The Lucky Tiki - West Hollywood
9 Feb 2025
I drove down for their first ever mug release and stayed afterwards for a couple hours to visit with people and sample their menu. The coconut shrimp with spicy marmalade sauce was fantastic. I would probably come here again just for that. The bartenders were extremely friendly and attentive to everyone while making cocktails at the same time. While there, I started with their Maverick (riff on a Test Pilot), then the Lucky's Grog, and finished with the Captain's Inner Circle. All very tasty!
Chopper Tiki Bar
7 Dec 2024
Here for the weekend and had a great time exploring their regular and holiday menus! Started with their Mai-Tai which was very good, then had the Tiger Milk off the holiday menu which was delicious! Took a break and got some Burria Tacos from the food truck outside, then finished up with a Bot Barrel and a Dopamine cocktail. Not a bad drink in the bunch. All were very good, but my favorites were probably the Tiger Milk and the Dopamine.
The Cocohut
18 Apr 2024
Had a great time on my first visit and worked my way through the complete "Spring" themed menu!
Tiki-Ko & The Sinking Ship
9 Mar 2024
Had a great time vending with Tiki Al at the Central California Tiki Marketplace across the street from the bars. Then popped in for a Navy Grog at the Sinking Ship. The best drink of the day, however, was when I went upstairs and had an Eastern Sour from the bartender at the Tiki-Ko bar. Made with Old Forester and topped with an optional pineapple foam. Simply delicious! Looking forward to going back again.
Royal Hawaiian -- from 2023 Onward
29 July 2023
Visited here with Ilene and had a Chief Lapu Lapu, a Banana Smuggler, and the Baby Back Ribs. Also shared a PuPu Platter and slice of Coconut Cake. The decor was amazing, service was excellent, and the Lapu Lapu as good or better than any I've had in the past!
Broken Compass Tiki Bar
11 Nov 2022
First visit and took the family along. Enjoyed the Zombie! They had Stagg Jr. bourbon behind the bar too, but for $22 a shot I decided to stick to cocktails (Quick math: Stagg Jr is $299 on secondary market so their cost is @ $12 a shot and a $10 mark-up is fair for a retail establishment in Los Angeles). Pub Burger was excellent and so was the banana dessert.
Secret Island
23 Oct 2022
Ilene and I went here and vended at their Haunted Hulaween event and had a blast. I had been here once before as a customer to see the Tikiyaki Orchestra play. Had a great time then, too. There is also an amazing Spanish Tapas Restaurant down the street, Cafe Sevilla.
Wilfred's Lounge
16 Oct 2022
This was part of a longer family visit to San Francisco where we also visited Tonga Room and Zombie Village and did some other tourist activities. Wilfred's was great. Fantastic decor and cocktails!
Zombie Village - San Francisco
8 Oct 2022
First visit here during a family vacation. I stopped by and had a Jamaican Zombie and at least one other cocktail and enjoyed them immensely.
Tonga Room - at the Fairmont Hotel
7 Oct 2022
Stayed here this weekend with the family at the Fairmont Hotel and this was our first stop for dinner and drinks the evening we rolled into town. I had been here before on at least two other occasions when I was in town for academic conferences but those would have been prior to 2011 and both occasions were during Happy Hour where I probably shared an appetizer plate -- no entrees. Also visited here on 12/27/2006 with Ilene during our 4 day Tiki Spectacular Vacation. Decor here is amazing and the drinks were a bump up from what I remembered. The food was very good but very steep prices. Also, I wanted to buy mugs but due to Covid shipping problems they were still waiting for their shipment on bowls and fog cutters, etc..., which were postponed to 2023 in all likelihood. Overall, though, it was well worth it to see it all again and to introduce my son to a San Francisco Tiki icon!
VenTiki
9 July 2022
I visited here with the family and bought their new $35 Mai Tai mug. I've been here on several occasions over the years but this was the first time in a while because of Covid and I was able to see some of their new changes including the sidewalk-side seating and the new interior dining area in what had previously been a Hawaiiana store. The Mai Tai was on point with lots of fresh mint!
Le Fern - at The Caliente Tropics
15 May 2022
I was here for the SHAG signing and Exotica Moderne Magazine release at Tiki Caliente. I didn't have any of the drinks here at the bar. They were rotating the menu and I recall that I had missed out on the previous menu which had a couple that looked interesting to me, so opted to go next door to The Reef instead. Decor was great though and I enjoyed visiting with everyone!
The Reef Bar - at The Caliente Tropics
15 May 2022
Ilene and I were here for Tiki Caliente and I had several drinks from both the pre-made selections and the menu. Very good. Bought a bottle of the Dark Arts Rum with Anthony Carpenter's art on the label. Before this, I'd been to the Reef for previous Tiki Caliente events. I usually get the Caliente Burger with pineapple ring here at some point. "That's one tasty burger!" as Jules would say.
Tonga Hut - Palm Springs
15 May 2022
This was my 3rd visit here if memory serves. Ilene's first visit. The 5 spice ribs were amazing. I think Murph needs to bottle that sauce and I told him so. The Navy Grogs were on point as well. We did not make it into the secret room this time, but I've hung out there in the past and that's my favorite part of the build-out. Lots of cool details all over the place though!
Caliente Tropics Resort
15 May 2022
Ilene and I went here for the weekend for Tiki Caliente and Rory put on a great event. We stayed at the Sonder V next door since all the rooms at the Tropics were long since booked. However, I spent a great deal of time hanging out at the poolside or in the Reef Bar. Also visited the new Le Fern and Sanchos. Great new additions! I have been to the Caliente Tropics Resort before for previous events. Rory continues to be a good custodian of the venue. Always new improvements to see.
The Warehouse
30 Apr 2022
I made a brief stop here to say hi to friends during the Ship-Wrecked Tiki Social & Bazaar. I've been here several times over the years.
Oceanic Arts
9 Apr 2022
Kelly Reilly (Hiphipahula) and I gave a presentation here during one of the OA celebration nights in advance of its closing. I came back afterwards for one of the other nights to bartend outside with Carey Ysais, representing Kahuna Tiki TU. Before this, I had probably been to Oceanic Arts dozens if not hundreds of times just to shop (mostly window shopping). It was always a favorite activity to hit Oceanic Arts and King Richard's Antique Center before having lunch and possibly hitting Bahooka's on the way back home.
Trader Sam's Enchanted Tiki Bar
17 Sept 2021
On this visit I acquired the First Edition Haunted Mansion Gargoyle Mug. I've been to Trader Sam's many times over the years. Usually when the family (my son) wants to go to Disneyland. For the last few years we let our pass expire, but the family is feeling the pull once more, so I may have to re-up and head back once again.
Tangaroa Terrace
17 Sept 2021
Hung out here on the patio/lanai on this trip after picking up a mug at Sam's.
Strong Water Anaheim
18 Mar 2021
I went by on 3/18/21 to get a mug signed by Doug Horne but I had been here previously for longer visits on at least 2 occasions. Really enjoyed the Zombie King cocktail and the theming at this place!
Kahuna Tiki TU
25 Feb 2021
I vended here at the first ever marketplace event run by Tiki Al on February 28th, 2021. At that event I talked to Carey Ysais who needed a bartender and soon after this I started picking up some bartending shifts which I continued regularly each week for just over a year. Had to back away from the regular schedule, though. Currently I just bartend once in a while at the mai-tai booth at marketplaces and when they need an emergency favor. I've also designed many of their marketplace and special event fliers and re-designed their cocktail menu. Great owners and a fun location. Go check it out!
The Swampfire Lounge
21 Mar 2020
I visited Doug here right at the beginning of the Covid outbreak and created a Rum Cat drink based on his Rum Cat mug. It had Hamilton Navy Rum and home-made Gardenia Mix with butter. Delicious!
The Formosa Cafe
1 Mar 2020
I was here for the Red Pagoda Mug release by Tiki Diablo with the family and we sat at a booth and had a nice lunch and a few drinks. I've been here a few times and the drinks are always on point and the food is good.
The Bamboo Club
5 Oct 2019
Kelly and I were vending our book and other goodies at the Bamboo Club's Hardcore Marketplace. I've been here a few times. I've also bartended alongside some of their bartenders when we did the Oceanic Arts farewell event. Good group of guys! Really enjoyed their Firewalker cocktail using Mezcal.
Bali Hai Restaurant
7 Aug 2019
I was here for the opening night check-in for Tiki Oasis 2019. I've been here dozens of times over the years, probably going back to my first Tiki Oasis in 2006. My wife is fond of telling people that it takes 5 of their jet fueled mai-tais to get me out on the dance floor. Unfortunately, that's correct!
Test Pilot
2 May 2019
My first visit here and it wasn't very busy so I got to talk to the bartender for a while and he introduced me to Probitas daiquiris. Delicious!
Tropical Hideaway - Disneyland
26 Dec 2018
First visit to try Dole Whips at the newly opened Hideaway.
The Grass Skirt - San Diego
24 Aug 2018
Had a sample of Foursquare Criterion & Chairman's Reserve rum here among other things, with Kelly "Hiphipahula" Reilly.
Royal Hawaiian - From 2006 to 2022
1 July 2017
Went here with the family to listen to The Hula Girls band and drink some delicious Lapu Lapus. I had visited this location before for a couple of mug releases and swung by with Kelly Reilly before the last remodel happened. The Golden Era with Bamboo Ben's decor and The Hula Girls music lasted for a short time but is a happy memory!
Fry's Electronics - Manhattan Beach
11 Dec 2016
Did a quick visit here to check it out while attending a Christmas event with the family. Had been here once or twice before.
Clifton's Pacific Seas (Modern) - on Broadway - Los Angeles
23 Nov 2016
I was here with Ilene and several friends for the Pacific Seas Tiki Takeover.
False Idol
30 Sept 2016
Sat at the bar with Kelly "Hiphipahula" Reilly and had a rum barrel and a chartreuse swizzle. I think this is where I had my first taste of Plantation Rum's OFTD (released in July of that year), which I now keep stocked and find quite indispensable.
Tiki-Ti
24 Mar 2016
I was here for their 55th anniversary mug release. I've been here numerous times over the years but I've never been a regular. I think the first time I went might have been in 2006 after attending an event at Wacko's Soap Plant Gallery nearby. This was back in the smoking days! Their drinks always look so impressive with all the foam on top. I think they use Frothee or some other product. Used to get the Lemon Heart Lemon Heads all the time. Delicious!
The Golden Tiki
29 Jan 2016
Visited here with Ilene while we were in town with my son to take part in the Las Vegas Archery Shoot.
Frankie's Tiki Room
29 Jan 2016
Visited here with Ilene while we were in town for the Vegas Archery Shoot with my son.
Canoe House
15 Oct 2015
I've been here once. The date is a rough estimate. I had one drink to pass the time while I was waiting to meet up with friends. I has the feel of a slightly exoticized Marie Calendar's...
Trader Vic's - Pearl District - Portland
4 June 2015
This was one of my go-to tiki places when I lived in Portland for a time. It was nice because I could take my family there. I liked going to Hale Pele also but couldn't take my young son with me. At Vic's though, he could have food and mocktails. I was here on several occasions and was really bummed to hear that it closed. I remember my favorite drink there besides the traditional mai tai was their fog cutter.
Lost Lake
26 Apr 2015
I visited several bars for the CATT (Chicago Area Tiki Tour) in 2015. This was one of them. I think this was my final bar of the tour and I went directly to the train station from here. The drinks were solid. This is the only time I've visited this location, however.
Three Dots and a Dash
26 Apr 2015
I visited several bars for the CATT (Chicago Area Tiki Tour) in 2015. This was one of them. I've been here on more than one occasion, though. I've flown in from Los Angeles and walked from my hotel, often taking the train downstate to visit family in Southern Illinois. The drinks here were good and I enjoyed talking to the bartenders. Also, great mugs and swizzles. However, the crowd is often just young 20-somethings that don't seem to really be there for the theme. It was nice to go there during the CATT event with fellow tikiphiles.
The Tiki Terrace - Des Plaines
26 Apr 2015
I visited several bars for the CATT (Chicago Area Tiki Tour) in 2015. This was one of them. Great floor show!
Chef Shangri-La
26 Apr 2015
I visited several bars for the CATT (Chicago Area Tiki Tour) in 2015. This was one of them.
Hala Kahiki
26 Apr 2015
I visited several bars for the CATT (Chicago Area Tiki Tour) in 2015. This was one of them.
Munktiki
11 Oct 2013
I actually was last at Munktiki's on 10/11/2013 to pick up a Johnny Ku mug after purchasing online -- at their Portland location before they moved to Astoria. I was here for a couple of tiki parties as well back when they were in Portland. I've been to Astoria, but not since they established there. Hope to get there one day soon.