What do you do when your local pub closes down for three months?
You build your own in your back garden! People across the country have been busy creating their perfect bars in a bid to beat the lockdown blues.
And judging by these pictures many wouldn’t be out of place on a tropical beach. Inviting counters, high stools, optics, lights, cocktail shakers and a cool beers have created a little bit of Montego Bay by the washing lines and flower beds. Now a search is underway to find the best outdoor bars in the country that have sprung up during lockdown.
People are being invited to send in their photos of their bars that will be judged later this month. The winner will receive year’s supply of beer.
Every month the winner will receive a box of beer totalling £300 over the year.
Liberty Games who supply games to to pubs and clubs is behind the competition. Stuart Kerr from Liberty Games said:”With the pubs being closed around the UK, we wanted to see how people were adapting and making the most of their time in lockdown.
“We found a lot of people making their own bars and pubs at home and thought this was a creative, productive and most of all, fun way of spending your time in lockdown.
“We have seen some amazing entries so far, some that don’t even look like they are in peoples homes or back gardens, more like a beach bar or luxury hotel bar.
Competition entrant Amanda Jane from Oxford “We really missed the pub during lockdown and having that space to relax it just wasn’t the same in the house.
“As we are renovating our home at the moment we had lots of spare paint, wood and old wardrobes left from the old owner of the house so we thought why not?
“We always wanted to build a bar but it wasn’t as high up on the ‘to-do’ list until lockdown meant we were both out of work with no pay meaning we had to put some of our indoor projects on hold due to cost!
“Building the bar means we have time to relax in the evening and it feels like your in a real bar when you’re propped up on the stools!
“We are still adding the final touches including TV for football and sports and we are waiting for our friends to come around and add their countries flags to ours and enjoy a drink!”
Emma Sharpe from Northampton said: “It took around three weeks start to finish. From collecting the old scaffold boards, to planning and sanding all the boards, then using scaffolding poles to make the footrests.
“Then using a wood oil to protect the wood from the outside elements, but used a clear oil as I wanted to keep the original colour. The oil highlighted all the natural grain in the wood which definitely is a cool finish.”
Trish Smout from Telford said: “My husband has worked so hard on it while he’s been out of work due to the lockdown. “It’s called The Pip Inn after our late dog Pippin. He added a Lady’s Lounge for me and our daughters and decorated it with Disney ears which we had ready for our holiday which got cancelled.
So it means a lot. “It was a complete scrap heap challenge project, upcycling and building from scratch.”
The competition closes on June 30. Liberty Games say the winner will be revealed soon after that.
