at the tiki bar*

We finally made it to Tiki Rock in Boston, and we had a fun time sipping on some cocktails and relaxing. One of things I noticed living here in Massachusetts is the curious lack of tiki bars, so when Jon surprised me with reservations on Saturday afternoon, I was excited!  Tiki escapism and drinks!  Also, it’s been a really long time since we both got to wear our matching outfits.

this door leads nowhere

- Dress: Vintage barkcloth dress from Retro-Diva / Melissa Grüenhagen

- Bag: Wicker pineapple bag by Michael Kors | here and on sale!

- Shoes: Flamingo shoes by Miss L Fire

can't eat this coin (it isn't vegan)

- Earrings and sunglasses:  By the Pool pineapple double drop earrings and Seanna sunglasses by Kate Spade

my designated drinker

- Shirt: Vintage barkcloth Hawaiian shirt from Retro-Diva / Melissa Grüenhagen

close-up of the pineapple bag

The bag was a big hit; people were tickled by it.  Funny thing was that initially I wanted the Kate Spade novelty pineapple bag, however, when I went to go to the Newbury Street store, they were sold out!  Randomly, this bag came up in a Google search, and I thought it was cuter!  I trekked to Macy's, found it, and purchased it.  The shop ladies thought no one would buy it because it was too "unique".

guess what, shop ladies?  i love this bag!  it fits nothing inside it, but it's adorable!

I'll (someday, sigh) review Tiki Rock here on the blog.  I can’t wait to go again!

*Kenny Sasaki & the Tiki Boys - At the Tiki Bar

every little move expresses so i'll understand* (bardot's tiki adventures 02.07.17)

Before traveling to Austin, Texas for work, I searched for vegan places to eat, vintage clothing and record shops, and tiki bars. Austin, as it turns out, has an ok amount of vegan food options and record shops, but oddly enough, doesn't have any tiki bars.  I had been going to Austin throughout 2016 before deciding, in November, to venture outside my comfort zone.  Hula Hut came up on Yelp search for "tiki drinks", but they are, by no means, a legitimate tiki bar.  It's like if Chevy's Fresh Mex decided to serve "authentic" Hawaiian fare and drinks.

That's right - Hula Hut serves Polynesian-inspired Tex-Mex food.

hula hut entrance

Hula Hut is located South Central-ish Austin by the Colorado River, but everyone calls the river a "lake".  You have to drive through a  fancy neighborhood to get to Oyster Landing Marina by the riverlake, and when you arrive, the parking is pretty minimal.  You can either valet your car, or pay-to-park by Lake Austin Boulevard.

seating by the "lake"

Once there, the thatched-roof  veranda guides you to the entrance, where you can turn right into their Hawaiian-themed souvenir shop or meet the hostesses.  The hostesses were ambivalent at my arrival, preferring to continue their conversation as I walked to the bar.

the decor

I decided to take a seat at the corner of the bar, which, given the weather, was a poor idea.  Everyone was outside enjoying the sunshine.  But I'm not a fan of sun and potential insect bites, so I usually stay indoors.  I could see that the restaurant was a good size, with many different indoor and outdoor seating areas.  All the servers were college kids who bustled in and around the restaurant.  My bartender acknowledged me for a brief moment and then continued to fraternize with her co-workers.

there was a drink minimum

the drink menu

The drinks are a tropical standard fare, with some Texas-inspired drinks such as the Texas Martini and the Lake Austin Lemonade.  Since I drove, I could only get one drink, so I ordered my "baseline drink" - the Mai Tai - and chips and salsa.  Imagine my surprise when she went to a machine and poured out my blended ice drink.  I pretty sure she forgot my Kraken Rum floater.  The drink was as to be expected when it's not made fresh: sugary sweet and really cold.  At least the alcohol was thoroughly mixed.

the mai tai from a machine

On the upside, the chips and salsa are free if you order something, and they have refills.  But if you're vegan, you're out of luck for food options.  It's for the best though - the food was generic looking and not appealing.

the sun finally came out

The saving grace of Hula Hut is definitely the scenic view of the river, er, lake.  Other than that, the service was sub par, and there isn't much care in their tiki drinks.  Hopefully, somebody in Austin opens a legitimate tiki bar someday.

Remember to read my post, "Welcome to Our Tropical Hideaway, You Lucky People You!" about my love for tiki.  Til next time...

Hula Hut

3825 Lake Austin Blvd.
Austin, TX 78703
512.476.4852

*The Lei Momi Sweethearts - Lovely Hula Hands

there's a hula tune* (bardot's tiki adventures 10.11.16)

Ah, North Beach on Friday night.  If you haven't been to San Francisco, North Beach is our "Little Italy" neighborhood (flanked by Chinatown and the Wharf).  During the day, it's a mecca for tourists wanting to check out Italian restaurants (Calzone's, Cafe Zoetrope) and beatnik landmarks (Vesuvius, City Lights and the Beat Museum).  The evenings are filled with inebriated clubbers, roaming meat-market dudes, and scantily clad women all checking out the bars and strip clubs.  Either way, the neighborhood contains the madness.

And then there's the Bamboo Hut - a tiki bar oasis amid the noise and bustle.

Or so I thought.

watching. waiting.

The Bamboo Hut, according to critiki, was "at the very front of the wave of modern bars inspired by the resurgence in interest in Polynesian pop."  It has all the effects of a tiki bar: thatched roof - check, puffer fish and globes - check, tiki drinks in tiki mugs - check.  But for all purposes, it's divey, and on Fridays and Saturdays, it's a straight-up nightclub.

those mirrors are tricky

There's was a $5 cover to get in.  I know the cover is probably the cheapest compared to other nightclubs in the area, so maybe that's why most people were there.  The DJ played jarringly loud Top 40 radio hip hop.  There are not many places to sit and chat, but you can't really "chat" over the loud music anyway.  There were bras hanging at the bar (yeahhhhh...).    People really didn't care they were in a tiki bar; it's just another stop in their alcohol-fueled night.

bras and bros

As for drinks, they seem to promote the volcano bowls.  There were probably 3 or 4 listed on the menu behind the bar.  Lots of alcohol blended with fruity purees and set aflame with 151.  The one we had had strawberry puree and way more rums than I can remember.

a light that never went out

I don't like to think I’m a stick-in-the-mud when it comes to nightlife; I’ve been to so many shows and concerts, dance nights, and parties.  But going to Bamboo Hut made me want to crawl into a shell and rethink my adult life.

judging people probably

As for parking, this is North Beach - don't bother.  (And if you do drive, get a designated driver, duh!)   Public transportation, walking, or taxi cabs are the way to go.  On the upside, there's a really cute Sailor Jerry-inspired hula girl mural at the front.  It's a shame I didn't take a photo of it.

hang out times!

In the end, Bamboo Hut wasn't an oasis, per se.  It's a different world compared to the rest of North Beach nightlife. If you're looking to get drunk and with cheap drinks, this is the place.  Just bring your earplugs.

Remember to read my post, "Welcome to Our Tropical Hideaway, You Lucky People You!" about my love for tiki.  Til next time...

Bamboo Hut
479 Broadway
San Francisco, CA 94133
415.989.8555

*The Surfers - Song of Old Hawaii

summer is coming, we're all here together* (bardot's tiki adventures 08.16.16)

Like I mentioned in last Friday's this and that, Luau Lounge is a tiki bar in San Francisco that I was shocked to discover!  My goal for the weekend was to go check it out.  Since Jon and I were in the area - actually, the Embarcadero Cinema was still pretty far from the Wharf - we decided to check it out.

we went to the luau lounge so you don't have to!

To get to the bar, you have to go to Pier 39 at the Wharf, walk through the throngs of sweatshirt'd tourists (who didn't realize summer is our winter) to the near end, pass the carousel, and veer to the right.  Protip: avoid the tourists by walking behind the buildings and by the harbor!  The Luau Lounge is a hidden oasis in a sports bar and arcade, of all places.  You have to somehow sanely navigate the craziness of the arcade to the back of the restaurant to find the bar.

the menu

the tiki drink section

Once there, the Luau Lounge is truly a haven from the bustling pier 39.  The bar wasn't overly crowded, it was super mellow (the reggae music probably helped), and the decor was fairly simple.  The view of the bay was stunning!  You could see Alcatraz, the Bay Bridge, and the East Bay.  I was surprised!  The food menu didn't have any vegan food (of course), and the tiki drink menu was fairly condensed.  They had all the typical drinks of a Hawaiian bar though: Zombie, Mai Tai, Pina Colada, and Blue Hawaiian.  It looked like they had an ok good beer-on-tap selection.  I had a Mai Tai:

nice glass presentation

the sweetest mai tai i've ever had.  that seemed... off?

The conclusion?  It was an ok tiki bar.  Because of its location at the Wharf - difficult location via public transportation, long (local) traveling distance, and all those tourists - I wouldn't return.  While it is a nice escape from the people, I’d rather enjoy a tiki drink in a more locals-only setting.  However, if you ever find yourself at the wharf, ditch Hard Rock Cafe, and stop by the Luau Lounge.  Maybe play a game or two.

he's not really playing, by the way.  we couldn't figure out how to play it.

you don't know how hard it was to fix the back exposure on this photo.

no trip to a tiki lounge is complete without an outfit shot:

Jacket - by Forever 21 (I don't shop there anymore!)
Dress - by Marimekko (too small now, wah wah)

Shoes - Bathing Beauty in Red by Miss L Fire, from Unique Vintage | site

Bag - Crossbody by Kate Spade | on sale on my Tradesy

Scarf - from Urban Outfitters

Remember to read my post, "Welcome to Our Tropical Hideaway, You Lucky People You!" about my love for tiki.  Til next time...

cheers!

Luau Lounge

Players Sports Grill & Arcade

Pier 39

San Francisco, ca 94133

415.981.6300

*Grease 2 - A Rock-a-Hula Luau

your shrunken head / looking down on me above* (bardot's tiki adventures 07.26.16)

For our first stop in Bardot’s tiki adventure is Otto’s Shrunken Head Tiki Bar and Lounge in New York.  My first experience with Otto’s was actually accidental.  In 2006, while staying at my friend's place on Avenue A, there was a sudden downpour.  Instead of walking in the rain, I stayed by Otto’s until the rain died.  They weren't open, unfortunately, but I enjoyed looking at their display case while I waited.  I didn't actually get to experience the tiki bar until 2016!

stuck in the rain, taken in may 2006


taken in may 2006.  you can see the rain in the reflection!

While visiting New York back in May for New York Popfest, Jon and I made it a point to go visit Otto’s Shrunken Head.  This time, I actually made it to the bar when it was open!  The area has changed dramatically since I’ve been there last, and I was afraid it was gone due to gentrification.  Thankfully, they were open despite all the construction; we didn't have much time, so we only had one drink each.  Jon had a stormy skull, which oddly enough, didn't come in a mug.  I had their signature drink in the signature mug - the shrunken head.  Much like the description in the menu, it was sweet with a little kick to it.  Also, there's a dangling monkey.

their signature drink, the shrunken head

The bar itself is a "dive" in tiki standards - a mishmash of kitschy decorations and bamboo, a smell of stale alcohol lingering in the air, and tough-as-nails punk rockabilly bartenders - and there's nothing wrong with that.  It's still an escape from the fast pace New York life.  We went during Friday happy hour, and there was a DJ playing some modern indie music.  Also, the bar has a back area where bands can play; I only heard a band practicing behind the closed doors.  We got to sit down at a booth, rest our weary feet, and observe post-work New Yorkers.

photo taken by jon tyburski, may 2016

I left Otto’s with the signature mug, as well as the lucky cat mug.  One of my tiki rules is to buy the mug if I’ve had the drink.  Since we didn't have time (and we were on vacation), I got the cat mug anyway.  Apparently, the latter is a popular mug for them!  The bartender was kind enough to give me a couple more dangly monkeys and some frilly straws.  If I ever visit New York, I’ll definitely stop and try another drink.  I'll always appreciate Otto’s for taking care of me!

Otto's Shrunken Head Tiki Bar and Lounge
538 East 14th St.
New York, NY 10009
212 228.2240

Remember to read my post, "Welcome to Our Tropical Hideaway, You Lucky People You!" about my love for tiki.  Til next time...

*Stone Roses - Elephant Stone

welcome to our tropical hideaway, you lucky people you!* (bardot's tiki adventures 07.19.16)

A lovely reader of my blog (hello, Angela!) suggested that I review tiki bars, since I’m a big fan of tiki and Polynesian culture.  I'm not a good critic and a horrible writer (which is why I stopped writing yelp reviews), but I thought I’d try.  Before I start, I wanted to give a primer on why I like tiki culture.

 

me, with a small fraction of my tiki collection, march 2007

Tiki culture is based on escapism, idealized culture, and, of course, rum.  It's an experience that transports me - for the briefest of moments - to a time and place of relaxation, fun and kitsch.  I've enjoyed many cocktails that all the tiki bars have crafted over the years, from the sugary sweet (and blue, gasp!) to the traditional rum concoction.  The imagery is always associated with mid-century modern and Polynesian pop; admittedly, some of my favorite styles.  However, I am aware of the exotification and fetishization of the Other and respectful of its Caribbean colonial origins, steeped in oppression and slavery (once, someone posted the truth about the origins of rum to a tiki group on Facebook, and you wouldn't believe the shameful ignorance and white privilege that stemmed from it.  I was ashamed to see it.  But I digress).  Its loss of popularity adds to its allure, as much as its rise in mid-century popular culture.  There's so much forgotten history in those small tiki drinks.

my tiny drink umbrella collection, december 2012

There's been a resurgence of tiki bars and culture lately, which is awesome.  While most people go to tiki bars for the novelty and the heavily-boozed up scorpion bowls, I go for the experience: hanging out with friends, conversations, and good drinks.  And while I’ve gone to Tiki Oasis in San Diego, I’m not part of the clique - I went as an observer.

music to get you in the mood, june 2016

If you want to learn more, read Sven Kirsten's Book of Tiki (link to amazon) and check out "5 Common Tiki Myths, Debunked" on firstwefeast.com.  Or if you want to check out a bar in your local area, head over to critiki.com.   I hope you enjoy my oncoming tiki adventures here on the blog!

Have you gone to any tiki bars?  What's your favorite bar and your favorite drink?

*Enchanted Tiki Room Birds - The Tiki Tiki Tiki Room