Man caves are evolving to become backyard social hubs — and pubs

"Welcome to the Cane and Council," says Toby Chester as he opens the door to the replica English pub he has built in his backyard.It seems out of place with the humidity and tropical surroundings of his garden in Cairns, but inside is carefully designed to create the look and feel of an English pub, complete with leather couches, Union Jack cushions and a dartboard on the wall.This is no basic man cave and just one example of how simple home sheds are being transformed into customised social hubs.And it seems to be a growing trend.Toby Chester enjoyed fitting out the bar to resemble an English pub. (ABC Far North: Amanda Cranston)The inspirationMr Chester said the idea started during COVID when people were creating spaces at home and posting about them on social media.He was watching YouTube videos of people in England building pub sheds in their backyards, and he told his wife Karen: "That's what we're going to do."Ms Chester loved the idea because they were looking at creating a second living area to allow his mother-in-law to move into their house.A copper-inlaid and etched wooden bar, upholstered with an English-style fabric, was the first item purchased. (ABC Far North: Amanda Cranston)They already had a steel-framed, cyclone-rated and approved shed in their backyard they no longer used, so they decided to convert it.It has now become the social hub for not just the family, but friends as well.Toby Chester has added lots of small touches, like a red phone box. (ABC Far North: Amanda Cranston)Investing in homePsychologist and Relationships Australia chief executive Elisabeth Shaw said a lot of people invested in home renovations during COVID to create more personalised spaces for work and comfort."Our homes have become our sanctuary to unwind and switch off from the outside world," she said."They've become a refuge, both mentally and physically."Elisabeth Shaw says people are rethinking how they socialise since COVID. (Supplied: Elisabeth Shaw)Ms Shaw said the increased cost of living was also making people rethink how they socialised and who they wanted to spend time with.She said people still wanted to share a glass of wine and a conversation with friends, but without the crowds.Toby Chester loves his collection of brass badges taken from horse and buggy carts. (ABC Far North: Amanda Cranston)A name with meaningThe Chesters wanted to give their pub a cool name to personalise it."We were looking for a two-word name, and my wife actually came up with the Cane and Council," Mr Chester said."We named it after my father-in-law who was a cane farmer and also a councillor on the Mulgrave Shire Council and Cairns Regional Council for nearly 30 years."A graphic artist mate designed the logo. (ABC Far North: Amanda Cranston)A graphic artist mate designed the logo, and they had it printed to look authentic.Mr Chester said it was now their preferred living area, whether that be hanging out watching television in the evening or entertaining friends.His close mates even have their own key to the pub so they can swing by whenever they like.He said converting the shed to a pub was the best thing they ever did, and his mates agreed."I just open the door, and they turn up," Mr Chester said.Across town, the Youngs turned their old stables into a speak-easy, keeping the red bricks and many original features. (ABC Far North: Amanda Cranston)Pub inspires BarEntertaining at home clearly runs in the family. Mr Chester's sister Amy and her husband Phil Young have also built a dedicated social hub in their Cairns backyard."We didn't really think about it until my brother converted his own shed into an English pub," Mrs Young said."We were so blown away by it, it inspired us to create a space of our own."The stables are separate from the house, which the Youngs say is ideal for entertaining. (ABC Far North: Amanda Cranston)They converted old stables on their property into a modern speak-easy, which is less man cave and more upmarket bar.And living close to the centre of town, they have now become the social hub for friends dropping in on their way into town.Honouring its history"Our house is an old post office that was built in the late 40s and ceased being a post office in the early 90s," Mrs Young said."This building in the backyard was originally the stables for the horses that used to deliver the mail in the area."So, we called the bar The Stables."Whether drinking cocktails or coffee, The Stables has become a real social hub for their family and friends. (ABC Far North: Amanda Cranston)Wanting to maintain the historical features of the building, the original red bricks remained a feature after being cleaned up and waterproofed.They also custom-designed glass cabinets and a long bar to create a whisky bar feel.The cabinet at the back was specially made to fit the space. (ABC Far North: Amanda Cranston)Entertainment hubWith double couches, large television screens on either side of the room and a good coffee machine, Mr Young said The Stables had become his second lounge room during the week."I wish we had converted the stables when we first moved in because the space has become a much-loved hub of the home," he said.Amy and Phil Young wish they had built the speak-easy sooner. (ABC Far North: Amanda Cranston)Mrs Young uses The Stables more on weekends when her girlfriends come over, even creating a signature cocktail for their bar.Tying in with the horse theme, she created the Pink Pony Club cocktail.But whether coffee or cocktails are the choice of beverage, the Youngs say The Stables has certainly become the social hub they hoped it would be.