If you go down to the bottom of Tristan Luker’s garden, you’re sure of a big surprise – his own glitzy retro bar.
When Tristan Luker and his wife Laura moved into their new home in Gravesend there was a small problem – the garden.
Tristan said: “Neither of us likes gardening. What were we supposed to do with it, grow plants?”
So combined with their love of all things quirky and the Covid lockdown, they came up with a plan for ‘Luker’s Own Junkyard bar’ – a nostalgic nod to the 80’s and 90’s full of retro toys, neons and no shortage of alcohol.
Tristan had no building experience so turned to YouTube to bring their vision to life, chopping down a tree and digging the foundations by hand.
Crammed with copious neon signs childhood memorabilia and graffiti, their homely hostelry opened in September 2021.
And since then the couple, who both work for the emergency services, have played host to family and friends and even been nominated for a global award in the licensing trade.
Tristan’s lockdown venture has been shortlisted in the International Backyard Bar Awards and will now go head-to-head with four other novel bars across the UK in a bid to scoop the title.
The winner will be gifted a one-time master brewer opportunity, with beer brand Pinter, and an incredible backyard bar swag bundle including $10,000 cash, the equivalent of about £7,500 .
Tristan, 45, explained that the creation was inspired by his wedding venue – God’s Own Junkyard in East London.
One of his favourite events in the space so far was a ‘gruelling two-day cake smash’ photoshoot for his one-year-old daughter Ada-Rae.
He said: “Our wedding venue, God’s Own Junkyard in East London inspired us to come up with our own little retro neon junkyard bar.
“Over nine months we managed to achieve our little paradise and we are now bursting at the seams with all manner of things from our childhood.
Both Tristan and Laura, 34, spend much of their spare time rummaging for quirky paraphernalia at boot fairs and specialist shops throughout the UK.
As a lad Tristan used to collect film posters on trips to the cinema with his dad.
He said: ”For many it’s like a trip down memory lane. Each time they come to see us they notice something different.”
The other UK entries include Bucko’s Bar in Stockport, Lionesses Den in Northfleet,,Rock Horror Bar, in the West Midlands, and Siren’s Call in Devon, which will now compete with Luker’s Own Junkyard before one runner-up is decided.
Tristan added: “Our favourite memories are our opening night and having our two-day long cake smash photoshoot for our one-year-old daughter.
“It was the most gruelling and stressful thing to do but we loved it! Who’d have thought we’d have a one-year-old who didn’t like to destroy a cake… well she destroyed it once we gave up.”
Five bars from across the USA called Sadie’s Haus in Mississippi, The Cabana in Oregon, The Plastered Pelican in Richmond, Lago Bar in Virginia and Swampy’s Bar n Grill in Pennsylvania will also go head-to-head before one US runner-up is decided too.
One bar from either country out of the 10 shortlisted will then be crowned international winner in the International Backyard Bar Awards, by Pinter, on October 4.
All shortlisted entrants will receive a stellar Pinter bundle, while the respective US and UK runners-up will receive a trophy, a Pinter and an Ooni Pizza Oven.
The overall international winner, meanwhile, will then receive a $10,000 cash prize plus an ultimate garden swag bundle featuring, an Ooni pizza oven, four Pinter machines to give to friends, merchandise from breweries like Appalachian Mountain Brewery, Signature Brew and Sycamore Brewery, perfect for enhancing any backyard bar experience.
Additionally, the most coveted element sees the winner also handed an opportunity to design, name, and brew their own beer with Pinter.
Ralph Broadbent is the co-founder and chief executive of a business called The Greater Good Fresh Brewing Company which makes the Pinter product.
He said: “Seeing the creativity and passion that people have poured into their backyard bars has been truly inspiring.
“Each space tells its own story, reflecting the personality and ingenuity of its creator.
“At Pinter, we’re all about bringing people together through incredible beer experiences, and this competition has done exactly that.
“From this neon retro junkyard bar to a Lionesses tribute and tiki havens, every entry has been a celebration of community, craft, and the joy of hosting.
“We can’t wait to see who will take home the title and, of course, the chance to brew their own beer with Pinter.”
