My new basement pub

I am pumped. I finally finished making the cabinets in the kitchen, so my wife has given me permission to build my pub in the basement (yes, phillc, she gave me permission )

Here are a few photos of the space. I would appreciate any and all suggestions. My overall theme is something of the irish brewpub flavor, with a slight nautical theme. The room is 23 feet long, and between 14 and 16.5 feet wide.

Here is the view from the entrance, looking right. I plan to have a long bar with the taps and such against the far wall running parallel to the wall with the window.



This is looking straight from the entrance (turned left a little).


This is turned more left to look at the other wall.


This is standing at the door from the above picture looking back at the main entrance to the room.


I would consider myself an apprentice-level finish carpenter. I will be making the bar and everything. I can run water from the laundry room, which is just to the right of the dartboard if I build a soffit. The sewer cleanout is in a closet which is right behind the blue couch (I assume I can tie into sewer there...with the help of a competent plumber). I can run electrical and lighting wherever. In fact I'll probably put in a whole new bar circuit.


I want ideas! Flooring, paneling, ceiling, lighting, everything! This means I can get all my kegging equipment too and have a place to put it! Woo hoo!

Storage for all my brew stuff is a must. I was thinking a bench seat all along the back wall with a fold up seat.

Thanks all

Looks like a great space. I'm jealous

Thanks dude!

Slight edit--the bar will not be against the wall--I want it to be like a real bar with the kegs behind, all the liquor behind, and room to walk and pour, with enough room for 6-8 stools on the front side.

I would definately go with some sort of hard-wood floor. Give it that real pub feeling.

Maybe some rougher-cut wood stained dark?

How big of an issue is money? just out of curiosity...

I am looking to do an irish themed pub in m y basement this year too. I think I am finally set on flooring. I am below grade, so hardwood is not an option. I am going laminate. I am most likely going with a product very similar to the one below:


I am almost to the point where I am going to pull the rigger on the flooring. That really is the first major step for me. Then I am financially committed to starting, and more importantly, finishing the project.

Not sure if this is a consideration for you, but in most countryside Irish pubs, they had running fireplaces as a heat source. Since this will be in my basement, I ave given consideration to this, and will plan to have a pellet stove installed as part of the pub build.

It is good you are skilled with finish work. In most/all pubs in Ireland, there is a ton of detail work that really makes the bar look like a work of art. This is where I fear the most.

Australian flag!

What's your connection?

celestial-
I go to Perth every once in a while on business. God I love Australia.

cheese-
Money isn't a big issue, so long as I can spread the costs out. I'll save money where I can by doing the work myself, so...

Ryan, you read my mind. I'm already keeping an eye out for a pellet stove. Not only as an accent piece, but also just as a great way to heat the house! As for the finish work, I definitely plan on testing myself! The only problem is that I know I'll put more money into this bar than I'll get back when we sell the house. Oh well. I'll get enough use out of it to make it up.

I like that laminate flooring.

Lumberliquidators has some interesting flooring that is 'different' that might work well in that room.

What are your plans for the acquarium? Get rid of it or go massive so you can swim with your pet shark after having 6 or 12 homebrews?

Ha! I have no real plans, but the fish in there have been with me for 3 years now and have survived 2 moves, so they're sticking around for a while...

No massive aquarium for me--the 44 gallon one is enough.

Im from ireland and lived in a seaside town so if you want to make it irsh just get the typical guiness and harp signs, also cider is quite popular and would make a good addition if you are intrested in brewing that, but the main thing is to make it feel homey, no one wants to drink in a cold feeling pub. have fun building and post some pics when your done

Very cool, can't wait to see more.

Rather than laminate, how about slate tiles? If you put in a pellet stove, you could use more slate to build a riser for it and even a mantle. I also think it would be cool to do a really rough cut, aged wood wainscoting all around. Something kind of like old barn wood! A pool table would be sweet to have with the dart board.

Any updates?

That is awesome! I am jealous. I can't wait to move into a new house with a basement so I can make my bar!

Still working on it--the wife made me finish the kitchen first