If you are shopping for a tiki bar or a pergola bar in Jacksonville, you are really choosing between two personalities. A thatched roof says island vacation. A clean pergola frame says outdoor living room. In the Paradise Grills Shades of Paradise collection, either one can cover a complete backyard kitchen with a built-in grill, bar seating and stone counters, so the decision comes down to look, location and lifestyle.
The two families at a glance
Paradise makes two thatched models and four pergola models. Every one of them pairs the shade with a full outdoor kitchen island.
| Model | Shade | What sets it apart |
|---|---|---|
| Tahiti | Thatched | Polynesian look; stand-alone Tahiti Tiki Hut is 12' round |
| Abaco | Thatched | Larger thatched hut over a grill island and attached island bar; stand-alone hut 16'x16' or 18'x16' |
| St. Barth | Pergola | Caribbean-chic pergola kitchen; stand-alone pergola 12'x12' |
| Monaco | Pergola | High-performance modern European style; stand-alone pergola 16'x13' |
| Portofino | Pergola | Italian Riviera style pergola with an island bar |
| Mykonos | Pergola | The flagship; stand-alone pergola 20'x16' |
Sizes are Paradise's listed sizes for the stand-alone shade structures. Product images show optional upgrades. Your written quote confirms exactly what is included.
Look and feel
Tiki bar: the vacation at home
A thatched roof turns a plain lawn or pool deck into a destination. It reads as relaxed and playful, and it suits pool parties, game days and a backyard that already leans tropical with palms and pavers. The Tahiti is the more intimate of the two thatched models. The Abaco is built for a crowd, with a grill island and an attached island bar under one big roof.
Pergola bar: the outdoor living room
A pergola has straighter lines and a more architectural look, so it tends to match newer homes, modern pool cages and stone patios. The Monaco is the sleek, high-performance option. The St. Barth and Portofino bring a Caribbean or Italian coastal feel without the thatch, and the Mykonos is the largest stand-alone pergola in the collection. St. Barth, Monaco, Portofino and Mykonos pergolas come in Santorini White or Espresso, a choice the Tahiti shares.
Sun, wind and salt air in Northeast Florida
Whichever look you pick, the kitchen underneath matters as much as the roof. Jacksonville summers bring strong sun and humidity, and homes near the Beaches and the Intracoastal deal with salt in the air year round.
- The frame. Paradise builds both its thatched shades and its pergolas on powder-coated American steel and aluminum. On the Tahiti, Monaco and Mykonos, Paradise describes that structure as code-compliant, and snow-load compliant where applicable.
- The grill. The professional grills are 304 stainless steel. The GSL-32 delivers 61,300 BTU through heavy-duty hexagonal grates.
- The counters. Bar and counter tops are Avellaero stone: a honeycomb core, a fiberglass layer and a slice of stone, in Titanium, Volcanic Ash, Italian Travertine or Greek Isle. Paradise rates it UV, stain and color-fade resistant, and it never needs sealing.
No outdoor structure is storm-proof, and we will not tell you otherwise. Plan where loose items go before a storm and read our guide to hurricanes and salt air. Come see the frame, the thatch and the pergola finishes in person before you decide.
Upkeep
Both styles share the same easy-care kitchen: rinse the stainless now and then, wipe it dry, and use a fitted cover between cookouts, especially near the ocean. The difference is the roof. A thatched roof has texture that collects pollen and leaves, and a pergola frame is a smooth surface you can rinse. Ask us how the Paradise thatch is made and how to care for it. We would rather you see it on our showroom floor than guess from a photo.
How you entertain
- Big, loud parties: the Abaco or a large pergola like the Mykonos gives you room for a crowd around the bar.
- Date nights and small groups: the Tahiti or the St. Barth keeps things cozy.
- Game days: Paradise G.I. smart-app control runs the bar, grill and pergola or tiki shade lighting, the marine stereo, the TV and ceiling fans from your phone or by voice.
- Serious cooks: add the HSL-32 hibachi griddle station (39,000 BTU) or the CSL-32 cocktail station, and browse our outdoor kitchen appliances.
Where it goes
Every Paradise base must keep a 1" gap off the ground, so plan for a level pad, plus gas and power lines run by licensed professionals. On a dock or seawall, have a marine contractor confirm it can carry the structure. Many Jacksonville, Nocatee and St. Johns County neighborhoods have an HOA or architectural review board. Check your local and HOA rules before you buy, since a thatched roof and a pergola may be reviewed differently. Our HOA and permits guide covers the basics, and a free 3D design of your yard helps with your submission.
The short answer
Choose a tiki bar if you want your backyard to feel like a getaway and you entertain casually. Choose a pergola bar if you want a cleaner, modern look that matches your house. Still torn? We will design both in 3D on a photo of your yard so you can compare them side by side.