Linwood resident Ken Waldock’s “man cave” features a long wooden bar dating from the 1800s.

Man caves have become social speak for those decidedly macho-themed havens ruled by big screens, beer and overstuffed furniture. Locally, these male-dominated dens feature everything from poker tables and pool cues to deer antlers and Dirty Harry posters. Sports is the native language spoken, and while smoking may be allowed, females are often admitted by invitation only.

“It’s all about beer and baseball,” boasts Andy Craig, of Lawrence, as he surveys his private sanctum. The song “Ninety-nine Bottles of Beer on the Wall” can’t touch Craig’s man cave, where more than 1,500 collectible beer cans provide the 3-D wall cover. Kansas City Royals memorabilia, including authentic Kauffman Stadium seats and a Marty Pattin wheel cover, flank the space of this die-hard fan.

Across town, Curtis Ledbetter has raised the bar on man cave décor. Ledbetter transformed his unfinished basement using repurposed materials salvaged from an old barn. The bar top features a barn ladder under glass, while the bar faucet is made from a vintage hand-crank water pump. The mounted end of an old rake holds stemware, and Clint Eastwood gazes down approvingly from a nearby movie poster.

If Ledbetter wins the prize for man cave originality, Linwood resident Ken Waldock takes the trophy for square footage. Waldock’s manly playground spans 3,000 square feet and is stocked with boy toys including a foosball table, pool table, steel darts and wooden bar dating to the 1800s.

“Home and Away” premieres at 6:30 p.m. Mondays on Sunflower Broadband Channel 6 and replays throughout the week.