The pirate, or should I say dead pirate that you will meet in Johnny Carter’s home Tiki bar is named 8Ball, named after what’s replaced one of his eyes. 8Ball’s Grotto is a cross between Tiki, Pirate and a little bit of Indiana Jones thrown in for good measure! 8Ball welcomes you into his Grotto, but will you make it out alive….
What is the tiki scene like where you live?
Johnny- Locally there is no Tiki scene, that’s one reason I’ve created what I have. I needed that piece of exotica/paradise in my home. Luckily, I have friends in Ohio I visit frequently and go to Huli Huli quite often and Tiki Underground. The one advantage I have with no Tiki scene is if sometime is in an antique mall or thrift that is Tiki I don’t have much competition in obtaining things
What brought you into the tiki lifestyle and how long has it been part of your life?
Johnny- What really brought me In the Tiki lifestyle was my art. I was painting Tikis and a friend discovered my art on a page in Tiki Magazine. What I regard as the true Tiki lifestyle I would say since 2018 but have been fascinated with Tiki since I was little and remember a Coco Joe that my mom owned when I was little and my favorite show as a child was Gilligan’s Island so there was always a connection
Can you give a little history of how it all came together?
Johnny- I brought it all together in 2017 my friend Brian asked to donate a piece of art for Ohana Luau At The Lake. I attended my first Tiki event the next year at Ohana and donated again. At that point, I discovered my people and from that point learned so much about the music, the lifestyle, the bars, the cocktails.and you get the point. That opened an entire universe of amazing people who were like minded and I always enjoyed being around. From that point on I started learning about other people in the Tiki lifestyle such as yourself. The community is large but like one big family.
Any story behind the name of your bar?
Johnny- The name of my bar comes from a character I created for Ohana, Captain 8ball. I have a fascination with pirates as well and actually dress quite often as a pirate. There’s some secrecy with 8Ball I can’t discuss but he took on a personality and now resides in a peacock chair in my basement. 8ball is based upon a dead pirate who has an 8ball for an eye. He lives in the jungles of the Tiki Bar amongst the natives and they have honored him as part of their own
How far have you driven to buy something tiki that you saw online?
Johnny- The furthest I’ve driven is probably 3 1/2 hours for something I’ve seen online. But I have brought back Tikis from Florida over 14 hours away.
What is your favorite Tiki drink and Tiki bar?
Johnny- My favorite drink is Blackbeard’s Ghost and a good Zombie comes in a close 2nd. The perfect cocktail to is something that has a good balance, in other words shouldn’t taste of straight up alcohol and has a great presentation. My favorite Tiki bar is the Mai Kai, it has it all a dark exotic Tiki Bar an old pirate ship and the ruins of a great Tiki Jungle. No place in my opinion even compares.
Outside of great drinks, what do you think are essential elements in creating the perfect Tiki environment?
Johnny- The perfect environment needs a strong theme and centerpiece your bar is themed around. In other words, a story. And when people visit it they are drawn in like they escaped to an exotic world or some oasis. A great Tiki bar needs mystery, and the music and lighting help enhance that mystery. I’ve been told my bar feels like you’re on the set of an Indiana Jones movie and somewhere in Papua New Guinea with a rainforest feel. It’s dark and ominous, with a feeling of magic and mystery
My home Tiki Bar seems to be expanding to the outside of my home as well. I hope to have more friends visit and introduce many to the Tiki lifestyle. I’ve pondered the idea of opening my own Tiki Bar and give something new to the people in the area they haven’t experienced. As for the bar in my home a Tiki Bar is never finished as they say.
Anything else you would like to add?
Johnny- If you want to learn more about me I also have an Instagram page JohnnysTikiart and I’m a member of the Fraternal Order of Moai and now part of the Tiki Goth Club!!! My Hobbies are painting, big time plant and gardening guy trying to make my yard feel tropical paradise!
