Tiki Bars
Tiki Tango
Atlanta, Georgia, United States (Closed)
Tiki Tango opened in January 2019.
Tiki Tango was a 3-level tiki lounge in the heart of Midtown Atlanta. Each level had a distinct island vibe and mood (Flamingo Room, Tiger's Den, and Tango Room). Previously known as The Lava Lounge, new owner Scott McCray employed tiki interior designer and artist Frank Simotics — better known as The Tiki Rancher — to assist with the bar’s tropical transformation.
Tiki Tango announced its closure for Sunday, June 19th, 2022 due to the sale of the block for another high-rise apartment building in midtown.
Tiki Tap House
Centralia, Washington, United States
Tiki Tap House was opened by Cindy and Jordan Peabody in Centralia, Washington in July 2013. It is an "island inspired" pizza restaurant -- not a tiki bar. There's only beer and wine available, so no tiki cocktails. The decor is spare, but there's a clear love for tiki here. There is a wall with tiki mugs, tikis adorn the thatch-topped bar (which has 18 rotating beers on tap), and some tiki art is on display -- including impressive tikis carved by Cindy's son, restaurant manager Anthony Dijos. The pizzas incorporate lots of unusual island flavors, going beyond the expected Hawaiian pizza, with Spam, mango, macadamia nuts and coconut.
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.
Tiki Tanning
Clive, Iowa, United States (Closed)
Opened in early February 2004.
Tiki Tanning was, as the name cannily suggests, a tanning salon.
It was located in the strip mall behind the Anglo building. Tiki had nine tanning beds and a high-pressure bed where you could tan in 12 minutes.
The owners were Wendy Burr and Jason Fielder. Wendy's mother, Ann Burr, was the manager.
Tiki Cove at the Mecca Bar
Fairbanks, Alaska, United States (Closed)
Tiki Cove was once part of the Mecca Bar in Fairbanks, Alaska.
Wally Burnett opened the Mecca Bar in 1946, and in 1958 he added Tiki Cove in the basement. The bar featured an original mural with trees and a mountain range, some tapa cloth designs and fish net. The tikis were bolted to the floor to keep them safe from thieves. It’s been said that you could enjoy the cocktails and Chinese food in the privacy of a rickshaw table. The bar also featured a clamshell phone booth.
Tiki Cove relocated out of the basement of the Mecca Bar in 1977 into the top floor of the Polaris Hotel where it didn’t last long.
Mecca Bar is still open...
The Lost Tiki - Playa del Carmen
Playa del Carmen, Mexico
Opened @ February 2018.
This bar and restaurant has a large A-frame shaped roof with grassy thatching. One side is taken up with a long bar whose backbar is formed by boat-shaped shelves. The other side of the room has a large tiki mural with some Aztec/Mayan influence. This mural often serves as a backdrop to their live music performances. Movable tables and chairs fill the space between.
Tiki decor is a bit sparse and there is a dearth of actual carved tikis. However, they have a strong cocktail menu with both classics and signature drinks -- all served in tiki mugs.
Tiki Fala Restaurant
Arlington, Virginia, United States (Closed)
This location was functioning circa 70s - late 80s.
The interior of the restaurant was decorated with lots of decorations including Orchids of Hawaii lamps and masks.
By 1990 this location was closed and had become a Korean Restaurant named Sang Rok Su, which purportedly kept the Polynesian decor.
Today, as of 2023, any sign of Polynesian decor is gone and the location is home to The Celtic House Irish Pub.
Tiki Bar Na Plyazhe - Minsk
Minsk, Belarus
"Na Plyazhe" translates to "On The Beach".
This is a busy nightclub and tiki bar.
They have rope swings in front of the main bar, but also tables and outside seating.
While they look to have a dearth of tropical materials, they have adapted with rough-hewn poles and arrangements to mimic bamboo and thatch.
The bar features at least one large Tongan style standing tiki. The menu features several classic tiki cocktails and they serve them in tiki mugs.
The Kon Tiki Village - Ramatuelle - France
Ramatuelle, France
Opened @2009.
This Tiki Resort is located in the south of France near Saint-Tropez, in Ramatuelle.
They have 305 mobile homes on site that have been cleverly disguised as tropical huts.
Open seasonally from April 5th to October 29th. Must make reservations starting in early December for the upcoming season.
Home of the Tiki Pop Fever Festival in 2015.
Aruba Motel & Tiki Restaurant
Tucumcari, New Mexico, United States (Closed)
Opened circa 1965.
This motel had 28 rooms and a heated swimming pool as well as an attached "Tiki Restaurant".
It was run under the Best Western banner as the Aruba until about 1999, when it was rebranded as the Tucumcari Inn.
The Tucumcari Inn became run-down and has been permanently closed for several years now, since at least 2019, if not earlier. The structure still stands but no sign of any tiki signs or decor.
Hotel Tiki Tiki Tulum
Tulum, Mexico
Opened in 2016.
The Hotel Tiki Tiki Tulum has only fifteen rooms and is surrounded by a magnificent jungle. Its architecture was inspired by mid-century modern architecture and it would be right at home in Palm Springs or Miami Beach.
There is a lounge area with bamboo bar, but other than the name, there are no tikis on site. However, they have started embracing tiki imagery and recently created some drink coasters with tikis and might be adding some other flourishes to match the namesake.
The hotel is an hour and a half from Cancun International Airport.
It is a 10 minute drive from the beach and not far from the Tulum Monkey Sanctuary.
Huli Huli Tiki Lounge
Powell, Ohio, United States
Huli Huli is a casual atmosphere tiki oasis in the northern Columbus suburbs.
Specializing in small plate, Pacific-inspired food, the cocktail menu is an extensive mix of cocktails ranging from early period classics to modern finds, peppered with house originals.