Cool Home Pubs
There’s a lot of backyard/shed and basement pubs out there, but most don’t fall into the “Irish Pub” theme of things. You see a lot of sports bars and a lot of nondescript “mancaves” (loaded with everything and anything) on websites and facebook groups. If you are researching what you want to do, these will, unfortunately, fill most internet search results and you’ll waste countless hours having to sift through them. What I’ll try to do here is highlight the best Irish Pub home bars that I come across. (Submissions from reader’s welcome.) For now, this one below (owner posted to imgur) has to be the best one I’ve seen. It’s just a fantastic job and no others compare to it. He built it all himself I understand, even made the stained-glass windows. Someone just sent me this link – here are his assembly pics: The Falcon Pub Build Photos – Imgur
STOP THE PRESSES! Look at these sheds from this company My Little Pub in New Zealand. The craftsmanship and sense of design make them stand out. A bit far away and a wee bit costly (if you poke around at some of the news & magazine articles on their website, they give a hint at pricing – $70-$100k $AU ($50-75k USD), so probably not something most of us can pursue, but wow – what a great resource for some design influence (maybe they sell plans?). This should be your goal, create something like what they produce. Some keys: minimalist but authentic decor (including no flashing lights, no scarves/jerseys, no police & fire patches, no crappy tin signs or out-of-place lighted beer signs, etc.), darkened and aged woodwork, back-painted black & gold glass signs on the bar (see buying help), a cozy fireplace, stained glass, a small snug, and of course, a Guinness tap. The stunning exterior probably needs to be modified to endure colder and harsher weather. (From reading, it seems the blue one is a rental, and they probably move indoors when not in use.)
CLICK HERE for a 3D view walk-through of one of their pubs, just brilliant.
Here’s another Irish pub shed someone built – well executed exterior (note the real chimney, indented door and windows (maybe this one is made of stone?)), some nice interior porcelain signs. I really like the “poor farmer” c1900 interior. You don’t need a lot to enjoy life with your gathered friends.
These small stone pubs remind me of this beauty in a remote part of Ireland. Check out Lynott’s Pub if you have not heard of it.
Below is another one that is also very well done. Similar looking, with the authentic, white-washed exterior walls. Slate roof is a nice touch. Quite a nice use of space.
Garage Pubs
This one is the best “garage pub” I’ve ever seen. Imagine lifting open your garage door and having your friends/neighbors see this! He needs to do a wee bit more of work [in my humble opinion] on the inside to make it a little more lived-in looking (i.e., take the edge off), but another fantastic job all around.
Attic Pubs
This guy in Lynn, MA is my pub god. I wouldn’t have the pub I have without his generosity and inspiration. I bought a “local pickup only” sign from him off ebay (the brown Power’s whiskey sign, my favorite piece), we met & talked, then he invited me to his house to see the Irish pub he built. He also had a second pub (this one, pic below) down on the cape in his summer home. When he sold his Cape Cod house, the new buyer unbelievably didn’t want the pub. John offered a lot of the pub items to me at a really good price. (It was still a few thousand dollars that I paid. The good stuff, even at a good price, still isn’t cheap). I also saw what he created and learned from him directionally how to do things right. Have a read of the attached magazine article done on his pub.
Download the article :
Cape Cod Magazine, March 2011, The Pub Upstairs
A little different of a look, but it works for this guy:
Rooftop Pubs
Recently posted to a FB group called Irish Home Bar ((15) Irish Home Bars | Facebook), I don’t know much about this one. I like the simplicity, the colors, the corner & door pilasters, the window treatment, the entrance kegs, and the pavers (which makes it look a little commercial, nice touch). I’ll post more if I see anything else on this one.
Basement Pubs
This guy in Ohio did a fantastic job with his pub. He was fortunate that a local Irish pub was closing down and he was able to buy some memorabilia & furniture from them. See the TV News piece on him:
The padded leather couch is called a “chesterfield” design (based on the original c1773 UK company that still makes them). To find couches, chairs, and bar stools of this design, google the name to start your search. Here’s one company in the UK that sells it: Pub Furniture by Pub Stuff | Manufacturer & Supplier | In stock, fast delivery
My furniture, the dark green style, came from North Carolina I’m told but there are no manufacturer’s markings on it. If you find a US resource, please do let me know so I can share with others.
An Irish ex-pat in Baltimore did a decent job with his basement pub:
Homesick Laois man living in US builds his very own Irish pub in basement of home | The Irish Post
This article on his pub came out in Aug 21: A Parkville Basement Might Just Be Baltimore’s Most Authentic Irish Pub (baltimoremagazine.com)
Before and after shots he posted:
Here’s a pub some guy made in his basement. Efficient use of space, nice bar location, nice woodwork. Has the dartboard.
Another similar one. I like the bar location, taps, some decent starting signage, fireplace. They are getting there. Only minor critique is I think they need to take the edge off a little. A bit too “golden oak” looking.
This guy has some good color tones going. Not too much on the walls, which is good (and no cheapy tin-tacker signs, which is really good). Fireplace, carpets, padded leather, all good and definitely comfortable looking. I’d be happy having a pint here.
Not sure if this is a basement or shed pub
There is something about this couple’s pub I’ve always liked (“Shenanigan’s Pub.” He posts updates to his pub on the facebook group Irish Home Bars). The furniture is the best, it really makes this pub (I’d love to know where to source those low stools, you can’t find them anywhere in the US). He does a good job with lighting and paint color as well. A few too many obvious reproductions (and a little bit too much “stuff”) for my liking, but everyone comes at this differently. There are other details here he also did well – the small room divider, the stove area, the stone floor look, the corner seat. There is a lot here to learn from if you are starting new and looking for direction.
Here’s another one with good colors (also on Irish Home Bar FB group). Nice balance of things on the wall, not a lot of random stuff. The dark wood really is the way to go in my opinion. The green ceiling is something I might do; I think it makes a small pub look cozier. (Update Apr 23: I did the green ceiling in my pub and I really like the look, see the “Ideas” tab.)
I have a Sláinte sign above my bar as well and I think it is a bit underwhelming. I might go for something like one of these purveyor statements: (update 6/24, I painted the purveyors statement on a beam in my pub. See ideas tab.)
Now I’m thinking about something like this above my bar. This guy, ebay seller smf117, in the UK is the person who can paint then for you. If you are in the US, just be careful, the max length that can be sent is 47″ without a massive increase in postage.
Here’s the start of a decent basement bar. He handled the support beam and lally column well. A few more tweaks to get the “newness” look out and I can see this becoming a real authentic looking pub. I wonder if the darkness will show a lot of dust? That would be my only concern.
There are a few options you can find for what to do with a column. Here’s one quick and dirty option: Lally Columns – Basement Pole Covers (architecturaldepot.com) Note the guy above adds a barrel under what he has as a table. Nice touch.
These barrel tops are fairly easy to find on ebay. This is a nice wall treatment, the way this pub sets them back a bit and illuminates them individually.
The fat Guinness cop store display this guy found really sets the tone in space (must be a one-off, I’ve never seen before). The whiskey barrel top display really works well against the stone wall.
This guy did a bang-up job with his fireplace, Lots of nice details here. Real cozy little pub look.
Opposite the fireplace is his quant little bar, just a real nice look (except for the Budweiser sign):
This family in Ohio did a super nice job (also on FB Irish Home Pub). I remember seeing pics of their pub when they first started, it has come a long way. Again, nice balance of wallhangings, good use of shelves, and it’s nice they’ve been able to find a few vintage authentic advertisements. The turtle lamp catches your eye – see my buying help page to find source.
This guy’s basement Irish pub in Utah is really well done. It has all the elements. The copper/bronze ceiling sets the tone and he seems to have gotten the right color green for his walls. A tiny bit too much non-Irish and repro stuff in it for me, but he’ll get there. What I am most amazed about is that this guy got an enormous amount of press – TV, thousands of Youtube hits, Irish website articles, etc. etc. It’s only been around since I think 2022, but it’s the most well-known home pub in the US I bet. I don’t know how he did it. He must be in marketing or something. Whatever he did, well done.
Pub life: Utah man transforms basement into authentic Irish pub | ABC4 Utah
In many ways, this guy is doing it right. The original memorabilia he has collected is impressive, it really makes this pub. The padded Chesterfield coach is a winner, as is the bench seat. I think he has to address lighting (and I’d probably suggest maybe a darker ceiling), but another one I’d enjoy a creamy pint in (looks like he even has it on tap).
Here’s one someone started in his basement. Well executed (I assume he’s a contractor or they hired someone, this is pro work). Not exactly Irish, but a decent example to show. Nice commercial grade sink and counter. Dark colors work well, as does floor and brick/stone offset. Kind of reminds me a little of a pub in a Vegas hotel, but a good start that over time he can personalize and take the edge off. (They need to break in and get a lot of use out of it.)
Snug Idea
I saw this image on the web. Decent idea for a small carve-out space for a snug or a min-pub. The lower ceiling helps make it look a cozy. The Royal Irish Distilleries sign is from the mirror craftsman I link to on the Buying Help tab. (Or here’s the link directly: IrishPubmemorabilia – Etsy).
Another seating arrangement as a design idea:
This one is in the Little Irish Pub backyard pub I show above (you clearly don’t need a lot of space for one):
Or you can find some old wood and make it look like a real one:
A bit more modern, but well done
Trailer Pubs
Lots of these are popping up now. A few in the Boston area, Pittsburgh, Canada, England…
These guys built this mobile pub in Ireland. Find out more here:
Here’s another. I guess a bunch of these are floating around the civilized world:
The first mobile Irish pub, in style of thatched cottage, launched in Canada (irishcentral.com)
Here’s a couple in my area (Boston):
The Wandering Druid
The Wandering Druid – Boston’s Mobile Irish Pub for Hire
An article about it: A beloved Cambridge bar was transformed into a tiny pub on wheels — and you can rent it (boston.com)
The Wee Irish Pub
Here’s another one that popped up in 2022: Tiny Pubs – Let the good times roll
(I wish these guys well and much success, but I have to say, the “patent pending” on the pub-on-wheels concept is a bit of a stretch; it’s not an original idea at all.)
Park A Pub
Just read about this one in the Philadelphia area (I read he was inspired by the above one (Wee Irish Pub)).
A few article links:
Traveling Irish bar rental ‘Park a Pub’ open in Philly (irishcentral.com)
You can rent this mobile Irish pub in Delco (inquirer.com)
One more, this one is now traveling around the Pittsburgh, PA area:
Looks like a camper covert. I like the welcoming large entrance.
https://www.irishstar.com/news/pennsylvania-news/wild-rover-pittsburgh-pub-wheels-31888575
A Real Shebeen
In Ireland they call an unlicensed pub a SHEBEEN. The Beerhouses Act of 1864 (~156 years ago) sets a five shillings penalty for unlicensed individuals who sell beer for consumption on their premises. More recently though, The Intoxicating Liquor Act of 1962 deals with the specifics of “unlicensed drinking premises.” The act states that a premises without a license can only serve a drink to the owner, their family members, people working or residing in the premises – or a genuine, private guest of any of those people. The penalty for getting busted by the Gardaí I’m sure is quite a bit more now.
I have a friend who has the real deal. His entire house has been turned into an Irish pub to entertain lots of visitors. His backyard is a mini-Irish farm with sheep, a long-haired cow, a farmyard dog, and chickens. When the green light is on (on Friday nights), everyone is welcome. (I kind of dream of doing this – move my pub outside and make it accessible to local friends.) He often has live music, as people hear about this little slice of Irish heaven and want to come play there. I won’t disclose too much. If he’s a mutual friend, please do send a note.
In all my years of pub traveling, I have never been more impressed. The goodwill is what I have been long searching for. (The 1000-bottle Irish whiskey collection & vintage bar also impresses!)
cinneadh a dhéanamh cén cineál teach tábhairne
(On deciding what type of pub)
If you are reading this website and are on the fence, still trying to decide what type of pub to create (sports bar, a bar filled with your NASCAR or movie collectibles, a drinker’s mancave, a nautical themed bar, a whiskey bar, etc., etc., etc.), let me share with you a few thoughts to have you consider an Irish theme. First off, it goes without saying that in ANY pub (not just in real ones), it is all about the people/friends who come by and the atmosphere these people create (the craic as they say in Ireland). It has less to do with things hanging on the wall and the type of beer on tap.
However, …it’s just a fact that no matter how many friends you have, they are not coming over every night (they’d probably drink you broke if they did). The majority of time, you’ll find it’s your space to enjoy. Don’t try to create something to impress them, do something that really makes you happy and that you are comfortable sitting in. Sports theme? Absolutely do that if it makes you happy. Drinking hole/mancave look? – go for it if that’s your thing. (Just search on “beer” or “mancave” in Craigslist or FB marketplace, and you can find everything you need in 10 mins. Old beer signs and random props are plentiful and sold on the cheap. Not much effort involved in that (and it will look it too)).
I’ll argue there is just something more to an Irish pub. When people drive or walk by real ones, they naturally think, “ok, that’s probably a fun place to go.” Irish, as well as Old English pubs just have a warmth to them, and they inspire conversation and a sense of well-being. When you tell people you have an Irish pub at your home, it puts a smile on their faces, and they always want to come by to see it – even the non-beer drinkers. Come by and see my “mancave?”…me, personally, I’d be a little bit leery. You don’t know what kind of weird stuff people collect and what you’d be walking into (woman-size cages in the basement?). Assuming you are open-minded and culturally adaptable to an Irish pub (i.e., maybe you have no Irish roots, but you still would consider it), going the Irish pub route gives you a few advantages. First, all that extra thought and effort required will immediately be recognized by your guests. Second, quality Irish memorabilia has a resale value, there is a strong market for good items. You’ll never be “stuck” with anything if you spend your money the right way. Third, you just naturally become “taken in” by Irish culture and learn quite a bit (about Ireland, Guinness, pubs, music, and collecting). For example, it’s fun learning about, then hunting for, that certain vintage Guinness sign – whereas a Bobby Orr hockey jersey or say a Patriot’s helmet can be found within a click or two on Amazon. Fourth, if you really do a professional quality job of the bar space, it could, arguably, even increase the value of your house. Finally, how could you just not love the circa 1930-1960’s John Gilroy toucans, pelicans, seals, turtles, ostriches, and kinkajous!! They make for fun images to enhance your space (I have a whole area of them I call my zoo).
The downside of choosing to go with the Irish pub look is that it probably will cost you a bit more and it may take longer to pull it all together. Hopefully a few things on this website will help you move things along a bit more quickly.
Backup Bar
Oct 24. So I bought this 10×12 shed recently (12/23, $6.0k delivered inc. taxes). I wanted a bigger one just in case I ever decided to move my pub outside (instead of in the basement), but I found it’s not that simple. The first issue is the zoning codes. Anything bigger that 120 sf in my town required a 20′ setback & a building permit (which in the US possibly means you’ll have to pay higher taxes). The second issue is cost. Bigger than 10×12 seemed to move you into a higher $/sf cost bracket. There are also the costs for insulation, power, heating, and fit-out. The third issue is I live in a nice neighborhood, the “beer” look might not fit in. So here it sits, filled with my lawn tractor and other tools. I did put in a fold-up “emergency bar” just in case I needed a beer in a hurry.
