Erik Wieland diddit: Kona Club
good drinks, but the decor still says "King's X with a grass skirt" to me
Have you done it too? Check it off!
Tiki Tour (SF Bay Area)
added by: bri
Hula's Island Grill
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Hula's Island Grill
added by: bri
Tiki Tour (SF Bay Area)
full description...This list celebrates Polynesian pop, exotica, and "Tiki" culture in the Bay Area. If you are a "Tiki Tourist", don't miss these Bay Area destinations.
Born in the 1940's, "Tiki" culture spread with WWII soldiers returning home from Hawaii and the Pacific islands, and challenging the conservative cultural and ...
This list celebrates Polynesian pop, exotica, and "Tiki" culture in the Bay Area. If you are a "Tiki Tourist", don't miss these Bay Area destinations.
Born in the 1940's, "Tiki" culture spread with WWII soldiers returning home from Hawaii and the Pacific islands, and challenging the conservative cultural and sexual sensibilities of the 1950s. By the 1960's, most cities in the USA had "Polynesian-American" restaurants, often sporting carved totems, bamboo decor, and strong rum drinks in ceramic mugs featuring alluring, half-naked wahines.
The tiki ascendency peaked in the 1970's and has been in decline for several decades. Most polynesian-themed bars, restaurants, apartments, shopping malls, and amusement park attractions have closed their doors, remodeled to sterility, or been replaced by Walgreens.
But a few remnants of the Tiki era remain. A passionate group of urban archeologists, artists, musicians, mixologists and fanatics have been documenting and celebrating the legacy. And a new generation of tiki fans are recreating the exotic vibe in the new millennium, with exciting new bars, restaurants, stores, music, and websites.
1
Tonga Room
The legendary Tonga Room is located at the Fairmont hotel. Many feel it's a bit of a faded glory, and the food isn't worth the price, but can you go wrong with any place that has an indoor rain storm? The Mai Tai is regularly recognized as the City's best.
bri diddit and says:
Indoor Rainstorm!
I'm amazed the Tonga Room still exists - occupying precious real estate in one of the most exclusive hotels ...
6
Conga Lounge
The Conga Lounge, situated above Cafe Rustica, is a rarity -- a new tiki bar that actually plays Exotica. Only time will tell if the Conga will be able to continue successfully without resorting to another music format, but the owners' com ...
8
Bamboo Hut
When Bamboo Hut opened in 1999, it was at the very front of the wave of modern bars inspired by the resurgence in interest in Polynesian Pop. It's more of a nightclub than a bar, with DJed '80s pop music setting the soundtrack, but it's full of spot-on details. There is lots of bamboo and thatch, pufferfish lamps and glass floats, and an outrigger canoe hung from the ceiling. The lighting is appropriately dim and moody. Drinks are served in tiki mugs and bowls, but are on the sickly-sweet side.
Near the entrance is a dramatic waterfall feature, topped by a massive tiki head. The tiki started life as a road sign for the Coral Reef Restaurant in Sacramento, and the Bamboo Hut website says it dates from 1947.
[Description courtesy of Critiki --- http://www.critiki.com/]
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2
Trader Vic's (Emeryville)
This Trader Vic's location is near the now-gone original Oakland location, and is the company's flagship restaurant.
The Emeryville Trader Vic's is positioned near the end of a spit in San Francisco Bay, and has beautiful views. The dining room has tall, elegant stylized a ...
bri diddit and says:
Great Decor, Great History, Good Food, Geriatric Clientele
I haven't been in 10 ...
20 people have
checked off Trader Vic's (Emeryville), 2 wanna do it,
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4
Forbidden Island Tiki Lounge
Forbidden Island is a tiki bar on the island of Alameda just east of San Francisco, but it has the look and feel of a classic old tiki bar.
The bar is the creation of Conga Mike Thanos and Manny ...
8 people have
checked off Forbidden Island Tiki Lounge, 4 wanna do it,
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7
Trader Vic's (Palo Alto)
The Palo Alto Trader Vic's opened in 2001 - the first Trader Vic's opened in the U.S. since 1976. The decor is bright and clean, intended to appeal to the "P.F. Chang's" crowd - upscale and elegant. But there are still hints to the exotic Trader Vic's ...
9
Mallard Club
Club Mallard came into existence in 1945, but this same building has been a bar since 1934, just after the end of the Prohibition. This very friendly bar is actually themed more like a duck-hunting lodge than Polynesia, but the outdoor patio area is tiki-themed, and some of the bartenders (Robin, in particular) can be trusted to make classic tropical drinks. The bar is pretty popular with East Bay folks, and the doormen can be quite strict about checking IDs -- be sure you have yours on hand. The current owner of the Mallard also owns Kona Club in Oakland.
[Description courtesy of Critiki --- http://www.critiki.com/]
3
Hukilau
Hukilau was founded by three guys from Hawaii who were homesick for the local-style food they grew up on and the relaxed and festive island feel of places back in Hawai'i.
Kurt (Kapa'a, Kauai), Al (Ewa Beach, Oahu) and Eric (Hilo, Hawai'i) created the Hukilau and infused it with a taste of each of the three islands and the spirit of Aloha. Soon they were joined by Rodney Park, who added even more flavor.
At the Hukilau, you will be transported back ...
5
Trader Sams
This small and very old bar actually pre-dates "tiki", and is an extremely rare example of the bamboo bars that were in some cities in the '20s and '30s.
The bar has a series of ...
Trader Sams
added by: bri
10
Kona Club
Interiors are full of tapa cloth and carvings from Oceanic Arts, and lots of bamboo installed by Bamboo Ben with the help of Crazy Al Evans. Highlights of the decor include a volcano behind the bar that "erupts" with smoke periodically, and a life-size bronze hula girl complete with swivelling hips. A menu of tropical drinks is being developed, and exotica is available on the jukebox. Kona Club is situated just a block or so from Trader Vic's final resting place at Mountain View Cemetery.
[Description courtesy of Critiki --- http://www.critiki.com/]
[http://www. ...
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