Inspired by a trip to Disney, this Tiki bar is one of many hand-built structures in Steve Guizzo's Aventureland themed backyard in British Columbia. Starting with plans for a garden shed and using only rusted and weathered materials, he created a theme park worthy design which has entertained his friends and family for several years. "It's always evolving," he says, and recently he has added a grill and plumbing to the bar. Here are the basic step-by-step plans for Guizzo's tiki bar—lanterns, fishnets and other trinkets not included.

For more on Guizzo's creations check out his Web site.

Tiki Bar Plans (PDF, 1.3MB, requires Adobe Reader)

1/2 yard driveway gravel or other aggregate (for foundation base)

11 - 3 ½ x 3 ½ x 8' pressure treated fence post (or 4 x 4s if desired)

12 1 x 6 x 8' pressure treated radius deck boards

21 - 2 x 4 x8' boards

7- 2 x 4 x9' boards (for rafters)

35 - 1/2 x 6 x 4' fence cedar fence boards

21 - 2 x 4 inch brackets (Simpson strong ties)

24 - 2 x 5/8 inch lag bolts

500 or more deck screws sizes ranging from 1 ¾ inches to 3 inches

1 - 2' x 8' x 1/2" plywood G1S (good one side, for your countertop)

Wood Stain

Decorative theme objects fishnets, lanterns, coconut shells, Tiki torches, Tiki carvings, etc

Step 1: Laying the Foundation

First, select the location for your Tiki bar—Guizzo's Tiki hut is a lean-to design and is intended to be built adjacent to a house. Excavate the location of the floor base and fill the area with two inches of leveled driveway gravel.

Next, assemble the four fence posts to create an 8 x 6 foot base. Measure diagonally from each corner to ensure that it is square. Insert five 2 x 4s every 16 inches from the center and nail them to the fence posts with 3 inch deck screws. Use 2 x 4 hangers to help hold them in place. Make sure the base is level and square before continuing.

Step 2: Making the Deck

Lay out and secure 12 pressure treated boards out over the base using 1 3/4 inch screws, leaving a 1/4 inch space in between each board for drainage and expansion. Now, stain the deck.

Make sure the the pressure treated boards have been dry for a week before staining. Pressure treating involves toxic chemicals, staining the wood while dry helps seal the toxins away from you and your guests.

Step 3: Assemble the Walls

Assemble the front and back wall frames with six 3 1/2 x 3 1/2 fence posts using brackets and lag bolts to fasten. The height of each wall will depend on where you build it. In this example, the back wall is 96 inches and the front wall is 82 inches—any shorter and your guests may hit their heads on the gutter. Use spare 2 x 4s to hold these in place. Screw the posts into the floor by toe-nailing 3-inch deck screws. Attach the back of the wall to the house, either with mounting plates or directly into the side.

Step 4: Design Tip

These 5 inch corner braces are a nice touch to hold the posts together. Also, their weathered look adds to the Tiki theme. If your hardware is new, a faux rust coating can be added in a two-part paint process which can be purchased at many craft stores.

Step 5: Secure the Posts

Attach the front wall posts to the back wall beams with two 2 x 4s at the top outside corners with brackets and lag bolts.

Step 6: Working on the Rafters

Now, start working on the rafters. Place seven 2 x 4 x 9' boards every 16 inches from the center. Make a small birds mouth notch (right angled cut) in each rafter to rest it on the top of the front frame. Taper the bottom part of the overhang to increase headroom under the rafters. The rafters can be attached to the back wall using metal hangers.

Step 7: Framing the Counter

Using 2 x 4s, frame-in an area that will become the counter space and cupboards.

The counter should be about 42 inches high. To create the base for it, run two 2 x 4s 24 inches apart across the vertical posts. Then attach 42 inch vertical lengths every 32 inches for support. Customize the inside of the counter to suit whatever you plan on putting in there—a small fridge, dishwasher or a sink.

Guizzo added a fifth vertical post on the right side of the structure to create a doorway and to support the bar. However, a counter height vertical beam can be used instead.

Step 8: Roof It!

Roof it. This Tiki bar uses rusted tin roofing from an old barn. However, thatched palm leaves can be used instead for a more authentic polynesian look.

Design tip: Make ornate corner blocks out of scrap pieces of the deck boards. Cut them to fit in square at a 45 degree angle, and freehand a design into them. Make one, and use it as a template for the others.

Step 9: Side the Structure

Side the structure using cedar fence boards and screws.

Here, a spilt piece of bamboo is made into a rustic gutter and edging for the counter top. Bamboo, which never rots, can also be used as paneling in place of the cedar board.

Step 10: Install the Countertop

Stain and seal the 2' x 8' x 1/2" plywood and install it as the countertop.

Step 11: Finishing Touches

The devil is in the details—fishnets, lanterns, seashells and saloon-style doors will make your Tiki hut come alive.

Add a sound system, a blender and call your friends over for a luau—Hawaiian shirts are mandatory attire.

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