Squirrels, people go nutty over Ohio woodworker's backyard bar

Squirrels have the option of choosing from seven nut varieties that are appropriately named -- Cashew Dunkel, Peanut Pilsner, Almond Ale, Walnut Stout, Sunflower Saison, Pecan Porter and Pistachio Pale Ale.

People and squirrels are going nuts over a new backyard bar designed to cater to the residential furry animals.

Ohio hobbyist Michael Dutko built The Nutty Bar, which looks like a pub, except that it carries a selection of nuts instead of beer.

Squirrels have the option of choosing from seven varieties that are appropriately named -- Cashew Dunkel, Peanut Pilsner, Almond Ale, Walnut Stout, Sunflower Saison, Pecan Porter and Pistachio Pale Ale. Dutko's bar is even equipped with humorous bathroom signs, similar to those often found at bars and restaurants: "Nuts" and "No Nuts."

Nutty Bar

Michael Dutko created a bar to cater to neighbourhood squirrels, aptly named The Nutty Bar. Photo: Michael Dutko.

The setup, attached to his backyard fence in Hilliard, Ohio, measures about 63.5 centimetres wide and 40.64 centimetres high, taking eight hours to design and build. In an interview with CNN, Dutko said the project was a way to help his neighbour with her bird-watching hobby.

"The whole reason I even started to make this is because my neighbour bird watches with her daughter and told me all of the squirrels keep getting in her way," said Dutko. "I didn't even tell her what I was going to do, I just built it and put it back there and when she saw it, she just started cracking up."

Content continues below

The 35-year-old has spent most of his life making art and household items from wood, capturing the projects on his YouTube channel, Duke Harmon Woodworking. The bar has captured the interests of many people on and offline, as a result.

"It's surreal to me that I was able to make such an impact by doing something so little with something I love so much," Dutko said.

"I'm so amazed. People have been so kind and positive. And my kids definitely love it, too. They're always watching the squirrels stuff their faces with nuts and they think it's just so cute."

Now, the Ohio woodworker is planning on starting a business to sell The Nutty Bar for about US$17-$200 per unit.

Thumbnail courtesy of Duke Harmon Woodworking/YouTube.

Source: CNN