Opened October, 2019.

A tiki bar and speakeasy with a beer focus, Forbidden Cove belongs to its Kearny Mesa neighbor, Kilowatt Brewing.

The Kilowatt crew has opened Forbidden Cove inside their original Kearny Mesa brewery, accessible through a cloaked entrance. The space is a tiki-enthusiasts dream with a touch of psychedelic inspired neon and blacklight nuance that Kilowatt patrons have come to know and love. Being Forbidden Cove cannot serve distilled liquor, the menu is beer-based tiki drinks, as well as those made with Kilowatt Brewing’s hard seltzers and "undistilled spirits".

Open Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings, the Cove is only accessible if you make online reservations. Wait in the Kilowatt tasting room for an escort, who will guide you to the Cove via secret entrance.

The clock was ticking upon opening for this location as the landlord had already announced their intention to demolish the space in a year and a half, but then COVID happened, so the future remains uncertain...

Opened in 1958.

A classic tropical resort hotel on Mission Bay. Originally built by the Scripps family as a Spanish Colonial style summer house, the buildings were rebuilt in a Hawaiian Colonial style in the late '50s to better fit in with the tropical grounds. The hotel's been renovated many times since then without losing its Tiki touches.

Throughout the decades, the Evans family has gone to great lengths to import traditional Pacific Island art. All of the ethnic art including spears, personal jewelry, hand-woven rugs, and warrior shields are from New Guinea and were made prior to World War II. As you face the front desk, look above and you will see a very large tapa cloth made of Mulberry bark. It is from the New Hebrides Islands located off the coast of New Guinea. When this piece was commissioned, it was the largest one done since 1920 and took many different island families over a year to make. The wood that makes up the front desk is called Black Koa wood, which is native to the Tahitian Islands. The totem poles throughout the property were handcrafted in Bali specifically for the Catamaran. As you approach the stairs on the way to the Atoll restaurant, look to your left and you will see a large carving encased in glass that looks like a stool. This piece of art is known as the "speaking stool." It was found by Michael Rockefeller in a headhunter village in 1961. This stool is the second largest one known in existence.

Opened August 30th, 2022.

Lost Inferno is a tiki bar with a strong homage to the classic 1985 film by Stephen Spielberg, The Goonies. The name of the bar directly references the pirate ship from the film, which belonged to One-Eyed Willie.

There are pirate skeletons and sections of the bar feel like they are a cavern straight from the film. They are a little light on actual tikis in the decor, although they do have some tiki masks up on the walls.

Built in 1969.

50 yards from the boardwalk and beach in Ocean City (self-styled as "America's Greatest Family Resort"), the Tahiti Inn is a fun place to stay while visiting the Jersey Shore.

They offer both apartments with fully-equipped kitchens (one and two bedroom) and individual rooms. There are 57 total units in this 3-story structure.

The Tiki feel is prominent in the Inn's exterior along Ocean Avenue, in the pool area, and in the front office, but unfortunately does not extend to the rooms' interiors, which are more "beachy".

When visiting, be forewarned that Ocean City is one of the few remaining "dry" towns in the region - i.e., the sale of alcohol is prohibited - so if you want to enjoy a cocktail, you'll have to make & enjoy it within the confines of your room from your own stock, or travel to the mainland to drink or to purchase your own supplies.

The Gallelli family has owned and operated the Tahiti Inn since 1989.

This was a 1930's era pre-tiki tropical bar, and it is difficult to know whether this version or the one in Los Angeles came first. Both advertised "Rain On The Roof". They appear to have been owned separately, however, and were not sister locations.

Today, this location is a parking lot.

On Tuesday, October 11th, 2022 Barter & Shake Cocktail Entertainment, the hospitality group behind the award-winning Century Grand in Phoenix, opened their second location of UnderTow (the third in a series including the original that closed) at the Epicenter at Agritopia in Gilbert, Arizona. Marking the group’s first expansion, the new location offers an immersive experience complete with special effects, transportive décor and exotic cocktails that bring guests on a novel adventure with every sip.

At UnderTow, guests embark on a 90-minute worldly journey in the belly of a spice trader’s turn-of-the-century Clipper ship, following the adventures of revered Captain John Mallory and his crew. Similar to its original location, the new bar features signature design elements such as a hand-carved bar top and a figurehead salvaged from the bow of a ship. The experiential atmosphere also features custom-made thunderstorm and lighting effects and a new surround sound system to provide an enhanced audio experience, along with handcrafted carvings from Daniel “Tiki Diablo” Gallardo and illustrations by Tom “Thor” Thordarson.

The cocktail menu features a variety of on-theme signature drinks, classics with a twist, and non-alcoholic libations. Some of the drinks included are The Missionary’s Downfall, the Mai Tai, the Clear Skies & Tropical Winds and the Shipless Sailor.

The menu also features a wide selection of rums.

February 9th, 2018, this tiki bar was completed for the Laguna Beach Hobie store location.

Built by Craig Dunlap.

Although it isn't open as a working bar, it is certainly trimmed out perfectly and encapsulates the classic vibe of a mid century Southern California Tiki Bar.

The Oceanic Arts PNG mask on the door is a nice touch.

It might possibly see some actual bar use for the occasional employee party, but is mostly used for photo ops.

Hobie also has another larger bar at their warehouse location termed "The Embassy" that seems to get more use as an actual bar space for employees.

This pre-tiki establishment was open from 1942-1950.

Formerly occupied by Club 76.

This 4,000 square foot space was decorated in a tropical theme with colored lights, South Seas foliage, a simulated sunset, and thatching on huts, bar, check room and bandstand. They installed bleached wood tables and a parquet dance floor prior to opening. The opening night kicked off with Johnny Long and his Orchestra.

This site is now home to the Battle Creek Tower, a 21-story office building.

Opened on March 19th, 2022 in what had been known previously as the old TheaterNOW building.

This venue bills itself as an "Adventure Bar" which incorporates some aspects of tiki decor besides just the cocktails, but also includes a Cabinet of Curiosities vibe with artifacts from all corners of the world as one would expect to find in an old-school adventurer's club.

From The Sorrow Drowner:

"Once you cross the threshold, you will be transported into the classic era of Exploration. The Lemurian Institute, a global leader in history and exploration, led by its founder, Edward Bartholomew Wheatley the Third, have assembled a team of the finest adventurers and scholars from around the globe. What happens behind the doors of the Institute has been a question for decades; however, as the old saying goes, 'When the Machairodus Kabir is away, the Indefatigable Galapagos Mice will play!'

Enter The Sorrow Drowners!

This rag-tag group of individuals, nicknamed for their near nightly revelries, keep the Institute running while the Board of Directors are out exploring! Many of these acolytes pine to be in the field but have yet to pay their dues. Instead, they stay behind to research and catalogue the variety of artifacts sent home by the Institutes elite expedition teams and partners worldwide. Due to all the doldrums of lab work, an informal vote was taken and the Sorrow Drowners have decided to open the doors of the Institute to all of YOU! (Truth be told, its mostly because theyd prefer the chance to speak to someone that isnt 2000 years old.) Just dont tell E.B.!

Once inside, you will be welcomed with open arms into 'The Grand Marae', the meeting hall in the Institute typically used for lectures, but sans supervision the dais has been co-opted into a space for members and a variety of entertainers to perform! Books and notes have been pushed into corners to make room for you in the Library and you have been granted access to the secretive Director E.B. Wheatley IIIs office to view his personal collection. Most importantly, they saved you a seat at the bar as they serve up drinks a tad bit stronger than Lemonade!

So prepare yourself, The Sorrow Drowners welcome you!

Owned and operated by The Lemurian Institute, Inc., wholly owned by North Carolina Native Alfred Brian Wheatley and designed by former Disney Imagineer Brandon Kleyla, aka Trader Brandon, whose resume includes attractions worldwide and is perhaps best known for his work on both Trader Sam's Tiki Bars in Anaheim, Ca and Orlando, Fl. You will want to spend hours here just looking at all the artifacts from around the world and to allow yourself to get lost in the story.

'People love being able to escape, to get lost in an experience, and thats what were doing here,' says Brandon. 'Were stepping out of the framework of a traditional Tiki bar and delivering a much larger experience, set in the golden age of adventure. The age of Earhart, Bingham, Carter, and Bird.'

'My whole life, I was always on the hunt for adventure! I havent climbed Mount Everest or Walked the Plains of the Serengeti, but when I couldnt there were movies that could,' says Alfred Brian Wheatley, proprietor of the Sorrow Drowner. 'It was in these films that I found myself enthralled and, when presented with the opportunity to create this experience, it was these films that guided my hand. It is my wish to bring a space permeated with that sense of adventure to Wilmington.'

The Sorrow Drowner will feature a large menu of classic craft cocktails from classic tiki faire to drinks from around the world as well as a menu of island favorites. Select Evenings, the stage will come alive with a Vaudeville Style Revue featuring a variety of acts as well as an interactive cast of wandering comedic characters. Our hope is to provide the city of Wilmington and Coastal North Carolina with an ever-changing experience that youll want to visit again and again!"

NOTE On January 8th, 2025, the owners of The Sorrow Drowner announced their intentions to re-locate their business to California, with promises to document their progress toward this goal online as the process unfolds.

This brick and mortar location opened on May 5th 2021. Around August 2020 it originated as a pop-up and was further developed into a full-time permanent bar.

Monkey’s Paw co-owner Teren Baker says he and another co-owner, Jameson Cowman, discovered how tiki bars could be cool while attending a punk rock music festival in Las Vegas. They visited Frankie’s Tiki Room in Vegas, and Baker says it challenged his assumptions about tiki bars.

The heart of the bar is its lounge environment. There aren’t any clocks inside the building, and the windows are blacked out. Baker says the bar isn’t looking to have raucous live shows at the bar, but rather more intimate events, such as the December 2021 Elvis impersonator David Lomond.

Their tiki mugs are made by a local pottery, Down the Road Clayworks!

Soft opening on October 11th, 2022.

From Lime In The Coconut:

"Lime in the Coconut takes you to a place of salty air and sandy toes. Time slows down and the island vibe transports you someplace tropical. Enjoy casual island fare from Hawaii, the Philippines, Vietnam, Japan, and the Caribbean. The menu, designed by executive chef Jeremy Galapon (formerly of the Bali Hai, San Diego), features fish, pork, chicken, tofu, and vegetable sandwiches, salads noodles, and snacks.

Vacation vibes begin with craft cocktails designed by Snake Oil Cocktail Co. and made with fresh, hand-pressed juices and the finest rums, tequilas, gins, and liqueurs. Mocktails are equally tasty and tropical for those choosing to forgo alcohol.

You don’t have to travel to escape."

Three 9 Lounge opened at the West Seattle Bowl on Oct. 28, 2021.

From Three 9 Lounge:

General Manager Jeff Swanson explained, "The space was doing ok as the High Strike lounge, and we were keeping that menu, but it was being under utilized, so we were talking and our friend Joe Jeannot, who is a restaurant consultant and ran the Beer Festival in years past suggested we should change to a tiki bar. After about a day or two of thinking about it we all said, 'Let's do it.!"

Swanson along with Beverage Manager Jimmy Gersen, plus Joe Chero and Joe Jeannot working with Mike of MR Construction developed the bamboo, grasses, and lighting design, "pretty much on the fly," said Swanson. The result is surprisingly cohesive and comfortable. But a tiki bar would be nothing without the right drinks. Gersen said they will have seven signature cocktails including, Mai-Tai, Zombie, Jungle Bird, Pain Killer, Hemingway Daiquiri, Between the Sheets, Planters Punch, shareable bowl drinks like the Volcano Bowl, and the Three 9 Grog. "These are all the classic Tiki cocktails with our little twists," said Gersen, The lead bartender at the Three 9 is Damon Leichman. "He worked with me at Salty's in the banquet department and I taught him, everything he knows in service to this point and now he's teaching me!"

They have a new chef just for the Three 9 named Kobi Maisel, who will be making Pork Sliders, Lumpia, Shrimp skewers, Beef Kabobs, Macaroni Salad, Edamame, all Polynesian and "fun tropical kind of stuff, like a Pu Pu Platter," said Swanson.

The Three 9 is so named because it's on 39th SW first, plus there are 39 boards in a bowling lane. and also because those are the happy hours (even though at first they won't open until 4pm). "This is something fun," said Swanson, "and utilize our space efficiently."

As the days move on, they keep adding additions, like the lit tiki torches on the roof, and have contracted with Munktiki to create personalized tiki mugs. So far, they've received great feedback!