A garden bar doesn't have to be a grown-ups-only zone. Plenty of families use theirs for Saturday lunch, birthday parties and film nights. It just needs designing with children in mind from the start.
Lock away the alcohol
- Store spirits and wine in a lockable cupboard.
- Keep the bar locked when no adult is there.
- Clear away unfinished drinks promptly.
- Keep beer and wine in a separate fridge or a lockable one if children help themselves to soft drinks.
Make it fun for them
- A shelf of their own drinks, cups and straws.
- A "mocktail" menu on the chalkboard with fun names.
- A step or low counter section so they can be served.
- Games: see garden bar games.
Safety features
- Heaters, fire pits and barbecues away from play areas and supervised. See heating and fire safety.
- Shatter-resistant drinkware for everyone outdoors. See glass and storage.
- Electrics out of reach, with cables hidden and sockets protected. See power.
- Tall stools can tip; use stable designs or lower seating for small children. See seating.
- Lit, level routes with no trip hazards. See lighting.
- Ponds and water features nearby need supervision or covering.
Space to play
A bar that takes over the lawn leaves nowhere to play. Put the bar to one side, ideally where adults can see the play area from the counter. See corner garden bars.
Film nights and sleepovers
A bar room with a screen can double as a den. Remember that sleeping accommodation changes the Building Regulations question in England. See Building Regulations.
Set house rules
Simple rules help: no running near the bar, no going behind the counter, adults only with heaters or barbecues. Children are usually great at enforcing rules on adults too.
Model good habits
Children notice how adults drink. A bar stocked with good alcohol-free options and hosts who never pressure anyone sets a good example. See the hosting checklist.
Walk round the bar at a child's eye level. Anything you can reach that you shouldn't is the first thing to move.
Quick answers
Is a garden bar safe with young children?
Yes, with alcohol locked away, supervised heat sources, protected electrics and stable seating.
Can children sleep in a garden bar?
Occasional camping-style sleepovers are common, but a building used as sleeping accommodation changes the Building Regulations position in England.