Princeton, Iowa’s ‘Tiki Tavern’ cruising the Mississippi River

PRINCETON, Iowa (KWQC) – If you’re on the lookout for a tropical getaway however can’t make it to the tropics, there’s an choice to tackle the expertise within the QCA.

A Quad Cities space husband and spouse have created a floating “Tiki Tavern” on the Mighty Mississippi, and it’s docked in Princeton, Iowa.

The Tiki Tavern is an aluminum tiki hut full with a bar on a motorized boat dock, all assembled within the QCA.

Tiki Tavern is accessible to lease for cruises on the Mississippi River on Fridays, Saturdays and Sunday throughout summer time for 2, three or 4 hour cruises.

That is the second summer time the Tiki Tavern has been cruising the Mississippi River, taking off from “Go Fish” in Princeton.

“The entire bar and roof construction is made out of aluminum with artificial leaves. And the wooden is definitely a Brazilian walnut. So we constructed these items to the very best high quality that we will,” mentioned Zac Hamilton.

House owners Chelsea and Zac Hamilton lease the Tiki Tavern to teams of six to 12 folks for cruises out of Princeton.

“Not sufficient companies (are) profiting from the truth that we’re on water. So, yeah, I’d say everybody loves it and everybody’s actually enthusiastic about it,” mentioned Chelsea Hamilton.

The concept for a floating tavern was stumbled upon by chance.

Zac Hamilton builds plastic boat docks for the Princeton enterprise “Large Docks.”

About 4 years in the past, he put a tiki hut on one for enjoyable in their very own again yard and added a motor to tackle the ‘Mighty Miss.’

From there, it was full velocity forward.

“We by no means deliberate on placing engines on them. We simply had one at our home, only for, to have a tavern out on the water. And, simply find yourself placing a motor on one and driving across the river, and folks began calling wanting to purchase them,” mentioned Zac Hamilton.

The Tiki Tavern consists of the bar, coolers, ice and a speaker system for music. Drinks will not be offered, however you may deliver your personal.

A licensed captain skilled in CPR and first support is offered, together with a cruise host.

Specialised koozies can be found for $5 to buy.

“We cruise proper as much as Princeton Seaside. After which we take down the Cordova aspect and simply do some home scenes and stuff like that. Then we cease again on the Go Fish or the native dock for a loo again. That’s round one hour. Then we proceed on down south for an additional hour,” mentioned Zac Hamilton.

Tiki Tavern isn’t solely within the Quad Cities. There at the moment are greater than 40 boats throughout the nation, all constructed within the QCA.

“They’re all down the east coast. The east coast and Florida are two fundamental hubs, I suppose, the place they’re at. However our furthest ones are within the Virgin Islands,” mentioned Hamilton.

Touring at 5mph, it’s a easy journey whether or not you might be on the Caribbean Sea or the Mighty Mississippi.

“You may hear your self. You may hear others speaking. You may play video games across the bar. It’s not like your regular boat the place it’s like you may’t speak as a result of it’s so loud and also you’re simply ready to get to your subsequent vacation spot. It’s a really leisurely journey,” mentioned the Hamiltons.

Tickets are $50 per particular person and life jackets are offered.

Youngsters are welcome on the cruise so long as they’re accompanied by an adults.

The Hamiltons have plans so as to add one other tiki tavern in LeClaire subsequent summer time, and hope to ultimately have a full bar out there.

For extra data or to e book Tiki Tavern, right here’s the hyperlink to e book on-line. The cellphone quantity is 262-422-5556. Tiki Tavern has a number of guidelines that have to be adopted (see extra on the hyperlink).

Tiki Tavern / 333 S River Drive / Princeton, IA / chelshamilton18@gmail.com / 262-422-5556

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