11 Vintage Cocktail Glasses To Look For At Thrift Stores

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A great cocktail doesn't need a fancy bar, a bottle-flipping mixologist, or a top-shelf liquor. Sometimes, all it takes is the right glass. And if you're willing to do a little digging at your local thrift store, you can pour yourself the perfect tipple with a little side of history, magic, and nostalgia. Thrift stores are a treasure trove for everything from rare Pyrex patterns to highly collectible coffee mugs and knick-knacks. And hiding among them are some seriously stylish, unique, and valuable vintage cocktail glasses. These old-school beauties have done more than serve as a vessel for a drink. Some are works of art by famed designers who defined mid-century modern glassware, while others were practical productions from the Great Depression. You can also find luxury crystal coupes for a steal and whimsical, retro highball glasses that will make your next happy hour a little more exciting.

You don't need to spend a fortune to add a little sophistication and charm to your at-home bar cart. We selected 11 vintage cocktail glasses that are worth tracking down at your local thrift shop. Whether you're a seasoned collector looking for a new piece to add to your bar or someone who appreciates a fun glass to liven up your libation, this list will help you know what to look for on your next thrifting journey.

Waterford is an Ireland-based fine crystal company that's been churning out luxury tableware, barware, vases, and other collectibles since 1783. The brand is known for its hand-cut crystal designs and variety of patterns. Waterford's cocktail glasses, especially discontinued patterns, are highly valued by collectors and a treasure in the wild. This thrifter on Reddit found two highball glasses in the discontinued Glenmede design for $1 each. On eBay, that same set is listed for $125. One highball glass is listed for $84. Today, Waterford's highball glasses are priced anywhere from $75 to $590 for a set of two.

Thrift stores are an excellent place to find rare Lenox china patterns, as well as vintage cocktail glasses from the brand. The fine china company has introduced an extension line of crystal cocktail glasses in various patterns over the years, including colorful cocktail glasses in the 1970s. The Antique Yellow champagne glasses were launched in 1976 and discontinued in 1985. Now a collector's item, a set of four Antique Yellow Lenox champagne glasses is listed for nearly $60 on Etsy. However, this Redditor found several champagne glasses at their local store for $4.50.

Roly Poly glasses are small, ball-shaped glasses with a weighted bottom that gained popularity during the 1950s. They're perfect for serving a whiskey sour or Rob Roy. West Virginia-based glass manufacturer Blendo was known for its vibrant Roly Poly collection, as well as its other pastel and neon frosted glassware during that era. This lucky thrifter showed off their find on Facebook: six aqua blue Blendo Roly Poly glasses and a pitcher for $8 at Goodwill. Quite a steal, considering a yellow Blendo pitcher and four Roly Poly glasses are listed for $185 on Etsy.

Culver is coveted by glassware collectors for its 22-karat gold patterns, ornate designs, and animal and Egyptian-style motifs. The company was founded in 1939 in New York and still sells colorful, patterned cocktail glasses. Many of its designs have been retired, and those are the rarest and most valuable. One of those is the Antigua design, a '70s pattern that featured a band of gold crackles with clear ovals and a clear body. A set of seven Antigua Old Fashioned glasses is listed on Etsy for $175, but one thrifter on Reddit found six for $1 each.

Ohio-based glassware company Libbey has been making high-end glassware since 1818. It became one of the country's largest glass production companies, known for its deep-cut and engraved glassware. The brand still churns out patterned glassware for consumers, restaurants, and hotels, including a large selection of barware. A unique but discontinued design, the Tawny coupe glasses were a popular 1970s item. The glasses are a translucent smoky amber-brown and are perfect for pouring a classic Paper Plane cocktail. A seven-glass set is listed for $60 on Etsy, but this thrifter on Reddit found two at Goodwill for $1.

Dorothy Thorpe was a popular glassware designer from the 1930s to the 1970s. Known for her etching techniques and intricate patterns, she had a tremendous impact on mid-century glass design. Her work even appeared in the hit show "Mad Men." The designer partnered with glass manufacturers to buy blank glassware to apply her decorative accents. Thorpe was best known for her 1950s Roly Poly glassware, specifically with the sterling silver accents. This shopper in a collector's Facebook group snagged 12 Dorothy Thorpe Roly Poly glasses for 99 cents each. A set of six is going for $325 on Chairish.

Georges Briard was a barware designer popular from the '50s to the '70s. Originally born Jakob Brojo, he marketed his colorful, ornate pieces under the name Georges Briard, which were sold in high-end department stores. Briard won an award for his MCM pieces, and his iconic signed designs are beloved by collectors. Some of his most famous designs, like the 22-karat Spanish gold motif, go for hundreds to thousands online. This lucky thrifter on Reddit found a set of two black-and-gold Old Fashioned glasses for $6.50. That same set is listed for $160 on Retro Solstice.

Another popular mid-century barware manufacturer, Vitreon Queen's Lusterware was known for its silver ombre cocktail glasses. The glasses had a metallic glaze, giving them a mirror-like iridescent look that faded toward the bottom. Vintage sets are going for nearly $500 on second-market sites. If you're as patient and determined as this thrifter, you can find affordable Queen's Lusterware at thrift stores and garage sales. "I started with a caddy of drinking glasses," they said on Reddit. "In the last two months my collection has exploded from 26 pieces to 46! I stumbled across every piece in the wild."

CG Quartzex was a popular crystal glassware manufacturer throughout the '50s and '60s. Based in Japan, the company was known for its hand-blown, etched, mid-century modern drinkware. The brand made a variety of glasses, including cordials, snifters, punch sets, and wine glasses. Its most notable piece was the Stardust pattern, made for pilsner glasses, brandy, shot glasses, and cocktail shakers. This pattern has since been discontinued, but one thrifter on Reddit found a lot of 43 mixed cocktail glasses, including martini, highball, goblets, and rocks glasses at their local thrift.

Blakely Oil & Gas was a prominent and popular gas station chain that served Arizona from 1949 to 1963. They became known for giveaways, ranging from trailers to boats and carts. One of its most popular items was cocktail glasses. Residents loved the frosted, hand-painted glasses reflecting the western landscape, given out for free with every 5 gallons of gas purchased. Since Blakely Oil & Gas is now defunct, the cocktail glasses have become a collector's item. A pitcher and the entire eight-glass set are listed for $450 on eBay, but this Redditor snagged four at Goodwill for $2 each.

Glass manufacturers had to pivot quickly during the Great Depression, as the luxury crystal they sold was no longer an option for most. Many began making molded patterns that could be mass-produced more cheaply. It became known as Depression glass, and it came in ambers, blues, pinks, and the glowing green uranium, of course. After World War II, people could upgrade to fine china and other options. However, it's still popular with collectors, especially cocktail glasses. A set of five Depression-era glasses is listed on Etsy for $168. This thrifter on Reddit bought a lot of pink cocktail glasses and plates for $20.