Help: garage room transformation into pool room.

[Eightball1977]

Hey guys. New to the forum. I'm looking for suggestions and help with turning my enclosed garage into a pool room. Its 14.5x26 (~400sqft), 99" ceiling.
I have 3 guys coming in a few days to redo a wall, then repaint the room.
From there, out goes old vinyl tiles and in goes wood style 6x24" porcelain tiles. New 15000 BTU LG A/C unit, new pool table, light fixture, and more..

First order of business, can I get some suggestions on what to do with this wall. My brother had dry wall'ed about 2/3 of it in the center. I'm not certain how I should proceed with the left and right side. My contractor suggested drywall it all. Or should I go with wood panel over that entire wall(similar to under those windows), then paint over it?

 

[cowboy73]

I'd probably drywall the whole thing. Then I would cover the lower half of the walls with car siding say 42" tall with a chair rail/shelf all around the room. It would give it that pub/bar feel.

 

[fury9]

Blasphemy!!