Best Garden Bar Sheds and Advice on Garden Pubs

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Prices are going up everywhere, and that includes nights out. A quick drink at the pub or a local bar isn’t so cheap anymore. But a garden bar shed could be the fix. It’s a fun way to save money over time and gives you a year-round hangout spot right at home. One of these garden rooms can offer just that, along with a few things to consider before owning one. So keep reading to find the best garden bar, as well as what you need to know about setting one up.

Best Bar Shed

Here’s a look at our range of garden rooms for pub use—see which model could bring your dream garden bar ideas to life:

BillyOh Canvas Insulated Garden Room

The Canvas is a great starting point for a garden bar that can be used in any season. It’s built with thick insulated panels and multi-foil lining, plus double-glazed windows. Such features mean you and your mates can enjoy drinks, even when it’s chilly out.

The design is also easy to customise. You can choose the layout, colours, and even add a side window if you want more light. Inside, you can fit an L-shaped counter, like the BillyOh Nightjar, in the corner with a few stools for seating.

Optional pressure treatment extends the guarantee to 15 years.

BillyOh Picton Corner Summerhouse

The Picton might be for you if you’re working with limited space but still want a setup that feels open and usable. It lets you utilise your unused corner and tuck it away neatly with its corner design.

There’s enough room inside for a compact bar counter, a couple of stools, and storage, even with the smallest size. The double glass doors and large windows that wrap around the front side will make up for it. It’s simply perfect for weekend hangouts or evening wind-downs.

You can also upgrade this model with pressure treatment.

BillyOh Fraya Pent Log Cabin

The Fraya is used by plenty of our customers for a pub-style garden room. Some have even added fridges, dartboards, and sound systems inside.

It comes with fully glazed double doors that create an open flow between your indoor bar and the garden. You can also upgrade the windows to double glazing or uPVC with multi-point locks. That means better insulation for year-round use.

Bigger sizes are available for larger layouts, ranging from 13x8ft to 16x13ft.

BillyOh Dojo E Insulated Building

Dojo E is our most premium log cabin summerhouse to date. It includes everything a modern garden room needs, made even better with a reversible design. For one, you can reverse the windows and doors on either the left or right.

The inset windows feature a silhouette-style look and sit beneath a slight roof overhang. This can come in handy if you’re serving drinks near the entrance or want to keep the doors open during light rain.

There’s more: the low-pitch angle of the roof showcases a fascia frame. Aside from its contemporary design, this model is also offered in a wider range of sizes. Ideal if you want a more spacious and low-profile pub spot in the comfort of your garden.

Planning and Setup Rules for Garden Bars

Missing one of these can set you back, even if the rest is ready to go. Here’s what to look out for:

Planning permission for a garden bar?

In most cases, you won’t need planning permission if the bar shed is under 2.5 metres tall and doesn’t take up more than half of your garden. This falls under “permitted development.”

However, there are exceptions, such as when your property is in a conservation area or is listed. Check with your Local Planning Authority (LPA) office to be sure.

For full details, read our guide to planning permission for garden buildings.

Local restrictions

You might not need planning permission, but your council could still have rules. These can include how close the building can be to fences, trees, drains, or other boundaries. There might also be limits related to shared access or protected wildlife. Again, best to check with your LPA before you start.

Electrics and plumbing

If you’re adding lights, sockets, or a fridge, the wiring needs to be done by a qualified electrician. The same applies to any plumbing work. Outdoor fittings, such as cables or switches, should be weatherproof (check for an IP rating) and safe to use in winter. We have a guide to help you with installing shed electricity.

Adding a water supply and outlet drain to a garden building can be a larger undertaking, and will definitely need advice from a plumber, if not a building team.

Serving alcohol

Pouring drinks for friends and family at home doesn’t require a licence. Now, if you plan to sell alcohol, host events with paying guests, or promote your bar publicly, you’ll likely need to be registered as a business and have a premises licence. Rules can vary, but our local council can confirm what applies in your area.