The way to achieve this is through the use of flame, low-wattage bulbs, colored lights, and fixtures that restrict much light from getting out. Flame is a risky endeavor in a Tiki bar, where flammable organic elements abound. People who are drinking are not to be trusted with candles, but flames in drinks, now that's good sport. Some locations have had grand Tiki fireplaces, and fire dancer shows are also part of the tradition. Flame-look flicker bulbs can be purchased, but their wattage is so low that they really are not useful for light at all. Disneyland uses special trickery to allow bulbs of any sort to flicker like flame. The electrical controls can be expensive, but someone who knows what they're doing can tackle the project for under a hundred dollars.

Tiki bar bulbs

Low-wattage bulbs are the most effective way to produce good Tiki bar lighting. 15- or 30-watt bulbs will often do the trick. The key is to have enough light fixtures to make the low wattage work. A good Tiki bar will have a ceiling that is nearly encrusted with low-wattage light fixtures. All these light fixtures would look a bit dull without some variety, and that's where colored lights and unusual fixtures come in. Any color of the rainbow will look right in a Tiki bar, as long as the light level is low. Reds in particular will make everyone in the room look more attractive, and moody spots of green and blue add mystery.

Conclusion

Good Tiki light fixtures look unconventional, and give off a restricted amount of light. The most prized Tiki light fixture is a glass float. These large round glass balls were used on ships, and used to drift onto shore with their sides nicely blasted into a frosted look by the elements. They were once plentiful, but are now rare, with original floats going for well over a hundred dollars. Today, faux-floats are produced without light fixtures. Drilling one for use as a lamp can be tricky without proper equipment, many opt to instead mount the light on the outside of the float, and mask it with bamboo. Another popular Tiki light fixture is the puffer fish lamp. It is not difficult to make a puffer fish lamp yourself, but it can be messy and smelly. Other lamp styles include old fish traps, bamboo bird cages, and frames wrapped in tapa cloth.

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