How to Make a Tiki Bar

A tiki bar adds can add a classy tropical touch to any game room or outdoor living space. Simply follow these simple steps to create a secure bar structure with style and flare that will make any hula party a huge hit!

Things You'll Need

• 1-inch-by-1-inch wooden posts
• Plywood
• 1-inch metal L brackets
• 1-inch diameter bamboo poles
• Screws
• Electric screwdriver
• Nails
• Hammer
• Light shade of wood stain
• Paint brush
• Paint rag
• Straw colored hula skirts
• Artificial hibiscus flowers
• Dried palm tree fronds
• Fishing line

Instructions

Creating the Tiki Bar

1. To build the base of the tiki bar, screw together two 4-foot pieces of the 1-inch-by-1-inch wooden posts and two 3 foot-pieces of the wooden posts to create a rectangular base. Screw in the L brackets at the corners to secure. Repeat these steps to create an identical structure for the bar top.

2. Screw a sheet of plywood, 41/2 feet tall by 3 feet wide, to each side of the base. Screw the bar-top rectangular structure to the tops of the plywood sheets. Screw in another sheet of plywood, 41/2 feet tall by 4 feet wide, to the front of the tiki bar base. Screw this sheet into the long side of the tiki bar top as well. Secure this structure by placing L brackets in the corners where the plywood sheets meet, every 12 inches. To create the bar top, screw a sheet of plywood, 4 feet long by 3 feet wide. Screw this into the rectangular bar top structure created in step one.

3. At the four corners of the structure, nail in the bamboo poles to the plywood exterior. Be carfeul when hammering, as bamboo splits easily under pressure. The two poles placed at the back corners of the bar structure should reach about 61/2 feet tall. The bamboo poles at the front should reach about 6 feet tall.

4. Apply a light shade of wood stain on the plywood exterior, as well as the bamboo poles. Wipe any excess stain off using the paint rag. Wait until the stain dries completely before continuing.

5. Place the finishing touches on the tiki bar by securing the straw colored hula skirts at the edge of the bar top, allowing the grass skirt to hang down, partially concealing the plywood exterior. Place the artificial hibiscus flowers at the corners of the bar top for a splash of color. To create the tiki bar canopy, place braided dried palm tree fronds at the top of the four bamboo poles, securing the fronds to the poles with fishing line.

Tips & Warnings

• To add optional shelves to the interior of the tiki bar, screw in additional sheets of 3 foot by 4 foot plywood using L brackets.

• This tiki bar structure should be secured by weighting the back side of the bar. Use bricks or small bags of sand placed on the 1 inch by 1 inch rectangular base structure This will prevent any tipping or swaying of the structure.

Resources

• Plans for a more detailed Tiki Bar Design