My Witco Bar & Theatre

Hi there, I'm new to the site and have a huge amount of respect for all the amazing bars on here. My Tiki bar adventure started with buying a house in 2015 that had many Witco items in it including a great fountain, a bar, a carved door and a lot of Witco trim. The house had sat on the market for a while and one of the reasons was the dark and "ugly" basement but my wife and I loved it at first site. The previous owners knew nothing about other than it was put in place by the original owners in the sixties. We didn't know anything about Witco at the time other than this was a very cool and unique collection and we wanted it all included in the sale.

We had young kids at the time and the basement soon was taken over by toys. Fast forward to Covid and working from home and the kids were now teenagers and the basement bar had become a makeshift home theatre. I knew I wanted to redo the basement into something for hosting once the pandemic ended and to reflect how we currently used the space (movies and game nights) and to honour the Witco collection that we loved so much when we bought the house.

I expect that some may find our Tiki lacking, but I wanted to share here since I don't know of anyone in my city that has a Tiki bar and can't really share this passion with anyone locally.

I'll start with some before pics and post some progress pics after.

Wowza - LOVE that multicolor Witco bar and stools; those are fantastic!!

Every Witco fountain is a joy - super cool stuff! Thank you for sharing!

Thank you!

I started with repositioning the bar and the couch and experimenting with the layout since I decided I wanted the screen on the opposite side of the room so that I didn't have to crawl under it to get a drink during a movie. I also wanted to figure out why some of the ceiling lights didn't work... this opened up a can of worms and I found that the whole ceiling needed to be rewired for safety. Since the room will double as a home theatre I decided to insulate the ceiling and the walls for soundproofing... so all the drywall and wooden panels had to come down. Oh and over the next few weeks I decided to steal a few feet from the laundry room and the furnace room so now the bar had to be dismantled. It was a total rebuild.

more pics to follow

What an incredible score! I can’t wait to see what you do with it.

Witco Fountain !!!!

GLORIOUS!

Awesome! Thanks for sharing.

Rob

Here are some more tear out pics and the start of the rebuild. I took out a brick veneer wall in order to insulate and made a mock up of my future projection screen.

Now that the back wall was rebuilt it too was insulated

I also wanted to extend the Witco bar

Put a sink under the stairs.

and then started redoing the walls with Witco panelling. Image Missing: https://tikicentral.com/resize.php/uploads/86372/6579e1490d50d.jpg?w=1280&h=1280&fit=max&sharp=5&s=418a225dbb86300fd5f9159552504444

Next we built a new fireplace surround using trim from a previous soffit. Image Missing: https://tikicentral.com/resize.php/uploads/86372/6579e22ac3817.jpg?w=1280&h=1280&fit=max&sharp=5&s=47e41bb274acf64c28a18a5a02457877Image Missing: https://tikicentral.com/resize.php/uploads/86372/6579e231e660f.jpg?w=1280&h=1280&fit=max&sharp=5&s=21df472b469681a1a1b00057b28f1325Image Missing: https://tikicentral.com/resize.php/uploads/86372/6579e24dbb2bd.jpg?w=1280&h=1280&fit=max&sharp=5&s=8d32b05f41e1a58f26080a01a1d96242

and glued up a bar extension to match the Witco bar. Image Missing: https://tikicentral.com/resize.php/uploads/86372/6579e5724dde1.jpg?w=1280&h=1280&fit=max&sharp=5&s=811835c06d490cb164dc4d95dced3025Image Missing: https://tikicentral.com/resize.php/uploads/86372/6579e5794af26.jpg?w=1280&h=1280&fit=max&sharp=5&s=7c3cc610f623326b5807afa93f63ef75Image Missing: https://tikicentral.com/resize.php/uploads/86372/6579e582803be.jpg?w=1280&h=1280&fit=max&sharp=5&s=995e6662fc28535ef0444f7e36d78efbImage Missing: https://tikicentral.com/resize.php/uploads/86372/6579e58f9bc07.jpg?w=1280&h=1280&fit=max&sharp=5&s=74e16abbc9e1eb03daacc92ae5134d11Image Missing: https://tikicentral.com/resize.php/uploads/86372/6579e59b57f35.jpg?w=1280&h=1280&fit=max&sharp=5&s=7acd3dae006dca609adc7ab162717012Image Missing: https://tikicentral.com/resize.php/uploads/86372/6579e5a87dc16.jpg?w=1280&h=1280&fit=max&sharp=5&s=708bd6b6067a849e3175c721c2e2c5b7Image Missing: https://tikicentral.com/resize.php/uploads/86372/6579e5b791f72.jpg?w=1280&h=1280&fit=max&sharp=5&s=52fd48fa16fae771934ca3ba65b1da4eImage Missing: https://tikicentral.com/resize.php/uploads/86372/6579e5c8016d0.jpg?w=1280&h=1280&fit=max&sharp=5&s=23ac80ce6aeae18918f7b924eabd94d6

Good luck with you build out

yes, enjoy the build.. and yes tiki builds are pretty rare here, but there are a few of us.

Thanks! Very cool to see you are from Ottawa as well! I feel like I may edit my first post if I had bad info from my realtor or is it just a coincidence that I bought this house from a Linda and Mark?

[ Edited by Nurbel on 2023-12-13 11:24:01 ]

or is it just a coincidence that I bought this house from a Linda and Mark?

:-o

Sweeeeet

Oops -My bad, my wife corrected me... Linda is not the one of the names of the couple who we bought the house off.

Really nice work.

Thanks! BTW, that table you are making is looking amazing!

Now here is where I will lose some people (I just finished reading dozens of posts in the Controversial Tiki Opinion thread). Remember, this bar is serving as my home theatre and as a Tiki bar, and I am trying to navigate through the conflicting needs of both.

Here is the screen, on some blocks as I figure out projector and surround sound placement. For anyone who happens to be into this very non-Tiki aspect - I am running 7 THX certified speakers at ear height and 4 Dolby Atmos in the ceiling and 2 subs (with prewiring ready for 2 more when the budget allows). Image Missing: https://tikicentral.com/resize.php/uploads/86372/657c609e13a60.jpg?w=1280&h=1280&fit=max&sharp=5&s=ff3cfdea09ee4665b86a37565056bd80

and now this will annoy some people probably but my layout is a 1st row of two 5' bean bag chairs for the kids, 2nd row of theatre recliners and then a 3rd row of 4 Witco stools behind the bar. So yes this does make it hard to see some of the carvings but it suits my needs, at least while the kids are still living at home. Image Missing: https://tikicentral.com/resize.php/uploads/86372/657c61b2be0c2.jpg?w=1280&h=1280&fit=max&sharp=5&s=92d0eab9f76d169786eb472f493d377b

Here is a pic of the A/V shelves and the trim around them (and of a complete mess all over). Image Missing: https://tikicentral.com/resize.php/uploads/86372/657c62ed86954.jpg?w=1280&h=1280&fit=max&sharp=5&s=f8647b8c1fff421dc15e91fd75c8ae4f

More to come on my work in progress.

Not sure if you can tell from this picture, but here is how I hid the HVAC. I cut slots in the horizontal trim, in between the carved details. I am getting plenty of airflow and it is totally hidden. Image Missing: https://tikicentral.com/resize.php/uploads/86372/657c8c53c6da4.jpg?w=1280&h=1280&fit=max&sharp=5&s=7edfe9c4e7153e17464ef4b24216c5d5

Slick! Love tricks like that.

Here are some pics of the current state of affairs. The family is enjoying it as is on the daily as a theatre and I'm having guests over every other weekend or so to enjoy the bar side of things. Of course none of my friends know anything about Tiki but that doesn't stop them from having a good time. You'll see from the pics that the room is now usable but I've got a long list of unfinished touches to do. Image Missing: https://tikicentral.com/resize.php/uploads/86372/657cc65f116dd.jpg?w=1280&h=1280&fit=max&sharp=5&s=1190d5872a93d8ff86149c36d0bc6a4a Image Missing: https://tikicentral.com/resize.php/uploads/86372/657cc66d6fc3e.jpg?w=1280&h=1280&fit=max&sharp=5&s=c3412956236f06ce302d56fc4c8d0f89

You can see that I still haven't mounted the projector on the ceiling, I need to order a part I lost during the tear down :( Image Missing: https://tikicentral.com/resize.php/uploads/86372/657cc67f6c968.jpg?w=1280&h=1280&fit=max&sharp=5&s=926bb91355371bf182456f05c25f8c09 Image Missing: https://tikicentral.com/resize.php/uploads/86372/657cc70067c15.jpg?w=1280&h=1280&fit=max&sharp=5&s=9b98da8762d57c5085d6bc7be8d44dfa

Other than the Witco carvings the room is pretty sparse. My ceiling is pretty low so I'm not sure I'll ever get the layered look that most of the bars have.

The front of the room is the most unfinished, relative to my plans. Image Missing: https://tikicentral.com/resize.php/uploads/86372/657cc7f9a8d58.jpg?w=1280&h=1280&fit=max&sharp=5&s=7b50b2967553f5f309e0ef10055166c7

You can see the front right of the room I inset an Ikea shelf and trimmed it with Witco carved trim. The third side is unfinished because of future plans for an angled cabinet on each side of the screen.

Image Missing: https://tikicentral.com/resize.php/uploads/86372/657cc9c3afedd.jpg?w=1280&h=1280&fit=max&sharp=5&s=3e9f69deb5a3b0ab6ff42398db0b109b

Looks great

I plan to build a low shelf for more mugs and the kids' Xbox below the screen. The idea for the cabinets is to have a subwoofer hidden in the base, the middle would house the left and right speakers and then above them would be a niche for a lit up Witco Tiki on each. Image Missing: https://tikicentral.com/resize.php/uploads/86372/657db59bc4ff8.jpg?w=1280&h=1280&fit=max&sharp=5&s=ddd7f9ab432a7a6f24586df039a0ddd1

I'll put a round Tiki column on either side of the screen to frame it and also to eventually hide automated curtains for movie time. Image Missing: https://tikicentral.com/resize.php/uploads/86372/657db5c722d42.jpg?w=1280&h=1280&fit=max&sharp=5&s=5701174579d3aee506b565ca7f558fbbImage Missing: https://tikicentral.com/resize.php/uploads/86372/657db5cade61d.jpg?w=1280&h=1280&fit=max&sharp=5&s=0e53aa76d094baf6753371f5b1d11550 Image Missing: https://tikicentral.com/resize.php/uploads/86372/657db727e9187.jpg?w=1280&h=1280&fit=max&sharp=5&s=9ae5360caee777c4debe3bd43abe593f

Really great build-out. I like how you’re incorporating the theater into the design. Sliding curtains sounds great and might be a way to tiki-fy it when you’re not using the theater. I also covet those carvings on the back bar, the stacked heads. I’m saving those to my inspiration folder for later. Adding some tiki lamps to the space will also amplify the mood IMO.

Thanks! I have a few Witco swag lamp shades that may find their way into the bar or in the hall outside of the room. Image Missing: https://tikicentral.com/resize.php/uploads/86372/657f57d50c8b4.jpg?w=1280&h=1280&fit=max&sharp=5&s=1b5e94ece0013917c06f0edbc49d2d42

Here is a pic from the side of the back bar Tikis in case this helps with your inspiration files.Image Missing: https://tikicentral.com/resize.php/uploads/86372/657f55ea5c124.jpg?w=1280&h=1280&fit=max&sharp=5&s=ff173a5f89a9d54d0b7145187641c89a and another angle Image Missing: https://tikicentral.com/resize.php/uploads/86372/657f55fa7589d.jpg?w=1280&h=1280&fit=max&sharp=5&s=237bc1dc821d3a6503b1479423981980

[ Edited by Nurbel on 2023-12-17 12:19:38 ]

So very cool!

Thanks. Sweet lamps!

Here is another pre tear down pic that shows the two columns. They used to be on either side of the stairs. They are about 6" in diameter and will be used on either side of the movie screen to frame it out. Image Missing: https://tikicentral.com/resize.php/uploads/86372/6580710548f90.jpg?w=1280&h=1280&fit=max&sharp=5&s=32deb9644cf8dae32538eea8e4abd492

I have a few Tikis and a seahorse that my parents gave me, which was very nice but they don't really go with the Witco. I have them in the room for now but ultimately they may have to move into the "lobby" (hallway outside of the theatre) where I have yet to finish the drywall and have a clean slate for a different look.

Image Missing: https://tikicentral.com/resize.php/uploads/86372/65808913218ed.jpg?w=1280&h=1280&fit=max&sharp=5&s=4f03bc489f021e4f7076c2382e053397

So what do you guys do with gifts that don't quite fit the look your going for?

Great job, Very cool space! I'm jealous of this Witco fountain! Parents, they don't always understand but it's so sweet of them :)

[ Edited by Tikifrog on 2023-12-19 17:21:16 ]

A few more things to work on. I plan on carving some cedar covers to hide the jack post coming out of the bar. Image Missing: https://tikicentral.com/resize.php/uploads/86372/65871a6a6f2c7.jpg?w=1280&h=1280&fit=max&sharp=5&s=9c94bbfb01fcf282bacc69503f7419bd kind of like this was from before the tear out (it was just 2 sides before since the back was in the furnace room): Image Missing: https://tikicentral.com/resize.php/uploads/86372/65871a941e67d.jpg?w=1280&h=1280&fit=max&sharp=5&s=678294a8ea6bd3d977f9345aa9ca0ef4

I also need to hang this outrigger wall art, once I figure out where it should go: Image Missing: https://tikicentral.com/resize.php/uploads/86372/65871b1f9ca9c.jpg?w=1280&h=1280&fit=max&sharp=5&s=db5d4b82ee2eac9cf5050c0726438485

You have done same great woodworking and made your space your own. I also combined a tiki bar with a home theater. As far a gifts that don't work with your space, I put them in the closet.

WOW congrats on all that witco It seems like lots of custom pieces Ive never seen before! IM excited to see what else you do with the space!

Oh my! How did I miss this back when you started posting? I love your rescue of that great Witco space and the transformation you are making. I hope you're able to share some more recent photos--I'm curious to see your progress over the past year!

You asked about well-intentioned gifts that don't fit the aesthetic. I receive these on occasion from enthusiastic friends who want to contribute. Around here, more often than not they're Aztec/Mayan souvenirs from Mexico or even San Antonio. I thank them and add them to the background layers in my space. They're usually subdued earth tone colors so that works well. They blend easily. If, on rare occasions, the gift is of the clown tiki variety, I'll hang them out on a palm tree or fence or wall that is exposed to the elements. The sun and rain quickly weather them so they're no longer clownish. Once a well-meaning relative gifted us a sculpted concrete wine dispenser in the shape of Texas with a colorful mosaic decorating the front. It was huge. And heavy. Try as we might, we could not figure out any way to integrate it into any part of our home, much less tiki space. Ultimately we gave up trying and donated it to a charity auction where it went for a nice amount to a family who appreciated the aesthetic.

Thanks! Have you posted pics of yours, I would love to see that.

Thanks! I really did luck out on all of these Witco pieces. I will definitely update when I have some significant progress.

Thanks for your kind words. I unfortunately haven't made much progress this past year but in the meantime I am enjoying the space as is. I like the idea of de-clowning those tikis. I think I'll try this. Btw, I enjoy your youtube channel. A great inspiration for sure and a very rare source of instruction.

Thanks for the kind words, Nurbel! I have Tiki Central to thank/blame for my descent down the long and twisty rabbit hole that is tiki. The home bar threads here were sources of great inspiration, but the ones I found most valuable starting out were those that showed how as well as the finished results. So I decided then I would repay the favor, first through my blog build-along and later through the YouTube thing.

Don't get discouraged on your build. I've gone exceptionally long periods without giving some of my projects the attention they deserve, but even incremental progress adds up over time.