Where to Purchase a Tiki Bar

People need tiki bars for all kinds of reasons--from throwing a really great party with a Polynesian theme to filling an empty space near a backyard pool. These fun bars, often made of bamboo and covered with a thatched roof, make a perfect serving area for tropical drinks--think mai tais and rum punch. And best of all, tiki bars are easy to find--or you can buy plans to build your own.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Search for tiki bars on garden and patio furniture websites (see Resources below). You can pay around $1,000 for a complete bar set that's simple to assemble at home.

2. Improvise to save money. Just buy a thatched umbrella for less than $100 and some palm thatch for about $15. Use the palm thatch to camouflage an old desk, put up the umbrella and you have a tiki bar--plus hundreds of dollars left to spend on your party.

3. Instead of buying a tiki bar, purchase the plans and materials and build one yourself (see Resources below). Plans cost about $50; shop around for the best prices on bamboo and thatching. Buy the materials at local stores to save money on shipping.

4. If you don't want your tiki bar looking out of place, visit a website that specializes in everything tiki. To complete your decor, you can find bamboo furniture, tropical artwork, neon signs, water fountains, tiki statues, fake parrots, palm and banana trees made of silk and so much more.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't break the bank on tiki bars and accessories. The tiki theme goes in and out of style, and your resale value won't be great.

Resources

• Shop for tiki bars, umbrellas and thatch.
• Buy a tiki bar, accessories and materials to make your own bar.
• Buy plans to build a tiki bar.