Martini Trolley Trend Returns with Tableside Theatricality

Martini trolleys are experiencing a revival in high-end bars and hotels, blending nostalgia with theatrical service. The Connaught Bar in London introduced its signature trolley in 2008, featuring a personalized recipe with gin, secret vermouth, and aromatic bitters chosen via sniff test. The Dorchester's Vesper Bar launched a London-centric Gibson martini trolley in April 2024. In New York, The Knickerbocker's Martini Bar offers a cart serving the same drink favored by F. Scott Fitzgerald. The Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills debuted a martini cart in December 2024 as part of a speakeasy pop-up, with upgrades like blue cheese or caviar-stuffed olives. General manager Sebastian Hinsch reported a significant increase in martini sales over three months. The trend reflects a broader cultural turn toward analog experiences, literary tourism, and tableside dining rituals.