Zach Marsh has a barber shop. It’s not just a barber shop, but a tiki barber shop! It’s called Southpaw Barbershop and it’s in Saint Francis WI. If you need a trim, I highly recommend Zach, you’ll leave with a fresh trim and a total relaxing tiki experience. Speaking on relaxing experiences, Zach has a tiki bar behind his home. It’s called The White Whale and it’s where Zach goes when he wants to relax. Here’s his story…
What is the tiki scene like where you live?
Zach- I like to think the tiki scene here (Milwaukee) is good. It’s growing more and more. Also, the people who I meet and talk to at my Barbershop tell me about their home tiki bars… so I’m meeting more and more people daily/weekly who are tikiphiles. I wish we had a couple more rad commercial Tiki bars. Foundation here in Milwaukee is great, we also have Trader Nicks and Ula Ula. In the Milwaukee area, we also have a few bars that aren’t full on tiki but more modern tiki… Or “riffs” of Tiki.
What brought you into the tiki lifestyle and how long has it been part of your life?
Zach- Pete Klockau of The Black Lagoon Room and my good friend Shaun both brought me into Tiki. It’s been five years so far that I’ve been into the Tiki scene. I do really love it. For all aspects of Tiki. Everything from the music to the aloha wear, escapism/atmosphere and decor to the cocktails. I think the thing I like the most about it, is the neat history behind what we think of as Tiki. Donn Beach’s vision of bringing paradise to you. There are so many different cultures and therefore history that are a part on it.
Can you give a little history of how it all came together?
Zach- Back in 2019 we were taking a trip to Cannon Beach, Oregon for a wedding on my wife’s side of the family. I knew that I wanted to try to surfing out there. (Bucket list/dream of mine). So that got me thinking about having a cool surf shack in my backyard which quickly made me think of making it a tiki surf shack… So, we go on that trip for the wedding, my youngest son and I both successfully surfed the Pacific at Oswald Beach State Park. I came home and started building the shed which would become The White Whale in early July of 2019. It took a handful of months to complete and it was finished as a standing structure by Labor Day 2019. And I’m still adding things to it. Like they say, “A Tiki bar is never fully finished”.
Any story behind the name of your bar?
Zach- Well, I would joke and tell people that I am the white whale, lol… But really, it’s the captain Ahab/Moby Dick story… always chasing the elusive white whale. People won’t find it unless they’re invited.
What is your favorite Tiki drink?
Zach- It’s a toss-up between a Zombie, Mai Tai, and the Jet Pilot. A Nui Nui is always good too! I like how well balanced all those drinks are. Strong, sweet, and sour.
What is your favorite Tiki bar? Not including your own!
Zach- A Favorite home tiki bar besides mine has got to be The Black Lagoon Room. My favorite commercial Tiki bar is hard to answer. They are all great in different ways. And I haven’t been to all of them yet… Foundation is the closest, it’s small (intimate), decked out in cool decor, music is always on point, and The Exotics play there live on a fairly regular basis.
Outside of great drinks, what do you think are essential elements in creating the perfect Tiki environment?
Zach- Escapism. To me a good Tiki bar has to “hit on all cylinders”. Meaning the environment/decor, music, lighting, great drinks, and relaxed friendly staff/service. Living here in Wisconsin where I think the Tiki bar scenario fits best, makes me think I’m somewhere tropical in the middle of winter where I can feel relaxed. If that’s achieved, then job well done!
What does the future hold for you and your home tiki bar?
Zach- They say the sky’s the limit. Literally, I’m hoping to add on an A-frame breezeway in the next couple years and totally enhance and transform my whole backyard into a somewhat tropical oasis/paradise.
Anything else you would like to add?
Zach- I’m happy that I got into this Tiki world. So many aspects of it fascinate me, as well as meeting nice and wonderful people such as yourself and Jamie. It also adds an extra element of fun when I visit new states, cities, and possibly even other countries.
