How to Make a Tiki Stand
Tiki bars became popular just before World War I, when more people began traveling by ship and air to exotic locations. The popularity of tiki bars quickly spread from tropical destinations to the continental U.S., showing up in night clubs and bars, especially in California. Augmented by a beach-theme decor, tiki bars became popular with World War II veterans and G.I.s seeking something similar to what they saw in the Pacific islands. Today, tiki bars represent a part of American culture. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Hoses and air compressor
- Nail guns (for framing nails and finishing nails)
- Screw gun
- Circular saw
- Tape measure
- 6 4-by-4-inch posts, (cedar suggested), 8 feet long
- 15 1-by-2-inch boards, (poplar suggested), 8 feet long
- 10 2-by-4-inch boards, (pine suggested), 8 feet long
- Bamboo sheets
- 7 sheets of 3/4-inch plywood
- Plastic sheets
- Staple gun and staples
- L brackets
- Thatch
- Polyurethane
Instructions
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1
Determine the size of your bar. Cut nine pieces of plywood, each at least 3 feet tall. These will be the outer and middle supports for the inner wall, which will be erected in three different sections.
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2
Cut three inner shelves for the bar out of the 8-foot boards. The front shelves of the bar should be shorter than the two side pieces. Cut three horizontal and three top pieces for the bar out of the boards.
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3
Assemble the three sides of the bar. For each, attach two outer side pieces to bottom and top pieces, creating a rectangle. Attach the vertical piece to the bottom and top pieces. Horizontal shelves should be attached to the middle and vertical sides. Use glue and framing nails.
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4
Fit the three sections together without gluing or nailing them together. Cut plywood for each section of the bar with the same dimensions. The adjoining sides can be miter cut. Attach the plywood bar to the outside of these sections using glue and a framing nail gun. Use L brackets to attach each section together.
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5
Cut plywood for the countertops. The length will depend on how much overhang you desire. Cut holes in the countertops for the 4-by-4 posts to fit through. Attach these countertops to the bar sections from the bottom using glue and a nail gun.
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6
Apply glue into the post holes of the countertop pieces and then insert the 4-by-4 posts into the holes. Nail the posts into place from underneath the countertop; hold it level while someone else nails it into place from underneath.
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7
Sheath the bar base face with bamboo panels fastened to the plywood. Use finishing nails.
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8
Cut eight pieces of 2-by-4s to serve as the perimeter around the four posts. Four 2-by-4s will be used for the frame of the roof structure.
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9
Attach four 2-by-4s together into the shape of a square. Cut a 4-by-4 to go along the middle of the square. This will be a horizontal support beam. Attach all pieces with framing nails.
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10
Cut one 4-by-4 for the middle horizontal support beam of your bar. The length will depend on how pitched you want the roof to be from peak to corner. The post should be cut with a notch on all four corners. Fasten the post vertically to the horizontal support beam, making sure the flat sides face the corners of the roof frame.
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11
Cut four 4-by-4 posts to match the length of the pitch of the roof. The end of the posts should be cut at an angle so that they meet the notch in the vertical posts. Drill holes in the posts and fasten them together with lag bolts.
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12
Cut pieces of plywood to fit around the four sides of the roof. Attach the plywood to the posts using framing nails. Leave a small amount of room between the pieces of plywood.
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13
Cover the roof with plastic sheeting and staple into place. Attach the thatching to the rooftop using staples. Place the roof structure onto the bar structure and secure all points with lag bolts. Apply a coat of polyurethane to the structure to help protect it from the elements.
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Tips & Warnings
For extra support on the 4-by-4 posts, nail plywood from the underside of bar to the post.
Outer posts can be wrapped in bamboo stalks.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Comstock Images/Comstock/Getty Images
