Man Cave Gift Ideas for Him (That Aren’t Another Bottle Opener)

Most man cave gift ideas for him end up in the same junk drawer: a bottle opener shaped like a wrench, a novelty shot glass, a foam can holder with a joke printed on it. He says thanks, and then you never see it again.

Look at the photo at the top of this post instead. In March 1939, Russell Lee photographed the Hi-Way Tavern in Crystal City, Texas, for the Farm Security Administration. The building is almost hidden behind signs: Coca-Cola, Dr Pepper, Budweiser, 7 Up and a Gulf disc on a pole. That is what a good man cave wants to look like. So skip the gadget and give him something for the wall.

Below are 12 porcelain advertising signs from our shop, sorted by the kind of room he has. Each one has a short story behind it, because a gift with a story gets talked about. If he spends more time in the garage than the den, our list of gifts for car guys has more ideas.

Why signs beat gadgets as man cave gift ideas for him

A sign does one job, and it does it every day. Unlike a gadget, it never needs batteries, charging or an app. It also says something about him: his team, his beer, his music or the game he wasted quarters on as a kid. That is hard to do with a bottle opener.

Our signs are real porcelain, which means glass enamel fired onto steel. As a result, they do not fade under a bar light or peel in a humid garage. Most are about 12 inches across, so two or three fit on one wall without looking crowded.

For the home bar

1. Budweiser On Tap sign

Budweiser has been brewed in St. Louis since 1876. In fact, a Budweiser sign hangs right in the middle of that 1939 Texas tavern photo. The Budweiser On Tap porcelain sign is a 12 by 6 inch piece that fits over a back bar or a beer fridge.

2. Pabst Blue Ribbon sign

Pabst started tying blue silk ribbons around its bottles in 1882, and the beer took the Blue Ribbon name in the 1890s. The Pabst Blue Ribbon porcelain sign is 12 by 8 inches, a good size next to a dartboard.

3. Dr Pepper 10, 2 and 4 sign

However, not every man cave runs on beer. In the 1920s, Dr Pepper used research on afternoon energy slumps to tell people to drink one at 10, 2 and 4 o’clock. The Dr Pepper 10 2 4 porcelain sign carries that slogan and “Good for Life,” the same line on the Dr Pepper sign in our Texas tavern photo. Browse more bar signs for beer, soda and diner brands.

Man cave gift ideas for him if he lives for game day

Sports fans are easy to shop for, since you already know the team. In addition, a team sign lasts longer than any one season. Still, a team sign is a better gift than another jersey, because it does not have to fit.

4. Houston Astros Astrodome sign

The Astrodome opened in Houston in 1965 as the first domed major league ballpark, and the city called it the Eighth Wonder of the World. The Houston Astros Astrodome porcelain sign is close to our hearts, since we ship from Houston, Texas.

5. Dallas Cowboys Est. 1960 sign

The Cowboys joined the NFL as an expansion team in 1960. The navy and white Dallas Cowboys porcelain sign belongs above the couch where he yells at the TV on Thanksgiving.

6. Chicago Cubs Wrigley Field sign

Wrigley Field opened in 1914, and the Cubs have played there since 1916. For the Cubs fan, the Chicago Cubs Wrigley Field porcelain sign with the cartoon bear cub is an easy win. See all our man cave signs for more teams.

Game room man cave gift ideas for him

7. Pac-Man arcade sign

Pac-Man hit American arcades in 1980, with Midway handling the cabinets here. If he spent his allowance one quarter at a time, the Pac-Man porcelain sign with the ghosts will bring it all back.

8. World of Nintendo sign

Before game consoles had their own aisles, stores used a “World of Nintendo” display with a globe logo. The World of Nintendo porcelain sign fits a room with a console, a couch and too many controllers.

9. “I Lost My A in Las Vegas” sign

Of course, every man cave needs one joke on the wall. The Las Vegas donkey porcelain sign is the right one for a poker table or for anyone who came home from Vegas lighter than he left.

For the music room and the golf nut

10. Fender Authorized Dealer sign

Leo Fender’s shop in Fullerton, California, put the solid-body electric guitar into mass production in 1950. Soon after, the company’s guitars and amps were on stages everywhere. The Fender Authorized Dealer porcelain sign belongs over his amp.

11. “Always Wash Your Balls” golf sign

Every golfer has a reason for his score: the wind, the greens, the guy who coughed on his backswing. The Always Wash Your Balls porcelain sign gives him one rule he can actually keep. It is 12 by 10 1/2 inches, and it gets a laugh from every guest, whether it hangs over the bar or by the door where he keeps his clubs.

One more for Texans

12. Texas flag state sign

Naturally, a Texan’s man cave needs a Lone Star somewhere. The Texas flag porcelain sign in the shape of the state works in any room, from a bar to a back porch.

How to pick the right man cave gift ideas for him

First, check what is already on his walls. If he has a beer sign, add a soda or sports sign rather than another beer sign. Next, think in threes. For example, a team sign, a bar sign and one joke sign make a wall that looks planned instead of random.

Also, consider the light. Porcelain has a glossy finish, so it looks best across from a lamp or under a bar light, not in direct glare.

Once it arrives, hanging takes ten minutes. Our guide on how to hang porcelain signs covers drywall, wood paneling and brick.

Budget and timing

Most of the signs in this guide cost between about $130 and $150, which puts them in the same range as a nice bottle of whiskey or a team jersey. The difference is that a sign is still on the wall years later.

If you are buying for Christmas, order early in December. Holiday carriers slow down, and in addition you will want a few days to wrap it. For a birthday or Father’s Day, the same rule applies: give yourself a week of cushion.

Finally, if you cannot decide, pick the sign tied to the strongest memory. For example, the beer he drank with his own father, or the team he has followed since he was a kid. Those are the man cave gift ideas for him that end up as the centerpiece of the room.

Shipping and returns

We ship from Houston, Texas. US orders ship for a flat $10, and international shipping is available at checkout. If the sign is not right, you have 30 days to return it. We pay the return shipping, and you get a full refund. See our shipping policy for details.

FAQ: man cave gift ideas for him

What do you get a man who has a man cave already?

Get something for the walls. Most men fill a man cave with furniture and a TV, but leave the walls bare for years. A sign tied to his team, his drink or his hobby fills that gap.

How many signs should go on one wall?

For a standard wall, three to five 12 inch signs look good. Leave a hand’s width between them, and line up the centers rather than the edges.

Are porcelain signs good for a basement man cave?

Yes. Porcelain enamel is glass fused to steel, so basement damp does not bother it. However, hang it on solid backing, since these signs are heavier than tin. Our guide to porcelain vs tin signs explains why.

The Hi-Way Tavern photo is by Russell Lee, 1939, and it is in the public domain. You can see the full image at the Library of Congress. When you are ready, browse our man cave and game room signs or the full porcelain sign shop.