How to Design a Tiki Bar

A tiki bar is a pole shelter with a bar counter underneath it.

Tiki bars were started soon after prohibition ended, when wealthy travelers became fascinated with the South Pacific lifestyle. Originally they were confined to commercial restaurants and bars, but eventually private individuals realized that they could build their own tiki bars at home. Tiki bars are still a popular entertainment feature and are often built poolside or can be incorporated into a gazebo or patio, and decorated with tropical plants, bamboo furniture and Pacific island artifacts.

Instructions

1. Contact your local city or county planning and zoning department to familiarize yourself with the regulations for building an outdoor tiki bar. An exterior tiki bar is basically a pole shelter with a bar counter and any type of roof, but a thatched palm-leaf roof is the most authentic.

2. Decide on the dimensions of the bar. The upright posts can be made from rustic poles, which will look more realistic, or treated 4 x 4 lumber. The depth of the post holes and foundation must conform with your local zoning requirements. They will most likely have to be filled with concrete and can be incorporated into the forms for the foundation of you plan for a concrete floor. Tiled floors will require a concrete slab, but interlocking brick pavers will simply need a level surface.

3. Plan the height and pitch of the roof. The simplest form of roof would slope towards the back to allow for rain runoff. Alternatively you can design a four-sided, sloping roof. The roof will require horizontal beams to be bolted to the tops of the posts and rafters laid across the beams to support the roofing material. Rustic poles will create the most bona fide tiki look. The roof can be covered with tiles, composition shingles, sheet metal, plastic or fiberglass or thatched palm leaves.

4. Plan your bar counter dimensions and layout. The bar counter can be square and attached to all four of the support posts so that the bar stools will be outside the shelter. This will allow for a large amount of people to fit around the bar. Alternatively, you may wish to fit the bar in half the space to allow for people to sit under the roof. The most authentic material for the bar counter is bamboo, but it can be made of anything. Plan the space for the refrigerator, the sink and shelves for the bottles and glasses.

5. Draw your plans, showing all the dimensions and materials, and suggest items to decorate the bar. If you simply want to design a tiki bar inside your existing patio, use step 4 and build a small thatched roof on top of the bar counter for authenticity. Aloha.

References

• Tiki Bar Designs: Building a Tiki Bar
• Easy Home Bar Plans