High-end bars in London and Beverly Hills are reintroducing martini trolleys to deliver personalized cocktails with theatrical flair. The trend taps into nostalgia for classic rituals amid a push for more engaging dining experiences.
The practice began in urban America during the late 1800s and gained traction after Prohibition ended in 1933. Bartenders prepared drinks tableside in gentlemen's clubs and private homes, a custom that later spread to innovative bars in New York and London by the early 2000s. The Connaught Bar launched its signature trolley in 2008 and continues to draw crowds seeking the interactive ritual today.