In Maplewood, New Jersey, John Garbarino took a 400-square-foot garage and turned it into something more than storage — he built a garage bar that became his family’s happy place.
What started as a wine fridge and a kegerator slowly evolved into a full-blown pub — complete with a Victorian mirror, wool rug, and bar he built himself in 2011. Think old-school American tavern meets Irish charm, all tucked behind a garage door.
Now, it’s the center of gravity for friends and family. Parties, traditions, late-night conversations — everything happens in the GarBar. The main house? Basically obsolete.
Garbarino uses MyQ technology to manage access and deliveries — unlocking and closing the garage remotely when people drop by or borrow gear. It’s a 1920s-style pub powered by 2020s tech.
Since the pandemic, garage bars like his have blown up, giving people a way to gather safely, creatively, and locally. Garbarino’s version struck a nerve — turning him into “the guy with the garage bar” and inspiring thousands of other dads to reclaim their own spaces.
Why It’s Dad Day Approved
Old wood, cold beer, and a spot built for connection. That’s modern fatherhood done right. Craft, community, and a touch of clever tech.
