When Melinda and Ryan Dawson moved into their Mendham Township home in 2019, the only things lacking were storage and entertainment spaces. “We love to host parties, and our previous home in Roxbury had a basement bar built by a carpenter friend,” says Melinda. “So we brought the bar to Mendham, but weren’t sure where to install it, because it was huge.”
But a plan was hatched once they paid a visit to Amish Mike in Hackettstown, the state’s largest purveyor of prefab, Amish-built sheds and barns, and discovered a model barn constructed of wood. They eagerly moved ahead as Ryan planned every detail of their innovative backyard pub. After permits and approvals, the walls and roof of the structure arrived at the home, shrink-wrapped.
“It was like assembling large puzzle pieces,” says Melinda. “And the Amish crew put it together in just two days.”
The prefab barn structure came from Amish Mike in Hackettstown. Photo: Christopher Lane
First, the shell was constructed with simple, unfinished beams, and a concrete floor was poured. Then their beloved, 20-foot bar was installed. The couple spent another year outfitting the two-story party barn with vintage and antique nautical decor, family heirlooms and more. Since Ryan, a Weichert Realtor, had inherited relics from his ancestors of Mayflower descent and also from his family’s longtime Dawson Marine business in Lake Hopatcong, hundreds of signs, maps, statues, photos and more were readily available.
Melinda, who owns Caring Transitions of Morristown, a business that specializes in estate sales, also had easy access to vintage tavern decor.
Photo: Christopher Lane
Finally, the time came to name the barn. When they bought their home, the couple had learned that previous owners had dubbed it Windswept. So it seemed only right to christen their backyard pub Second Wind.
Immediately, the Dawsons began hosting parties, typically inviting their cat, four dogs and local Irish friends. Ryan, past president of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick and the 2023 grand marshal of the Morris County St. Patrick’s Day Parade, equipped Second Wind just like a real tavern. The gregarious couple annually host a Kentucky Derby party, a summer soiree, a Christmas party, and ad-hoc planning meetings for the parade committee. Why don’t they host a St. Paddy’s soiree? “We’re too busy celebrating in Morristown that day,” Ryan assures.
Photo: Christopher Lane
When it’s party time, Ryan is equally comfortable playing host behind the bar or turning it over to a guest bartender. “I don’t mind handing over the reins, especially when friends order fancy cocktails. That’s a lot of work,” he says.
A vintage shuffleboard table is a popular gathering spot, and the pub also has a wireless Sonos music system. Live bands and DJs are often invited, and a pizza truck has been known to make an appearance. When not used for entertaining, the rustic structure holds yard equipment and seasonal items.
Photo: Christopher Lane
On the day of the New Jersey Monthly photo shoot, the Dawsons invited a few close friends to celebrate the occasion. In attendance were John Murphy, the 2018 grand marshal of the Morris County St. Patrick’s Day Parade; Colette and Michelle Mongey, owners of the Dublin Pub in Morristown; and Margaret and Phillip Gaunt. (When asked whether she and her husband are officially affiliated with the local Irish community, Mrs. Gaunt replied, “No. We just like to drink at the Dawsons’ bar.”)
Now that Second Wind is entering its fourth year of merrymaking, the couple realize that their vision was inspired. “Some people enjoy the convenience of having a swimming pool or tennis court in their backyard. For us, it’s having our own Irish tavern 50 feet from our back door,” Melinda says.
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