Tiki Bars
Rumpus Tiki Bar
VII. kerület, Budapest, Hungary
Rumpus Tiki Bar opened in downtown Budapest in December 2013. It boasts a drink menu a mile long, but it's full of familiar old tiki favorites, and appear to be faithfully executed, right down to the tiki mugs and garnish. There are two levels, one wrapping around as an upper mezzanine, so that there is a mix of dramatic high ceiling area and more intimate low ceiling spaces. There is no break between wall and ceiling, rather sloping arches, adding a cave-like feel. Black fish nets are pinned to the ceiling, studded with globe lights dressed up as float lamps. Reed, bamboo and thatch are used throughout, perhaps more sparingly than we see in American bars, but used to great effect. There are carved tikis, and framed posters of brightly colored tikis.
Lost Lake
Chicago, Illinois, United States (Closed)
Lost Lake opened in the Logan Square neighborhood of Chicago in January 2015. It was a partnership between Paul McGee, formerly of Three Dots and a Dash, and development group Land and Sea Dept. Martin Cate, owner of Smuggler's Cove, was also involved in Lost Lake, particularly helping with their selection of sipping rums. Its design was less tiki, and more of a nod to the early, streamlined bamboo-focused Pre-Tiki era of Polynesian Pop escapism. Colorful fish floats hung in the front window, and one whole wall was wallpapered with a bold banana leaf motif. Fish trap lamps wrapped the bar area, and the canted ceiling was covered with lauhala and bamboo. There was green vinyl booth seating toward the back, and a rock wall. The beverage program was developed by McGee, with a mix of classic tropical cocktails and his own inventions. Land and Sea Dept. also owned the connected upscale Chinese take-out restaurant, called Thank You.
After an 18-month down-time due to Covid, Lost Lake re-opened in August 2021 with a cocktail menu focused on "Tropical Drinks" (i.e., Margaritas, Pina Coladas, Mojitos, and Daiquiris) instead of "Tiki Drinks" (Zombies, Mai-Tais, etc.) as a concession to concerns that "Tiki" is racist and colonialist in nature. The decor was already fairly sparse by Tiki standards, but they went further by removing several pieces, including the glass fishing floats hanging in the front window, the fishing basket light fixtures over the bar, and the pufferfish chandelier. A picture of a woman in a grass skirt was also taken down, a rock wall was covered with a curtain, and fake skulls were removed from the fish tank.
This closure and re-vamping of their image still proved not enough to combat the difficulties of operating during Covid, however, and Lost Lake's Closure was announced for January 15th, 2022.
Aku Aku - Orlando
Orlando, Florida, United States
Aku Aku opened at the beginning of 2014 and is a sister property of the adjacent mid-century-themed Stardust Lounge (Aku Aku's name is a nod to the relationship between Las Vegas' Stardust Casino and its Aku Aku). The back wall of the space is one large shelving unit full of rectangular cubbies of varying dimensions, filled with little bits of Polynesian Pop decor. A large Moai overlooks the room from a corner. A small selection of classic tropical drinks are available, and a longish rum list has some nicer sipping rums (and a lot of unfortunate flavored rums).
The Tiki Hideaway
Charlotte, North Carolina, United States (Closed)
The Tiki Hideaway was opened by owner Mike Barrea in December 2014 in the Myers Park neighborhood of Charlotte. The mid-century modern tinged space had a thatched overhang surrounding the bar, and a paneled relief back wall with stylized tapa designs and a Marquesan-esque face. Behind the bar was a towering Moai, housing the upper end of the bar's rum selection. The room was ringed with back-lit graphic tropical scenes. Orange vinyl seating contrasted nicely against the organic textures in the room. There was a small patio of outdoor seating.
The drink menu was a small, focused list of classic tropical cocktails, and there was a selection of higher-end sipping rums available. The food menu was in the form of small plate selections, and a few desserts.
After nearly a year in business, Tiki Hideaway closed in early November 2015.
Beachbum Berry's Latitude 29
New Orleans, Louisiana, United States
Beachbum Berry's Latitude 29 is the much anticipated venture of Jeff "Beachbum" Berry and his wife Annene Kaye. Berry has worked tirelessly for the past two decades (who am I kidding? he's a bum, he got tired now and then), researching the long-lost recipes for classic exotic cocktails from the heyday of Tiki. We all have the Bum (and his publishers!) to thank for the revival of the well-crafted exotic cocktail, via his books The Grog Log, Intoxica!, Taboo Table, Beachbum Berry Remixed, and Potions of the Caribbean.
Latitude 29 opened in November 2014, inside the Bienville House Hotel. The drink menu is a mix of Tiki classics (some of them the Bum has been keeping in his back pocket for just this occasion), and modern inventions by the Bum himself. Latitude 29 follows through on drink presentation, with custom swizzles and just-so garnish and ice touches. The bar team is led by Brad Smith; the Bum himself won't be found behind the bar, but rather playing host, like a Beachbum should.
The food menu, originated by chef Chris Shortall and now under the care of executive chef James Rivard, leaves the sticky-sweet Chinese-meets-pineapple history of Polynesian restaurants behind, and instead has more modern, fresh takes on the ethnic blend of flavors available in Polynesia today.
The decor is not quite the dark, encrusted enclave one might expect from a dyed-in-the-barkcloth tikiphile like Berry, but the windows and hotel location have dictated a brighter approach. There's no mistaking this space for anything but Tiki, though, thanks largely to the work of artisans Bosko and Tiki Diablo. There are large tiki carvings throughout, and behind the bar is a beautiful map depicting the carving styles found throughout the islands of the Pacific. There are many vintage beachcomber lamps and other items from Berry's long-lived Tiki collection.
Tiki Tolteca is located right next door (although they closed on September 27th, 2021 except for private parties).
Tiki Tolteca
New Orleans, Louisiana, United States (Closed)
When Tiki Tolteca opened in May 2013, it was the first tiki bar to operate in New Orleans in decades. It sat within a Mexican taqueria called Felipe's, and as such was a blend of Tiki and Latin American influences. They made their own syrups and used fresh juices, and incorporated south-of-the-border spirits like mezcal, pisco and cachaa beyond the expected rum. Food was available from Felipe's below.
The space blended exposed brick with bamboo and thatch, and there were many beachcomber lamps. Drinks were served in tiki mugs, or in the heavy, blue-rimmed glasses that are familiar in Mexican restaurants.
Beachbum Berry's Latitude 29 is located right next door.
On September 27th, 2021, Tiki Tolteca announced their permanent closure... with the caveat that they might still host private events on occasion within the space.
Longitude
Oakland, California, United States (Closed)
Longitude was opened by Suzanne Long in downtown Oakland in August 2014. Long had previously been bar manager at Alameda's Forbidden Island. The theme here was not strictly tiki, but rather "adventure," with a mix of African and Papua New Guinea elements, but the echoes of golden-era Tiki were still felt, especially in the drink menu.
The buildout was done by Tiki veteran Bamboo Ben. A massively long and wide monkey pod-topped bar anchored the space, while the main attraction was a large, raised African hut with seating inside. There was an upper mezzanine that overlooks the room below. A sophisticated sound system delivered a variety of jungle sound effects and exotic music. Fresh orchids and plenty of greenery added to the jungle feeling. Beautiful drawings of African animals on the menu and adorning the walls to the mezzanine were created by Long's mother.
The food menu was influenced by Africa's colonial past, with familiar British items like Bangers & Mash and Shepherd's Pie. There were plenty of the old traditional Polynesian restaurant appetizers, including a flaming pu-pu platter.
The drink menu was full of Long's own take on Tiki classics, and her own inventions. The Navy Grog could be purchased with a souvenir Longitude rocks glass, while the Black Orchid came with a real black pearl to take home.
Longitude closed on March 5, 2017. The Kon-Tiki opened in this location in November 2017.
Kahuna Tiki
Los Angeles, California, United States
Kahuna Tiki is a tiki-themed sushi restaurant with tropical drinks.
Kahuna Tiki initially opened without a liquor license and was only a sushi restaurant. A liquor license was added in June 2015, but for beer & wine only, no hard alcohol, so the tropical drinks on offer are made with sake, soju and the like (Their second location, Kahuna Tiki TU, has a full liquor license and an expanded cocktail menu featuring drinks with hard alcohol).
There is a very large outdoor patio with rock features, waterfalls, pools, trees, and beachcomber lamps.
Kahuna Tiki is known for its luau presentations and burlesque shows as well.
*NOTE: The owners have announced that this location may be closing in 2025, but as of February it appears a 6 month extension on the lease was reached. So, make sure to visit while it is still around. Their sister location, Kahuna Tiki TU, will remain open.
Bootlegger Tiki
Palm Springs, California, United States
Bootlegger Tiki opened in 2014, in the same spot that decades prior had housed the Palm Springs location of Don the Beachcomber. The owners also operate Ernest Coffee, right nextdoor. The walls and ceiling are lined with lauhala mats and Asian-motif graphic wallpaper, framed by bamboo. A creative slate of craft-inspired tiki cocktails are offered. There is a small covered outdoor patio.
Kanaloa - Glasgow
Glasgow, United Kingdom (Closed)
Kanaloa opened in 2011 as one of several themed bars within the Mansion House nightclub in Glasgow. It was a sister location to the original Kanaloa in London. There was a small mezzanine with seating overlooking the main bar below. Decor was by CheekyTiki, with no shortage of tapa and bamboo. Drinks were similar to those served at the London location, and came in tiki mugs. Kanaloa closed, along with the rest of Mansion House, in January 2016.
Honi Honi - Hong Kong
Hong Kong Island, Hong Kong SAR China (Closed)
Honi Honi opened in October 2012 within Somptueux Central, a skyscraper in the Central District of Hong Kong. It was primarily a bar, but there was a small menu of food items available. Bar owner Max Traverse, originally from France, had previously worked at Hoxton Pony in London and Le Boudoir in Hong Kong. Traverse's focus was on crafting serious tiki cocktails, and the decor leaned on the clean side of tiki, with lots of bamboo.
In 2015, Traverse opened another tiki bar in Hong Kong, Mahalo Tiki Lounge, in Wan Chai (now known as the 'Ohana Tiki Lounge).
Honi Honi closed in December 2021 and the principals behind the bar opened a new location, Maka Hiki Tropical Bar & Grill, in the neighborhood of Tai Hang, Hong Kong.
The Enchanted Tiki Office
Emeryville, California, United States (Closed)
The Enchanted Tiki Office was the work space of Pixar animator Mark Walsh. The space began as a standalone cube structure, and was turned into a tropical hut with the help of Bamboo Ben.