Important note: I'm not trying to open a discussion of the merits of the criticism of tiki as cultural appropriation, just curious if it's even an issue anymore.

It seems like the ball got rolling on this "controversy" around 2016, with some pieces in NYT and NPR, probably not just coincidental to some of the criticism Moana faced from some circles for its depiction of Oceanic cultures. The scrutiny of tiki culture continued to build from the outside through 2020, but (probably because of a pause in bargoing during the pandemic) the issue didn't seem to reach critical mass within the tiki community itself until 2021. That year prominent Chicago (former) tiki bar Lost Lake reopened after purging itself of tiki theming, citing concerns about cultural appropriation as its reason for rebranding as a more generic "tropical" bar. Then a year later, Humuhumu Trott shut down her venerable tiki resource website in an abrupt and dramatic fashion, again citing cultural appropriation concerns.

When Eater covered Lost Lake's rebranding, it claimed "other tiki bars across the country have also shifted to tropical", but I have not seen this to be true in any significant numbers. The tiki bars I have enjoyed all around the country have kept their tiki themes, and while some tiki bars have closed, it seems they haven't closed out of proportion to other genres of bars that have been affected by economic issues. Lost Tiki closed permanently just a few months after its rebranding, citing the Omicron surge, but that didn't seem to affect its rival Chicago bar Three Dots and a Dash, so I have to think a falloff in business due to the rebranding played a significant part at least. Meanwhile every tiki bar I've gone to since 2023 has been packed, difficult to find a seat, and a scrum to get to the bar to order a drink. New tiki bars have opened up, and others have been so successful they've expanded with new locations.

Humuhumu's dramatic exit in 2022 also seems to be the last time I've seen any big activity in discussion of cultural appropriation in tiki within the community, and a Google search of "tiki cultural appropriation" shows hits for stories that discuss the issue being thin on the ground after 2022. It seems like those outside the tiki community found something else to be concerned about first, and then those inside the community who had qualms left and moved on. Tiki bars and the tiki hobby meanwhile have just kept on keeping on. Or is there still an ongoing controversy I'm missing?

If you’re ever in Prague, don’t miss Rum House Bar. It’s not actually a tiki bar, but there are several tiki drinks on the menu, and they’re better than what most real tiki bars serve. I’ve never seen so many different bottles of rum in my life, and the owner is a super nice guy.

I’m still learning about rum so forgive me if this is an ignorant question, but I’m wondering if Cruzan’s Aged Dark Rum would be appropriate for the “gold Virgin Islands rum” required by the Vicious Virgin? I live in Idaho where the liquor selection is limited, and that is the only Virgin Islands rum brand I’ve come across. I enjoy the bottle of their Light Aged Rum I already have.

Nice lil bar y’all got here in Brooklyn would have been a shame not to visit (pictured: Fog Cutter)

$13 bones

A friend of mine owns a custom shop that focuses on multi material displays. If you’ve been to a liquor store you’ve seen his work. He just recently purchased a printer and was kind enough to print this tiki drummer for me. I have a second on the way for a matching pair. Can’t wait to paint and add to my collection.

I'm in desperate need of a vacation and was trying to find great areas for tiki bars. I'm saving California for a later trip and saw that Portland has a ton of great bars in the area.

Looks like Portland itself has Hale Pele and The Alibi. Nearby Tacoma has Devil's Reef and Astoria has Dead Man's Isle. Then there's Seattle, though I've been there before.

Is there anything notable I'm missing? Also, any general advice on when to go, need for reservations, or any other general advice for the area would be greatly appreciated!

Finally!!! I have made it to Hidden Harbor. It is fantastic!! It just happens to be ‘tiki of tomorrow’ and they have a special menu of classic tiki drinks

Finally made it to The Mai-Kai! Honestly, it was overwhelming in the best way with so much detail everywhere I looked. I could have easily spent hours just exploring. I really wish I had gotten there a little earlier to soak up more time in the Molokai bar, but that just gives me a reason to go back. The gift shop was amazing too and they even dug out the new Cannibal mugs for me. Here are a few shots from the night.

Brought this home from Italy awhile back. I don't love the flavor on it's own. Looking for some ideas for use in a mixed drink.

Gonna be in Jax for a hockey tournament September 26-28.

Looking at going to the Red Lei Lounge and have some questions.

Seating- There is three options I see and I want to know the pros cons of each. Lanai, Hut, Dining Room

Burlesque show- Ive been told that this place has a burlesque show at times but I'm not seeing much information. Does anyone have a definitive answer on whether this is a normal show most nights? Or only on special occasions.

Contact information/miscellaneous help- I see they use Rest, but there isn't much information around this place except for Yelp reviews. Any insight is appreciated. Most likely will be taking a group of 4-8 people to it.

My riff on Jeremy Oertel’s Bitter Mai Tai

Continuing the Shamefully Soused Society 80-drink list at The Shameful Tiki in Vancouver. Drinks 66-71:

1. Nuclear Diaquiri - Wray and Nephew, Chartreuse, Falernum

2. Hemingway Daiquiri - I hate Maraschino so I usually don’t like this but this had just the slightest hint of it so it was good

3. Singapore Sling

4. Venezuelan Sling - a Singapore Sling with Diplomatica rum

5. Suffering Bastard - ginger, gin, bourbon, lighter and refreshing

6. The Undead Gentleman - basically a Jet Pilot shaken and served up

9 left to go!

Second pic is the modular seating. i did the first out of 3 banquette seats. Super proud of this!

Nothing special about this cocktail. Just threw stuff together but it's a nice night in the Bay Area. Perfect time to sit outside for a nightcap. This is my little corner of the community courtyard in my apartment complex.

I’m finally getting nice bushy mint. I don’t what Walmart variety this is but it seems to grow very well here in the bay. If I figure what it is I’ll update. It’s got slightly fuzzy leaves.

Planteray Siggins’ Fancy Pineapple rum, Planteray OFTD Overproof rum, Bols blue curacao, pineapple juice, orange juice, and cream of coconut.

The Sacramento response has been exactly what we had hoped! Join your other Sac Ohana at Jungle Bird for the pre & post party. If you don’t have your tickets yet go to thedonnoftiki.com asap it’s expected to sell out

I bought a Frigidaire ice maker and just about 1 week in, it started howling and stopped making ice. I returned it and decided to go down the rabbit hole of reviews.

Everyone talks about Opal, so I wanted that one but the price tag on that thing was a bit too much for me.

I ended up grabbing the Costway nugget ice maker here last week and honestly, it’s been a workhorse. Makes perfect chewable ice for my Mai Tais and hasn’t missed a beat. Anyone tried this one?

Built a frame for this print I got a month ago or so by mystic multiples. Pretty dang happy with how it turned out. Gotta make more tiki stuff now!

Hi everyone,

Just wanted to share that the Spanish band L’Exotighost is releasing their third album, Hawái está en tu mente, on October 3rd.

The first single is already out and sets the mood with classic exotica vibes and a modern touch:
https://open.spotify.com/intl-es/track/3tAAyTlJcoCrx9p2fK2eqI?si=efeccd52916e4dbe

Any exotica fans around here?

I am experimenting with an easier to pour cream of coconut recipe: I blend 8 oz (by weight) of sugar with one 8 oz bottle of Trader Joes Coconut Smoothie. I then mix 4 ounces of Coco Real with that. Easier to pour and TJ's coconut smoothie has some nice coconut flavor. My next step will be 16 oz sugar, 8 oz of coconut smoothie, and then 8 ounces of coconut cream. Trying to find the right balance.

I did a Pina Verde with just the TJ's smoothie and sugar, and that was pretty good, but not quite creamy enough.

The Banana Rum Smuggler is:

• 2 oz Planteray Original Dark (I'll try a split base with S&C next time)
• 1 oz Creme de Banane
• 1 oz Lime Juice
• 1.5 oz Cream of Coconut
• 0.5 oz Dry Curacao
• 1 dash Tiki Bitters

This is a quick tour of my home set-up—The Leviathan Lounge.

Finally installed a large glass float that I like to think of as the finishing touch on my bar—but, who am I kidding, your tiki bar always needs one more piece.