From home bars to indoor gyms: man caves in the state

They’re packed with everything from gumball machines and arcades to skateboard collections and home breweries – and they’re getting more popular.

So-called “man caves” in homes across NSW are attracting renewed interest with their often wild spaces for antique collections, gyms and car memorabilia.

It comes as two years of disasters, including bush fires, torrential rain and pandemic lockdowns, pushed people indoors like never before, turning the man cave into a more treasured home feature.

Recent data from realestate.com.au has shown that an increasing number of home seekers are looking to buy a home where they can carve out a room or a garage space to be left to their own devices.

During the peak times of the pandemic, keyword searches for features like entertainment rooms, games rooms and man caves all rose over 15 per cent in the 2020-21 period.

Home bars enjoyed the biggest boost in people searching for them, with a 64 per cent jump in listings including a home bar last year.

Overall there has been a 9 per cent increase in the total number of listings with man cave features in the 12 month period to June 30th.

In NSW in particular, there are many man caves that have driven up the selling price of a home – some buyers even consider them to be a major asset when deciding on the next place to live.

RomicMoore Property agent Aleksander Elie is marketing an acreage on Racemosa Close in Kemps Creek that includes a man cave filled with car memorabilia and said the space was a hit with buyers.

The man cave is currently set up to include a pool table and minibar and there is a collection of rare antiques on the walls.

“With two daughters and a wife, the owner chose to create an area where he could have his own space near the pool. The result was the garage where he has spent his time rebuilding cars and collecting old signage as a hobby,” Mr Elie said.

“We’ve received a bit of interest from blokes looking to buy in the area who love cars and bikes, so properties like this are perfect for them.”

Electriain Shane Smith has a man cave and home pub on his property in Oakdale, which he built using old shed parts, discarded railway sleepers and bits of sandstone.

Mr Smith said the man cave, fitted out with a pub-quality beer system and chiller and cool room for storing beer kegs, is now well-known in the local area.

“In the first two years of living on the property, we didn’t really know anyone who lived nearby,” Mr Smith said.

“I brew my own beer at the bar, I had so much stuff from the previous home bar I built when I bought my first home.

“In the years since then, I’ve gotten to know all my neighbors on both sides of the street. We’ve loved having a good time drinking beer, watching the footy, and sometimes they’ll come over with a meat smoker and some brisket to have a good feed.”

Mr Smith is selling the Oakdale property with a $3.3m price guide but plans to build another home pub at his next property.

Among the other homes currently for sale with elaborate “man caves” is a $1.3m estate in Woongarrah on the Central Coast.

The retreat includes a pool table, mini bar and gumball machine. There is also a gym with a boxing bag and weights, car memorabilia, a workshop and a collection of skateboards.

In Rainbow Flat, south of Port Macquarie, a house is up for sale at $1.75m with an extra room that includes a home bar and games room equipped with a billiards table that people can gather around with a beer after a game or two of tennis .

The listing follows the recent sale of an Allambie Heights property with a large home bar. Listing images showed the walls were stacked with exotic beers cans from around the world.

Here are just a few of the best man caves and home bars across the state:

7 Grasstree Ave, Woongarrah ($1,250,000 – $1,300,000)

Located in the heart of the Central Coast, this four-bedroom and two-bathroom home features the quintessential man cave and home gym.

The entertaining room features a pool table, a mini bar and a gumball machine while the gym features a boxing bag, some weights, but also various car memorabilia, a workshop and a collection of skateboards.

45 Allambie Rd, Allambie Heights (price undisclosed)

This under house storage and cellar room also doubles up as a retreat and rumpus room. With plenty of original timber cabinetry, a man can make good use of the space and use it as a bar.

25 Brendon Place, Oakdale ($3,300,000)

Recently renovated, the four-bedroom, three-bathroom family home in Oakdale includes a large open area for animals and motorbikes.

It also includes a man cave that is fitted out with a pub-quality beer system and chiller, in addition to a cool room for storing beer kegs.

All of these features are also complemented by a sound system, televisions and disco ball.

Sometimes the best pubs are right under our doorsteps!

118 Godfrey Hill Rd, Rainbow Flat ($1,750,000)

This home in the small rural town of Rainbow Flat in NSW’s Mid-Coast boasts many dream amenities for a lifestyle property – a resort-style pool, a guest studio, a grass tennis court, and facilities that could house horses which will delight equine lovers .

It also includes a perfect home bar and games room that comes equipped with a billiards table that people can gather around with a beer after a game or two of tennis.

91-95 Racemosa Close, Kemps Creek ($10,000,000)

Arguably the most expensive property on the list, this eight-bedroom and three-bathroom acreage includes two houses on the estate.

The first home, a brick Federation-style bungalow features a fully equipped 450 sqm shed which can house multiple cars and has a games room and man cave attached.

The man cave itself features a range of car-related memorabilia, a pool table, a minibar, a fireplace, speakers and antiques

18 Chaloner Rise, Renwick ($2,680,000)

Initially selling in July this year, this four-bedroom and two-bathroom property includes a 12 x 8 meter insulated workshop in the rear which provides the ultimate man-cave with a car hoist.

27 Mill St, East Maitland ($1,050,000)

Sold in June, this four-bedroom and two bathroom restored Federation-style home includes a hardwood timber slab bar, second shower, pool table, gym and studio.

Some might consider this space to be the ultimate man cave as it features TV’s which are perfectly tuned for watching the footy on a Sunday afternoon.

84 Kings Creek Rd, Krambach ($2,280,000)

The final man cave on this list is stretching the definition a little bit, but we’d be remiss if we didn’t include it.
Over the past decade, the property has been used as a retreat for groups to stay on the farm – offering a lifestyle and income combination for the owners.
It also includes three tipis with power and comfy beds with pillow top mattresses. The tipis are individually styled with fans, lighting, floor rugs and electric blankets during the winter.
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