Should you build a pub shed in your back garden?

That's the vexing question a lot of couples are asking themselves. Well here's what we think.

Hell yes of course you should, Who wouldn’t want their own haven without the rules, opening times and expense of going down the pub. Don’t get us wrong Two Fat Blokes Bar Signs were born in the local pub, After many many beers and Covid the Fat Blokes built their own bars and started a company to make their own signs for the Pub Shed community. So if you love entertaining friends and family in your back garden, building a bar can be a great addition to your outdoor space. A pub shed is a perfect spot to mix up cocktails, serve ice-cold beers, and enjoy the warm summer weather when it finally comes back. We have include some of the pubs that entered Pub Shed of the year 2022, we are highly privileged to see your amazing creations. Thank You

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But where do you start? Here's some pointers from people who have done it and found out the hard way. Here are some steps you can follow to build a bar in your garden: Choose a location: The first step in building a bar is to decide where you want to put it. Consider factors such as the size of your garden, the layout of your outdoor space, and the direction of the sun. You'll also want to make sure the location is easily accessible from your house and has enough space for you to work comfortably. It may double as a home office so consider where you would work in your bar. Afterall you don’t want to do a zoom meeting with 200 bottles of booze in the background if your job is in HR or Driving examiner.

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Measure and mark the area: Once you've chosen a location, measure the area and mark it off with stakes and string. This will give you a sense of the size of the bar and help you visualize the finished product.

Power & Internet – Think about where the power is going to come from, you will need more sockets to run fridges, TV(s) , Soundsystem, heaters, lights etc than you think. And while your at it the internet needs to be planned in now be it from a cable running from your router to the bar or wifi extenders. If your paying for a spark to run your power get the internet in while you are at it, Your future self will thank you.

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Bar style – Think about the design style you want be it old fashion country pub, sports bar, Rave cave, or Nightclub. Have a look at what others have done on the facebook groups or look at the Pub Shed of the year to see what the winners have done. You really can do anything that you want so go crazy ITS YOUR PUB.

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Gather materials: You'll need a variety of materials to build your bar, including timber, concrete blocks, gravel, sand, and concrete. You'll also need tools such as a saw, drill, level, and shovel.

Build the foundation: The foundation of your bar is the most important part, as it needs to be strong and stable to support the weight of the build, furniture, guests, fridges etc. You can use concrete blocks or poured concrete for the foundation. This really is the most important part of your build, get this right and the rest will be easier.

Construct the frame: Once the foundation is in place, you can begin building the frame of the pub shed. Cut the timber to the desired size and use screws to attach the pieces together. Make sure to use a level to ensure the frame is straight. Spend time getting the frame right and get your first fix utilities installed before you board it out. Fit a good quality water tight roof such as rubber and add gutters, downpipes and soakaways.

Insulation – Really important to insulate your bar well so that you can use it year-round without spending a fortune on electricity. The best builds have insulation in the base floor as that’s were you will lose a ton of heat. Once you’ve got a watertight sealed build then it's time to board the walls not forgetting the insulation and power sockets, you can use a variety of materials, plasterboard being a popular low cost way or sheets of OSB and ply timber. Your choice.

Decoration - Now the fun can begin, decorate the walls and build the bar counter with whatever crazy ideas you have. Add the bar top: The bar top can be made from a variety of materials, such as wood, stone, or concrete. Measure and cut the material to fit the frame, then attach it using screws or adhesive. Finish the bar: Once the bar top is in place, you can finish the bar by adding any additional features you want, such as shelves, a sink, or a refrigerator. You can also add decorative touches, such as stools, lighting, or plants, to personalize your garden pub or bar.

Finally you’ve got to name your bar, if it doesn’t have a name then it’s just a shed and here’s where Two Fat Blokes Bar Signs come into the mix, decide on your bar name and have a look at the amazing range of modern bar signs and Traditional pub signs from twofb.com. We have hanging pub signs, wall mounted bar signs, outdoor bar signs, bar runners and coasters all perfect to finish your booze haven. We even design custom one off pub shed signs as unique signs just for you.

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 Now it's time to enjoy the fruits of your labour, So get your bar fully stocked, turn on the sound system and tune into the community radio station, yes we have our own station dedicated to the humble pub shed, Just ask Alexa "Enable Pub Shed Radio" and listen in to fellow pub shreddies DJ's broadcasting from their shed to yours.

Building a bar in your garden can be a fun and rewarding project that adds value and enjoyment to your outdoor space. With a little planning and some basic DIY skills, you can create a beautiful and functional bar that will be the envy of your neighbourhood.

And who knows you might even win Pub Shed of the year 2023?

 

We have to say a big thank you to all the entrants to Pub Shed of the year for sharing your bars with us. It is a privilege to see the fantastic builds you have created and we only wish you could all win. All photos in this blog are from the entrants to PSOTY2022