Tiki Bars
House of Tiki - Newport Boulevard - Costa Mesa
Costa Mesa, California, United States (Closed)
Formed around 2003, House of Tiki was owned by Wes Johnson, and sold new merchandise, including aloha wear, tiki mugs, home decor, and of course tikis. A tiki-themed coffee shop, Hot Lava Java, was opened in the space adjacent to House of Tiki in late summer 2006.
In December 2008, House of Tiki moved to a new location in the same area.
Aloha Polinesian Bar
Barcelona, Spain
Opened in 1976, this is a very large bar with a 250 person capacity and bills itself as the largest tiki bar in Barcelona.
It still has all of its original decor, including an amazing front bar area with a bundled rattan/bamboo bar railing, several Gaugin inspired nude Tahitian girl murals, and tikis throughout. There are several small rooms and alcove areas for more intimate smaller groups.
There is an anachronistic large television at the end of the front bar-- probably as an obligatory nod to sports fans. There is also a large table soccer game (foosball to North Americans) by the emergency exit.
Porcelain style signature Spanish tiki mugs are used, although many show signs of chipping or cold paint loss and have been in rotation a number of years.
Tiki purists may not always approve of the music or cocktail authenticity, but this is common with many of the Spanish tiki bars. Despite this, the ability to experience such an early time capsule of a tiki temple should not be missed.
The Enchanted Tiki Room - Anaheim
Anaheim, California, United States
Opened June 23rd, 1963.
This attraction in the Adventureland section of Disneyland was Walt Disney's first use of Audio-Animatronics for an attraction, and has over 225 fully automated, moving figures. It was originally developed as an attraction for the New York 1964 World's Fair, but when the sponsor fell through, the show was changed and planned for Disneyland instead. An early development concept was that this would be a Polynesian restaurant, but when the attraction was still in design, it was decided that turnover in the restaurant would be an issue -- the fear was that patrons would be so fascinated with the moving and talking birds and tikis that they wouldn't ever leave their table. Instead, the attraction was made into the 17 minute seated show you see today.
The attraction had fallen into poor condition in recent years. Due to pressure from online campaigns and the attraction's sponsor, Dole Pineapple, the Enchanted Tiki Room underwent some much-needed repairs, but continued to be in a state of decay. Fortunately, in 2004 and 2005 the Enchanted Tiki Room was closed for an extensive restoration, and today is looking beautiful, and attendance has increased substantially. Enchanted Tiki Room merchandise has been a big seller for Disneyland in recent years.
Enchanted Tiki Rooms with different shows can also be found at Walt Disney World and Tokyo Disneyland.
From the early '60s into the early '90s, Adventureland also had the Tahitian Terrace, a restaurant with a dinner show, located next to the Enchanted Tiki Room. This was replaced by Aladdin's Oasis, but in December 2018, Aladdin's Oasis was replaced by a new Polynesian themed food counter, named Tropical Hideaway.
Shipwrecked Tiki Bar - Davis
Davis, California, United States
Opened August 4th, 2023.
The bar is owned by partners Melissa and Nate Yungvanitsait, owners of Northern California restaurant chain University of Beer.
Tiki purists will declare this is more of a pirate themed bar than a true tiki bar, and they may have a point, but there are also enough of the trappings of tiki bars that we all know and love to make this a worthwhile visit if you are in the area.
As has been pointed out time and again, tiki bars thrive on layering more and more details as the years go on with the "more is more" effect. So if patrons clamor for more tiki, then perhaps each successive visit will unveil more tiki.
As it stands now, here is what you will encounter:
The entrance is a beach-themed area with some tables, huts, a few very cheap tikis (including some plastic ones). You can order at the bar from here.
Going down the hallway, there’s a lounge section that’s nautical-themed including a nice photo op stop, giant squid arms made from metal, and some granite tiled walls.
The last section is a series of booths that are nominally themed as pirate jails, plus more pirate decor including a room with artifacts.
The Royal Tot
Charlotte, North Carolina, United States
Opened in early 2021.
The Royal Tot is named for the most delicious tradition of the Queen’s Navy: The Daily Portion of Rum.
The decor is modernist/minimalist with lots of tropical leaf wall paper and some interesting use of routered & painted Chinese breezeway tile patterns around the bar area.
While they do make use of tiki mugs to serve cocktails, there doesn't appear to be any actual carved tikis or tiki-themed art in the bar.
That said, the rum inventory appears to be bursting at the seams and they appear to have been a host for at least one season of the annual Beachbum Berry Sippin' Santa event.
The White Monkey - Athens
Chalandri, Greece
Opened May 12th, 2012.
The interior design was made by architecture team Mind the Ark, in collaboration with the owner of the bar and renowned street artist WD. The concept of this bar is a place of contrasts with classical, vintage style elements integrated unexpectedly with tropical culture atmosphere and Tiki references. Plaster decorative elements that decorate the ceiling of the interior and the facade of the wooden bar (eclecticism), in combination with abundant planting and vertical surfaces dressed with wallpaper with dominant theme of exotic birds and heavenly landscapes set up in an unexpected scenery: A bar in the Pacific 50s’ made by and for Westerners, beamed into an old house in Athens that moves on three levels (walkway, balcony and interior bar).
It appears that in the time since, the owners have personalized the space with more carved tikis and an abundance of House of Angostura advertising (who sponsor Tiki Week and other promotions).
Tucana Tiki Bar
Birmingham, Alabama, United States
Tucana had its grand opening on November 3, 2023 at The Denham Building in Parkside, in Birmingham, AL.
It is owned by Nicky Vann Tisdale.
Their creative team includes architect Haley Treadaway with Black Design Architecture and Josh and Shelton Carnley with Studio Carnley for branding.
The overall concept is modern and streamlined without the dense layering found in traditional tiki bars (like in an old school Trader Vics for example). Rather, the atmosphere is open and industrial with concrete floors, lots of windows, high ceilings, and exposed duct work.
No evidence of actual carved tikis, masks, tapa cloth, or hula girls...
However, they do evoke some jungle island vibes downstairs with tropical wallpaper, upside-down basket ceiling lamps, some fish floats over the bar, lots of rattan furniture, and some tropical plants. A couple dozen individually framed Audubon style toucan nature prints adorn the wall alongside the stairs leading to the second floor.
Cocktails are served in a variety of glassware and tiki mugs.
The disco ball constellation room is upstairs. Nicky claims this inspiration came from the Tucana constellation in the southern hemisphere. But as tiki enthusiasts know, tiki has an uneasy relationship with disco...which marked the decline of the Golden Age of Tiki. Still, a dance floor in such a large open space seems like a natural move.
Inter-Island Resorts' Kauai Surf Hotel - at Kalapaki Beach - Kauai
Lihue, Hawaii, United States
The Inter-Island Resorts' Kauai Surf Hotel - at Kalapaki Beach - Kauai opened on July 1st, 1960.
Kauai Surf is still with us, in another incarnation and after all these decades, it is still one of the most popular Hawaiian destinations. It was bought by Westin in 1985, completely overhauled (to the tune of $22 million) and reopened in 1987 as the Kauai Westin. Out went the tikis and in came an over the top pan-Asian motif! They added dozens of Asian statues, some small, some huge, still scattered across the hotel's incredible 51 acres. What was the Kauai Surf's pond and gardens, became the Westin's swimming pool, the biggest in the state, measuring 26,000 square feet of water surface and 210 feet in diameter. Barely out of debt, the hotel was devastated by Hurricane Iniki in 1992 and stood vacant until 1995, when the property was purchased by Marriott.
It then became the Kauai Marriott Resort and Beach Club. Remodeled yet again, Marriott replaced most of the Westin's Asian art with Hawaiian art. As mentioned above, many of the Asian statues still remain. But the overall decor is now Polynesian. Throughout the hotel's common areas are dozens of exhibits of shark-tooth weapons, hula instruments and drums and Kapa cloth (a couple of pieces dating back to the 18th century) and all the art is of pre-colonized Hawaii. Bright tropical patterns characterize the newly reupholstered restaurant and lobby furniture. The new lobby area rugs also have tropical themed patterns. Overall you will definitely feel that you are in a Hawaiian resort.
The mid-century furniture and swings are gone, and most of the original Tikis are history, except for 3 carvings on the beach, but the rooms still look basically the same.
The Planter's Lounge is now Duke's Canoe Club, the main restaurant and bar at the resort.
Throughout these remodels, they never tore down or altered the basic structure of the original Kauai Surf. A new tower has been added, flanking the pool, but the original towers still remain, seemingly untouched!
The hotel with which Marriott's Kauai Beach Club shares a campus has changed management and been re-branded as the Royal Sonesta Kauai Resort Lihue Hotel effective March 24, 2021.
The Rusty Pelican - Key Biscayne (Miami)
Key Biscayne, Florida, United States
Opened in 1972 under the ownership of David Tallichet with a Polynesian vibe and cuisine as well as a panoramic patio overlooking the City of Miami.
The overall impression of the place was dark and cozy with a mostly nautical vibe accented with some tiki touches. It featured rough hewn dark wood boards, nautical rope, some small carved tikis throughout, fishing nets, lit glass fish floats, strands of cork floats, shell lamps and pebble lamps, lauhala matting, and some brightly colored Orchids of Hawaii lamps.
The original menu featured favorites like a teriyaki-glazed sirloin steak, Chicken Kona Kai (grilled chicken served in a pineapple with sweet and sour sauce), and Cherries Jubilee (simmered cherries, vanilla ice cream, and Chantilly liquor).
Beyond its views and fare, Rusty Pelican gained even more notoriety after being featured in the 1980 blockbuster Caddyshack, starring Bill Murray and Chevy Chase.
In 1984, however, disaster struck and the restaurant burned to the ground. It was rebuilt and re-opened in 1987 with a large second floor space, but other than the added space, it appears they tried to rebuild along the same theme.
Then in 2011, all the tiki decorative elements went away in a brand new remodel...
The restaurant reopened in December of 2011 after a five-month, $7 million top to bottom renovation. Additions to the massive restaurant included a swanky cocktail bar; floor-to-ceiling bay windows; outdoor tables flanked by fire pits; a glass-enclosed wine corridor, mid-century style furniture, wood paneling and cushioned booths creating a Mad Men vibe.
Today, the venue is associated with weddings and other events that can make use of its floor space and fantastic views.
Although no longer tiki in its decor, they have been known to serve tropical drinks in tiki mugs from time to time as can be seen below...
Hu Ke Lau - Salem
Salem, New Hampshire, United States (Closed)
The Hu Ke Lau was a tiki bar at 7 Veterans Memorial Parkway in Salem, NH and opened in about 1970, but closed in 1976 due to the owners having to run another location in Chicopee, MA. The building was built in 1967 and was originally home to The Friar & Tuck Pub, from 1967-1970. After the Hu Ke Lau's closure in 1976, it was bought and then turned into the Grand China which was a Chinese Restaurant still having most of the remaining tiki decor. The Grand China closed in 2017 after 41 years in business, was then remodeled, and now is The Lim's Sports Bar & Cafe and also Chaser's Poker Room. It is still owned by the same family who owned the Grand China.
The place was adorned with vintage lamps, bamboo poles and some tikis.
Check out ThatTikiKid's YouTube channel (@ThatTikiKidOfficial) on the "My Vintage Menu Collection!" video at 7:29 out of 12:46 for the whole menu.
This Hu Ke Lau was also one in a small chain of restaurants. Johnny Yee partnered with Frank Chin and Robert Lew to open other locations, including the first in Chicopee, and others in: Lenox, Massachusetts (re-named Luau Hale in the 70s), Longmeadow, Massachusetts, a Rocky Hill, Connecticut location, and a Bridgeport, Connecticut location (which burned down in 1983) also.
The Lucky Tiki - West Hollywood
West Hollywood, California, United States
Opened March of 2024, after having been closed for over 20 years following the demise of its original location in the San Fernando Valley.
Run by Bobby Green and the 1933 group.
Re-imagined as a speakeasy at the Tail O' the Pup in West Hollywood, the 18-foot-long hotdog-shaped building near the corner of Santa Monica and La Cienega boulevards, which was also a Bobby Green project (re-opened in July of 2022).
Besides being the site for Tail O' the Pup, this upstairs locale was The Doors’ recording studio in 1970, and it was their office. They recorded “LA Woman” here. Jim Morrison liked the way the tile echo sounded [in the bathroom]. So he sang all the vocals to “LA Woman” here.
At the top of a staircase, the new Lucky Tiki has many of its old features on display, including a huge tiki by Crazy Al, but also incorporates many new pieces, especially hanging lamps by a variety of artists. Other details include some new Tiki tOny tikis, some green breezeway tiles that feature the Lucky Tiki mascot tiki at center, and custom wallpaper that also serves as the pattern for the staff's button-up Aloha shirts.
There is an outdoor patio with tables and chairs, and lit by several tiki swag lamps, also featuring a huge cartoony PNG mask by Vic Hdz.
The bar has their own food menu with coconut shrimp and crab rangoon and other favorites, but you can also order food from Tail O' The Pup downstairs.
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).