My basement tiki lounge hideaway

[DaveD]

Here's my basement hideaway tiki lounge/gaming area/jam space/whatever. After watching one too many of those "Trading Spaces" home makeover shows a few years ago, my wife and I got it in our heads we wanted to try that. We started with a room that was far enough away from sight so if we screwed it up it wouldn't be an eyesore. Thankfully it turned out okay and it's since become home for all my toys and a great place to chill. It's not strictly a gaming collection but it does house my MAME cabinet so it is my primary gaming area. I try to put in a couple hours gaming down there every weekend in addition to semi-regular Friday night jams with friends.

 

Edited January 27, 2010 by DaveD

[Tom-Lynx]

Looks like a cozy cave to hide away in. I'm jealous. I used to have a place like that at home "BK".....before kids. Once they came along I lost all my personal spaces

[Havok69]

Very cool! However, you really need a monitor bezel for your Mame cab...

[brojamfootball]

Man, that flying V acoustic is insane!

 

And you really shouldn't let apes drink. They can become aggressive.

I mean, you HAVE played Donkey Kong haven't you?

[Chris Leach]

Nice pics...what did you use for the bottom part of the walls>? Is that wood and if so what kind>?

 

Looks like a nice place to hang yer hat at the end of the day.

[DaveD]

Thanks for the kind words.

 

I did plan to design a custom bezel and sideart but never actually got around to it. The bezel would be a nice idea but I think I talked myself out of the custom sideart. Not sure I want to be looking at my own art, much rather be looking at authentic cab art. Basic black fades into the shadows and hides the cab nicely though.

 

The ape actually handles his drink quite nicely. He gets a little crazy at times but he takes his aggressions out on the drums. He's a great drummer!

 

The wood on the walls is paneling. That and the gray carpet were there from the start. We added the grass roof area, painted the ceiling tiles, added blue and green colored sleeves around the fluorescent tubes, painted the walls, added some upholstery and details. The bar and the cabinet were designed by me with the structures being built by my carpenter brother.

[moycon]

Very nice.

 

Party at your house this week-end??

[+save2600]

Wow - one could do some serious partying (drinking & jamming that is) down there! Love the colors, atmosphere and the bar. Saw some Elvis on the wall, but am guessing you're also a Buffet fan? lol For some good 'ol retro music goodness, check out The Wipeouters when you get a chance. A best kept secret of sorts:

 

 

 

...Devo reincarnate and they rock! Would go perfect with your Tiki/gaming paradise

 

BTW: I've got a dual speaker Crate as well as a separate amp/mixer for guitarists and (God forbid) vocalists whenever you're ready to P'Twaang... lmao

Edited January 28, 2010 by save2600

[nonner242]

Im bringin afew 12packs and some chips & Dip!

See you this weekend.

[+save2600]

As far as a bezel goes on that MAME cabinet of yours... here's an original Asteroids bezel that might fit the bill. The camera exploits ALL of the flaws in this thing, but all it needs is a little black paint touch up (hell, you can even just use electrical tape) and you'd be good to go. She measures roughly 19"w x 24"h and you're absolutely welcome to her if you want Dave...

 

Edited January 28, 2010 by save2600

[Crazy Climber]

I think your room is really cool, it looks like a total stress free place to just hang out in. I admire the way you kept it open and left plenty of places to sit. The problem with my room is whenever I make a little room for a couch I shove another pinball machine in it Great room man, if I'm ever in the neighborhood I'll PM you, I'll make it a friday since I am a drummer

[DaveD]

Thanks again for the comments.

 

Wow - one could do some serious partying (drinking & jamming that is) down there! Love the colors, atmosphere and the bar. Saw some Elvis on the wall, but am guessing you're also a Buffet fan? lol For some good 'ol retro music goodness, check out The Wipeouters when you get a chance. A best kept secret of sorts:

 

 

 

...Devo reincarnate and they rock! Would go perfect with your Tiki/gaming paradise

 

BTW: I've got a dual speaker Crate as well as a separate amp/mixer for guitarists and (God forbid) vocalists whenever you're ready to P'Twaang... lmao

 

Yes, it's a great place to make noise and have a drink or three to unwind.

 

Yes, Elvis is on the wall. Mostly because of the album name. Blue Hawaii or something like that.

 

No, not a buffet fan. I just loved the cheesiness of trying to recreate a tropical environment in a Wisconsin basement. It just seemed a natural for creating a cool party atmosphere that goes with music, gaming, cocktails, retro stuff, whatever.

 

Thanks for the Wipeouters heads-up. Big Devo fan but this phase of theirs escaped me.

 

That Crate amp was my treat to myself when I landed my first full-time job back in the late 80's. I think I spent about $300 on it. It rarely gets used now except for occasionally amplifying the theremin. I since graduated to the Fender, then to the Genz-Benz, then back to an el-cheapo Fender G-Dec that has built-in jam tracks so I can play with myself.

 

Thanks much for the offer of the Asteroids bezel but I'm afraid it won't fit right. The space I have available is roughly 22.5" wide x 22" tall. I'll really have to do something custom for that one of these days.

[Havok69]

 

Thanks much for the offer of the Asteroids bezel but I'm afraid it won't fit right. The space I have available is roughly 22.5" wide x 22" tall. I'll really have to do something custom for that one of these days.

 

Just grab some black posterboard at a craft store and cut to fit. Then get a smoked glass piece made at a local glass shop to put on top, or you could go with smoked plexi, however the plexi will eventually scratch and not look as good. However, it would be cheaper.

 

 

 

[+save2600]

Smoked plexi is nice (our shop locally has 2 variants of darkness and you want the lighter of the two), but yes - it does scratch easily. You can't just take a paper towel and glass cleaner to those things! lol Novus and a soft cloth, preferably 100% cotton, something like a baby's diaper is what I use. The Novus minimizes swirls AND it coats it with an anti-static base. Less dust = less cleanings.

[jboypacman]

Sweet hideaway! Thanks for sharing with us.

[Mirage]

VERY nice! Looks relaxing. I could see going down there all the time to de-stress and drink mai tai's (or whatever). I actually just got a couple ideas (and some inspiration) from your game room. Nice job.