“We're down in the basement at least four or five times a week, now as a family.
Ping pong old school funky family full#
There is also a full bath and workout room. The entire basement has an open floor plan and includes the bar (which seats eight people), theater and poker table. They named the bar "Vintage" to reflect their love of wine, classic movies, jazz and vintage autographed memorabilia - from Babe Ruth to jazz entertainer Fats Waller. The Brandtjens designed the bar to reflect a “nice upscale establishment, with a vintage ‘40s feel.”
Ping pong old school funky family movie#
“We had a newborn when we built the house and knew it would be more difficult just to go out for a drink or a movie at the drop of the hat.” “The basement was built as a place to go out to without actually leaving the house,” says Brandtjen. In 1998, when Rick Brandtjen and his wife, Janel, built their house in Menomonee Falls, they included a bar and theater in their basement plans. “We try to get down there every weekend,” says Eggert. Rekoske bought a few tiki drink books and likes to let his guests pick their drink of choice from one of the printed recipes. “If we find an original tiki mask while rummaging it’s like we’ve found the Holy Grail,” says Eggert. Most of the furniture and tchotchkes are from antique shops, rummage sales and Target. It all turned out way better than expected.”Įggert and Rekoske lucked out when friends donated a grass-roofed tiki bar and bamboo stools. “And it inspired me to do things I never had done. He did so much of the work ,” says Eggert. Like the Dutchers, the Oak Creek couple did most of the work themselves. “It all came together right before the party, thanks to some help from Tom’s sister and brother-in-law,” says Eggert. Eggert says the 24 hours leading up to the party were the most intense part of the construction process. Officially, it was unveiled to friends and family members on New Year’s Eve 2005 / 2006. The Eggert / Rekoske basement lounge was inspired by tiki bars in San Francisco - among other places - and took two years to complete. “We know other people with incredible tiki bars in their basements.” “There’s a whole subculture of people doing this,” says Eggert. Spouses Mary Eggert and Tom Rekoske have a basement tiki bar, too. “The basement is like a second family room for us.” People never leave Dutch's Lost Hideaway thirsty or hungry,” he says. “We love serving hot appetizers of fried won tons and fondue.
Lisa's favorite drink is the Zombie (crafted from the original recipe of Chicago's Pago Pago), and Jim's favorites are the Royal Hawaiian, Old Style Mai Tai and his personal variation of Agent Orange. The Dutchers spend a lot of time in their Lost Hideaway, entertaining friends, listening to vinyl albums and mixing exotic libations. “We have many coconut monkeys, puffer fish and glass floats hanging from the ceiling, so watch your head if you’re tall,” says Jim. Also, they have scores of vintage ‘50s Hawaiian pieces, such as a life preserver from the Lurline, a savage print and rare tiki mugs from tropical establishments like Trader Vic's, Mainlander, Judges Beyond the Reef and Tiki Bob's. The Hideaway’s main wall is covered in three different types of matting and bamboo, and more than 100 masks from islands like Hawaii, Fiji, the Bahamas, New Zealand and Samoa. The store specializes in household items from the ‘40s, ‘50s and ‘60s, including a huge selection of Hawaiian antiques. Hence, the couple created a Polynesian Hawaiian Tiki Bar they call “Dutch’s Lost Hideaway.” The Dutchers hired an electrician to help with the wiring, but otherwise they did all of the work themselves.ĭecorating the basement was fun and easy for the Dutchers because they own Tip Top Atomic Shop, 2343 S. “We always dreamed of having a tropical paradise getaway, especially because of Wisconsin's cold winters,” says Jim. When Lisa and Jim Dutcher bought a ranch-style house on the Southwest Side, the basement was unfinished. Now, people refine their basement space to create funky, family-friendly entertainment spots, often with a big emphasis on the bar. Cheers!īack in the day, a "rec room" basement meant paneled walls, shag carpeting, a fat television and maybe a ping-pong table. Whole month of February, we're serving up intoxicatingly fun bars andĬlub articles - including guides, bartender profiles, drink recipesĪnd even a little Brew City bar history. "Bar Month" at is back for another round! The
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