Every garden bar needs a name, and the sign is usually the first thing people buy. Hold that thought until the bar has a roof and power. A sign is the finishing touch; it cannot rescue a damp counter.
Naming the bar
Good bar names tend to come from the house, the street or a family joke rather than from a list. A few patterns that work:
- The house name or number: "The Number Twelve" has a proper pub ring to it.
- A local landmark: the nearest hill, river or old pub that closed down.
- A family in-joke: the dog's name works surprisingly often.
- A classic pub form: "The ... Arms", "The ... & ...", "The ... Inn".
Say it out loud a few times. If it is fun to say "see you down the ..." then you have found it.
Sign materials for outdoors
Painted timber
Traditional, warm and easy to repaint. Use exterior-grade board, seal every edge and fix it so water does not sit behind it. Hand-lettering or a signwriter gives the most authentic pub look.
Metal and enamel
Durable and very pub-like. Check fixings for rust staining and use stainless or galvanised screws.
Chalkboards
Great for a "tonight's menu" feel. Keep them under cover, because rain and chalk do not mix.
LED neon-style signs
Bright and fun, but they are electrical items. Check the product is rated for where it will hang. Many are indoor-only, with a plug-in power supply that must stay dry. Outdoors, look for a suitable IP rating and get fixed connections done properly.
Fixing to the building
Thin cladding is not designed to carry heavy signs. Fix into the frame where you can, use exterior fixings and leave a small gap behind so water can drain. A sign that lets water sit against the timber can start rot hidden behind it.
Light, but neighbourly
A lit sign facing a neighbour's window is a fast route to friction. Point it towards your own house, add a timer or switch it off at the end of the evening. Our neighbours guide has more on keeping the peace.
One sign, done well
One good sign has more character than a wall of novelty plaques. Pick a name, commission or make one sign that suits the building, and let the rest of the bar stay relatively calm.
Start with the name. Write a shortlist on the fridge and see which one people are still using a week later.