Building a bamboo bar

[BenBenBaa]

Technically this is not a Thai building story, but it is certainly something anyone in Thailand could do. I actually got the idea while in Bali, where most low-budget accommodation is built from bamboo and grass matting.
I got about 15 bamboo poles from a local supplier, along with 10 lengths of Alang-alang thatch from Bali. The poles are all around 2m long and 50mm thick.
First I built the roof, which is an offset A-frame, longer at the front so it will shade people sitting at the bar. To make the ends sit neatly against other poles I used a 50mm hole-saw to cut right through them. This made them sit neatly, then I drilled through and ran cable-ties through the holes to bind them together. Traditionally it would be some kind of twine, but cable ties are far quicker. Once it was ready I used some twine to strengthen the joins and cover up the cable ties a bit.
Here I am choosing the location for the bar in my backyard in Sydney

Next I dug four holes for the upright poles. I just used a single bag of premix cement, enough to keep the bar in place even in heavy wind. Once set in place I used the hole saw again to cut them all to a level height (as the ground isn't level). The semicircles cut out of the tops allowed the crossbeams of the roof to sit easily in place while I secured it.

In the next shot you'll notice a few more diagonal braces, which I just kept adding until the thing wasn't too wobbly. The Alang-alang roofing was then cable-tied into place, which is very easy. Each length is wrapped around a supporting stick, which for such a small bar is rigid enough to need no extra support. You just start at the bottom edge and work your way up. The bar top I cut out of a piece of marine ply with a jigsaw, then routered the edges and lacquered it.

I finished it off with some bamboo screening as you can see in the next pic. Afterwards I made a bench seat in front of it with the leftover plywood and some treated pine. Since the ground is sloping I made the bench to suit the land, which is much more stable than barstools. I also made a floor out of hardwood decking I had left over from another project. Later I'll dig up a photo of the party we had to celebrate my weekend's effort.

[BenBenBaa]

Here was the party, apart from the handsome drunks you'll notice the bench seat, the bar floor made out of decking and some traditional Thai ball lights for atmosphere.

[dirtydog]

Bars too high or your very short, 110cm height is max

[Rural Surin]

Could've got some male models to stand in....just for the pics.

[slimboyfat]

Could've got some male models to stand in....just for the pics.

i am assuming that the guys dimensions are just distorted due to my widescreen monitor

[SEA Traveler]

Nice effort BBB. Hats off and applause provided. cheers MAte!

[bankao dreamer]

nice one BBB that should make the evenings and weekend pass much better.

[shadow role]

all thats missing is some...poontang!

[BenBenBaa]

Bars too high or your very short, 110cm height is max

I'm standing there before the floor went in. It's about right now, although it could do with a fridge. Lugging ice down there is a pain.
There were girls at that party by the way, but they were standing well clear of us at that point

[DrAndy]

I'm standing there before the floor went in

There were girls at that party

where is Benbaa when you need him?

[kingwilly]

Great project mate

[The Fresh Prince]

I think in this pic, whoever owns this leg is saying "What the fuck is he doing now?"



Great job mate!

[BenBenBaa]

I think in this pic, whoever owns this leg is saying "What the fuck is he doing now?"

Yeah she says that a lot...

[bobo746]

where is the brown girls bringing the beers around

[kingwilly]

I think in this pic, whoever owns this leg is saying "What the fuck is he doing now?"



Great job mate!

And fantastic effort taking that pic too, she didnt even bother to sit up, let alone stand.