No Edmonton visit would feel complete without stopping in at Honi Honi. I have gone so far as to bump it up to the top of my list as it is officially now my favourite tiki bar. I feel at home each and every time I enter. I’m usually there in an Aloha shirt, but this time I was in an Oilers jersey - having just suffered through a 5-3 loss to Minnesota. A painkiller was the perfect remedy! Honi Honi is the real deal. The meticulously crafted classic cocktails, the fantastic artwork on the walls, the music, the staff… it’s exceptional. Which tiki bar is the best is always debatable, but Honi Honi is my favourite and that’s all that matters to me.

I stopped in to Tiki Tiki on Whyte for lunch with family and friends while in Edmonton for a Bruce Springsteen concert. Our server was fantastic, and the food was tasty, but the overall experience is a bit soulless as far as tiki bars go. The venue itself lacks authenticity. The decor is gift shop chic with “tacky tourist tiki” masks adorning the walls. On the drink menu, there is no zombie, or painkiller, or blue Hawaii, or rum barrel… as they have instead elected for their own drinks such as a “Dole Whip Piña Colada” (which is what I had). The mugs are generic and there is no swag for sale. The food was good, but definitely not like anything I have had in the South Pacific. This is more “flavours inspired by…” which has its place too, but preferably alongside some authentic dishes. For me, this visit was probably a one off. Edmonton has an exceptional tiki bar, Honi Honi, and Tiki Tiki on Whyte simply cannot compare.

Whirlwind stop as we had a Pu Pu Platter and four drinks between the three adults. We had two infants in tow, so our time was limited. Always an amazing time at Shameful Tiki!

Early evening cocktail stop en route to dinner.

Dad’s birthday! I drank a guava flow. I wouldn’t call it a tiki bar, although they do have tiki drinks. It’s pretty much just a restaurant with a spectacular view.

Beautiful sunset and a rain shower. We were there for happy hour and i had a mai tai and a piña colada. I ate poke nachos and guava bbq wings.

Early evening pupus and cocktails. I had a painkiller (???) and some poke.

Had an EXCELLENT Three Dots and a Dash in the evening.

Second visit of the trip, but came with the family and had food this time. I had a Vic’s Top Shelf Mai Tai and ate an Iniki Burger and some wings.

The kitchen was closed for cleaning, so we were only able to have cocktails. I had The Iniki which was served in a gold house mug. I loved it so much I bought the mug.

Went with the family and my parents. Sat on the front porch and had an excellent pizza and a Mai Tai.

In town under sad circumstances, but we visited the one place that could put a smile on our faces.

First visit to Honi Honi. A new favourite! Scott Dodds and his team have done an amazing job with this place.

Met Brad “Tiki Shark” Parker and bought a mug (Kaan Took) and a canvas print from him.

This bar had just opened shortly before this visit. Although the cocktails were good, it struck me as a bit of a “plastic tiki” bar. Fun, but not much depth for the true tiki fans. It did not survive the pandemic.

Visited with ServiceAir co-workers while working remotely in Toronto for a couple of months. The “gentleman” in the photo is Josh Hawkins and it was his last night in town before returning to his home in Halifax.

Shameful Tiki’s 3rd Anniversary Luau

My first time at Tiki Iniki! I had a Mai Tai (1944 Trader Vic’s recipe) and bought a mug and a t-shirt.

Blue Hawaii on the patio.

First time on Maui. First time in Hawaii.

Bands and tikis!