Shopify API
2026-04-16T16:28:02+10:00

How to Build a Garage Bar That Actually Impresses

Most garage bars are an afterthought — a fridge shoved in a corner next to the lawn mower. Yours doesn't have to be. The difference between a garage bar that gets used every weekend and one that collects dust comes down to three things: the right fridge, a proper layout, and finishing touches that make it feel intentional.

Start With the Fridge — It Sets the Tone

Your fridge is the centrepiece. Get this wrong and everything else falls flat. For a garage bar, you need outdoor-rated or at least a model with a tropical-rated compressor. Standard indoor fridges struggle when ambient temperatures climb above 32°C — and if your garage faces west in a Brisbane summer, you're looking at 40°C+.

The Schmick SK116R runs at 38dB — that's quieter than a ceiling fan. You genuinely forget it's there. It handles temperatures up to 38°C without breaking a sweat, and the glass door means you're showing off your collection, not hiding it behind a white steel panel.

If you're working with a smaller space, the 50L Schmick HUS-SC50AB tucks under a bench and cools 45 cans. At 43cm wide, it fits where other fridges can't. And at $492 with a custom wrap, it becomes a design feature rather than an appliance.

Layout: Think Triangle, Not Line

The best garage bars follow the pub triangle: fridge within arm's reach of the seating, a prep surface at standing height, and everything else pushed to the perimeter. You don't need 10 square metres. A 2m x 1.5m corner is plenty for a fridge, a bar table with two stools, and a wall-mounted light box or metal sign above.

The mistake most people make is lining everything against one wall. It looks like a kitchenette, not a bar. Pull the table forward, angle the stools, and create a space people actually want to stand in. The fridge should be visible from the seating — that glass door is doing half the work for you.

The Finishing Touches That Separate Good From Great

This is where most people stop — and where you shouldn't. Three additions transform a functional setup into something people photograph:

1. A custom-branded fridge wrap. For $492 all-in on a 50L, you get a fridge that looks like it belongs in a cocktail bar. Your footy team colours, your family crest, your business logo — whatever makes it unmistakably yours.

2. An illuminated light box. A 600mm x 600mm edge-lit light box ($349 with a KingCave design, $499 with your own artwork) mounted at eye level creates instant atmosphere. In a dim garage, it becomes the room's anchor.

3. A metal sign. A 560mm round metal sign ($149–$249) fills dead wall space with personality. Pair it with the light box on the opposite wall and the garage suddenly has a visual rhythm that feels designed, not accidental.

The Budget Breakdown

Here's what a complete garage bar setup actually costs:

Starter ($1,149): 50L branded fridge + bar stool set. Everything you need, nothing you don't.

Pro ($2,249): 370L branded fridge + bar table + 2 stools + light box. The full pub triangle, properly branded.

Both include custom branding. Both include delivery. Neither requires a renovation, a council permit, or hiring a tradie. You can set up either in an afternoon.

A garage bar isn't about spending the most — it's about being intentional. Get the fridge right, nail the layout, and add one personal touch that makes it yours. That's the formula. And if you want to see what your logo looks like on any of these products, send it through — we'll have a mockup back to you within 24 hours, completely free.