An "Indiana Jones" themed Tiki Bar

An "Indiana Jones" themed Tiki Bar

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Continuing with my Adventureland theme in my backyard, I created this 'tiki' bar and deck area. I borrowed heavily from the Indiana Jones ride queue of Disneyland as well as hints from the movies themselves.

The bar was actually built 5 years ago now,and the tropical plants and bamboos have really taken over,providing lots of shade and ambiance.

I add something every year to this spot.This year I added the deck,which has a great ocean view,as well as our Jungle Cruise playhouse. A palm tree that was planted back then now grows up through the deck.

Keep an eye on some of the bar details,there are nods to all three Indy movies,as well as Pirates of the Caribbean,and others...

42 comments	Add Comment

1-40 of 42

Dec 8, 2011. 6:54 AMsea cliff says:

do you have detailed plans and photographs available, even if there is a cost, the one page plans from popular mechanics are very limited.

Thank you

Dec 8, 2011. 3:31 PM

madhatter1138 (author) says:

No...BUT I have been working on a complete set of plans, and I promise they will be ready for the spring..Check back here our my website www.guizzomedia.com

Jul 11, 2011. 3:22 PMdecodence says:

Anyway to get high-res pics of those attached?

Oct 28, 2011. 2:44 PMomnibot says:

Try the little "i" in the top left corner of every picture.

May 10, 2011. 3:48 PMJondw says:

You have given me inspiration to build my own "Disney" resort yard. I hope you won't mind if I copy some of your ideas. They just work so well. My kids are a little old for a playhouse, so I won't be doing that one but it looks awesome. Don't know much about your weather up there (I'm from New Mexico, USA), but how do your plants do? Your whole project is just amazing. Thank you for sharing and the tips on building. Looking forward to starting on my own.

Mar 26, 2011. 10:48 AMbuddha704 says:

The whole project turned out beautiful, awesome job!

Aug 11, 2010. 4:50 PMandBONES says:

Is there anyway you could do an actual instructable? I was really interested in making this in my back yard but dont have a general knowledge of construction so i was trying to guess measurements and how large everything was that you used and i'm not sure how to put the frame together and attach everything. Great tiki hut! Would be even better if I could figure out how to make it!

Aug 11, 2010. 9:27 PM

madhatter1138 (author) says:

You can check out this link http://www.popularmechanics.com/home/improvement/outdoor-projects/free-tiki-bar-plans

Jun 14, 2010. 9:55 PMgeorgeh75 says:

Yeah as soon as I get some more progress going on I will definatley post some photo's right now I am in the tail end of the collection faze. I absolutely love you lamp post and was searching all over the net for the same or similar lamps if you dont mind me asking I would love to know where you got them? and I love your lanterns. are the fuel? I bought a few from wally world and brought them home, stripped the paint dipped them in muriatic acid and then gave them a salt water spray. I also didnt want to mess with the fuel so I went and bought a bunch of led tea light and hacked the to run off of my low voltage landscaping lights I wished I would have done a step by step in order to do an instructable. maybe on the next ones. well thanks for the last reply and hope to hear from you again. George

Jun 15, 2010. 8:17 PM

madhatter1138 (author) says:

The lamps were new, I found them at the same scrap yard where I get all my old lumber. They were blue,I painted them Olive drab. I had wanted the industrial "pan" type that seem common,but I couldn't find any. These work well.For wiring, I'm using two lengths of contractors lights,the kind on an extension cord. My hurricane lamps are fuel type,I rarely use them,but they have been used safely for some time now.They were red,I used a faux finish on them to get the rust look.Sounds like you are going to have one heck of a bar when you're done.Love the idea with the led tea lights, I may try that on the Jungle Cruise playhouse lights..thanks for the idea! looking forward to seeing your stuff!!

Jun 10, 2010. 10:53 PMgeorgeh75 says:

I have been building my adventureland styled backyard and have a couple of questions, first off what did you use for roofing material? how did you weather it? and how did you distress the wood? thanks for a reply in advance. George

Jun 11, 2010. 6:50 AM

madhatter1138 (author) says:

It's a corrugated tin roof,like that used on barns,etc.It was already weathered like that (IE RUSTED!) The rust is just surface,and there are no holes in it. I frequent a place that sells leftover building materials,and reclaimed wood,etc..places like that are treasure troves of awesome looking (and cheaper) building materials..check and see what you have in your area! The wood is cedar,and will turn silver in a year or so,but this was from an old fence,so it already looked like that when I used it here. Let's see some photos of your project! Sounds awesome!

May 27, 2009. 6:03 AMGymMama says:

That's fantastic!!

Apr 27, 2009. 11:09 PMRT- HABU says:

WOW!!! AWSOME!!! That is the greatest bar Ive ever seen!!!!! my whole backyard is tiki themed, now Im building a copy of your bar for my yard!! You are a master craftsman by far!! Love Disney too, and although Im only 16 miles away i dont get there as offten as Id like. Thanks again for sharing your awsome bar and playhouse!! Too Cool!!!!! Paul

Apr 14, 2009. 12:45 PMbalno says:

Great work !!! I surely would have a drink there...

Mar 22, 2009. 7:49 PMNintendo_Expedition says:

At the risk of sounding like an Indy-nerd, but I can totally understand why you didn't put an actual swastika on the crate tabletop.

Mar 20, 2009. 8:50 AMRicardo Furioso says:

You are obsessed. I love people with obsessions who are willing to share and explain. A couple of masterpieces. Thank you for sharing your madness with the rest of us mad people who aspire to similar craziness. Bravo. Can't wait to see your next project.

Feb 4, 2009. 7:09 PMJerryL says:

Nice Job! Great looking bar. I am starting the "Bearded Clam" Tiki Bar this weekend. Thanks for the info and ideas.

Jan 20, 2009. 5:59 PMhydrnium.h2 says:

Jeez! This looks like a tropical theme park! Nice Job

Sep 22, 2008. 9:08 PMnoesc says:

Thank you! I've allways had an idea for how my livingroom+balkony should look like, a tiki-bar. But I had no details in mind until I saw your garden! You just gave me 1001 ideas in less then 5 mins. Thank you! *Can't wait to get going*

Oct 23, 2008. 10:20 PM

madhatter1138 (author) says:

Thats awesome, glad to be of help. I've been inspired by so many people,it's nice to give back some. Keep me posted on your stuff!

Oct 27, 2008. 1:31 PMnoesc says:

I will try to post when I get going.. Social and work related stuff keeps me from starting atm. But I'm working on it in my mind =)
I'll hope to do something similar but inside and without "India-theme".. But I'm thinking of a "weight-supported"-trap for some "special-brew-liqure" only available for ppl that knows about it ;)

Oct 20, 2008. 11:57 AM

CementTruck says:

Totally cool. Totally off Indy and Disney topics, Do you find that you get animals roosting in between the eaves of the house and the roof of the tiki hut? I would have some serious squirrel and bird infestations in that area if I built an addition that way. I live in a part of the country that gets a lot of rain and snow, and the rodents, and rodents with wings, find any way they can to stay dry. I'll have to try to something a little different. Thanks for the ideas.

Oct 23, 2008. 10:19 PM

madhatter1138 (author) says:

Nope, going on 5 years vermin free. Good luck on your projects.

Jul 29, 2008. 12:10 PMdisneyave says:

Love the work! It's good to know that I am not the only Disney nut out there! I just signed-up...I will be posting my "DISNEY ROOM" in the near future! Keep Imagineering! - Disneyave

Jul 24, 2008. 2:40 PMtink1272 says:

I want your yard. Excellent tribute to all Adventureland, Indy and POTC. I love it. I can't wait to have a yard now. :-) Fantastic work.

Jul 15, 2008. 12:29 PMWildBuh says:

How did you build those cool crates?

Jul 15, 2008. 4:06 PM

madhatter1138 (author) says:

Build the outside frame of the crate with the 45 degree angled corners..Nail or screw them together. Then flip it over and cover it with planks. I use a brad nailer to quickly get the pieces built,then add old looking nails here and there on the surface,just for looks mostly.

Jul 8, 2008. 9:42 PMnilokerus says:

I'd be interested to know how you went about burning into those crates.

Jul 8, 2008. 10:16 PM

madhatter1138 (author) says:

The writing is just one with spray paint and a stencil that I made in the computer using a font that was close to the actual prop. I used images in a book of the Lucasfilm Archives to get it right. After it was done and look good,I burnt it..with a propane torch.Thats it really.

Jul 9, 2008. 12:34 AMnilokerus says:

Come to think of it, the tougher question is: where do you obtain such a fine crate?

Jul 9, 2008. 3:32 PM

madhatter1138 (author) says:

LOL..I should have also mentioned..I built the crate too!

Jul 3, 2008. 4:35 PMalex-sharetskiy says:

Awesome looks a bit faded you would've sealed the wood

Jul 3, 2008. 4:45 PM

madhatter1138 (author) says:

the more faded the better, imo...I used reclaimed lumber as well specifically to get an aged look...:)

Jul 3, 2008. 4:50 PMalex-sharetskiy says:

it looks better "new" Would you ride a new roller coaster rather then an old one?

Jul 4, 2008. 8:02 PMremainseated says:

totally disagree, the reclaimed lumber looks great! The entire point is to look rustic. alex-sharetskiy, check out some photos on flickr of the Indiana Jones Adventure at Disneyland or the Epic Stunt Spectacular at the Disney Hollywood Studios, you'll see what I mean! Emergency exit doors in Indiana Jones queue

Jul 4, 2008. 8:26 PMalex-sharetskiy says:

Every one has their own opinion, i have stated mine i mean this with uttermost respect

Jul 5, 2008. 3:49 PMremainseated says:

Totally agree with you.

Jul 3, 2008. 5:48 PMThornburg says:

You did a great job.

Jul 3, 2008. 3:31 PMcodester says:

Very well done! Excellent job!

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madhatter1138 (Guizzo Media)

I am a freelance graphic designer, as well as a carpenter. I enjoy spending time with my two beautiful little girls,and wonderful wife.Oh, and we all love Disneyland! I have built a Jungle Cruise play...