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Move Over Man Caves - There's a New Trend on the Rise: Bar Sheds
By Caleb Houseknecht | 02 July, 2014
miscellaneousWhat comes to mind when you hear the phrase ābar shed?ā Iām guessing many of you have never heard that phrase. Itās so simple, yet until I saw my first one (above this paragraph), Iād never heard of them, let alone seen one.
Itās pretty genius, right? When a friend of mine sent me that picture a few weeks ago, I was blown away. How have I never thought of this? I wondered. Youāve got a private area, outdoors (yet still covered), disconnected from your regular living space. An attainable retreat at almost anytime. Itās perfect.
From what I've gleaned, the trend started in the UK with Community Gardens, where everyone is given an allotment to grow fresh fruit and vegetables. Oftentimes, these allotments have sheds for storing gardening tools and what not. Naturally, folks started enjoying a quick beer or cocktail in these sheds, and eventually, a few people gathered, mini happy hours casually formed, and from there, the natural evolution of bar sheds began.
I did a little digging and came across a website based out of the UK, called ReaderSheds. The website serves as a hub for āsheddiesā to share thoughts and pics of their pimped out shacks. The Pub page is home to 350 different pub sheds, as they call them, displayed in digital photo albums.
I got in touch with the man behind ReaderSheds, Andrew Wilcox, also known as āUncle Wilco, Head Sheddie,ā and he told me a bit about the rise of this trend in the UK: āWhen the indoor smoking ban came into force in 2007, I saw a steady increase in the number of pub sheds added to my website,ā Uncle Wilco told me. āBut for years and years people have always had a quick beer in their sheds on allotments.ā
So weāre looking at over seven years in the UK, and itās now starting to pick up steam in the US as well. Many homebrewers use their sheds on brew day and refer to the space as a ābrew shed.ā And of course, weāve all seen a backyard shed fitted with tiki decor.
I even have a friend whose parents have a bar shed. They donāt call it that, and I never realized it until writing this article, but itās the size, shape, and build of a standard shed, located near their pool. It houses all of the pool supplies, alongside a nice 4-person bar, a beer fridge, and a sizable selection of liquor. It was right in front of my eyes all this time. I just never really thought of it as a bar shed.
[Check out some of my favorites from the ReaderSheds website below]
So, now that youāre convinced, and youāve realized you need a bar shed for your backyard parties this summer, whatās next?
Well first, do you have an operational shed in your yard? If not, you may need to look into either buying a pre-made shed or building one yourself. Many places will deliver the shed right to your home.
Once you have the structure up, itās time to outfit. Thatās where we come in. We have everything you need for a kick ass bar shed including kegerators, bar accessories, bar furniture, and bar signs
That should be enough to whet your appetite. Youāve seen the light. Bar sheds are the next big thing, and now you know. Expect more from us in the future on building and outfitting your bar shed. For now, however, I think weāre all just focused on the 4th.
If youāre lucky enough to celebrate American independence inside a fully-functional bar shed this weekend, please send us some pictures. May the Fourth be with you all.
Caleb Houseknecht
Comments
Brian Quinn
April 9, 2015, 12:47 am
I am an independent television producer in NYC, do you go to homes and build these sheds, or are you just providing the hardware to build your own?
I am interested in doing a broadcast program featuring the men who build and the product.
212 496 1694
Caleb Houseknecht
April 9, 2015, 1:40 pm
Hey Brian, We do not build these sheds, nor do we provide hardware in way of the wood to build a shed. What we do is provide all of the equipment for the inside of the sheds - so, draft beer systems, refrigeration, pub tables, bar tools, glassware, etc. If you're still interested in talking, feel free to shoot me an email at Caleb@kegworks.com.
Joyce
April 16, 2015, 4:25 am
It is a closed group, do I need to be invited by a member to join? I would love to see the sheds and meet people to brainstorm with.
Angie
April 18, 2015, 12:59 pm
My husband will be building one in the next few months if you're interested in what he's doing. Should be pretty cool! We're in MN with an awesome open back yard.
Dave Jurgensen
April 21, 2015, 8:53 pm
We build them in back yards. Never the same floor plan. No structural restrictions 952-201-0396
Ben
May 8, 2015, 7:23 pm
Joyce, you can request to be a member and I will add you!
Theresa Early
May 11, 2015, 6:03 pm
I love the concept but I don't drink alcohol. I would stock mine like a soda fountain and stock soda and ice cream. I don't currently have the space for one and don't plan to in the near future, I love interior design and will work on designing one myself just for fun.
Harvey Vazquez
May 14, 2015, 11:03 pm
Interesting concept. Almost like adding a room. Electrical work would be the challenge to run out back in my yard.
Harvey Vazquez
May 14, 2015, 11:05 pm
Caleb do you have a website?
Caleb Houseknecht
May 18, 2015, 2:18 pm
Hi Harvey,
Our website is just Kegworks.com! Hope that helps!
Vince
May 20, 2015, 9:42 pm
Awesome! great idea to spend some time in the backyard or make the best of backyard space. Its sort of like the "pool house" only better.
shalee
May 21, 2015, 6:01 pm
its beautiful.
great for summer on backyards:!
yay!
brian
May 25, 2015, 8:00 pm
Hi Angie! where are you at....I am considering doing something like this...I'm on Prior Lake.
: )
Brian
Jim
June 6, 2015, 1:44 pm
I have this vision of one on a 5'x10' utility trailer, tables, chairs, umbrellas designed to fold & mount on the exterior walls for transport. "Quiet" generator with long cable for refrigeration & lighting. A frat house dream, a fishing hut supplement (even ice fishing), one shed serves my house or your house (not at the same time). Fun could be designing the shelving, storage, displays such that the glass wear won't break but doesn't have to be unpackaged for use/display.... I would call it Mo-Bar. Perfect it & sell design to Coleman... lanterns, stoves, and bars;-)
Teresa Simmons
June 15, 2015, 1:00 pm
My son built a tiki bar shed in his backyard several years ago. He used scraps & reclaimed items & the result was unbelievable! He lives in Florida & had limited space in his small yard. He then built his wife a salon space of reclaimed products as well as an enclosure for the hot tub. Now it looks like a little town in their backyard.
Dave
July 6, 2015, 3:08 pm
I am thinking of using a empty sea container as venue, has anyone done this already? I have seen them converted to small homes, excited at opportunities for a man shed!
Carl Winterbauer
July 18, 2015, 5:48 am
These moving PODS caught my attention as a small brew storage shed requiring some sort of exterior covering in yard pleasing wood.
Haven't a clue on price or availability.
http://www.pods.com/long-distance-moving/portable-container-size.aspx
Prost!
Geoff
July 19, 2015, 2:48 pm
My honky tonk band has been getting into backyard parties and this makes perfect sense.
Judy Hooper
July 30, 2015, 12:41 pm
I would be interested in seeing a show like that
Paul
October 14, 2015, 5:06 pm
Ben, can I be added too? I have a large 14x20 shed that I would really turn into a pub. I just need experienced people to draw ideas from.
Brian
October 21, 2015, 8:19 pm
Hello all-
I'm a casting producer working on a new shed show series. I would love to chat with any of you that have already completed your sheds. Kegworks and Caleb, I will reach out to you separately and I will join the facebook group. Please email me directly or give me a call, brian.puentes@leftfieldpictures.com or 212-564-2607 ext. 2608
Telemitha Whaley
October 26, 2015, 3:33 am
Check out my Hiok's Mantuary photos
Caleb Houseknecht
October 27, 2015, 2:46 pm
Hey Brian,
Thanks for reaching out. I actually just shot you an email!
Ron j Fabian
November 5, 2015, 1:32 pm
Hi Ibuilt my wine room /shed 8 yrs ago love the trend always looking new rooms to see what and how people build there own. I would like to be a member of this group i can offer advice for others in cold weather climates my family and friends use it 365 days a year
Caleb
November 10, 2015, 12:30 am
Email me at caleb@iwantayardbar.com My business is Yard Bars L.L.C. and we manufacture home bars from basic tiki bar style to sheds like some of these. All of our work is mainly repurposed wood and is completely custom.
Kevin Rowe
December 21, 2015, 1:26 am
Hi folks, I just about have my PubShed complete! This shed has been the best thing I have ever done. Here is our Face Book address to K&K Bear Cave.. https://www.facebook.com/KKBearCave/timeline
Anthony Straw
March 28, 2016, 11:17 pm
I built my own on my deck about a year ago!! It's pretty sweet! People are in awe of it when they first get to my house:) well worth it!! I could send some pics to your website if you like?
Caitlin Hartney
March 31, 2016, 5:29 pm
We'd love to it! Do you have a Facebook account? You could use messenger to send us some photos.
chad hupp
May 11, 2016, 9:09 pm
Could ways go solar
chad hupp
May 11, 2016, 11:34 pm
Hey Dave could you email me @ chadismellow@outlook.com
Leroy Pettigrew
June 7, 2016, 4:10 pm
I built my Bar Shed in 2014, just before the Super Bowl I love it. My friends love it. You will enjoy it for years to come.
Leroy Pettigrew
June 7, 2016, 4:13 pm
I guess I should have added, my shed is 15' by 15", octagon shape as the one in this pick. I have 8' entry doors. I have numerous pictures. I purchase some material from Kegs Work. Bar Rail and a table, and a few other small items....
Kimberly Clayton
November 27, 2016, 2:31 pm
Hey guys and gals, pray all is blessed...I am in luv with all the messages...I have a Huge back yard and want something for my 3 daughters and me to entertain company and holidays gatherings. I am on a budget but I do not know where to start...would luv to hear some great ideas. I am located in Jackson, Ms. Thanks a million!!!
Dewayne
December 2, 2016, 7:24 pm
We do build the sheds. Brian you can furnish them. We are Tuff Shed here in Louisville Ky. Our California branch did a couple for the He shed,She shed show in early Spring 2016.
Give me a call 502-494-8103
Anthony J Straw
February 21, 2017, 7:14 pm
I have built my own entirely out of cedar< and I think its sweet would like to show off pictures of it, where can I send pictures to?
Anthony Straw
February 21, 2017, 7:15 pm
Yes I have Facebook, to what page am I sending pictures?
Coll
March 25, 2017, 12:51 pm
Any builders in ny??
Jaqueline
October 31, 2018, 9:59 am
Great delivery. Solid arguments. Keep up the great work.
myeloradiculitis (Teri)
David d
December 26, 2018, 7:23 pm
Built a pool bar last summer. Huge hit. Where can I send pics
Chris
January 2, 2019, 8:53 pm
Sounds awesome David! If you want to send them to cherbeck@kegworks.com, our Marketing team would love to take a look at them. Cheers!
Chris
April 4, 2019, 1:57 pm
LeRoy, that's awesome, we'd love to see them! If you'd like to share them with us, feel free to send them to cherbeck@kegworks.com. Thank you!
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