Tiki Bars
Disney's Aulani Resort & Spa
Kapolei, Hawaii, United States
Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa, is a beachside resort hotel at the Ko Olina Resort in Kapolei, Hawaii, on the island of Oahu. Alongside Disney's Hilton Head Island Resort and Disney's Vero Beach Resort, Aulani is Disney's third "stand-alone" hotel located in an area without any adjacent theme parks.
Aulani was opened to the public on August 29, 2011, with 359 hotel rooms and 460 time-share villas on 21 acres. A November 2018 report stated that, at that time, there were 351 rooms (in two 15-story towers), including 16 suites and 481 villas, most being "2-bedroom-equivalent." In an October 2018 review, it was noted that there were three restaurants with seating (Makahiki, Ulu Cafe, and 'AMA'AMA) as well as smaller outlets providing snacks, including the 'Off the Hook' poolside lounge. The bars (including The ‘Ōlelo Room adjacent to the Makahiki, Off The Hook, and the Wailana Pool Bar) offer a small selection of a dozen or so tropical cocktails. See menus below for Off The Hook and Wailana poolside dining/cocktails.
*NOTE: In 2011, when Aulani opened, Critiki chose not to include it in their directory and, indeed, mytiki.life held off from including it for some time as well. This is not because it isn't a wonderful resort, but because its very concept was outspokenly anti-Tiki in concept design. It was conceived as a love-letter to the Hawaiian people and they wanted to be as respectful of local culture as possible by downplaying Disney and tiki concepts and elevating Hawaii's historical and cultural aspects (lowercase "d" and upper case "H" as some designers put it). They did not want to overwhelm visitors with conflicting themes from other Disney IPs or draw criticism for including Enchanted Tiki Room/Rolly Crump style fantastical elements that were more of an Imagineer's dream than anything rooted in Polynesian culture.
Of course, being Disney, and a corporation with a need to synchronize properties and merchandise, they immediately began breaking their own rules, but even at that they were studiously rigorous about keeping things contained. A tiki-like Stitch statue from the film Lilo and Stitch, was placed prominently. Character actors portraying Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Stitch, and Moana interacted with visitors. Tiki-like menehune statues dotted the grounds, especially in child-friendly areas. These seemed like fairly unobtrusive and tasteful inclusions.
But no tiki mugs to be found...until Fall of 2023 when some elegant and restrained pieces showed up as part of a large set in their gift shop -- and not labeled as tiki mugs, but as "serveware".
So, with these "serveware" pieces in circulation, we've finally decided to add this resort to the listings. It may not embrace the Tiki Aesthetic as much as Disney's Polynesian Resort in Florida or other locations, and may remain more "tiki adjacent" than truly "poly pop tiki" but Aulani has definitely set foot into the mug collectors realm with their 2023 gift shop offerings.
Jungle Tiki Bar - Brisbane's West End
West End, Queensland, Australia
Opened in September of 2013.
From Jungle:
"Welcome to Jungle, the original tiki bar transporting you from Brisbane to your own tropical paradise. Our handmade tiki hut takes inspiration from the Polynesian Islands, with a cocktail list just as tropical to match! You’ll find us centrally located in West End on Vulture Street. Though she is but small… she is mighty. Making and shaking is what we do, baby. We love mixing up tropical concoctions with a list of drinks reflecting seasonal produce and emerging rums. Let us know if you have a classic cocktail or something different in mind; we can more than likely whip that up for you. We also have a wall of rum, a range of local and international beers and tasty beverages rotating on tap."
Dragon Island Restaurant
Centereach L.I., New York, United States (Closed)
Opened in 1970.
Dragon Island was a Polynesian themed Chinese restaurant located in Centereach Long Island, New York. As was not uncommon for Chinese restaurants of the time, it was completely immersed in the Polynesian tiki theme from the outside of the building, to the dining room, and even the advertisements. Past patrons remember fondly the bridges, ponds, delicious food, pu pu platters, and strong drinks. The only tiki mugs known to exist from Dragon Island are OMC matte black 47/42 "Droopy" mugs, with the name, town, and phone number on the back.
Dragon Island closed in the late 1980s. The building still stands and can be seen in its current incarnation on google maps.
Waitiki - Murcia
Murcia, Spain
Opened @2022.
This bar & restaurant is more tropical/Hawaiian styled and less classic Tiki.
However, they do serve a rotating list of tropical cocktails, including the Blue Hawaiian and Mauna Mama (coconut, pineapple, and orange). Some cocktails are served in Tiki mugs.
They are also famous for their pizza burgers, which are enclosed in pizza dough like calzones.
The Tropics - Denver
Denver, Colorado, United States (Closed)
This was a well-known pre-tiki burlesque nightclub with an exotic tiki/jungle theme that opened around the late 1940s and ran through the 50s.
Inside there were hourly thunder storm sound effects.
A very large tree branch on the ceiling with moss on it had little twinkling white lights hidden here and there.
The dance floor was hydraulic and could be lifted up for shows.
A big bird cage came down out of the ceiling above the dance floor for special shows with signature dancers inside.
There were tiki masks on the back walls that had black lights on them.
There was a lighted alligator pit in one back corner of the club.
The chairs had an animal skin prints on them, and the girls that worked there had animal skin printed bikini suits on with one shoulder strap.
Many headliners in music, comedy, and burlesque played here over the years. Blaze Starr in her leopard skin outfit below was just one honorable mention...
Today, this location is home to The Stone, a Recreational Cannabis Dispensary
Quarterdeck
Narooma, New South Wales, Australia
Opened in 2001.
The Quarterdeck has an enviable spot smack bang on the banks of the Wagonga Inlet in Forsters Bay. It started its life as an oyster grower’s shed before evolving into a kiosk, then a fish’n’chip shop. Its previous owners took it over in 2001 and transformed it into a tiki-inspired bar and restaurant.
Now owned by Merivale.
From the Quarterdeck website:
"A long-standing Narooma institution, Quarterdeck has been known by locals as a place to catch up and celebrate for almost 20 years. Enjoy a menu that champions the freshest product the South Coast has to offer, alongside re-imagined tiki-style cocktails. Grab a banana daiquiri, watch the sun set, and laugh with friends as day becomes night."
LongBrow's Jungle Bar
Tuggerah, New South Wales, Australia
Opened Friday, May 12th, 2023.
From their website:
"A South American inspired Tiki Bar located in Westfield Tuggerah’s outdoor dining precinct.
Find yourself in a vibrant and tropical atmosphere, transporting you to the wild jungles of South America, complete with amazing authentic street food and refreshing tropical cocktails.
So come on down and escape to the tropics at Longbrow's Jungle Bar. Whether you’re looking for a fun night out with friends or a casual catch-up, we have something for everyone and are open till late!"
Waiana Tiki Bar
Zürich, Switzerland
Opened in July 2023.
The Waiana Tiki Bar strives to convey an original South Seas atmosphere in the middle of old town Zurich. A huge palm tree on one of the two outdoor terraces with twelve and 24 seats points the way to the Polynesian terrain. The smell of coconut beach from a scent machine at the counter permeates the entire interior on the ground floor, the Tiki-style interior decoration, the service and the matching music create South Sea dreams if you want to get involved. The handmade tiki cups come from Niki's Tiki (a Hungarian craftswoman and daughter of a Budapest tiki bar owner).
With the opening of the Waiana Tiki Bar, Hunor Deák has fulfilled his dream of having his own bar in the tiki format. An anchor in the catering industry for 17 years, his gastronomic journey began at Morrison's , which is one of Budapest's oldest nightclubs. This was followed by bartending and bar manager positions on the cruise ship Aida, in the Café del Sol on Ibiza, in the English Loose Cannon Cocktail Bar and in the Committee Bar & Restaurant in Boston. Afterwards, he and his wife Betina De-Luca wanted to explore Waiana in Mallorca. But Covid and the subsequent war in Ukraine caused them to leave the island to find a new place for Waiana. They have been living in Switzerland since September of 2022.
The Tiki Restaurant - at Villa Plaza - Tacoma (Lakewood)
Lakewood, Washington, United States (Closed)
Opened in 1963 at Villa Plaza, a new construction in Lakewood just south of Tacoma (although advertising materials say "Tacoma" for this location).
It was a 2-story construction with A-frame entrance and a Witco Mbulu Ugulu mask just below the roofline.
This restaurant started off life as a nicely appointed Polynesian Restaurant with decor sourced from Witco and some fern tikis sourced from the 1962 Seattle World's Fair that ended just half a year before The Tiki Restaurant opened.
Martin Denny even did a live performance back in the early days here.
However, in 1966 they decided to have topless go-go dancing upstairs and it appears to have gotten seedier/more sketchy as the years went on...
First off, the dancing was illegal. There were some arrests made and negative headlines before the bar was able to secure a cabaret license and legitimize the dancing.
Then, in 1974, a patron killed a bouncer.
Shortly after this, the restaurant was sold and became Peking Restaurant for a few years until in 1978 it was burned down in a suspected arson.
Nothing remains today.
Duke's Hideaway - at McCray's Tavern On The Beltline
Atlanta, Georgia, United States
Opened July 26th, 2023.
This is sort of a reincarnation of Tiki Tango, which closed in June of 2022.
The upstairs space above McCray's Tavern on the Beltline (formerly The Baxter on the Beltline) provides plenty of seating and a great view of the city.
Many of the set pieces from Tiki Tango can be spotted, including the tiki that greets visitors at the entrance.
Tiki Rancher (Frank Simotics) was also essential to this build-out as well.
The bar serves a full menu of tiki cocktails in tiki mugs and has branded mugs and glassware for sale.
Lost Island Theme Park
Waterloo, Iowa, United States
Lost Island Theme Park is located in Waterloo, Iowa. The 90-acre (36 ha) park includes five element-themed lands (fire, water, earth, air, spirit), which feature numerous attractions; including three roller coasters.
The park is owned by the Bertch family, who also operate the Lost Island Waterpark, which is located next to the site of the theme park. Construction on Lost Island Theme Park began in August 2019, it opened on June 18, 2022, and it cost an estimated $100 million.
The entire park setting is a fictional, enchanted island called ‘Auk Modu’ (in the park's constructed language of Aukipi).
The park is located next to a 30-acre (12 ha) lake which lends itself to the island feel, with some rides extending out over the water.
The park's Volkanu: Quest for the Golden Idol dark ride is perhaps the most "Tiki" thing in the park aside from the tikis that flank the front A-frame entrance. For Disneyland park-goers, a comparison could be made to the Buzz Lightyear ride. Here, in Volkanu, patrons sit in small slowly spinning ride cars and fire lava pistols at lava monsters. An animatronic and tattooed native gives them a call to adventure at the beginning to defeat the boss lava monster at the end of the ride (much like Buzz urges players to defeat Emperor Zurg in the Buzz Lightyear ride). There are also 3-D visuals that jump out.
Adults can purchase alcoholic drinks (beer, seltzers and frozen cocktails) at Thirsty Voyager in the Awa (Water) Realm (see menu below).
Revival House - at Blue Sushi Saki Grill
Des Moines, Iowa, United States
Opened December 2nd, 2020.
The rapidly growing mini chain of Blue Sushis (there are 19 and counting open or coming soon across the U.S. as of 2023) now have “pocket bars” next door. Each has a different style, and Des Moines was lucky enough to draw the tiki card.
There is a nice selection of hanging lamps and the interior is nicely trimmed out in bamboo, natural materials, and palm leaf wallpaper. One end has a lava rock wall with the requisite pink neon sign that has sprung up in the age of Instagram to take the obligatory photos with.
They serve tiki cocktails in tiki mugs, although as of this time they do not appear to have original branded barware. The mugs used appear to be the top 10 wholesale mugs made in China (some of them rip-offs of Bosko's or Tiki Farm's mugs). However, the cocktails appear to be dialed in craft-cocktails using good ingredients, by all accounts.