How to Create a Poolside Tiki Bar

Use ready made thatch umbrellas for your Tiki bar.

A Tiki bar adds a touch of the tropics to your pool. If you're not sure you want to spend the money on a professionally built model, or that the bar will go with the theme in your backyard, build a portable model for a few hundred dollars. With all the materials in place you should have the Tiki bar built in less than a day.

Things You'll Need

• Bamboo fencing
• Utility Scissors
• Wood glue
• Nails
• Hammer
• 2 wood board that are 12 inches wider than the width of the bookshelves and as long
• 2 bookshelves, 40-to 48-inches high
• Bar Stools, 3
• Thatched umbrellas, 3
• Iron umbrellas stands,3
• Hawaiian print fabric

Instructions

1. Cut two pieces of the bamboo fencing so it is as tall as the bookshelves and as wide.

2. Set the bookshelves on their front open side on the ground. Run a line of glue at the top edge of the backs of the bookshelves and down each side on the back. Nail the fencing to back of bookshelves over the glue. Weigh down the fencing with books, bricks or other heavy objects so the glue makes firm contact with both the fencing and the bookshelf edges. Let dry

3. Set the bookshelves right side up. On each bookself, run a line of glue around the perimeter of the top. Lay a wood board on top of each bookshelf. The extra 12 inches should hang over the back covered with bamboo fencing. These will be the bar's top surface. Nail the boards to the top of the bookshelves in each corner and in the middle of each long side.

4. Move the bookshelves to the pool area. Place them with the bamboo fencing side out. This will be the front of the Tiki bar.

5. Fasten the legs of the adjoining bookshelves together with the zip lock fasteners, and nail the bookshelves together at the adjoining sides to keep them from leaning apart.

6. Cut the cloth so it is as long as the bar top and 8 inches wider. The cloth goes on the bar top as a decorative runner.

7. Place the barstools in front of the Tiki bar. Place one umbrella in its stand in back of the Tiki bar and the other two on either side to shade the barstools.

Tips & Warnings

• Use the shelves to house glassware and bar utensils kept clean in plastic storage boxes.

• Wear goggles as a safety precaution.

References

• Lifestyle: How to Build a Tiki bar