O'Shea's Neighborhood Bar Build

After procuring design ideas from this wonderful forum for the past two plus years, I decided to finally post some pics of my own build. Truthfully, it is more of a hobby than a build. A build entails a deadline, a budget, and I am pretty sure general contractors do not have to beg wives for funds or skip out of work because it is Johnny-what's-his name's birthday BBQ.
While I am not building...I mean creating a Home Theater like most of you, I still felt as if I owed something to this great forum. And truth be told, it is titled AVS Forum and I do have some A/V equipment to share.

Some of you may recognize your designs.

Anyway...here is my contribution:

Sept 10, 2008 I began with the spare bedroom down in the basement. It is actually a split-level house, so the "basement" is not below grade but I digress. On with the show:

























Want to read the whole story?
Click on over: to O'Shea Shenanigan's Bar Build Archive

Thanks Hanesian! And I hope you stop by the blog often!

I kept kidding myself that it was a bar build....truthfully, it is a bar-hobby. I thought about it and realized that I only work on it on weekends when there is nothing else goin on and a few hours at that. For me, it is a hobby.

I still have some A/V work to do and as you know much easier to run cable without that pesky sheetrock in the way. I want to add cable now while the studs are exposing themselves (dirty bastards) for future expansion too.

So I had a bash last Saturday night, (August 28th) and happy to report the bar performed well! The jukebox was a huge hit. I got compliments like:" I felt like I was at a real bar!" It was a good time had by all.

There are more pictures, but these are the ones that have the bar in action



My wife is the one in a white t shirt, with a cigar in hand.

Juke box idea was stolen from K2lounge. It runs on an old computer playing MP3s. All I did was add Rocketfish 7.1 digital soundcard to the computer, bought AlbumPlayer software. Oh and a touch screen from Amazon.com. Really nothing to it. Most expensive part was the touch screen monitor about 300, soundcard was like 50 and the computer was free. The MP3s are begotten with free beer.

There is a space for a cocktail table Ms. Pac-Man / Galaga table. Problem is they re like 3,000 and will be bought last. As far as a home theater goes, plans are in the works to turn one of the garages into a HT when we add an extension onto the house. There will be a hallway connecting the bar to the theater.

With fall in almost-full swing and winter fast approaching, I thought it was the perfect time to start clearing a spot for a pool!

http://http://oshea12566.wordpress.c...-build-begins/

In HT news, the wife has approved monies to be dedicated to the floor! I know, I know I am psyched too. The concrete guy came by for a guesstimate. Going to cost anywhere from 1200-1800 to put a stain on the bar floor. Depends if I choose water or acid based, and depends on the color chosen too. Can not go with the stamped concrete, because he will have to add 3 inches of concrete to the the floor effectively rendering the space 3" shorter. No thanks, I need all the inches I got. Staining it is.

Thanks to everyone who has subscribed to this thread.

So I got a quote from the concrete guy for the floor. Then a few days later he sent me a text stating that he could not accept the job as he is having family problems. Not sure why he is letting those problems effect (or affect? ) his business, but whatever not my problem. Plenty of concrete guys out there.

So then I was distracted by Disney. And by distracted I mean that little mouse took all my money. If any of you see him, kindly kick his money eating grin in. Thanks!

After we got back from Disney, I got distracted by the Halloween party we threw in our yet to be finished bar:

MORE PICS AND THE STORY HERE.

Plans are in the works for a wrap around bench in the corner over by the stove, after the stove is moved to the right 4 ft, then the concrete floor is stained. Nice soft cushiony bench.

That is a sign of a good party. Property left behind that no one is claiming.

Yeah I love that pic, it is getting framed and hung in the bar somewhere! My wife and Nicol are not wallflowers by any stretch of the imagination.

Thanks! We think of ourselves as down to Earth people and just do what we want. My wife enjoys a good stogie once in a blue moon.


That was actually hosejockey61's idea. He had the comedian at his wife's birthday party and I think it is a great idea too. I might have to steal it from him.




Shhhhh! Don't give Hanes any ideas! ...or excuses not to work on his HT.

Welcome to the show! Stop by anytime.

The Album PLayer software in a word: RULES!. It really is great. The "party mode" is what really sold me. Party mode locks out drunk guests from fast forwarding through songs and eliminates arguements. Guests can only add songs to the playlist. In regular mode, you have total control. You can listen to a whole album, jump from song to song, artist to artist, shuffle your whole collection, whatever your heart desires. The software is only 60 bucks and totally worth it. You will need a soundcard in your computer with a digital output. I used Rocket Fish 7.1 and I am very happy with it.

I can not wait for this bar to be done either! It has been a slow go for a while now, but Commissioner of Finances (wife) recently approved funds for Project Bar Completion 2011. I will keep everyone posted with pics and stuff gets checked off the punch-list.

I am not 100% sure if it can be controlled remotely. All I wanted it for was the touch-screen capability. But I do not see why it could not be controlled by a remote laptop or other computer. All you need to do is link to the computer Album Player is on and can control it as you would any other software. Sorry I could not be anymore help, I just never looked into that feature.

It is very easy. I too have an old Dell desktop tower holding all my MP3s and running AlbumPlayer. That is all you need..well that and internet access to get the album covers. Oh...you also need Rocket Fish 7.1 digital soundcard. Or any soundcard with digital output. The rocket fish works wonderfully and I have zero complaints, the sound is crisp and clean. You have total control over the sound too with the EQ, crystalizer, 3D sound features. All of which can be turned on or off depending on your sound preference. So when you first install it, it is kinda fun to play with the features to get the music to sound just how you like it. The other device you need is a touch screen. I got mine off Amazon.com 17" Synaps..for like 300 bucks. That is really the most expensive part of the jukebox. But sooo worth it...otherwise without the touchscreen, you might as well use Windows Media Player .

I think perhaps it might be time to do a blogpost on my jukebox. I will post the link here in a couple of days when I get a chance to write it up.