Tiki Bar Shelving
This was a commission project for The Honu tiki bar. The previous liquor shelving was a vintage rattan entertainment center, which lasted for a few years but the weight of all the rum bottles, the humidity and general wear and tear was just too much to sustain.
The biggest challenges with this: (1) trying to build a set of shelves off-site, to be later installed quickly, (2) build them very strong to hold a lot of weight, and (3) build something that would hold up in damp outdoor Florida conditions.
I looked at building these all with wood, but the supporting structure would have to be bulky, and susceptible to moisture and pest damage. So we decided to go with a pre-built heavy-duty metal shelf and “cover” it with tiki goodness.
The main structure is now metal, the bottle tiers are made of rot-resistant cedar board with plexiglas covers, and the trim work is burned and finished pine board.
1 – Metal shelf
Assembled the metal shelf and determine shelf heights.
2 – Building the Tiers
Build these 3-level tiers, notched to fit the shelving, and then grooved to hold plexi shelving.
3 – Ceder tiers close-up
Build these 3-level tiers, notched to fit the shelving, and then grooved to hold plexi shelving.
4 – Design the trim
I designed all the trim digitally to do most of the work with the CNC.
5 – Carve the trim with CNC
Used CNC to carve 90% of the trim work. Pine 1×3, 1×4 and 1×6 board lumber.
6 – Hand carving
Embellished some details with hand carving after the CNC.
7 – Final trim
All the trim boards ready for finishing and assembly.
8 – More hand carving
Embellishment and cleanup with hand carving after the CNC.
9 – Trim assembly
Assembled all the face trim into one large grid for ease of on-site installation later.
10 – Trim assembly
Assembled all the face trim into one large grid for ease of on-site installation later.
11 – Burn all wood pieces
Burned and brushed all wood pieces to give them a more vintage feel.
12 – Trim finishing
Stain and finish all the trim with marine varnish. Build and assemble cabinet doors.
13 – On-site install
We disassembled and moved everything to The Honu for reassembly.
14 – Shelves installed
And it’s done! Owner approved!
15 – Trim detail
Some close shots of the final product.
16 – Trim detail
Some close shots of the final product.
17 – Trim detail
Some close shots of the final product.
18 – View of full shelf
The final product, filled with over 100 bottles of liquor.
19 – Security panels
Lightweight, removable security panels to lock things up at night.
