Tiki Cocktail Lounge

Modesto, California, United States

The Tiki Cocktail Lounge is situated essentially in the parking lot for the Tropics Motel (now re-named Tiki Lodge), the Modesto entry in the midcentury Kimes Tropics Motels chain. The Tiki Cocktail Lounge has fared a bit better than the barely-operational motel--and while it's more of a beer joint (despite its full bar), it has managed to retain some of its tiki charm.

They did a remodel in recent years and removed the bamboo and thatched roofed booths inside. Probably to open the space up -- it's often packed-out for dancing.

There still appears to be some bamboo behind the back bar, a sometimes-lit pit fireplace and a small outdoor patio with a smattering of tikis.

The old velvet paintings may or may not have made it through the remodel and there was talk of a tiki mural in back...

In recent years, the Tiki Lounge has become a LGBTQ focused site, and they state on their Facebook page that: "We feature an open lifestyle environment where people of all sexualities and genders can feel free to get together, have a few good cocktails and have a great time. Gay, Straight, Lesbian, Bisexual or Transgendered all are welcomed at the Tiki!"

The Tiki Lounge is just down the road from Minnie's Restaurant (not walking distance, unfortunately).