When you have more drinks than a fridge can hold, a beverage tub is the simple answer: a big open container, a few bags of ice, and every bottle in plain sight. People serve themselves, so the host gets to stop pouring. It’s the same reason you see them on a table at a taco party, full of Mexican lagers, sodas and bottled water.
An ice bucket is a different tool, built to hold ice for a bar. Our ice bucket guide covers those, plus a few tubs. If you want something with a lid that keeps ice for days, read our cooler guide. This page is about the open, party-sized tub, and what you get or give up with each material.
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Quick verdict: which beverage tub to buy
Buy the Behrens 5-gallon galvanized tub for backyard parties. It’s a heavy, watertight steel tub made in the USA, with wire handles and a raised bottom. If you need ice to last through a long event, get the TableCraft BT199, which is double-wall stainless. If the tub is going by the pool, the Lifewit plastic tub won’t rust or dent.
Five tubs for five kinds of party
| Tub | Best for | Capacity | Material | Buy on Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Behrens Embossed Galvanized Drink Tub, 5 GallonBest overall
|
Backyard parties | 5 gal | Galvanized steel | View on Amazon |
TableCraft BT199 Double Wall Beverage Tub, 6.75 GallonBest insulated
|
Long events and a dry table | 6.75 gal | Double-wall stainless | View on Amazon |
OGGI Acrylic Square Party TubBest for display
|
Showing off the bottles | Not stated; 16.75 x 14 x 8 in | Acrylic | View on Amazon |
BREKX Stainless Beverage Tub With Stand, LargeBest with a stand
|
Keeping drinks at waist height | 25 qt | Stainless steel, with stand | View on Amazon |
Lifewit Plastic Party Tub, 13 LBest for the pool
|
Poolside, nothing to rust | 13 L in title | PET plastic | View on Amazon |
Our picks for the best beverage tub
Sizes, materials and care come from each maker’s Amazon listing, and we tell you where a listing disagrees with itself. We have not used these tubs ourselves. Capacity on a tub is the volume to the brim, so remember that ice takes up a good part of it.
1. Behrens Embossed Galvanized Drink Tub, 5 Gallon – Heavy Steel With an Ice Cold Drinks Stamp
Behrens has made steel tubs and pails for a long time, and this one is built for drinks. It’s a round, 5-gallon galvanized tub with vintage-style “Ice Cold Drinks” embossing and wire handles. The listing says it is watertight and weather resistant, with an offset bottom that lifts the base slightly off the ground.
The offset bottom is a useful detail, since a tub full of ice sweats and wet ground isn’t kind to steel. The listing also says it’s made in the USA with globally sourced materials, and that the tub has been evaluated and contains no chemicals requiring a California Proposition 65 warning. Behrens points out that you can add its handle grips for comfort, which makes sense when the tub is full.
Steel isn’t insulated, so ice will melt faster here than in the double-wall TableCraft, and the outside will sweat. It’s also not the sort of tub you want on a nice wood table without a towel under it. For a backyard or a garage party, that hardly matters. It was sold by a third-party seller, Hearthshire, when we checked.
Why we like it
- Watertight, per the listing.
- Offset bottom lifts it off wet ground.
- Made in the USA with globally sourced materials.
- A sturdy, classic look.
Key specifications
| Model | ICE0GS |
|---|---|
| Material | Galvanized steel |
| Capacity | 5 gal |
| Size | About 19 x 16 x 16 in, per the listing |
| Insulation | None stated |
| Handles | Wire |
| Care | Not stated |
| Made in | USA, with globally sourced materials |
Why we recommend it
It suits a backyard party, a tailgate or anywhere you want a simple tub that can stay outside.
Skip it if you need ice to last all day, or the tub is going on a fine table.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Simple and strong
- Watertight, per the maker
- Good party size
Cons
- No insulation
- Outside will sweat
- Third-party seller when checked
2. TableCraft BT199 Double Wall Beverage Tub, 6.75 Gallon – Stainless That Holds Ice Longer
TableCraft makes serving gear for restaurants and caterers, and this is a tub made for buffets. It’s round, 19 inches across and 9 inches deep, with a 6.75-gallon capacity and double-wall stainless steel with a satin finish. Double walls generally mean slower melting and less condensation than a single steel wall.
That makes it the one to buy for a long event or a nice table. The listing disagrees with itself on care, though: the title says dishwasher safe and the feature list says hand wash only. With a tub this size, we’d hand wash it anyway. It was sold by a third-party restaurant supplier when we checked.
Why we like it
- Double-wall stainless construction.
- Big 6.75-gallon capacity.
- Works indoors and outdoors, per the listing.
- Satin finish suits a buffet.
Key specifications
| Model | BT199 |
|---|---|
| Material | Double-wall stainless steel |
| Capacity | 6.75 gal |
| Size | 19 in wide, 9 in tall |
| Insulation | Double wall |
| Handles | Not stated |
| Care | Hand wash, per the features |
| Made in | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
It suits a caterer, or a host who wants a good-looking tub for long events and doesn’t mind a larger investment.
Skip it if you have one cookout a year. A galvanized tub will do the job.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Insulated walls
- Handsome finish
- Large capacity
Cons
- Heavier to store than a thin tub
- Listing conflict on care
- Handles not stated
3. American Metalcraft Galvanized Beverage Tub, Rectangular – A Stackable Rectangle for Bottles in Rows
American Metalcraft makes tabletop equipment for restaurants and caterers, and this galvanized tub comes from that world. It’s rectangular, about 20.5 inches long, 12 wide and 8 high, with a tapered shape so several can stack for storage. The listing suggests filling it with ice or using it to carry wrapped silverware.
A rectangle has its advantages. It sits flush against a table edge or a wall and lets you line bottles up in rows, so nothing gets buried. It makes good use of narrow table space, too. The listing doesn’t give a gallon figure, or say anything about care or handles, so check the photos and the seller’s details. It was sold by a third party when we checked.
Why we like it
- Rectangular shape uses table space well.
- Tapered for stacking and storage.
- From a foodservice maker.
Key specifications
| Model | BEVG20 |
|---|---|
| Material | Galvanized steel |
| Capacity | Not stated |
| Size | 20.5 x 12 x 8 in |
| Insulation | None stated |
| Handles | Not stated |
| Care | Not stated |
| Made in | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
It suits a long buffet table or someone who wants to stack a few tubs in the garage between parties.
Skip it if you want clear capacity and care details before buying.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Efficient shape
- Stacks for storage
- Foodservice maker
Cons
- Sparse listing
- No insulation stated
- Third-party seller when checked
4. OGGI Acrylic Square Party Tub – Clear Sides, Every Bottle on Show
OGGI is a familiar name in bar accessories, and this is a clear, square tub for when you want your drinks to be part of the table. It measures 16.75 by 14 inches and is 8 inches tall, with built-in handles. The listing calls the material crystal-clear acrylic, and says it should be washed by hand.
Clear sides let guests see what’s inside before they plunge a hand into ice water. A clear tub also looks good with citrus or flowers mixed in with the ice. Acrylic isn’t insulated, though, and it scratches over time, so don’t scrub it with anything rough. An oval version of this tub is on our ice bucket page; this one’s square shape fits better in the corner of a table.
Why we like it
- Crystal-clear acrylic, per the listing.
- Integrated handles.
- Square shape fits a table corner.
Key specifications
| Model | 7466 |
|---|---|
| Material | Acrylic |
| Capacity | Not stated |
| Size | 16.75 x 14 x 8 in |
| Insulation | None stated |
| Handles | Integrated |
| Care | Hand wash |
| Made in | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
It suits an indoor party, a shower or a wedding table, where the look matters and nobody will drag it across concrete.
Skip it if the tub will live outside, where acrylic is more likely to get scratched.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Shows off the drinks
- Light to carry
- Sold by Amazon when checked
Cons
- Hand wash only
- Not insulated
5. TableCraft Crackle Beverage Tub, 2.5 Gallon – A Small Black Tub for the Bar Top
Not every party needs five gallons. TableCraft’s Crackle tub holds 2.5 gallons and measures about 15 by 11 inches and 7.5 inches deep, which is a good size for a bar cart or the end of a buffet. It has a black powder-coated finish with a crackle pattern, plus handles for carrying.
The title calls the material powder-coated aluminum, and one feature calls it galvanized aluminum, so we go with the title. At this size, you’re holding a handful of bottles and ice, not a party’s worth. It’s a good pick for a small gathering, or as a second tub for white wine next to a large one for beer. The listing doesn’t give care instructions.
Why we like it
- A compact 2.5-gallon size.
- Black crackle finish looks more formal than steel.
- Handles for carrying.
Key specifications
| Model | 11570 |
|---|---|
| Material | Powder-coated aluminum |
| Capacity | 2.5 gal |
| Size | 15.25 x 10.75 x 7.5 in |
| Insulation | None stated |
| Handles | Yes |
| Care | Not stated |
| Made in | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
It suits a small gathering, a bar top or anyone who wants a smart-looking second tub.
Skip it if you are serving a crowd. It fills up fast.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Compact
- Handsome finish
- Indoor or outdoor, per the listing
Cons
- Small capacity
- Listing is vague on material
- Care not stated
6. BREKX Stainless Beverage Tub With Stand, Large – No More Bending Into the Ice
A tub on the ground means everyone has to bend down. BREKX solves that with a stand that lifts the tub to about 31 inches overall, close to table height. The tub holds 25 quarts, which the maker says fits 25 beers plus ice or 10 bottles of wine, and it’s stainless steel.
The stand gives you a freestanding drinks station in a corner of the patio, and that saves table space. The maker also claims it’s leak- and sweat-proof; we’d treat the sweat claim with caution for a single steel wall and put it on a surface that can take a few drips. It’s a heavier, bulkier thing to store, at about 8.5 pounds with the stand. BREKX is a brand that sells mostly on Amazon, and it was sold by an account called Chilled Designs when we checked.
Why we like it
- Stand brings the drinks up to reach.
- 25 quarts, with a stated bottle count.
- Freestanding, so it saves table space.
Key specifications
| Model | ASPENSTAND |
|---|---|
| Material | Stainless steel |
| Capacity | 25 qt |
| Size | About 31 in tall with stand |
| Insulation | None stated |
| Handles | Not stated |
| Care | Not stated |
| Made in | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
It suits a wedding, a patio party or a host who has no spare table space.
Skip it if you need to pack it away in a small closet, or you want a known foodservice maker.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Convenient height
- Stated capacity in bottles
- Freestanding
Cons
- Bulky to store
- Maker’s sweat claim is optimistic
- An Amazon-first brand
7. Lifewit Plastic Party Tub, 13 L – Light, Clear and Nothing to Rust
Glass and steel don’t belong near a pool, so this is the tub for that setting. It’s a clear PET plastic tub, about 16.7 inches long and 11 inches wide, with a handle on each side. Lifewit describes the plastic as drop-resistant and shatterproof, says it’s BPA free, and offers a one-year warranty.
The title says 13 liters, but the size field on the same listing says 10 liters, so we’d plan on the smaller number. That’s a modest tub, good for a few bottles of wine or a dozen cans and some ice. It’s light and easy to carry, and plastic won’t rust. It also won’t last like steel, and it will scratch. Lifewit is a brand that sells mostly on Amazon, so it’s here for the setting, not for its reputation.
Why we like it
- Shatterproof PET, per the maker.
- Side handles.
- One-year warranty, per the listing.
Key specifications
| Model | 25156 |
|---|---|
| Material | PET plastic |
| Capacity | 13 L in title; 10 L in size field |
| Size | 16.7 x 11 x 6.4 in |
| Insulation | None |
| Handles | Side handles |
| Care | Hand wash |
| Made in | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
It suits a pool, a boat or a beach house, or anywhere a heavy steel tub would be overkill.
Skip it if you want something that’ll last for years of cookouts.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Light and safe near a pool
- No rust
- Stated warranty
Cons
- Capacity is unclear
- Scratches easily
- No insulation
8. Service Ideas Double Wall Party Tub, 1.5 Gallon – Insulated Steel for a Small Table
Service Ideas supplies hotels and restaurants, and this is the smallest tub on the page, with a 1.5-gallon capacity and a brushed finish. It’s double-wall 18/8 stainless steel, and the maker says that prevents condensation and holds ice for longer. The listing says it holds 6 to 7 beers or 2 to 3 bottles of champagne on ice, and it measures 11 inches wide and 6 inches tall.
This sits right on the line between a large ice bucket and a small tub. We include it because the maker sells it as a party tub, and because the bottle count makes it easy to judge. If it’s going on a dining table, the double wall means no puddle under it. For more than a few guests, it’s too small. Buy it for a small dinner, and pick a bigger tub for anything else.
Why we like it
- Double-wall 18/8 stainless, per the maker.
- Stated capacity in bottles.
- Brushed finish resists fingerprints, per the listing.
Key specifications
| Model | PT2BS |
|---|---|
| Material | 18/8 stainless steel, double wall |
| Capacity | 1.5 gal |
| Size | 11 in wide, 6 in tall |
| Insulation | Double wall |
| Handles | Not stated |
| Care | Not stated |
| Made in | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
It suits a dinner for four, a bar cart or a small gathering with a couple of bottles of something good.
Skip it if you are hosting a real party. You will want several times this volume.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Insulated
- Clear bottle count
- Sold by the maker when checked
Cons
- Small
- Close to an ice bucket in size
How to choose a beverage tub
Start with the headcount. The Service Ideas maker says its 1.5-gallon tub holds 6 to 7 beers, and BREKX says its 25-quart tub holds 25 beers plus ice. That gives you a rough scale for planning. Plan on several drinks per guest over a long afternoon and refill as you go. Most parties do better with two medium tubs than one huge one.
Material decides almost everything. Galvanized steel is tough and suits the outdoors, but it’s not insulated and sweats. Double-wall stainless holds ice longer and stays drier on the outside. Acrylic and PET plastic show off the drinks and are light, but they scratch.
Think about where the water goes. As ice melts, a full tub becomes very heavy and has to be emptied. Check for handles you can really grip, and don’t fill it until it’s in place. A stand or table has to be able to take that weight. If you want to pour it out without lifting it, keep the tub near a drain or on the grass.
Keep it off nice surfaces. Single-wall tubs sweat, and bottom edges can scratch wood. Put a towel or a tray underneath. Our wine chiller guide is a better fit if you’re only keeping one bottle cold at the table.
Consider where it’ll live. A tub is empty for 360 days a year. Tapered tubs stack, and galvanized ones can double as a planter or a storage tub. If you need year-round chilled drinks, a beverage cooler might be a better purchase.
How we picked these eight tubs
We looked for open, party-style tubs that were in stock on Amazon and had a new lead offer, from makers we could identify. Foodservice brands such as TableCraft, American Metalcraft and Service Ideas came first, and we limited Amazon-first brands to two. We set aside the True, OGGI oval and BREKX hammered tubs already on our ice bucket page. Our search for independent reviews turned up retailer comments but no real comparison, so these picks rest on the listings and makers’ details. We did not use them ourselves.
Beverage tub questions, answered
What is a party drink cooler tub?
It’s an open container, usually metal or clear plastic, that you fill with ice and bottles so guests can help themselves. It doesn’t have a lid or the long ice life of a true cooler.
How many drinks fit in a beverage tub?
It depends on the tub and how much ice you add. BREKX says its 25-quart tub takes 25 beers plus ice. Service Ideas says its 1.5-gallon tub holds 6 to 7 beers. Listings for other tubs give only the volume, so fill yours in a dry run if you’re unsure.
Are galvanized tubs safe for drinks?
They are made to hold bottles and cans in ice, and the drink stays in its container. Behrens says its tubs are evaluated and contain no chemicals requiring a California Proposition 65 warning. Don’t use ice from the tub in a drink, since it’s been handled and has touched the outside of bottles.
How do I keep ice from melting so quickly?
Chill your drinks first, keep the tub in the shade, and use a double-wall tub for long events. Add ice in stages rather than all at once, and drain the melt water only when it gets in the way, since cold water helps chill bottles too.
Do I need a stand?
Only if you are short on table space or don’t want guests bending over. Otherwise, a sturdy table is simpler, and it won’t take up storage space.
Our final pick for your next party
The Behrens 5-gallon is the tub we would buy for most backyards, and the TableCraft BT199 is the one for long events. For a home that also needs a sealed chest for trips, our cooler guide covers the rest. For the bar itself, go to our ice bucket guide.