Post #798134 by Prikli Pear on Fri, Oct 18, 2019 7:24 AM

Martin Cate's book is probably the perfect introduction to tiki. It's a fantastic, broad overview that introduces people to the big picture. The Mai Kai book is a great piece of history.

With electrical, I lucked out in that there was an existing outdoor plug right when I put my back bar. I've done some lighting wiring, but that's in the attic above the bar, so none of it's exposed to the elements. My recommendation, if you haven't already, is just invest in one of the electrical/wiring books available at the big box hardware stores. The Stanely Guide to Wiring or of similar ilk. They're not always organized intuitively, but the information is solid. You won't want to cut corners in areas that are damp/wet. Outdoor-rated GCFI plugs are essential.

And you're learning something I did as well early in my build--the space really does dictate the final form your tiki bar takes. Take your time to problem solve, but don't be afraid to make mistakes. And don't let yourself get hung up on any one sticking point. If you run into a problem you can't immediately figure out, move on to an unrelated part of your build and let your subconscious worry over the issue for a while. Some of my best ideas have come about that way. :)