Tiki Bar Recommendations in LA/OC?

[AquaW]

Ok, we all know Trader Vic's went down the cahoots (mostly food, but even drinks taste sub-par compared to what it used to be--) so wondering if there are any places to go from you guys about great tasting tiki drinks (and good bar food to boot) ANYWHERE in the LA & OC Counties.

Much thanks!

[Andrewward630]

I stand by all the people who reccomend the Tiki Ti. It's a tiny little place, but has a great atmosphere and even better drinks. I would also recommend Bahooka in Rosemead and the Puka Bar in Long Beach. Another place that used to be a total dive but is getting better is the Tonga Hut in North Hollywood

[Hershey Bomar]

I took some shots inside Tiki Ti a while back:

http://flickr.com/photos/colinbrown/4...

[Pate]

I just drove by the Royal Hawaiian on Sunday and there was a large banner accross the front saying "Open during remodeling". It was quite a mess too, don't know that's I'd go until they get it a bit more together. Never had been to the Royal Hawaiin but it looked pretty decrepit from the outside.

[Camano Mermaid]

I just ate at the Royal Hawaiian this past March 07. It's still a dirty mess. Only partially open. There was only 1 server but not too busy. Same menu but shockinly high price for what you get. Tasted just like it always did. Dressing was kinda watery, but I make my own now. Recipe was in OC Register Ask Your Neighbor section. Drinks were also pricey but strong. Hope they get their act together. Remember Victor Hugo's next door. Yum!

[jillita]

FYI: There's a fabulous article on the best tiki bars in the states in the current American Heritage magazine. Tiki Ti is mentioned, as is Trader Vic's in Emeryville, CA, which packs 72 years of artifacts within its walls.

Long live Tiki!

[jessiebelle]

oh! ok, thanks. the front has always looked so darn cute. thanks for the lowdown... big foot lodge is not tiki either but it sure is cute too...

[annalulu]

It's actually Club Tee Gee (weird font in the neon) It's not tiki, it has sparkles in the cottage cheese ceiling, though. Decent vinyl booths. It's really small and a locals dive. I like it, but that's mostly because it's stumbling distance to my house.

[Cinnamon]

I can dis-recommend The Purple Orchid in El Segundo. Drinks were not good. Decor was.

[jessiebelle]

don't get me wrong, i love Damon's but they changed all the old school menu's and cocktail napkins and little things like that that used to feature monkeys and cute little tiki kitsch things. AND, they took down all the amazing monkey's they had hanging everywhere AND took out some of the cool aquariums. regardless, it is still pretty cool and i do love it there.

[Wes]

Golly, I never noticed those spiffy things. Oh well, you know that we guys can't find socks in the drawer either.

I really like the tiki look that is left over.

thanks

[Will Owen]

Hate to hear that - but we've been invited to a friend's birthday dinner next month in Damon's Tiki Room, so I will take careful notes and maybe a picture or two.

[jessiebelle]

the tiki ti is the greatest!!!! damon's isn't as cute as it used to be though. the bahooka rules, there are many flaming punch bowls there! love it! the tee hee (?) in atwater village looks cute from the outside too.

[Wes]

How can Damon's not be as cute as it used to be? It hasn't changed in over 20 years. Still the same escape from the standard restaurant look as ever.

[CulverJack]

The Tiki Ti as a bunch of the others have already pointed out is really a fantastic little shack. It's an outpost of rum based fantasies, and perhaps tragedies, too, if you drink too much. I don't believe there is food, but after a couple of Ray's Mistakes, you won't want for very much of this earth at all.

[bobbyperu]

The Tonga Hut (12808 Victory Blvd, N. Hollywood) is a nice little find too - it hasn't been too crowded when I've been there, good ambiance, and they mix their drinks just right. No one has answered the second part of his question, which I'd like to know too - is there a place that in addition to drinks, has some good polynesian bar food? I want a pu-pu platter, rumaki, bali-miki!

[JBC]

Probably not, but another option might be the Twin Dragon in W.L.A.

1) Old - 43 years - Chinese not Tiki
2) Drinks - call & ask?
3) Rumaki - Yes
4) Pu-pus - they have 18 apps w/ assortment platter
5) Bali-Miki - Don't know what that is?

http://www.picotwindragon.com

[purplescout]

Wow - I remember going to the Twin Dragon as a kid with my Grandpa Martin. He died in 1971, so that was a LONG time ago. I clearly remember eating shrimp with lobster sauce. For ages, the Twin Dragon and Song Hee were the only Chinese restaurants around our side of town. Sweet memories.

[Chowpatty]

There's also quite a nice list on this website:
http://www.critiki.com/cgi-bin/browse...

[1000steps]

Royal Hawaiian in Laguna Beach.

[Chris O]

I think the Royal Hawaiian closed about the same time as Sam's Seafood.

If you want drinks AND food, Bahooka is probably the best bet. I don't find it depressing at all--the dark, cozy atmosphere is properly transporting, and the crab puffs are perfect drinking food. As an added bonus, they actually make very good homemade vegatable soup.

The Tiki Ti is great, but so crowded and small. If such a place makes you claustrophobic, The Tonga Hut in NoHo is a nice substitute. There's also The Lucky Tiki in Mission Hills, but I haven't tried that one yet. And there's a new place in WeHo called The Voodoo Room.

As for Damon's, that's gotta be the cheapest steak dinner in town, right?

[glutton]

The Tonga Hut is not bad, but it's a pretty poor substitute for the Tiki Ti. When I went to the Tonga Hut last time, the bartender did not know how to make a mai tai or any of the other kitschy tropical drinks. (Don't worry, we found something else to drink quite easily.) I like the Tonga Hut, but more because it is a dive with a good jukebox, not because it is a great tiki bar.

[Chris O]

How long ago was that? They've changed hands a few times in recent years. I had a pretty good mai tai when I was there.

[glutton]

That was about 12-18 months ago.

[therealbigtasty]

What???????? Not knowing how to make a Mai Tai?????

Why is it that bar staff these days don't feel obligated to know drinks regardless of their preferences?

I've got very little real bar experience (I've only been bartending for five years) and I know how to make a Mai Tai!!!

Or one of the many recipes for one.

Was the bartender a hot chick or a grizzled old man?

[Johnny Pastrami]

Tiki Ti (Sunset/Hillhurst) is one of the best bars in the city, although the drink prices keep going up and up... They often close for a month at a time to go fishing, so call to make sure they're open. Can't beat a Ray's Mistake.

Lava Lounge is a good choice (La Brea north of Sunset) Dark and moody. Can get crowded with the weekend warriors. Beware of cover charge and loud bands.

Richard at Good Luck (Hillhurst/Hollywood -- right around the corner from Tiki Ti) makes a mean Zombie. The rest of the staff is too lazy to blend it, so you have to ask.

[Jerome]

Ray's mistake is quite good at the Tiki Ti. I also like the Tiki Kangaroo.

[rednyellow]

isn't the lava lounge gone?

[Chowpatty]

Yes, it's been redecorated into another concept. But it wasn't gone when the post was written in 2006.

[Xericx]

MaKai in Santa Monica

[JBC]

In addition to the 3 mentioned above:
----------------------------------------------------------------
Bahooka Ribs & Grog - Rosemead

Damon's Steakhouse - Glendale
http://www.damonsglendale.com

Tiki-Ti - Silverlake (which may be closed tonight & tomorrow
)http://www.tiki-ti.com

Others less well Known, Newer, & worth the Effort?
----------------------------------------------------------------
The Tonga Hut - Old and a Dive Bar
12808 Victory Blvd., No. Hollywood
[phone]

Honolulu Harry's - Chino - Too new & Corporate too be Cool?
http://www.honoluluharrys.com

The Puka Bar - Long Beach - Very New with no website menu(s
)http://www.pukabar.com

Recently Lost
----------------------------------------------------------------
Sam's Seafood Restaurant - Seal Beach

[Philly]

Correct; Sam's Seafood, in Sunset Beach not Seal Beach, closed in June. Food was mediocre but the bar was good.

[I got nothin]

Sam's Seafood reopened a few months ago under new management

http://www.samsseafood.com/

[therealbigtasty]

No food, but there's the classic Tiki Ti in Silverlake.

It's a bar so intense I've never been there. Apparently it's one of the best bars in the country, this I've heard from people who go there.

Usually I'm working so I can't make it.

[glutton]

The Tiki Ti is one of the top tiki bars in the country (for those of us who love kitsch and actually track these things). It's tiny, so get there early to get in. And the drinks are strong, which is a wonderful, glorious thing...

[revets2]

3rd the tiki ti. it's an institution. don't let the facade scare you.

[JudiAU]

Toro toro!

I am very fond of the Tiki Ti. It seems to keep more regular hours than it did in the past.

[mattesq]

5th the Tiki Ti. A total blast and for those that smoke, you can smoke inside the bar because it is owner operated and therefore exempt from the smoking ban.

[therealbigtasty]

Why do you TEASE me so???

I work in a restaurant and my schedule just happens to fall on the days they're open. I would trade a shift to go, but I can't right now!!!

SOB!!!

[rednyellow]

6th it! There is the Tiki Ti, and then there is everything else.

[Wes]

Damon's in Glendale

[chica]

Bahooka's is a popular place: http://www.geocities.com/bahookaresta...

[wilafur]

i found bahooka's to be dark and depressing, just didn't have the fun/happy vibe of trader vic's.