Garden bars are a fantastic addition to any dwelling and have become a major home improvement trend in the past years. Many people transform their outdoor patio spaces into inviting entertainment areas that they have full control over. A garden bar can be more than just a place to enjoy a drink – a thoughtfully designed space can become the heart of entertainment, self-expression, and social connection.

Over the years we have seen many cool garden bars our customers have created. These unique spaces become loved locations for relaxation and memory-making with friends and loved ones. Without further ado, here are the 9 best garden bar ideas to create an unparalleled space you can enjoy for years to come.

Table of contents: What is a garden bar? Garden bar benefits 9 best garden bar ideas 1. Cozy garden bar with games 2. Sports bar 3. Fantasy den 4. Cocktail garden bar 5. Gazebo bar 6. Outdoor enjoyment 7. Home cinema or gaming center 8. Garden bar with hot tub 9. Garden bar with sauna Drinks display and storage Garden bar decor Frequently asked questions What is a garden bar called? Do I need planning permission to build a bar in my garden? How to build a garden bar on a budget?

What is a garden bar?

The word ‘garden bar’ can mean three different things. It can be used to refer to:

1. A garden bar that is set up in a garden room
2. It can also mean a small bar structure that consists of just the bar surface, often including a roof and wall(s)
3. A mobile bar, that can be hired for garden parties and other events, offering a professional solution with or without staff

In this blog, we’ll focus on garden bars set up in garden rooms, as they offer a wide range of opportunities for customisation. However, if you’re planning to get a small free-standing garden bar, you may find a few good tips on how to make it more special.

Garden bar benefits

Garden bars have many benefits, starting from convenience to raising your property value. A well-designed garden bar enhances your outdoor space, making it more attractive. It also gives you more floor space without the high cost of building an extension.

Garden bars often become a beloved gathering place for family and friends. Insulated garden rooms can easily be used year-round, making them perfect for hosting all types of gatherings from birthdays to Christmas parties.

• A well-designed garden bar raises your property value
• It elevates the appearance and quality of your outdoor space
• Convenient access to entertainment and bar atmosphere on your terms
• Enhances quality of life and promotes relaxation
• A unique and loved gathering area for friends and family, doubling as a private space to unwind in peace 

9 best garden bar ideas

1. Cozy garden bar with games

While play is a natural part of children’s lives, as adults we sometimes forget its importance and restorative effects. Whether you’d love to return to old arcade games like pinball or retro console games, adding some games to your bar will add a relaxing and playful element to the experience. A suitably sized garden bar can accommodate a fully modern set-up with a PS5 or pub games like darts or billiards. By planning your garden pub accordingly, you can create your dream experience right at your own home. 

If you’re looking to incorporate different games, consider a multi-zone approach. This means you’ll set up different areas for the activities.

Want to kick it up a notch? Complete your home pub setup with authentic pub food or slightly elevated dining options. Consider adding an air fryer in the garden pub or building a pizza oven outside. Whether it’s simple snacks you can warm up or easy meals to please the crowds, your garden pub is a guaranteed hit with food.

Photo on the right: Large Garden Room D from Summerhouse24

2. Sports bar

What better way to enjoy the thrills of live sports than from the comfort of a dedicated space in your own home? An at-home sports bar is bound to become the envy of the neighbours or even a cherished place to visit.

One of the most important parts of bringing sports alive in your garden bar is choosing the right sound system and screen. Surround sound will make you feel like you’re right in the middle of the action. And for the serious sports enthusiast – consider adding several screens, just as in a real sports bar. The main screen should be the most high-quality one. Look for a screen with high brightness, an OLED TV with ambient lighting is a great choice. For a more budget-friendly choice, opt for a QLED screen instead.

3. Fantasy den

Are you a fan of the fantasy genre or medieval atmosphere? Your garden bar can be transformed into The Prancing Pony from The Lord of the Rings or a tavern straight out of The Witcher.

To create your tavern, kit out the place by displaying banners, shields and swords on the walls. Instead of regular lighting, opt for faux candle chandeliers. Rustic tankards and plates will add to the authentic maedieval atmosphere.

Stack barrels or crates against the wall to create the feeling of a real tavern. In your drinks display, place bottles with unusual shapes or colourful contents, to look like potions or magical spirits. If you want to take it even further, look for ‘potion’ or food recipes online, such as those by ‘Quincy’s Tavern’ – a creator that focuses on simple fantasy-style meals and drinks. Don’t forget to take inspiration from his decor! Creating a fantasy-style garden games room bar is the perfect opportunity to go all-in and create a deeply immersive environment, that offers a welcome break from everyday life.

4. Cocktail bar

Looking for something a bit more sophisticated? Create a swanky cocktail bar to entertain in style. An extensive spirits collection, beautifully designed preparation areas and professional tools along with a skill or two will create an experience that rivals even professional bars.

Don’t forget to emphasize stylish decor and suitable lighting, to create the right atmosphere. Dimmable LED lights or string lights and strategically placed lanterns can be used to create a sophisticated lighting profile.

If you want to create an even more special experience, consider planting herbs and edible flowers around the garden bar and in your garden. Imagine picking fresh mint for your mojitos or rosemary for a gin-based cocktail just moments before making the drinks. And, to take your presentation to the next level, freeze edible flowers in ice cubes, to create stunningly beautiful cocktails with minimal effort.

5. Gazebo bar

A gazebo bar is the perfect solution if you’re looking for an experience in the fresh air while enjoying a drink. Whether you’re looking to create a bohemian chic lounge, a rustic log cabin experience or a tropical tiki bar, it will be sure to make a special feature in any garden. It’s also a good idea to combine your gazebo bar with an outdoor kitchen. Consider creating a dining area for yourself and your guests to make the most out of your gazebo bar.

6. Outdoor enjoyment

One of the great things about garden bars is that you can create a versatile space, that lets you experience the calm and comfort of nature. Set up your garden bar in a garden room with a veranda and add an outdoor seating or dining area to increase the flexibility of your garden haven. With a roof over your head, you can still enjoy being outside in the fresh air even with a little drizzle. To keep yourself and your guests warm on cool evenings, stock up on some wool or fleece blankets.

7. Home cinema or gaming center

Creating your own home cinema or gaming centre is the perfect way to enhance your garden bar’s comfort and use. For a home cinema or gaming centre make sure to invest in a good quality screen with high lumens. The other important investment is of course a proper sound system. When keeping electronics in your garden room, it’s important to make sure that the air moisture stays at an acceptable level (40-70%, 55% is ideal), so that it doesn’t damage the electronics. This means in the UK weather you shouldn’t leave the garden room unheated for long periods. You’ll either need to run a dehumidifier or heat up the room approximately once a week during winter.

8. Garden bar with hot tub

Nothing says relaxation like a hot tub. A hot tub is undoubtedly one of the best additions to your garden bar. It creates a natural focus area, where people can gather and connect. Hot tubs are perfect for creating a setting where you can unwind and relax with a drink or two. Hot tubs also promote muscle relaxation, circulation and good sleep. They can be installed both inside our outside the garden room you’ll be using for your garden bar. There are various models in different styles available on the market, so you’re bound to find one that fits both your taste and budget. 

Photo on the right: Contemporary Garden Room Aurora

9. Garden bar with sauna

Saunas have become increasingly popular in the UK in the past years. A staple of the Nordic lifestyle, the rest of the world has become increasingly knowledgeable of the benefits of sauna. Regular sauna use boosts the immune system, detoxifies the body and improves sleep as well as cardiovascular health.

Going to the sauna with friends or family on the weekends is a great tradition. In Finland, most people have sauna lodges at home and it is common to have a few beers between rounds of sauna. A garden bar with a sauna brings a unique wellness aspect to your home with an opportunity to create your own sauna traditions that increase wellbeing.

On the right: Small Oval Sauna, on the left: Garden Sauna Lisette

Drinks display and storage

There are no hard rules when it comes to setting up your drinks display and storage. The most important thing is that however you choose to set up your bar, it works for you. You’ll want to place any bottles and equipment in places where they’re easy to access.  Check how much space you have available on the bar below it and behind you on the shelves and decide where you want to store your items. As you spend more time in your home bar making drinks you’ll likely want to rearrange the setup. You’ll be sure to find new and more efficient ways to arrange your bar.

If you happen to be a wine lover you can keep a small dedicated wine fridge to chill certain wine bottles to exact temperatures. You’ll also want to use a fridge to store other drinks that need to be chilled such as beer, soda, sparkling water and so on.

For your drinks display on the wall, consider adding some LED strips on the shelves to illuminate the bottles. This little detail makes quite the difference, creating an impressive display.

Garden bar decor

Planning the style of your garden bar is a fun and creative process. Thanks to online resources and professional design services, you can easily create an impressive looking space. Here are some tips for creating the perfect ambiance:

• Decide on the style of your garden bar: Whether it’s a more rustic look, sleek modern style or an exotic boho vibe, you’ll find plenty of inspirational photos to choose decor elements and furniture on sites like Pinterest, Houzz or House & Garden.
• Stick to a colour palette: You’ll find plenty of free colour palettes online on sites like coloors.co or Pinterest. Sticking to a uniform color scheme ensures a high-end look for your garden bar.
• Seasonal decor: Choose a neutral colour palette for the interior if you want to change the look of your garden bar seasonally. Fabrics and decorations can be switched out to change the mood. You can also use colour-changing LED lights to match the new decor.
• Lighting is key: Lighting should always be well-thought-out. Make sure to add soft lighting, string lights or other decorative lighting to be able to create a comfortable atmosphere. You can also use effect lighting to make a powerful visual statement.
• Personalised elements: Consider adding a bar name sign and even a menu. The name sign can be a simple wooden sign, a hand-crafted sign from a local artisan or a neon light sign. For the menu you can use a blackboard or go all out and get a professional-looking menu printed out.
  

Frequently asked questions

What is a garden bar called?

A garden bar is also called a bar shed or a pub shed.

Do I need planning permission to build a bar in my garden?

If it falls within your permitted development rights, you don’t need planning permission to build a garden bar. This means you can put up small structures in your garden without permission. When the structure is located within 2.5 m of the boundary the requirements are:

• Maximum height of 2.5 metres in the case of a building located within 2m of a boundary of the curtilage of the main house.
• Any raised platform can not exceed 0.3 m in height (such as a veranda).
• The total land covered by all structures in the garden does not cover more than half the land around the main house.

The best idea is to always check with the local authority on what is permitted and what is not, as rules vary by location. Getting acquainted with the basics of UK planning permission rules will help you understand whether your specific vision needs permission or not. In the case of small and simple buildings, it is likely you don’t need one. For a more grand project, planning permission may be required.

How to build a garden bar on a budget?

The easiest way to build a garden bar on a budget is to make a compromise on the size. Another great idea is to make use of winter sales and snag a good deal before prices go up again. If you’re planning to go via the DIY route, see if you’re able to use reclaimed materials. For equipment and interior try to find second-hand options to bring down your costs.