A garden bar is a fantastic way to make the most of your garden and bring the pub to your home in style.
And as we’ve all had to learn to live with less social interaction in traditional public spaces, many engaged homeowners have suddenly warmed to the idea of creating an outdoor garden bar.
This begs the question:
How do I make my own garden bar?
To find out, at Landscaping Superstore we decided to take a deep dive into the latest garden bar ideas.
You won’t be disappointed:
From sophisticated garden bar decor ideas to more straightforward DIY garden bar ideas, our list has something for everyone.
Let’s crack on with it!
Table of contents:
- Garden bar ideas that will make you smile
- Stay on top of the latest scores in a garden sports bar
- Lose yourself in a garden book bar
- Live your dreams in a movie-themed garden bar
- Holiday at home in a Caribbean beach bar
- Go for the full gastropub experience
- Indulge in a garden bar with a hot tub
- Use it year-round with outdoor heating & insulation
- Don’t forget the lighting
- What can I use as a garden bar?
- Can I build a pub in my garden?
- Embracing the latest outdoor bar ideas
Garden bar ideas that will make you smile
British pub culture had been in the doldrums for decades even before COVID seemed to deliver the final blow.
Numbers don’t lie:
The total number of pubs in the UK fell from around 60,800 in 1980 to 46,800 in 2020, with more and more closing every single day.
So, if your local pub has contributed to these alarming statistics, or you simply can’t afford to go there due to the skyrocketing prices of drinks, you’ll be pleased to know we have an exciting list of outdoor bar ideas that will put the smile back on your face.
Whether you’re looking to create a large DIY garden bar to entertain all your friends or a small garden door where you can enjoy the proverbial ‘one drink after work’ in peace and quiet, we’ve got you covered!
Having said that, let’s move on to the first of our modern outdoor bar ideas.
1. Stay on top of the latest scores in a garden sports bar
If you’re serious about your sports, you can’t go wrong with a garden sports bar.
Let’s face it:
Chances are, not everyone in your household is likely to be nearly as excited as you are about the upcoming Belgian Grand Prix, the Manchester Derby or the England-Pakistan Test. So, you need a separate space where you and your mates can follow all the action over a few beverages and a bit of banter.
Keep in mind that building a sports bar requires a considerable initial outlay, making this one of the most expensive garden room bar ideas out there.
Here’s the deal:
You’ll need a large shed or bespoke garden bar, to begin with. Then, you’ll have to insulate it; then, you’ll need large TV screens with an appropriate sound system; then, you’ll need the necessary streaming subscriptions.
All of this on top of everything else that goes with a bar, such as drinks, beer dispensers, gadgets, garden bar signs and so on.
That sounds like a lot of money – and, indeed, you’re looking at a hefty sum upfront.
But – and this is important – you’re going to save a lot in the long run. The best way to think of a garden sports bar is as a shrewd long-term investment that will provide countless hours of entertainment and relaxation for you and your friends.
2. Lose yourself in a garden book bar
If sports aren’t your thing but you’re an avid reader or bibliophile, then why not go for a garden book bar?
Hear us out:
On a recent trip to Falmouth, we were impressed by a quirky pub which doubled as a bookshop. With comfortable old sofas, simple wooden tables and chairs, and old bookcases piled high with wonderful books, it was a remarkable establishment.
You can easily replicate this in your own back garden.
As with a garden sports bar, you’ll need a larger, insulated garden building. On the bright side, you can choose your own bar design and take inspiration from one of the many pallet garden bar ideas to make DIY pallet bookshelves.
Then, once you’ve spent the evening unpacking books from boxes and everything is in place, you can take things to the next level by inviting your friends to a book club bar!
Sound odd? Not really.
As a matter of fact, pairing booze and book discussions in a communal setting is nothing new. That’s exactly what the Ancient Greek symposium involved.
3. Live your dreams in a movie-themed garden bar
We haven’t forgotten the movie buffs out there. In fact, we’ve got not one but two home bar ideas for you!
Now:
The first one is to create a DIY garden bar dedicated to your favourite film or franchise – think of it as a shrine for movie libations. Here, getting the right atmosphere and garden bar accessories is key.
You’ll need movie posters and signs, as well as the appropriate paraphernalia and bespoke glassware. Oh, and don’t forget signature drinks, such as a medium-dry vodka martini (shaken, not stirred) for your Bond-themed pub or a pink cocktail like a strawberry mint margarita for your Barbie-themed pub.
The second of our movie-themed UK garden bar ideas is to try to recreate the bar from a film or series as realistically as possible.
If you’re a Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels fan, for example, this is probably going to be JD’s Bar, complete with a flashing neon sign above the entrance.
If the long-running American sitcom Cheers is more to your liking, then you’ll naturally aim for a mini-replica of the eponymous Boston bar.
4. Holiday at home in a Caribbean beach bar
If you want to bring that elusive holiday vibe to your home, a Caribbean bar is the right choice for you. This may seem expensive at first – which it does indeed.
But having looked into it, we were pleasantly surprised to discover that it’s actually one of those unlikely garden bar ideas on a budget.
Here’s why:
You can build a small garden bar mostly out of pallets and give it a tiki finish for an authentic look without breaking the bank. We recommend surrounding it with decking and adding a few wicker chairs and stools, as well as a couple of brightly coloured bar umbrellas to complete your tropical setup.
Then, put on a white linen shirt and a straw hat, jump behind the bar and start mixing those fancy cocktails! Your friends and family will no doubt be impressed.
While it goes without saying that such a tropical garden bar is a seasonal solution that you’ll be able to enjoy only during the warmer months, it’s one of the biggest small garden bar ideas right now.
5. Go for the full gastropub experience
The rise and alleged fall of the gastropub has been one of the most important developments in the British pub and restaurant industry in the last three decades. From the birth of the concept back in 1991 to the first pub to earn a Michelin star in 2001 to its alleged demise in 2011 and beyond, it’s been a remarkable story.
As a result, most pubs nowadays – from free houses to large chains – tend to have at least some food options apart from crisps and pork scratchings. And so should your garden pub!
By adding a barbecue, pizza oven or, still better – both – to your outdoor bar area, you can recreate that authentic gastropub experience in the comfort of your back garden.
The best part?
Regardless of what theme you go for, outdoor dining options are guaranteed to become a perfect match.
The same goes for the dining area.
Want to keep it simple? Dive into the latest rustic outdoor bar ideas and go for a pared-down wooden picnic table and seating directly on your lawn.
Prefer fine al fresco dining? Choose a luxurious full dining set over a spacious decking area and complete the look with a pergola.
6. Indulge in a garden bar with a hot tub
For a truly decadent experience, install a hot tub right next to your garden bar. This way, you and your guests will be able to relax while enjoying a refreshing beverage.
The thing is:
Even by itself, a hot tub is a fantastic space for socialising and making memories. Pair it with even the simplest of outside garden bars, and you’ve easily got the ultimate focal point for social gatherings, whether it’s a small family get-together or a larger party with friends.
Just a word of caution:
Once you’ve set up a garden bar with a hot tub, your friends and even your neighbours will come up with pretty much any excuse to come over and spend as much time there as possible.
7. Use it year-round with outdoor heating & insulation
UK weather being what it is, you know it’s going to be quite nippy for much of the year. And having forked out for a garden bar, you want to make the most of it during the colder months as well, right?
We’ve already addressed the issue of insulation in this article, so we won’t dwell on it too much here.
To summarise:
In order to be truly feasible, most themed garden pub ideas will require insulation.
But that’s not all:
To make sure you can enjoy the area around the garden bar itself, you’ll need outdoor heating. Depending on your budget, preferred style and overall garden design, you can go with a fire pit, chiminea or patio heating.
Each option comes with a unique set of benefits. For instance, a traditional, Mexican style chiminea will complement your Caribbean bar perfectly. Patio heating, on the other hand, will complete that classic British pub look and feel we all know and love.
8. Don’t forget the lighting
Our list of outdoor garden bar ideas would be incomplete unless we discussed lighting. Whatever theme or design you end up choosing, you want to make sure you can enjoy your precious garden bar at all times. And you simply can’t do that after dark without the right outdoor lighting.
The good news is:
As with outdoor heating, there’s no shortage of options here. Lanterns, string lights and spotlights can all get the job done with plenty of style. Depending on your overall garden décor, you might even want to use a combination of two or more types.
Also, don’t forget to install the right lighting inside your garden bar – especially if you’ve decided to take one of our themed garden bar ideas on board.
After all, you can’t have a garden book bar unless your reading corner is well-lit. Likewise, a movie-themed bar needs just the right ambient light, possibly with colour-specific lightbulbs (yes, we’re thinking of Barbie once again).
What can I use as a garden bar?
The easiest thing to do is to buy a tailor-made garden bar. They’re available in a wide range of styles and sizes, making it fairly easy to choose the right one for pretty much any one of our garden bar ideas.
That being said, with a bit of know-how and a can-do attitude, you can easily convert pretty much any garden building you already happen to have into a bespoke garden bar.
Here’s the deal:
Say, you no longer have much use of your old shed for storage purposes. We have a detailed guide on how to convert it into the ultimate garden bar shed.
What’s more:
Summer house bars are also gaining in popularity nowadays. This should come as no surprise – a summer house with a bar is a brilliant asset to any garden. And if yours happens to be of the larger variety, you can have a designated bar corner alongside whatever else you’re using the summer house for.
If you’re looking for some summer house inspiration, head over to our summer house ideas article.
Can I build a pub in my garden?
Unless you intend to build a commercial pub in your garden – which is an entirely different kettle of fish – you can build a wooden garden bar without too many complications. Like all outbuildings, garden bars are considered permitted developments.
So, what does that mean?
Quite simply, this means you won’t need planning permission so long as your garden bar isn’t massive. The specific regulations for garden bars are the same as those for summer houses.
To find out more, head over to our dedicated guide.
Embracing the latest outdoor bar ideas
As Britons’ drinking habits continue to evolve, many of us are choosing to drink less – or abstain altogether – while still enjoying the convivial atmosphere the Great British pub is renowned for in a domestic setting.
The solution? A bespoke garden bar.
The thing is:
A garden bar provides a captivating outdoor setting where you and your mates can relish the pleasures of socialising, unwinding and creating cherished memories.
Bottom line:
The right garden bar can serve as a dynamic focal point, melding relaxation with entertainment and fostering a seamless blend of nature and leisure.
We hope our garden bar ideas have inspired you to let your imagination run wild and create the perfect garden bar that will bring the pub home like no other.
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