Every Kiwi bloke deserves a space that’s his own. A mancave — whether it’s a garage conversion, a sleepout, or a dedicated games room — is one of the best investments you can make in your home. And if you do it right, it becomes the place everyone wants to be.
We’ve helped thousands of New Zealanders build their perfect mancave. Here’s exactly how to do it.
Step 1 — Choose Your Space
The most common mancave locations in NZ are:
The garage — Perfect. Most NZ garages are large enough for a pool table plus a couple of other games. Insulate it, put down some flooring, and you’ve got a proper setup.
A sleepout or spare room — Great for year-round use. Better insulation and acoustics than a garage. Ideal if you want a proper home bar setup too.
A dedicated games room — If you’re building or renovating, a dedicated games room is worth planning in. Add a bar, seating, good lighting, and you’ve got something special.
Minimum size guide:
- For a pool table only: 5m x 4m (allows 1.5m cue clearance on all sides for an 8ft table)
- For a pool table + arcade machine: 6m x 5m
- Full mancave with multiple games: 7m x 6m or larger
Step 2 — Choose Your Pool Table
A pool table is the centrepiece of any mancave. Get this right and everything else follows.
Budget option — Viper MDF from $1,590
The Viper pool table is NZ’s best seller. Solid build, great play, comes with everything. Available in green, blue, black and red. Perfect for the garage mancave.
Premium option — Boston or Vegas Slate from $5,499
If you want a table that plays like a pub, go slate. The Boston and Vegas slate pool tables are built to professional standard. True flat surface, built to last decades. The ultimate mancave centrepiece.
Quick size guide:
- 8ft — Most popular for home use. Fits most NZ garages.
- 9ft — Tournament standard. Needs more space but plays like a pool hall.
Step 3 — Add an Arcade Machine
Nothing says mancave like a full-size arcade machine. Modern home arcade machines come loaded with thousands of games — so you get the whole arcade experience in one cabinet.
The JAX arcade machine is our most popular choice — 10,000+ games preloaded, plug & play, custom graphics available. If you’re a fan of the classics, the Space Invaders machine at $2,899 is a statement piece that doubles as room decor.
Step 4 — Air Hockey Table
An air hockey table brings fast-paced, competitive fun to the mancave. Great for when you’ve got mates over. Our full-size Axton air hockey table delivers powerful airflow and solid build quality.
Step 5 — Foosball Table
A foosball table is the perfect finishing touch for a mancave. Doesn’t take up much room, always popular with guests, and hours of competitive fun. The Foozler range is built tough for serious play.
Step 6 — Finishing Touches
Once you’ve got your games sorted, think about:
Lighting — Pendant lighting over the pool table makes a huge difference to both gameplay and atmosphere. LED strips around the room add ambiance.
Seating — Bar stools, a couch, or a full home bar setup. Think about how many people will be using the space.
Flooring — Rubber flooring or interlocking tiles are practical and look great. Easy to clean and comfortable to stand on.
Fridge — A bar fridge stocked with cold ones is non-negotiable.
Mancave Budget Guide
| Setup | What’s Included | Approx. Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Entry level | Viper pool table | From $1,590 |
| Mid-range | Viper + arcade machine + foosball | From $5,000 |
| Premium | Boston slate + arcade + air hockey + foosball | From $10,000 |
| Ultimate | Vegas slate + JAX + Axton air hockey + Foozler + full fit-out | $15,000+ |
All prices include free North Island delivery. Afterpay available on everything.
Mancave Delivery NZ
We deliver everything nationwide. North Island delivery is free on all products. South Island delivery is available — check our delivery page for pricing. Most orders ship within 24 hours.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to set up a mancave in NZ?
A basic mancave with a pool table starts from around $1,590. A full mancave setup with multiple games typically runs $5,000–$15,000 depending on what you choose.
What’s the most popular mancave combination?
A pool table plus an arcade machine is by far the most popular combo. Add air hockey for a third game and you’ve got something for everyone.
Can I get everything delivered at once?
Yes — we can coordinate delivery of multiple items. Contact us to arrange.
Is Afterpay available on everything?
Yes — Afterpay is available on all our products.
Ready to build your mancave? Browse our full range at The Ultimate Mancave — NZ’s largest games room store.
