The Sneaky Tiki

Create Your Own Tiki Bar With Bamboo Tiki Torches And Other Tropical Accessories

The first Tiki bar was built by Ernest Gantt who built a tropical theme restaurant and bar featuring Cantonese cuisine and exotic rum drinks. The tropical bar concept quickly became a huge hit and began popping up at many different locations around the world. The outdoor bars have become a fun part of holiday hotels and resorts. Tourists can enjoy sipping cocktails throughout the day, and in the evening, the lit bamboo Tiki torches create the perfect tropical island party atmosphere.

How to Create Your Own Tiki Bar

If you are in love with the idea of having your own tropical hut or bar, you are not alone. Many homeowners have added an outdoor tropical bar to their patio or garden areas. If you have been thinking about building a Tiki hut, you can purchase hut plans online. There are tons of different bar designs available. You can also choose to purchase a kit, which provides most of what you will need to build your bar. Kit costs vary depending on the size and style of the bar. For around $3,000, you can get an impressive kit that includes plans and building instructions, kiln dried Cyprus wood and a thatched palm leaf roof. Most hut kits include flooring, shelving and bamboo poles. If you want to build a small and simple outdoor bar, you can find kits for under $1,000.

Creating a Tropical Atmosphere in Your Own Backyard

Purchasing an entire Tiki hut kit may not be in your budget, but if you are willing to invest a couple of hundred dollars, you can create a beautiful Tiki theme area. Start by placing a thatch umbrella cover over your existing outdoor umbrella and place a few pieces of bamboo furniture around the outdoor area. Then decorate your Tiki area with a wooden hand-carved Tiki bar sign, piece of Polynesian art or a Hawaiian Tiki lantern. Finish off your tropical theme by displaying authentic looking bamboo Tiki torches or bamboo oil lanterns.

Tropical Food and Drinks to Serve Your Guests

Once you have your tropical bar area set up, you can plan a fun get-to-together for family, friends or neighbors. Stick to your theme when planning the menu. Prepare a special Polynesian dish like coconut shrimp or a tropical fruit salad. Serve fancy Tiki drinks with colorful cocktail umbrellas garnished with fruit and maraschino cherries. Drinks like the Mai Tai, Pina Colada, Margarita, Blue Hawaiian and the Mojito are surefire crowd pleasers. Light up your bamboo Tiki torches in the evening to create the perfect tropical setting for your guests, and your party is sure to be a memorable event.