Whiskey and wine barrels are built to last. After years of aging something worth drinking, most of them have already had a pretty damn good first life.

We think they deserve an even better second one.

Barrel Monkey started with a simple idea: take authentic retired barrels and turn them into things people actually want to own, use, show off and talk about.

Sometimes that's a bar, smoker, chair or fire pit. Sometimes it's a clock, award, display, grooming tool or collaboration with an athlete or brand.

And sometimes somebody walks in with a completely ridiculous idea we've never tried before.

Those are usually our favorites.

We build by hand in the Kansas City area, combining old-school woodworking, modern tools and a willingness to ask:

“What else could we make out of this damn thing?”

That's pretty much Barrel Monkey.