Tiki-Ti
16 June 2017
Was flying from New Orleans to Los Angeles for a friends UCLA graduation, so decided to try and pull off a fun tiki double header. Went to Latitude 29 at 1:30pm then flew to Los Angeles later that same day. Got to Tiki-Ti around 9pm local time. There was a line, but it went pretty fast (~15 mins). Bar was very crowded and not a lot of great places to stand and not be in the way. The bartenders at L29 had told me to get a Tora Tora and a Blood and Sand. Drinks had the fun theatrics but were not noteworthy in terms of taste, just strong and sour. Appreciated all the tiki history, but the people I was with didn't so it was a pretty short visit. I knew I needed to come back earlier next time.
3/8/18
For my second visit I wanted to do it right, so I went right at opening. Got a seat at the bar. Regulars were super friendly and got a kick out of how excited I was to be there. Mike Sr. came over and told me all about the history. Mike Jr. hooked me up with some swizzle sticks and postcards. It was an awesome experience. Drinks are clearly pre-craft cocktail revolution, but were really good - much better than my first visit. Notes: 1) Navy Grog - really classic and bold; 2) Puka Punch - pineapple and honey flavors with sense of mystery; 3) The Last Drop - super strong and awesome!
I definitely recommend going closer to opening for the tiki fan experience.
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Tiki Bar
Tiki-Ti
Los Angeles, California, United States
This famous little bar is a Los Angeles institution and was opened on April 28th, 1961 by Ray Buhen. It is now owned and operated by Ray's son Mike Buhen and grandson Mike Buhen, Jr.
The Tiki-Ti drink menu has over 80 drinks, but picking one can feel a little bit like picking a race horse. The menu is divided into sections for the base alcohols, but beyond that, it's just a list of colorful names. These recipes are closely guarded family secrets. There are plenty of classic cocktails on the menu, but many of the drinks are the creation of Ray or his son or grandson. One of Ray's creations, Blood & Sand, is named for the Tyrone Power bullfighting film by the same name, and as it is being mixed the bar's patrons call out "Toro, Toro!" Mike or Mike will happily take the time to ask you a few questions and guide you to a drink you're sure to like.
On Wednesdays, a tribute is made to Ray -- a bell is rung five times, and the whole bar stops what they're doing to toast to Ray.
For decades, Tiki-Ti was owner-operated, with no employees, making it one of the very few places in California that could allow smoking. In June 2015, the Buhens hired their very first employee, longtime regular Greg Bansuelo, to help behind the bar. Smoking is no longer permitted at Tiki-Ti.
The Buhens close the bar when they go on vacation; be sure to check the Tiki-Ti website's calendar to make sure they are open before you stop by. Tiki-Ti is extremely small (just 12 barstools and 5 tables), and is incredibly popular so if you don't like crowds, be sure to get there right as it opens, preferably on a Wednesday. Be sure to bring plenty cash as they don't accept credit cards (although this might have changed recently?). There is an ATM in the back, but it charges a hefty fee and is sometimes hard to reach when the place is packed.
In 2021, during the downtime from the Covid closure, the front of the interior bar was given a facelift by Anders Anderson (A-Frame) with bamboo fronting and diamond-shaped panels decorated with tapa cloth and carved tiki masks. Anders previously had donated a traditional swag lamp or two as well.