Home tiki bars are usually found in the basement, a garage or even a spare room but in the case of The Headhunters Hideaway, the home tiki bar is in a boat house! Luckily Kim and Mark’s home isn’t too far away from their tiki escape on the water. Here is their story …
What is the tiki scene like in Olympia?
Kim- It is pretty non-existent in the Olympia area. If we want to go to any “tiki bars” we either travel to Portland and go to Hale Pele (one of my favorite’s!) or else to Tacoma and go to the Devil’s Reef. So, in essence if we want to have a tiki scene we usually make it happen at our house or we go on trips just to try out different tiki bars in an area.
What brought you into the ‘Tiki lifestyle” and how long has it been part of your life?
Kim- The very first time I ever went to Disneyland was the beginning for me. I was probably around 4 and just fell in love with the Enchanted Tiki Room. I loved it so much that my father nicknamed me KiKibird! He called me that for as long as he was alive. I was motivated to do my homework so that I could watch Gilligan’s island. I always felt I was born to have so much more exotic in my life!
Then as an adult and getting to go to the Hawaiian Islands really sealed it for me. So … One day I was at an exhibition show working, with a little too much time on my hands. While walking around I found a bamboo exhibitor. They had a tiki bar in their booth. I asked if it was for sale, and the fun began! What’s funny is that when my husband and I first started with the tiki bar, collecting and hosting tiki parties, we had no idea that “tiki” was a thing with a whole wonderful culture of friendly people who felt just as we do. The first time attending Tiki Kon, I turned to him, smiled and said “we have found our people”.
Can you give a little history of how it all came together?
Kim- About 6 years ago we moved into our current home…
We had sold our old tiki bar, but kept most of the décor. When first moving in we were working with a dock contractor to do some repairs. He was trying to figure out how to make the installed system in our boathouse work for the boat we had. When we finally decided it just wasn’t going to work, I had the idea to use the boat house as our “tiki lounge”.
I got on Craigslist the next day and found a really great bar and furniture set for sale and the fun began all over again! We have had 2 re-dos on the lounge. As with any collection, the more you seem to collect the more refined your ideas of what you like become.
Any story behind the name of your bar?
Kim- We have renamed this version Headhunter’s Hideaway. We decided that we loved collecting pieces from Papua New Guinea and wanted to focus more on that aspect in the lounge. The backstory is something about some headhunters following us home after we were on a collection trip. They took over the bar and let us occasionally host parties!
What is your favorite Tiki drink?
Kim- The drink I am drinking at the time! Seriously I have so many favorites I don’t know if I could name just one. When going to a new place, or if I just don’t want to decide, I will usually go for a Painkiller. I am always up for trying something I have not had before, and I am usually not disappointed!
What is your favorite Tiki bar? Not including your own!
Kim- I love Hale Pele and Trader Sam’s!
Outside of great drinks, what do you think are essential elements in creating the perfect Tiki environment?
Kim- For me it is really about the décor. I love the story of a place. Presentation is essential. It is like a perfectly wrapped present. The anticipation when I walk into a new bar, be it a home bar or a business bar. I love to see the character that someone has put into it. Whether they happen to have a well-planned out thought or just a casual put it there attitude, it can all work and be a lot of fun. Good exotica music is of course a must! No TV’s no windows and great lighting.
What does the future hold for you and your home tiki bar?
Kim- You doing a show at the Headhunter’s Hideaway! We love to meet new tiki ohana and always welcome the opportunity to have people to our home. The people we have met through the tiki lifestyle have really added an element to our lives that we truly enjoy!
Anything else you would like to add?
Kim- We even get the kids and grandkids somewhat involved. Our grandson likes to be part of some of our tiki parties. He dresses in aloha wear and hats, and going to Trader Sam’s while we are in Disney is a must! We even have a shirt for our dog! She isn’t always happy to wear it, but she loves helping clean up after a party!
I’d like to thank Travis Bay for his photos used for this post!
