15 Of The Best Garage Bar Ideas For Home (Updated 2024)
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Sometimes, there’s nothing quite like staying in for the night, whether it’s enjoying a romantic dinner for two, having a movie or game night, or kicking back with a few friends. Plus, it’s also easier on the budget than going out all of the time.
In fact, the idea of entertaining at home is so appealing, many people have decided to create the ultimate hang-out space, resulting in garage bars popping up in cities across the country (and the world).
It’s certainly easy to see the appeal; there’s just something cool about having to go no further than your own driveway to have a great time. Plus, the possibilities are pretty endless, limited only by your imagination.
Whether you decide to convert your garage to a simple DIY drink station, the ultimate man-cave, a swanky wine lounge, or something in between, you can start gathering up some inspiration right here.
Top 15 Garage Bar Ideas
1. Backyard Biker Bar
It’s rustic meets industrial in this Pinterest garage converted into a backyard biker bar. The metal panels provide the perfect edgy look, as do the black paint and bolts used to create the studded trim.
Harley Davidson’s signature orange color splashes one wall, and the biker-inspired décor does the rest, tying the whole theme together.
The slightly unfinished look, courtesy of the plywood ceiling and concrete floor, gives the entire space the dive-vibe you’d expect from this laid-back, rugged hang-out.
2. Catch the License Plate
How perfect is this license-plate-wrapped bar for the focal point in your converted garage? You can easily recreate this Pinterest-inspired find; all you need is some adhesive or screws to attach the license plates to your bar front.
Oh, and license plates — you’ll need lots of license plates. You can find old plates at salvage yards, online, or spread the word and start collecting from friends and family.
3. Posh Man-Cave
Whoever said go big or go home was probably talking about this garage conversion from Team Taylor, which is quite the impressive man-cave. The stone floor does a great job of bringing the outside in, making the entire space feel massive.
The natural elements and rich wood tones give the whole place a masculine feel, creating almost an upscale gentlemen’s club vibe. The bar has all the necessities and more, and the five large-screen televisions certainly don’t go unnoticed.
4. A Wine Cellar Above Ground
If you’re a wine lover, then your garage can become the ultimate wine-cellar like this one from Danley’s, complete with wine racks, a tasting area, and more.
Of course, with this conversion comes many extra considerations, such as keeping your garage at the perfect temperature, the proper way to store your wine, and other important factors. Therefore, if this is your plan, consult with an expert to maximize your room’s potential.
5. The Ultimate Garage Party Room
Hoedemaker Pfeiffer turned this double garage into the ultimate party space, complete with a stocked bar, lounge-style seating, and pool table.
A stained concrete floor helps define the space as separate from the driveway while keeping the garage doors enables you to open everything up on a nice day. The fun colors set against an all-white backdrop help give the space a modern yet cozy and inviting feel.
6. Staying True to the Garage Theme
If you’re going to create a bar in your garage, why not embrace the whole garage concept and go with an automotive-inspired bar like this one from Pinterest.
You can bring this idea into your space in various ways, whether it’s a truck grill attached to the bar, creating seating out of car seats, shelves out of license plates, or simply hanging vintage car parts on the wall.
7. A Tropical Staycation
For many, the idea of a garage bar starts with a desire to escape and get away from it all for a little bit. But, while you can’t always hop on a plane for Hawaii or some remote tropical island, you can always step into your own garage.
Create a Tiki-inspired bar like HGTV using a mixture of woods and bamboo on the floor, ceiling, and bar, along with some tropical plants to create an island paradise in your own backyard.
8. Create a Cabin Getaway
This garage-turned-man-cave features a rustic feel thanks to its wood-covered walls and ceiling, while the vaulted ceilings are reminiscent of a luxury cabin in the mountains.
Man Cave Boutique added classic bar games like pool, skeeball, and a basketball toss to make this whole conversion feel like a fun getaway retreat. Two TVs means you can double-up on your favorite teams, and fun accessories and memorabilia add to the overall bar feel.
9. Vintage Speakeasy
The whole vibe of this luxe garage conversion from Medford takes you back to the days of upscale speakeasies, from the dark wood tones to the low lighting and even the vintage car perched atop the bar.
It makes you want to whisper a secret password to come in and drink and dance the night away, play cards, and mingle with those who want to do the same.
10. Convertible Pool Table
This pool table is too perfect to pass up for a garage bar. Bringing in fun touches like this piece from The Barn Yard plays with the whole idea of taking a garage and turning it into something new.
If a convertible isn’t your thing, you could always opt for a different model. The added touch of “parking” the car on some sleek, metal garage flooring is brilliant, adding a contemporary feel to the look.
11. Laid-Back Garage Pub
Wouldn’t it be nice to always have a place to kick back at the end of the day, share a pint with friends, and listen to some live music? Well, that’s exactly what Emily Barrat created with this garage-turned-pub featured on Birmingham Live.
From the disco ball to the drum set in the corner, this bar has all the right touches to make it personal and functional.
12. Cozy and Coastal
Even a small garage can become a great bar with the right touches, like these personalized bar signs from Etsy. With just room enough for the bar and seating, all you need to do is simply raise the door to expand this intimate space.
The exposed brick, along with the simple bar and stools, makes you feel like you’ve stumbled into some rare beach-side bar in New England.
13. Swank Auto Lounge
If money’s no object, you could always go all out and create a high-end hang-out like this one featured in Atlanta Magazine and designed by Simone Alisa.
The mix of black and white with pops of red, yellow, and chrome give the whole space a modern feel, and shiny vintage cars create the perfect décor for this luxe lounge and cigar bar. Plus, little touches like the red racing stripe and chrome grommets also help incorporate the automotive theme.
14. Taking It Outside
If you don’t plan to use your garage to park your cars anymore (heads up: you might need a permit), take a cue from The Bohemian Wine Bar in Charlotte, NC.
Create an instant pass through to the outside by building your bar into your garage door space. The door remains functional but secures at the bar top. If you enjoy great weather most of the year, this could be an excellent way to expand your party space.
15. Quintessential Palette Bar
Sometimes the simplest things offer the best solutions. The palette craze has exploded over the past several years, and people have turned these easy-to-come-by wood boards into everything from sofas to planters, and of course, bars.
This DIY palette bar from Pinterest is the perfect addition to this functional and straightforward garage lounge. Top it off with an easy-to-clean counter and trim it out with some LED rope lights for some extra pizazz.
Garage Bar Essentials You Must Have
If you’re ready to pop the cork on a brand-new garage bar, take some time to plan. First, decide how exactly you want your new hang-out space to function. Is it just a place to watch the game and enjoy a couple of beers? Or, do you want to host some intimate wine tastings? Or, do you want a posh lounge space that can accommodate a small gathering of your nearest and dearest?
Regardless of how simple or involved you want your garage bar to be, you’ll need the following elements (at least).
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Comfortable Seating
Whether it’s just bar stools or some added lounge seating like a cozy couch or some comfy chairs, you and your guests need a place to sit. If space allows, create multiple seating areas to add a more bar-like feel, and plan to place a table near each seating area so folks have somewhere to put their drinks.
Storage
You want your bar to be a fun and relaxing place to hang out and entertain, which means having what you need within arm’s reach. Therefore, include a place in your garage bar to store the things you need, like glassware and drinks. Consider the beverages you plan to serve and ensure you have the proper storage. For example, a wine chiller, beer fridge, etc.
Lighting
Lighting is a necessary component in any room design, but how you go about it is up to you and the overall look you desire. You might opt to stick with the existing lighting, add a few lamps for ambiance, or completely redo the electrical. However, keep in mind, anytime you make any changes with electrical components, as well as plumbing or the structure of the space, you’ll likely need to consult with your local planning office regarding a permit.
It’s All About The Bar
What’s a garage bar without a bar? Right?! But, how you decide to incorporate your bar is up to you; there are tons of ideas. You could buy a ready-made bar, a unique creation from a local builder, or DIY it and make it your own.
Whatever you decide, here are a few key factors to keep in mind.
A typical bar is roughly 42 inches tall, and a bar stool is usually about 30 inches high. However, consider who will be using the space and the setup of your garage. For example, if a section of your garage floor is higher than the rest, and that’s where you plan to place your bar, then you might want a shorter bar to make up for the floor rise.
In this case, if the stools will stand on the lower portion of the garage floor, then you might need to find a taller stool, etc. Basically, take your time to plan and measure before you start buying and building.
The typical depth of a bar top is between 15 and 20 inches. It’s best to use a surface on the top that’s easy to wipe down and clean since spills will be inevitable. You could use materials like tile, butcher block, poured concrete, or other easy-to-maintain surfaces.
Your bar doesn’t need a foot rail, but it can make sitting at the bar more comfortable. The usual placement for a footrail is about ½” to ¾” from the ground. However, before installing a footrail, select your stools. Sit in one at the bar to see where the best rail placement might be for your particular setup.
Have Fun With Extras
Although unnecessary, you might also want to include some extras like games, unique accessories, and other special touches to put your own personal spin on your home bar. For example, you could hang a dartboard on one wall and a neon sign on the other, or perhaps install a giant flat-screen TV to bring the big game to life. Once you’ve put it all together, all that’s left is to pour a drink and make a toast to your new ultimate hang-out.
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