Perhaps you aren’t old enough to remember ice cream parlor chairs in an actual ice cream parlor. You might think of an ice cream parlor as a place where teens hung out after school, and parents took their sons and daughters for a treat. But the origin of the ice cream parlor is much earlier than that. It began as long ago as the late 1700s and early 1800s when ice cream or gelato was served in tiny bowls to upper-class citizens. M.F. Brigham & Sons opened a Ladies and Gentleman’s Coffee, Lunch and Ice Cream Saloon in Boston in 1869. They sold ice cream, candies, and beverages – some of which were alcoholic. Similar establishments opened in Chicago – brightly lit places, with gaslights, mirrors, and – of course – the signature fragile-looking chairs with their cushioned bottoms, and delicately scrolled backs and legs.
As with many things, time wrought changes in the ice cream parlor. By the 1920s, with automobiles creating a more mobile society and increased availability of refrigeration, ice cream became an increasingly popular treat, until by the 1950s, soda fountains and ice cream parlors became family entertainment centers. Refrigeration might have been the death knell of these establishments, as more families had refrigerators (as opposed to ice boxes) that could keep ice cream frozen, and more supermarkets sold the sweet dairy treat in boxes.
But the ice cream parlor chairs remain as delicately refined seating that is just a little kitschy. Perhaps you can bring up in your mind’s eye a vision of four dainty chairs grouped around a round table that’s covered with a snowy tablecloth. The arrangement is grouped on a checked linoleum or tile floor, near a counter with tall bar stools. The waitress or waiter brings a tray of bubbly soda and ice cream confections, topped with straws and whipped cream. It is this vision that we associate with ice cream parlor chairs.
Jessica Zernike Category Curator 
An elegant set of dining room furniture consisting of a round dining table made out of smooth, varnished oak wood with a dark tint and wrought iron frame, fitted with four matching kitchen chairs made in a similar fashion.
Vintage approach to a set of two ice cream parlour styled dining room chairs, made out of wrought iron with a weathered coat of pastel green paint and seats made out of unpainted, solid birch wood to finish the set off.
Aesthetic delicate-looking vintage parlour chairs crafted of wrought iron with a bit worn finish in white with creamy undertones. A quite tall openwork backrest and upright Y-shaped legs feature scrolls and twists. A round seat has a riveted band.
A charming vintage parlour chair with a frame of thin black metal rods. It has gently slanted braided legs with loop ends, a diamond-stretcher, a quite tall flared openwork backrest featuring simple but pretty scrolls. A round wooden seat is beige.
Elegant arrangement of furniture creating a cozy conversational area in a vintage style. The set consists of a round bistro table with a polished, wooden surface and a wrought iron frame, as well as two matching chairs.
Vintage design for an old-cream, ice cream parlor style children chair, made out of wrought iron with a rusted finish and a weathered coat of orange paint with a wooden, unpainted seat cushion in the middle.
Shabby chic take on a traditional, antique ice cream parlour style dining chair made out of wired wrought iron with a white coat of paint. The seat of the chair is made out of white-painted oak wood, giving it a monochrome look.
Vintage approach to a set of two stylish ice cream parlor styled dining chairs. The chairs are made out of twisted wrought iron in a black color and have seats made out of black-painted oak wood, providing a classy finish.
A set of four old-fashioned ice cream parlor chairs made in a vintage fashion. The chairs are crafted out of twisted wrought iron with a black coat of metallic paint and have wooden, unpainted seats on the top.
A traditional take on a set of two identical ice cream parlor style dining chairs, made out of cast iron with a twisted structure and a black coat of paint on the whole piece, covering the wooden seat made out of oak wood.
A cool vintage ice cream parlour chair of wrought iron repainted in a nice light green colour. Its Y-like legs with braiding and loop feet are joined by a diamond stretcher. A seat is round, an openwork back features a scrolled heart-shaped inset.
Classy, though a bit worn, vintage parlour chairs featuring delicate-looking but sturdy frames of blue painted iron. A chair has upright Y-shaped twisted legs and a mid-height scrolled backrest. A round woody seat in browns has a riveted iron band.
A pretty parlour set of black metal rods but a round tabletop and round seats of wood in browns. All pieces have slanted braided legs with loop feet. A table has an X -stretcher, chairs - diamond-like ones. Heart-shaped backs have 2 heart-scrolls.
A cool vintage parlour set of red finished wrought iron. A table and 4 chairs have Y-shaped legs with braiding and bottom loops. A round tabletop is covered by a removable clear glass tile. Chairs have star-shaped stretchers and heart-like backs.
This ice cream parlor chair constitutes a perfect antique proposition for all vintage lovers. Made from solid and formable wrought iron, it enchants with its intricate, ornamental silhouette.
Made from wrought iron, these antique ice cream parlor chairs with pressed wood seats constitute a perfect proposition for one's patio or veranda. Solid, weather-resistant constructions, that will serve their roles for years.
Vintage look for a set of four ice cream parlor chairs with a worn-off appearance. The chairs are made out of wrought iron with a wire-like structure and a highly distressed coat of white paint, paired with wooden seats.
A cozy setup for an outdoor conversational area for a patio, made with the use of a round bistro table crafted out of reclaimed wood, paired with four matching ice cream parlor chairs with distressed coats of black paint.
Made from twisted steel, of typical form and oak boards, this antique ice cream parlour double seater with attached table constitutes a fabulous example of the vintage design. Manufactured around 1920, it maintained a perfect condition.
This set of ice cream parlour chairs constitutes a great vintage proposition for all, who want to create add their porch, veranda or patio a climatic character. It combines wooden seats with intricately designed metal framing.
This beautiful ice cream parlor set constitutes a perfect proposition for one's indoors and outdoors, embellishing both gastronomic premises and one's own private house.
Cute a bit worn vintage ice cream parlour chairs with white frames of iron. Y-shaped legs (with braiding and bottom loops) are joined by a diamond- stretcher. A round seat and a heart-inset (in a scrolled braided back) are of glossy red plastic.
Pretty vintage parlour chairs with sturdy, though looking delicate, black frames of iron. Slanted Y-legs feature a twisted design, a tall openwork back - a split arched scrolled top, a round seat - brown vinyl upholstery and a riveted metal band.
Classy, a bit shabby, vintage parlour chairs with sleek blue iron frames. A chair has a quite tall back (with scrolls, twists, a curved top edge), upright twisted Y-legs with loop feet, a round woody seat in browns with a blue riveted metal band.
Vintage approach to a conversational area in a backyard patio, made with the use of a simple round dining table with a wooden top surface, paired with four ice cream parlor chairs made out of wrought iron.
Old-fashioned look for a traditional, 1950s’-style ice cream parlor chair. The chair is made out of wrought iron with a highly distressed coat of white paint and has a wooden seat made in a similar fashion out of oak.
Decorative look for a set of vintage ice cream parlor chairs, made out of wrought iron with a black coat of paint and a wire-like structure. The seats of the chairs are fitted with a bamboo-like weave to make them comfortable.
A set of six identical ice cream parlor style dining chairs with frames made out of twisted wrought iron wire. The seats of the chairs are made out of metal dishes with rich coats of patina and rust, giving them an austere vibe.
Pretty vintage ice cream parlour set with black frames of iron. A table and chairs have thin gently slanted braided legs and X-stretchers. Quite tall backrests feature showy scrolls. A tabletop and seats are round, wooden, finished in light browns.
Cute vintage ice cream parlour set with frames of wrought iron finished in white. A table and chairs have thin subtly slanted braided legs and stretchers. Backrests feature white or red heart scrolls. A tabletop and seats are round and painted red.
A pair of so-called Ice Cream Parlor chairs. Enchanting with its distressed appeal, it can be a real bargain for all fans of old, vintage or retro constructions. Ideal for a patio, porch or veranda.
This set of 6 vintage ice cream parlor chairs will embellish any patio, porch or veranda, adding a cool vintage vibe to the space. They combine iron framing with leather seats.
This Ice cream parlor set constitutes a perfect proposition for those, who look for some vintage or shabby chic inspirations. Constructed from metal wires, they provide surprisingly solid constructions.
A pretty vintage ice cream parlour set with black frames of iron. Y-like legs are braided, have bottom loops, are joined by X-stretchers. Mid-height backrests are scrolled. A tabletop and seats (with metal riveted bands) of wood in browns are round.
A cool vintage parlour set featuring frames of grey metal. A table and chairs have braided Y-legs with bottom loops and X-stretchers. Butterfly-like openwork backrests feature pretty scrolls. A tabletop and seats of wood in aged browns are round.
A set of two fancy ice cream parlor chairs made in a vintage style, with a frame made out of wrought iron in a wire shape with a white coat of paint, paired with upholstered seat and back with a pink color and floral pattern.
Cozy setup for an old-fashioned conversational outdoor area in a backyard patio. The area is furnished with a low metal table with a white coat of paint and two ice cream parlor chairs with distressed coats of paint.
A vintage set of dining room furniture, consisting of a round dining table with a frame made out of wire-like wrought iron and a wooden top surface with a rough finish, paired with four ice cream parlor chairs in a similar style.
Old-fashioned design for a couple of 1950s vintage ice cream parlor chairs made out of wrought iron with a wire-like structure, covered in two different coats of paint and fitted with upholstered seat cushions.
This white ice cream parlour chair enchants with its distressed, vintage appeal. Painted in white, it brings charm and warmth to the space. Iron construction provides impressive solidness and durability for years.
A real bargain for all fans of the vintage or retro design. This ice cream parlor chair constitutes a fabulous proposition for one's porch, patio or veranda. Sturdy construction combines a wooden round seat with a metal base.
Super vintage ice cream parlour chairs with frames of wrought iron repainted in vivid blue shades. A chair has Y-shaped legs with braided sections and loop feet, a diamond stretcher, a round seat, an openwork back with a scrolled heart inset.
A weathered vintage parlour chair entirely crafted of thin grey painted metal. It has 4 upright Y-shaped legs braided, curved and having loops at bottom ends. A quite tall double-arched backrest feature scrolls and braiding. A seat is round.
Traditional approach to a simple yet classy dining chair made out of rich mahogany wood with a black coat of paint. The chair has a curved shape on the back and has a seat made out of bamboo weave material.
A set of vintage furniture made in an austere, worn-off fashion. The set consists of two ice cream parlor dining chairs, made out of wrought iron with a wire-like shape and walnut wood seats, and a table made in a similar style.
This 4-piece set comprises a 24" diameter table with twisted wire legs and three chairs. The chairs were designed with more spring to the back to support the shoulders. The set was made by Chicago Wire Chair Company.
Coming in a set of four, these ice cream parlor chairs constitute a great proposition for one's patio or veranda. Intricate design evokes associations with the best retro furniture. Upholstered in classic red, ot provides elegance and chic.
Finished in various vibrant lacquers, these Ice Cream Parlor chairs enchant with their adorable design. Openwork, heart-shaped backrests and colourful, patterned seats, featuring stripes, dots and cookies.
A fabulous proposition for all antique fans. This ice cream parlor chair along with the small round table constitutes a piece of solid, sturdy furniture, which managed to maintain its original character despite the passing time.
This set of 4 ice cream parlor chairs constitutes a fantastic proposition for all, who want to create a charming vintage decor on their patio, porch or veranda. Ornamental, openwork backrests delight with their curves and volutes.