subject: Build Your Own Tiki Bar [print this page] Undertaking a construction project like a backyard Tiki bar is a manageable challenge with a little planning and quality Tiki bar plans. Actually, your best bet is a book rather than a set of plans. Today there are several printed manuals available for building our own TIki bar, including one that was written by a professional who has been building custom Tiki bars for over twenty years. Your manual should have detailed instructions along with illustrations of the methods and techniques involved in building your structure and finishing it.
It is best to bring all your materials together before beginning the project. A good set of Tiki bar building plans will spell out what you need in terms of structural lumber, any hardware beyond screws and nails, and the types of trim that you may want to consider. There are also some specialized materials that you can obtain more readily online through special order than through a standard building supply company.
The thatching for your TIki bar roof is an important part of the structural appeal; a little research will lead you to online stores that supply it. You may also want to use bamboo for some of the support structure for the roof and for trim material. Bamboo mats also can add a lot to the area where you have placed your Tiki bar and intend to entertain.
When you build your TIki bar you're going to want to build shelving in behind the bar where you can keep all of the paraphernalia required for serving guests. Glassware, coasters, and of course bottles all should be stored on shelves behind the bar. Your Tiki bar plans should include shelving in the design, along with cabinets for storing appliances such as the blender. Many Tiki bars are also outfitted with a small refrigerator or an icemaker or both. Planning the utilitarian section of a Tiki bar is as important as the bar top and thatched roof.
Electrical power is important for a Tiki bar if for no other reason than to keep the blender running. But it's also nice to have ice available and refrigeration if there's room, so planning for an electrical run to your installation makes sense. If putting in electrical connections is something you're not comfortable with it should not be prohibitively expensive to have an electrician do the job, if there is not a complicated conduit path or an extra breaker required.
Most people who go to the effort of building a Tiki bar consider it an entertainment center and often want to furnish the area with tables and stools constructed with a similar Polynesian theme. You can also obtain plans for Tiki tables and stools that are provided in the same sort of illustrated manual that includes both instructions and photographs. There are also some pre-cut products available for Tiki furniture.
A Tiki bar can be a great addition to your backyard and to your entertainment options at home. If it is built with care and assembled properly it will last for years. Invest in a set of Tiki bar plans developed by a professional so that your results have professional quality and appearance.
