It might look like the inside of your favourite boozer, but this is an incredible bar built in a backyard in Stockport which has been shortlisted among the best backyard bars in the UK.
Lovingly created by Len Lavelle in tribute to his 90-year-old father and featuring more than 300 beer mats on the roof plus seats from an old Irish club that closed down, Bucko’s Bar, is a truly unique and wonderful Irish snug bar.
Hand-built by Len, the bar has been announced as one of the five UK finalists in the International Backyard Bar Awards, presented by revolutionary brewing tech experts Pinter, after being whittled down from hundreds of entries – while five finalists have also been selected from entries from across the US.
He said: “My dad used to take us to Ireland on holiday every year when we were kids in the 70s and we would end up sitting in an old Irish bar.
“My dad is now 90, so I wanted to recreate that scene so my sons could enjoy it too! My dad calls everyone “Bucko”, so I decided to name it after him and I brought my vision to life by turning two of my sheds at the bottom of the garden into the bar.
“We scoured online sites and car boot sales everywhere to find all the old stuff to put in it. I got the seats from an old club that was closing down, an old electric fireplace, an old cd jukebox, 300 beer mats for the roof, an old door used as a picture frame and loads of little odds and ends to make it feel like a proper 70s vintage Irish snug!”
The other UK entries include Lionesses Den, in Kent, Rock Horror Bar, based in the West Midlands, Luker’s Own Junkyard, in East London, and Siren’s Call, in Devon, which will now go head-to-head with Bucko’s Bar before one runner-up from across the UK is decided.
Len added: “I built the bar 5 years ago, and probably the best night was the first day I revealed it to my dad. He thought he was just coming round to have a few drinks in the garden, I sent him down to the shed to get a brush, and when he opened the door, he was completely shocked!
“The bar is all based on family memories, and it is one-of-a-kind. You would not know it was there, it just looks like a normal shed from the outside, but once inside it is like a Tardis. It is special to me, as I built every inch myself, it was a labour of love, and it has a “Holy Corner” where we raise a glass to celebrate the lives of family members who have passed on.”
Five bars from across the USA called Sadie’s Haus in Mississippi, The Cabana in Oregon, The Plastered Pelican in Richmond, Lago Bar in Virginia and Swampy’s Bar n Grill in Pennsylvania will also go head-to-head before one US runner-up is decided too.
One bar from either country out of the 10 shortlisted will then be crowned international winner in the International Backyard Bar Awards, by Pinter, on October 4.
All shortlisted entrants will receive a stellar Pinter bundle, while the respective US and UK runners-up will receive a trophy, a Pinter and an Ooni Pizza Oven.
The overall international winner, meanwhile, will then receive a $10,000 cash prize plus an ultimate garden swag bundle featuring, an Ooni pizza oven, four Pinter machines to give to friends, incredible merch from breweries like Appalachian Mountain Brewery, Signature Brew and Sycamore Brewery, perfect for enhancing any backyard bar experience.
Additionally, the most coveted element sees the winner also handed an opportunity to design, name, and brew their own beer with Pinter.
Ralph Broadbent is the co-founder and chief executive of a business enigmatically called The Greater Good Fresh Brewing Company which makes the pioneering Pinter product.
He said: “Seeing the creativity and passion that people have poured into their backyard bars has been truly inspiring.
“Each space tells its own story, reflecting the personality and ingenuity of its creator. At Pinter, we’re all about bringing people together through incredible beer experiences, and this competition has done exactly that.
“From this Irish snug bar to a Lionesses tribute and tiki havens, every entry has been a celebration of community, craft, and the joy of hosting. We can’t wait to see who will take home the title and, of course, the chance to brew their own beer with Pinter.”
