Make the Ultimate Garage Bar

Everyone needs a place to hang out. We’ve all heard of man caves and she sheds, but there’s somewhere else you can go to relax or entertain guests: the garage. It’s not hard to create the ultimate garage bar and give yourself a fantastic new hangout spot.

You’ll only need to consider a few things in order to make a great bar in your garage. With a little guidance and some handy work, you’ll have your own place to enjoy your off time.

Not only that, but because everyone enjoys having their own bar, it’ll improve the value of your home. Potential home buyers will take one look at your garage bar and see the potential it has for them. They’ll want to make their own bar to fit their personality.

That’s the thing with bars, it comes down to preference. What’s right for one person isn’t for another. There are a few things you’ll need to consider that you can personalize to fit your needs. We’ll go over everything you need to know to transform your garage into the ultimate bar. Let’s get started.

The Essentials

There are a few things you absolutely need to make your garage bar. Without them, it’s just another place to sit and talk. We’ll go over the essentials for your garage bar so you know exactly what you need to get started.

Perfect Bar

The first and most obvious thing you need is the bar itself. You can find a bar at any furniture or outdoor store and they come in many different styles and sizes. The most important question you need to ask yourself is how many guests you plan on having over.

You want to get a bar that’s large enough to fit most of your guests without taking up too much space in the room. Think carefully before making a decision.

Another thing to consider with the bar is the material the top is made from. There’s wood, glass, laminated wood and many other options available. It’s up to you what’s most important: looks, durability, price or style.

Some homeowners even make their own bar tops and they can get very creative. For instance, check out this bar top made completely out of bottle caps.

Comfortable Seating

Next thing you’ll need is a comfortable place to sit. If you’re going to be sitting at the bar, you’ll need bar stools. The last thing you want is to be sitting on a cold, hard piece of metal for hours.

We recommend a foam padded bar stool. They’re way more comfortable to sit on and allow you to invite more guests to your garage bar.

You’ll also need more seating away from the bar. Comfortable couches or a table and chairs are great options to have alongside the bar itself. It’ll open up the room and allow more people to hang out in your garage bar.

Refrigerator

No one likes warm drinks so you’ll need somewhere to keep them cold. That’s where a refrigerator comes handy. It’ll allow you and your guests to get your drinks cold before having them.

If you have a refrigerator with a freezer, that’s even better. You can store ice in your freeze which is a staple for your drinks. This will help get your drink colder much faster.

Shelves

For bottled drinks, you’ll want shelves to display them. This allows your guests to see what’s available and come up with creative drinks to try. It’s also a great conversation starter.

The shelves also improve the overall look of your garage bar. They’re the final touch to make it look more like a bar and less like a garage. You’ll never need to go out and spend tons of money again because you’ll have everything they have right at home.

Do You Want a Wet Bar?

Things get a little more interesting if you want a wet bar. What’s a wet bar, you ask? It’s a bar with a functioning sink and running water. You’ll be able to wash dishes and glasses as well as create more interesting drinks thanks to your wet bar.

The question is, how do you create a wet bar? You’ll need to have a running water line that’s hooked up to your bar. This will allow water to flow into your garage and through your sink. Since there’s digging and permits you’d have to deal with, we recommend hiring a professional. They’ll get it done for you in no time.

You Can Have Your Own Taps

Another thing many bars have that you’ll want to consider is a tap system. This will require you to have a wet bar, kegs of your favorite drinks and labeled handles for each drink.

While there’s a little more set up to this type of system, it’s completely worth it. Everyone likes drinks from the tap way more than a bottle or a can. Plus, it looks a lot better when you have taps behind your bar – makes it more authentic.

It’s Not a Bar Without TVs

Now that you have the bar set up, what do you do? You’ll need a TV – you can’t have a bar without a TV. You’ll have the best place to watch the big game while saving money by not going to a bar or restaurant.

Run Electricity to Your Garage

In order to have a TV in your garage, you’ll need electricity. Most attached garage have electricity because they’re attached to your home. Detached garages, on the other hand, need to have electricity routed to them. You should hire a professional to do anything electrical for your garage.

Sports Memorabilia is the Best Decoration for Your Garage Bar

The walls of your garage bar shouldn’t be bare. In fact, they should be filled with sports memorabilia and mementos. They fill your bar with character and make it look more authentic.

Plus, if you’re getting together with a group of people in your garage bar to watch the big game, chances are you all like sports. The memorabilia is a great conversation starter and many times comes with great stories for you to share.

Games are Needed

Space permitting, you may want to consider adding games to your garage bar. Darts, pool, ping pong, slots, air hockey, arcade cabinets and shuffleboard  are all great games you can play with your guests.

Obviously, you need the space for these large games, especially air hockey and pool. A one car garage isn’t going to cut it. You’ll need a two or three car garage to have enough space for something so large.

A Great Sound System

Most bars like to play music and have great speaker systems. If you’re going to replicate a real bar, you’re going to want the same thing. There are many speaker systems and light shows available at a reasonable price that you can add to your garage bar.

Not only do people like music but it may encourage dancing. If you plan on having a lot of garage parties, this might be the best route to go. Who needs to go spend money at the bar when you have the same set up at home?

You’ll Love Having a Garage Bar

Your garage bar will be the best place to get together with your friends and family and spend time together. This can be just sitting and talking, watching sports or having a party. Whatever you do with your garage bar will fit your needs.

You can’t have a bar in your garage if it’s falling apart and worn down. If your garage isn’t what it used to be, get a free quote from Danley’s. Our expert garage builders have been proudly serving the Chicagoland area since 1959. It’s no wonder why 100,000 homeowners have trusted us with their new garage project.