Zoffoli handmade globe bars (Italy) | About 16 to 20 in (40 to 50 cm) | About 36 to 40 in | Handmade globe, turned wood stand | About 2 to 6 inside, plus glasses | $500 to $2,500+ |
Capacity depends heavily on bottle shape. Tall bottles such as some gins and Italian liqueurs may not fit under the lid of a 17.5-inch globe; squat bourbon and whiskey bottles generally do.
Picks by Situation
Apartment or first bar: 17.5-inch floor globe
The 17.5-inch replica Italian globe bar is the most common size, and Costway and its Goplus brand both sell versions with wheels, a lower shelf and a cutout rack for stemware. Footprint is roughly 20 by 20 inches, small enough to tuck beside a sofa or bookshelf. Expect a printed map over MDF and a molded plastic tray inside. Some versions have a fixed globe that does not spin, so check the listing if a rotating globe matters to you.
Statement piece for a study or den: Design Toscano
Design Toscano is a long-running decor brand, and its Sixteenth-Century Italian Replica globe bar is larger, at about 22 inches across and over 38 inches tall, with a sepia map finish modeled on period cartography. It weighs around 21 pounds and has a more substantial frame than entry-level models, which helps it stay steady when the lid is open. Availability can come and go, so it is worth checking for restocks.
Heirloom quality: Zoffoli
Zoffoli has made globes in Rimini, Italy since the late 1940s and is widely credited with popularizing the bar globe. Its pieces are handmade in Italy with turned wood bases and a wide range of finishes, and the interiors are often decorated with constellations or mythological scenes. These are decorative furniture first and storage second, aimed at buyers who want a piece that looks like a genuine antique rather than a replica.
Many bottles, lots of floor space: 34.5-inch globe carts
Oversized globe carts hold far more bottles but take up roughly 3 by 3 feet of floor space. They suit a dedicated bar room or large living area better than a small apartment.
Space and Capacity Planner
| Your collection | Floor space available | Recommended size | Add-on storage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 to 6 bottles | 20 x 20 in | 17.5 in globe | None needed |
| 6 to 10 bottles | 24 x 24 in | 22 in globe | Use the lower shelf for mixers |
| 10 to 15 bottles | 36 x 36 in | 34.5 in globe cart | Separate rack for glassware |
| 15+ bottles | Any | Globe for display, plus a bar cabinet | Main storage elsewhere |
Assembly and Ownership Realities
- Assembly time: most entry and mid-range globe bars arrive flat-packed and take 30 to 60 minutes. Legs, the meridian ring and the lower shelf are the usual steps. Hand-tighten first, then fully tighten once the frame is square.
- Hinge strain: the hinge that holds the upper half of the globe is the most common failure point. Open the lid gently and do not use it as a shelf or lean on it.
- Interior tray: plastic trays scratch and can crack if a heavy bottle is dropped in. A thin rubber shelf liner protects the tray and stops bottles from clinking.
- Map finish: printed paper maps can peel at the seams if exposed to spills or humidity. Wipe drips immediately and keep the bar away from radiators and sunny windows, which also helps protect the spirits inside.
- Casters: wheels make cleaning easier but can let a top-heavy globe tip on thick carpet. Lock casters or remove them if the bar stays in one place.
- Glass rack: stemware cutouts usually fit wine glasses with thin stems; heavy whiskey tumblers belong on the bottom shelf or in the tray.
Is a Globe Bar Practical?
As pure storage, a globe bar is less efficient than a standard bar cabinet of the same footprint. Its strength is that it hides bottles in a decorative object and keeps a small, curated selection within reach. If you want a working station for mixing cocktails, pair it with a small cart or console that has flat surface space, since the globe itself offers very little room to set down a shaker.
Bottom Line
Choose a 17.5-inch Costway or Goplus style globe bar for an affordable, compact way to store a handful of bottles; upgrade to the Design Toscano replica if you want a larger, steadier showpiece; and look at Zoffoli only if the globe bar is meant to be a lasting piece of furniture.
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