The connection between incredible music and incredible pubs and clubs cannot be understated, so it is perhaps unsurprising that a lot of pubs also have space and facilities for hosting live music.

It is very much a symbiotic relationship; music brings people together, and the best place for like-minded people to congregate is often in a local bar or pub that attracts like-minded people. 

Once pubs started bringing in rock and heavy metal bands, fans of that music would continue to go there to drink.

At the same time, the intimate, unpretentious setting of a pub also shaped entire genres of live music; away from the glitz of glam and the ambitious airs of progressive rock were pub rock acts such as Dr Feelgood, whose back-to-basics approach would prove vitally important for the Spirit of 1977 that birthed the punk rock movement.

The great news is that you can bring that rebellious spirit into your own home with the help of a garden room bar that not only celebrates your favourite music but also provides inspiration for a new generation of artists to get started.

Here are some top tips for making the perfect rock pub at home.

Seek Inspiration From Your Local Scene

Every town and city has a music scene, and this can be the perfect place to get started with finding design inspiration for your own bar at home.

What you will quickly learn is that pubs which also have live music tend to vary considerably in size, in shape, in decor and in the location of the stage relative to the bar.

Whilst some bars lean heavily into the music they play, adding posters, decorations and appropriately heavy metal accoutrements, others are far more conventional and utilitarian. Visit bars you like the most and start from there with your inspiration.

Build A Stage

Rock pubs always have the facilities to play live music, even if they do not always use them, so make sure that your garden room has the facilities to play live music, even if you have no plans to invite any bands in your neighbourhood to play for you, your family and your friends.

Usually this involves having a small, elevated stage, a few speakers and some plugs on that side for plugging in amplifiers, not that you need much amplification if you are playing music in a shed. Add a drum kit for added pub rock authenticity.

On a more serious note, if you have any serious intentions of using the garden room as a venue for practices, rehearsals or tiny live music nights, make sure that you adequately soundproof it to avoid upsetting any neighbours.

Buy A Jukebox

Of course, even the most popular rock pub does not play live music all of the time, and for these quieter nights, a jukebox is truly a hero.

Whilst you do not need one to play music, particularly if you have a Bluetooth-compatible music setup and a music streaming service, the bright lights and retro style of a classic jukebox are a welcome addition to any rock pub.

There are a lot of fantastic modern jukebox systems that are compatible with a wide range of music sources, and picking one up is a worthwhile investment to make your rock pub complete.

Authentic Music Memorabilia

What reveals a pub to be a rock venue is an authentic love of music, and the best way to show that is by decorating the walls and spare bar space with ample amounts of musical memorabilia.

Posters and vinyl album covers are a classic addition, and you may be able to get flyers for upcoming or recent local music events for free as a form of promotion if you ask nicely enough. 

Otherwise, many popular bands have posters for sale in music shops, whilst more independent bands often sell posters online.

Some pubs go further and frame clothes, signed photographs and even musical instruments as a special way to celebrate your favourite bands and artists.

Set Up A Sticker Collage

A tradition you see in a lot of underground rock and heavy metal venues, in particular, is putting stickers of bands anywhere that they will fit.

Many local bands will offer stickers for free or for a very low price at merchandise tables, as it is a very cheap and affordable way to drum up publicity, and you can stick them around the stage or on a dedicated part of the wall near the stage as a rite of passage.