There is a bar that is Polynesian.You can bring a taste of the South Pacific to your home, even if it's out of your budget.Whether you want to decorate an existing bar or build one from scratch, anyone can enjoy a Mai Tai in their own Tiki bar.This project is for experienced carpenters who have a full set of woodworking and construction tools.
Step 1: Decide on the type of bar you want to build.
Not all of the steps are necessary for every project.A bamboo-lined bar without a roof or floor would be the most basic Tiki bar.If you wanted, you could build a deck, frame, and classic thatched roof.Pick and choose from the following steps.A small bar can be formed with a small roof.
Step 2: A pressure-treated floor can be built.
If you're going to do it, it has to come first.The easiest way to make the floor is to nail 4 pressure treated fence posts, or 4 4x4s, into a flat rectangular base and lay them on their sides.To make sure it is flush with the ground, use a level.Attach 2x4s to the frame with deck screws from the center.This should look like a wooden jail cell door.Put pressure treated boards over the frame to form the floor, leaving a quarter between each board for drainage and to account for wood expansion.Attach with deck screws.
Step 3: The back wall can be built with two 96 inch planks.
Attach the posts to the deck with two L-brackets.If you want to make a lean-to bar, you can put the posts on the side of the house or the wall.If you're not an experienced contractor, creating a lean-to can be a bit more difficult.
Step 4: The front wall frame should have two planks.
Adhere them to the deck the same way as you did the back wall.The front wall is smaller than the back wall.You can have a slanted roof with the smaller front wall.
Step 5: Attach the back two posts with one 2x4 and the front two with another.
You have two frames that are upside down.Measure the distance between the two posts, cut a 2x4 to fit between them, and use lag bolts to create a frame.The back wall should be one U.The wall frames should be held together with 5-inch corner braces.
Step 6: The front and back wall posts should be bridged with 2x4.
Between the front and back walls, cut a 2x4 to fit.Attach it to the back wall frame from the top.Bolts are used to screw the plank in.On the other side repeat.You will have the beginnings of a cube.
Step 7: If you want to form rafters, cut a right angle notch in seven 2x4x9 boards.
The frame for the roof is made from these boards.The board should be between the front and back frames.If you want the board to snap into place on the front wall, you need to mark the point where it hits the lower beam and then cut out a small notch.The bottom of the rafter should be parallel to the ground if the notch is cut from the shorter end.
Step 8: Attach the rafters to the back wall with metal hangers or small brackets.
The notch should keep the boards in place, but brackets should be used to make sure it stays together.
Step 9: A frame is needed for the bar.
It should be large and deep.Cut two pieces of plywood for the side walls of the bar and the other for a center support.Measure and cut the top of the bar to fit over the three boards, then use framing nails and wood glue to make a bar.The width of this bar is up to you, but you'll probably want a second support panel in the middle if you go wider than 75".
Step 10: The two sections of the bar have shelves.
You can cut as many shelves as you want for the inside of the bar.Use framing nails and wood glue to support the plywood walls.If you want more support to the shelves, you can use more L-brackets.
Step 11: To make the front of the bar, nail plywood to the posts and frame.
Measure and cut the plywood to fit your dimensions, aiming for something around 42 inches high.To nail the boards together, use wood glue and framing nails.Don't worry about the look of the bar just yet, you'll cover it up later.
Step 12: The bar is stained with sand and stain.
It's important to use something water resistant so people don't ruin your wood.To waterproof the top, consider a layer of polyurethane.If the bar is outside, you should sand and stain the entire frame and consider coating it all.
Step 13: Buy a mat of "Mexican thatch" and drape it over the pillars.
corrugated iron sheets could be used for a different effect.If you want to prevent hay from falling into drinks, lay a sheet of plastic over the whole roof.Attach the plastic to the roof using an electric stapler.Remove the overhang on the ends of the roof so that it doesn't fall over the bar.
Step 14: Wrap plywood with bamboo panels, woven mats, or palm fronds.
You can choose the decor you like.If you want to add some frills, palm fronds are a good way to do it.Hang a woven mat on the back wall.The front of the bar could be made to look like salvaged wood by using stencil and paint.Write things like "South Seas Trading Company" or "FRAGILE."
Step 15: To cover corners and edges, use split bamboo rods.
Long bamboo rods cut in half can take out any right-angles you have and lend a softer edge to lean on.Bamboo can be cut with a table saw, but you can also buy it pre-split from some retailers.
Step 16: There are hanging lamps, lanterns, and multi-color Christmas lights.
Don't feel like you need to go too far because most of the bars have atmospheric lighting.You can mix and match the options to create your own look.It's especially dangerous to use torches on a thatched roof.
Step 17: There are Polynesian masks, statues, and heads for decoration.
Some "stereotypical" decorations are a part of the package, meaning that it is actually a Californian invention.Don't shy away from fake shrunken heads, wooden masks, and a few bamboo art.
Step 18: The bar stools should be wicker or bamboo.
Make sure the stools match and don't stop the bamboo parade with the bar.
Step 19: Get some fishing gear, like nets, shells, mounted fish, etc.
People should be able to enjoy a beachy atmosphere at a gis bar.A big, mounted marlin or other salt-water fish can be displayed nearby, along with fishing nets, shells, and other items.Old, woven rope is a cheap and easy way to add some atmosphere.Wrap it around the bottom of the posts to hide the joints.
Step 20: Any metal can be given a weathered, salt-sprayed look with a faux rust coating.
The weathered brackets and fixture are a good touch for authenticity.If you have exposed metal, such as L-brackets holding beams together, give them a quick once-over with a rust coating to make them feel beachy.
Step 21: It's a good idea to keep several types of rum on hand.
Even if you don't feel like mixing up cocktails or blended drinks, a couple bottles of rum will cover the basics for you.At a minimum, you should consider a light rum, a dark rum and an overproof rum.It's a good idea to mix the juices from pineapple to orange.A common spirit in many drinks is orgeat.The classic Pia Colada requires a blender.
Step 22: Rum SWizzles are made.
The classic drinks are best served with a cinnamon stick in a pinch, which should be used to stir everything into a nice froth.If you want to serve it over ice, mix the following in a pitcher and shake or Churvy until it is frothing.
Step 23: Make a few Fog Cutters.
The strong cocktails reappeared in the San Francisco Bay after vanishing from the bar scene for years.They've become a staple of the bars.You pour the sherry on top of everything else.When available, top with a fresh mint leaf.2 ounces orange juice 1 ounce lemon juice 1/2 ounce orgeat 1 1/2 ounces clear rum 1/3 ounce gin1/2 ounce brandy
Step 24: Master Mai-Tais.
If you want to make a bar like this, you're going to need to know how to cook it.1/2 ounce orange curacao can be supplemented in a pinch with 2 ounces rum.
Step 25: You can pour out a Pia Colada.
The classic beach cocktail is the Pia Colada.You need a tall, curved glass to serve in if you want to make it.Light rum and coconut milk have 2 ounces of pineapple juice in them.
Step 26: Take a classic scorpion and blend it up.
The original Trader Vic's was the location of this cocktail.To make it, simply blend the following ingredients in a blender.