31 replies to this topic

[weinoo]

I was wondering if anyone has a good source or three for glassware, especially reasonably priced cocktail glasses (i.e. coupes, d.o.f., reasonably sized (4-5 oz.) martini glasses, etc.). I'd prefer on-line sources that are known to deliver glassware unbroken - or, in the case of problems, have great customer service.

Thanks in advance!

[KatieLoeb]

You might be better off checking with your local restaurant supply store. Even if they don't have exactly what you want in stock, they will undoubtedly have catalogs from their suppliers that would allow you to order what you want. They might even be able to get samples in first if you were purchasing enough.

Another tactic might be to ask the manager of a restaurant whose glassware you admire if you could purchase a dozen glasses from them next time they place an order. Restaurants are forever ordering glasses, believe me. That way you'll have seen and felt the glasses in hand before purchasing.

[MattJohnson]

My wife and I are learning a new cocktail every month this year as part of our new years resolutions (gotta have some fun ones too, ya know). I don't want to buy a ton of new stuff, but I'd like to get a few new glasses. One thing is I've been tending to make drinks in the 3 - 5 oz range and the martini style glasses we got at our wedding are of the 11oz variety. I wouldn't mind getting new martini style, or the bowl style.

Are there any online retailers that you've had good luck with and would recommend?

[Chris Hennes]

My wife and I are learning a new cocktail every month this year as part of our new years resolutions (gotta have some fun ones too, ya know).  I don't want to buy a ton of new stuff, but I'd like to get a few new glasses.  One thing is I've been tending to make drinks in the 3 - 5 oz range and the martini style glasses we got at our wedding are of the 11oz variety.  I wouldn't mind getting new martini style, or the bowl style.

Are there any online retailers that you've had good luck with and would recommend?

Actually, it may seem dumb, but I buy glassware from Amazon.com on a fairly regular basis, and have never had any problems. The selection isn't great, but I picked up a set of cheap crystal 5-oz Martini-style glasses a year or so ago that get a lot of use.

[MattJohnson]

Not a bad idea, I've not had much luck finding much there. I have no problem finding places that will sell me 36 of what I want though. :)

[Chris Hennes]

I believe the ones I have are the Luigi Bormioli, sold in sets of four. I'm not positive that it is these, but it is close. They don't advertise how large they are, which is usually a good sign .

[mkayahara]

Funny you should ask. Robert Hess just did a post on this subject on The Spirit World. He suggests checking local antique stores.

[KatieLoeb]

Thrift stores and consignment shops are a great place to find that stuff too.

Or eBay...

[lperry]

Do you have a Craigslist in your area? At the end of the month when people are moving you can get great stuff for pennies.

[Chris Amirault]

Yep: thrift stores, antique shops, garage sales, and the like are all fine sources. A lot of people want to get rid of those lousy small glasses from the 1950s and 1960s and replace them with 18 ounce martini glasses and margarita 40s.

[campus five]

http://www.ikea.com/...oducts/80091949

5oz. - 6 for $10
cheap, easy and replaceable should one of your guests break one.

[Snowy is dead]

I just picked up a dozen 3 oz. spigelau (sp?) coupes from Tuesday Morning, which is like a beat up version of Home Goods, for $1 a piece. I don't usually have any luck at places like that, but I did that time.

Luigi Bormioli glasses come packed 4 separate six packs to a case. Maybe you can order only a six pack from a restaurant supply store.

[Scotttos]

amazon has some really nice 4-5 oz coupe glasses, pretty cheap, but as someone remarked above you have to buy a case of like 36. I just got a buddy to split the case with me and just gave away a few glasses to clear the shelf : )

[lostmyshape]

just a warning on ikea glassware: it's pretty much junk. bought a set each of the cocktail and wine glasses. i set one (empty) down on a carpeted floor. it tipped over and shattered! on carpet! another shattered in my hands as i washed it. we broke all 12 glasses in less than a month. and it's not that we're clumsy. other than those we break like 1 glass every 4-5 months. it's cheap, but you almost have to think of it as disposable.

anyway, not online, but pottery barn renews their glassware line every 3 months or so. i always check in there because they clear out old inventory. i've got some pretty nice stuff for $1 per glass. gotta be in there at just the right moment, though.

[slkinsey]

A number of cocktail spots in NYC use the Libbey Embassy coupes. They look good, they are nearly indestructible and they are available in sizes of 3 1/2 ounces, 4 1/2 ounces and 5 1/2 ounces. A case of three dozen will run you around a hundred bucks ($2.77 a stem) from someplace like here. Split a case with some friends, or just keep the rest of the case in the back of a closet somewhere to restock after the inevitable breakage. The nice thing about having a big box of inexpensive cocktail glasses is that you don't have to treat them with kid gloves. Just treat them like regular glassware and when one breaks... oh well! It's only costing you three bucks.

[Scotttos]

A number of cocktail spots in NYC use the Libbey Embassy coupes.  They look good, they are nearly indestructible and they are available in sizes of 3 1/2 ounces, 4 1/2 ounces and 5 1/2 ounces.  A case of three dozen will run you around a hundred bucks ($2.77 a stem) from someplace like here.  Split a case with some friends, or just keep the rest of the case in the back of a closet somewhere to restock after the inevitable breakage.  The nice thing about having a big box of inexpensive cocktail glasses is that you don't have to treat them with kid gloves.  Just treat them like regular glassware and when one breaks... oh well!  It's only costing you three bucks.

Agree 100%, these are the glasses I purchased, got them through amazon.

[TVC]

If you're in or around NYC, I found a place on the Bowery going out of business. I bought three dozen of old champagne saucer stemware. They only had the 3oz size.They claimed they were in the basement for 50 years and judging by the deteriorating boxes, it sure seemed it. They were about $1.50 a glass. That was last weekend (the 18th). Their location may be closed now but they are merging with Balter (Delancey & Bowery) across the street. So check Balter to see if they incorporated their old stock with Balter.

[campus five]

just a warning on ikea glassware: it's pretty much junk.  bought a set each of the cocktail and wine glasses.  i set one (empty) down on a carpeted floor.  it tipped over and shattered!  on carpet!  another shattered in my hands as i washed it.  we broke all 12 glasses in less than a month.  and it's not that we're clumsy.  other than those we break like 1 glass every 4-5 months.  it's cheap, but you almost have to think of it as disposable.

Odd, I've had mine for at least 2 years with problems. I have the ones I linked to, and they've held up well.

[lostmyshape]

just a warning on ikea glassware: it's pretty much junk.  bought a set each of the cocktail and wine glasses.  i set one (empty) down on a carpeted floor.  it tipped over and shattered!  on carpet!  another shattered in my hands as i washed it.  we broke all 12 glasses in less than a month.  and it's not that we're clumsy.  other than those we break like 1 glass every 4-5 months.  it's cheap, but you almost have to think of it as disposable.

Odd, I've had mine for at least 2 years with problems. I have the ones I linked to, and they've held up well.

well... maybe they've improved. i bought mine at the store 4-5 years ago. broke if you looked at them crosseyed!

[Kevin Liu]

I'd just like to point out that http://www.awesomedrinks.com/ seems to carry proper (single) old-fashioned glasses and 11 oz highball/ 12 oz collins glasses. They're super-expensive in small quantities, though ($25 for 4).

I'm hoping to revive this thread - anyone know of good, cheap places to find cocktail glassware? I've pretty much emptied out all the thrift stores in the area already.

Also, what's the best highball glass size? I was thinking 8 to 10 oz.

[thirtyoneknots]

I think of 8-10 oz thin glasses as being more of a fizz glass (ie, for "tall" drinks without ice). Highball more like 12-14 oz.

[SylviaLovegren]

I'd just like to point out that http://www.awesomedrinks.com/ seems to carry proper (single) old-fashioned glasses and 11 oz highball/ 12 oz collins glasses. They're super-expensive in small quantities, though ($25 for 4).

I'm hoping to revive this thread - anyone know of good, cheap places to find cocktail glassware? I've pretty much emptied out all the thrift stores in the area already.

Also, what's the best highball glass size? I was thinking 8 to 10 oz.

I always recommend the Duralex Picardie glasses. They come in many sizes, are very durable, stackable, and attractive. You can get them lots of places, but also Amazon. http://www.amazon.co...=pd_sim_sbs_k_5

[Kevin Liu]

replacements.com has a pretty good selection of 4-ish ounce champagne coupe glasses for around $4/glass, plus shipping. Search for "tall sherbet". The style of glass I'm talking about is reflected in the below image.

Also, if you search Amazon for "Schott Zwiesel", you can find a good selection of smaller highball, collins, and single old-fashioned glasses, though they're not under that name. The single old-fashioned's are called "pre-dinner" glasses and the small highballs are called juice glasses.

[Jane Randahl]

I'm going to have to second the idea of checking local antiques stores. Craigslist might be another venue to check as well. You can pretty much find anything on that site for dirt cheap.

The antiques store is perfect because you can really get your hands on some rare pieces. You'd be hard pressed to find an antiques store that didn't have a variety of wine, martini, drink, etc. glasses for sale.

Might I also suggest thrift stores? You may have to look around at a few different locations, but it's well known that these types of shops have items with a lot of character and are incredibly cheap.

We have a free pile in our apartment building and wine glasses show up there more often than one would think. Not that this will help most people, just digressing...

[Kevin Liu]

new update: Adam at the Boston Shaker carries single-stock glassware for reasonable prices!

[Refined Vintage]

If you do a Google search for vintage cocktail or champagne glasses you will find many on line sellers. I cannot vouch for any of them( except my self, lol) as regards to shipping safely, quality & pricing, but supporting small business owners and buying green is always a great way to go! In my area Thrift stores, Estate sales, & yard sales are always good sources but it really does depend on where you are living. The glasses above were found at a thrift store!

Edited by Refined Vintage, 21 May 2012 - 10:13 AM.

[Jane Randahl]

There are a ton of online vendors, but you can never really tell what you are going to get. Many of these places buy from larger retailers while others make their own meaning that the quality varies quite a bit.

If you do choose to search online just be sure to read customer reviews as well as the fine print on the website. There are awesome deals out there, but also a lot of low quality products.

[Pierogi]

new update: Adam at the Boston Shaker carries single-stock glassware for reasonable prices!

Kevin, I can't thank you enough for this info ! I had "inherited" what I suspected were pretty common, but still semi-vintage, martini glasses. They're really quite lovely, they have a fluted stem and a "finial" between the bowl and the stem that's also heavily fluted. The bowl is quite angular, and the design just really flows. I'd seen them (and drunk from them) in several local watering holes. I only had two of them, and sadly, the last one broke about a month before your post about Boston Shaker.

I had succeeded in tracking them down on line, they're made by Libbey Glass (as I said, I suspected they weren't expensive...) and are still available. In commercial quantities only. Damn, I hate when that happens. Now, I drink a lot of cocktails, and I break my share of glasses because I'm a klutz, but I really couldn't ever forsee a need for a case of these things. 32 martini glasses is a little much, even for a lush fan like me. Boston Shaker has them in to order in single quantites, and I am now the proud owner of 4 of these beauties. I'm a very happy camper. Thanks again, Kevin, for the tip !

[blue_dolphin]

Pierogi - I know what you mean about that little "finial" on the stem that makes the glasses a pleasure to hold. I have some glasses that I "inherited" from a friend's MIL and would like to find some more as I can be a klutz from time to time . The taller glass nicely holds a 3 oz cocktail while the coupe can handle 4 oz if one is careful!



For something a little more sturdy, I picked up 9 of these at my local Salvation Army store for 75 cents each a few weeks ago. I suppose they are really sherbet or dessert glasses and are most certainly not fine crystal as they have a clearly visible seam but I like the little spiral design and enjoy using them for cocktails. They can hold a 3-4 oz drink.



I haven't seen anything really fine at that location but it's only a block or so from work so easy to check out. I will have to broaden my searches.

[blue_dolphin]

I picked up 4 of these dainty little glasses at the Salvation Army shop yesterday for 75 cents each. They're by Fostoria, 4.25" tall and hold 3 oz, filled to the very brim.