New House, Man Cave Ideas?

[Brian74]

Finally, we are getting are first house! Gf agreed, I could make the room downstairs a man cave. The room is 13x28. I plan on putting my 3 cabs, touch screen jukebox, bartop touch screen and my 100" screen and projector downstairs. My question is, what else should I put in there? I was thinking, half arcade half media room.

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[HaRuMaN]

First idea, stop calling it a man cave...

[Brian74]

First idea, stop calling it a man cave...

Umm ok...

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[BadMouth]

First idea, stop calling it a man cave...

+100

[Brian74]

You guys are killing me.. Softly... With his song

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[shponglefan]

Minifridge and/or bar

[Brian74]

Minifridge and/or bar

I was thinking a bar. I was going to look into that black light carpet too.

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[BadMouth]

OK, something a little more constructive....

A bar & a dancefloor so women will want to hang out there. 
I was amazed at how well this little light performed: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00B1YOENI/ref=oh_details_o05_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Not that you have room for it, but I had a cheap pool table and people stopped using it after a year or two.
They got bored with the dartboard even sooner.  I thought about building a poker table, but I think it would play out the same way.

Nobody tires of the jukebox, big tv for sporting events, & food.
I didn't expect the toaster oven under the bar to get as much use as it does.
People bring frozen bar food and we can cook it right at the bar.

I have a friend who has a popcorn machine at his home bar.
The popcorn is good; pieces of it on the floor is not.
The smell does add to the arcade/movie ambiance.

The blacklight carpet is cool, but expensive.  I bought a 6'x6' square of it for the arcade area, but haven't got around to installing it yet.
I'd find it distracting in the movie area.

[Brian74]

Thanks for that BadMouth. I was thinking about adding some DJ lights. The gf has a stripper pole. Errr I mean exercise pole. Here is some of the work I have done to my jukebox.

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[Vigo]

Congrats! Sky's the limit! It seems like a nice sized space for your lair. also, nice jukebox.

I don't have a real big space of my own, but am an expert at hanging out at other peoples basements.

Dart Boards and Pachinko machines are great because are great fun they do not take up too much real estate.

Poker Table are great because they turn your place into "meeting spot". It is much easier to bring buddies over when you can call it a "poker night". Or if stuff like board games are your speed, a poker table is still great for that purpose. You keep a stocked mini fridge, and you have the prime spot for gatherings.

Ooh! A mini pizza maker and you can just throw in frozen pizzas from your mini fridge. Great after beer and gaming fun.

A theme might not hurt either for decor. Can do memorabilia like Coke, PBR, NFL, Elvis, etc. Sometimes collecting and getting themed stuff really turns into a cool collection over the years.

First idea, stop calling it a man cave...

Umm ok...

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You should totally name your room and get a sign for it., and something other than "Brian's Man Cave". I'm gonna make a suggestion off of your Mame cabinet, and suggest "The Vault Room".   

[Xiaou2]

If you can fit it.. a skee ball machine & pinball machine.  Nobody tires of skeeball.  Its just so addictive.

 A ball bowler is awesome fun too.. if you have a long lane version (or make a lane extension.. as the length adds more skill and challenge).  Big ball bowlers are the best, but even small ball bowlers can be fun.  Especially at parties.

 I know a guy who has a 30ft MBA Bowler (very rare, very expensive). The thing is awesome.  The Pins are full 3d and hung on strings, with a small magnet keeping them in place.  The lane is so long, you can actually do curve balls.  Theres usually some fierce yet fun competitions on it.  Supports 6 players.

[Minwah]

I would have a dart board as it doesn't use much space...AS LONG as you can position it so that bounce outs don't damage your arcade machines etc. Multiplayer Killer is always fun!

[jdbailey1206]

I would have to agree with Badmouth.  Make it a space so everyone can enjoy it if you throw a party but still keep it where you can escape when your girlfriend is running after you with a "honey do" list. 

[chopperthedog]

Stripper pole.



good day.

[Dawgz Rule]

Pub table or two...preferably with a view of the stripper pole.  We have pinball machines, an arcade cabinet, and an xbox area in our game room.  It seems as though people tend to congregate around our pub table and kind of take it all in as well as use it to take a break from Xbox activities (usually Rock Band).    Not everyone wants to participate in the fun and games so it also provides a good viewing area.

[BadMouth]

I rearrange my place every year or two.  I've found that people hang out more and the place has a better vibe when there are separate, small, cozy areas to hang out and chat rather than having all the furniture on the perimeter facing the center where everyone can sit and gawk at everyone else.

My place currently resembles an abandoned storage unit.   
Hopefully it will be back in form for college football season.

[tron84]

Dont forget good draft beer is a must. 
Here is an Oak barrel dispenser 

http://www.beveragefactory.com/draftbeer/towers/specialtytowers/Barrel+Head.shtml

[michelevit]

Here's what I've got in mine.

Wall hung dart board. Real darts
Mini-golf put return.
Jukebox loaded up with great songs.
Bar 
Wall hung projector (these are affordable now)
Fridge stocked with cold beers and soda

and of coarse an upright video game cabinet
and a modern sit down driving cabinet

I didn't go the kegerator route because I prefer a variety of beers
over the convenience of a tap.

[BadMouth]

I didn't go the kegerator route because I prefer a variety of beers
over the convenience of a tap.

I started out with a standard kegerator, then got tired of only having one cheap beer on tap, so I put a triple tower on it and squeezed three sixtels of micro-brews inside.  The micro-brews fill you up more than cheap beer, so people would only have a couple and then move onto the liquor instead of drinking beer all evening, so they lasted forever.  I got tired of being stuck with the same three beers.  I also drank too much of it myself through the week and gained weight.  I sold the kegerator a few weeks ago. 

If you come across one, a glass front cooler with bottles is the way to go IMO.

[UFO]

Put an arcade cab in it!

That would RULE!

[Nephasth]

If you come across one, a glass front cooler with bottles is the way to go IMO.

 



I've always wanted a few taps, but you bring up valid points. Thanks.

[Brian74]

Congrats! Sky's the limit! It seems like a nice sized space for your lair. also, nice jukebox.

I don't have a real big space of my own, but am an expert at hanging out at other peoples basements.

Dart Boards and Pachinko machines are great because are great fun they do not take up too much real estate.

Poker Table are great because they turn your place into "meeting spot". It is much easier to bring buddies over when you can call it a "poker night". Or if stuff like board games are your speed, a poker table is still great for that purpose. You keep a stocked mini fridge, and you have the prime spot for gatherings.

Ooh! A mini pizza maker and you can just throw in frozen pizzas from your mini fridge. Great after beer and gaming fun.

A theme might not hurt either for decor. Can do memorabilia like Coke, PBR, NFL, Elvis, etc. Sometimes collecting and getting themed stuff really turns into a cool collection over the years.

First idea, stop calling it a man cave...

Umm ok...

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Thanks Vigo, those are some really good ideas. I have one of those pizza ovens, I will have to put that in there! Thanks

You should totally name your room and get a sign for it., and something other than "Brian's Man Cave". I'm gonna make a suggestion off of your Mame cabinet, and suggest "The Vault Room".   

Hey thats not a bad idea either 

[Brian74]

If you can fit it.. a skee ball machine & pinball machine.  Nobody tires of skeeball.  Its just so addictive.

 A ball bowler is awesome fun too.. if you have a long lane version (or make a lane extension.. as the length adds more skill and challenge).  Big ball bowlers are the best, but even small ball bowlers can be fun.  Especially at parties.

 I know a guy who has a 30ft MBA Bowler (very rare, very expensive). The thing is awesome.  The Pins are full 3d and hung on strings, with a small magnet keeping them in place.  The lane is so long, you can actually do curve balls.  Theres usually some fierce yet fun competitions on it.  Supports 6 players.

My gf loves skee ball!! She would love to have one. I saw someone was building one on here. Might have to do some research. Thanks   

[Brian74]

I work for coke, so open front cooler should be pretty easy to get. We also distribute beer, Coors Light, Keystone, Blue Moon to name a few. Working on getting some neon.

[ark_ader]

Dedicate a spot for your GF.   Some place where she could share your space.

I buddy of mine had a little man cave and got stuck play BF3 and COD after work, his GF got so pissed she left him.

I think he still plays BF3, and some Counterstrike.....

[UFO]

Dedicate a spot for your GF.   Some place where she could share your space.

I buddy of mine had a little man cave and got stuck play BF3 and COD after work, his GF got so pissed she left him.

I think he still plays BF3, and some Counterstrike.....

Naaaaa... It's a man cave!

Anyway, my misses wouldn't want to be with me while my buddies and I scratch ourselves and drink!

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[Jack Burton]

First idea, stop calling it a man cave...

+100

X3

[Brian74]

Went to the house today for the inspection. I didn't have a tape to measure the door going downstairs. It was 30", plenty of room for my two stand up cabs and jukebox. I was going to have to take my racing cab apart anyways to be able to haul it. Found a vintage pub dart board for 50.00. Think I might pick it up.

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[Fursphere]

Do what makes you happy. 

Unless entertaining guests makes you happy, then take a poll from your most frequent guests and see what they want.  lol

[Le Chuck]

Do what makes you happy. 

Unless entertaining guests makes you happy, then take a poll from your most frequent guests and see what they want.  lol

This is totally legit advice actually.  How many people have an entertaining area designed by popular vote?  Possibly you!

[HanoiBoi]

Dude, what fun. +1 more on the mancave title, BUT use the term for internet searches and ideas.

Here are some personal suggestions:
 
Keep the area open, don't create walled off rooms.

Install a bathroom, if that's an option. Completely different vibe (buzzkill) if a guest has to go upstairs to use the bathroom.

Movie / Gaming area.  Doesn't need to be a full out 'theater'.  The 100" screen, speakers/sub and seating is perfect.

Game ideas: darts, shuffleboard, foosball, arcade, pinball, driving cabinet, pachinko, slot machine (or software on a touchscreen), poker table

Other Possibilities: pool, bumper pool, (indoor) cornhole, skeeball, ping pong

If you drink, build a bar.  If your friends drink, build a bar!  If your gf drinks... build a bar!!!  I can sit about 11 at my bar and the whole family enjoys it.  If families come over, usually the parents hang at the bar and the kids play the arcade, pinball, foosball, xbox, etc..  We've got a large screen behind the bar and its comfortable enough to sit alone, with my wife or with the family (some dinners are eaten at the bar).

Beer.  I've got a glass door merchandiser and a 2 tap kegerator.  No need to choose one or the other.

Multiple TVs - Great to be able to view from playing areas.  It's easier to select an opponent when they know they can still catch the (sports) game on the TV while playing darts, etc.   I have one above the shuffleboard table, which allows players to conveniently view the baseball/football game .

If you're thinking of DJ lights, then you have to be thinking of music.  One thing that I did, and am real glad I did, was to install ceiling speakers and a speaker selector.  I've got about 5 pairs in the ceiling.  The speaker selector allows me to control which speakers are on and which are off and to control the volume on each pair.  I've got speakers in the bathroom too so the party doesn't stop! 

Oh...and a fog machine goes great with the laser based DJ lights.  : )

[Le Chuck]

Im for all of the above except the fog machine.  F those things.  F them right in the eye. 

[BobA]

Popcorn

[CoryBee]

Popcorn

Screw popcorn, get some of these contraptions and fill it to the brim with sugary delights!!!



When I landed my first job at 14 I bought three of the individual ones and stoked it full of candy......I have lots of fillings now.......

[BadMouth]

Im for all of the above except the fog machine.  F those things.  F them right in the eye.

+1  I've done that one too and moved on.   
It's fun the first two times you hit the button.
After that it's just annoying.

[Vigo]

Just guessing, but wouldn't a fog juice/water-based fog machine be bad around arcade cabinets anyway? I'm not thinking so much the electronics, but I would think, long term, many sudden humidity changes could warp/bloat wood, especially manufactured woods.

I've never owned a home fogger, so I really have no idea tho. 

[Brian74]

I have a fog machine, thought about putting it in my jukebox. Now that I think about it, maybe I won't. 

[nakeworks]

I've always wanted a bell in mine, you know, like the ones at a boxing ring?  I'll be quiet now.

[BadMouth]

I have a small stuffed llama perched up in the rafters who keeps an eye on everyone and ensures there is no drama.
If someone starts being dramatic, the drama llama is hurled in their direction.  If they don't straighten out, they're asked to leave.
It's funny when they realize that I really am throwing them out.   

[Brian74]

Update to my arcade