James Rodgers lives along the Jersey Shore where there are tons of “tiki bars”, well not really. If you start getting into tiki, you realize there’s a difference between a true tiki bar and a beach bar. Both types of bars share many of the same elements like bamboo, thatch and even tikis! It all comes down to the vibe, tiki bars are supposed to be dark and mysterious, not bright and sunny. Since there aren’t any real tiki bars on the Jersey Shore, James built his own …
What is the tiki scene like where you live?
James- I live at the Jersey Shore about 70 Miles from Manhattan. The Tiki scene in my area is pretty nonexistent. Plenty of Bamboo Bars and Margaritaville style bars but definitely not Tiki Bars. Not that I don’t enjoy those but I prefer the Traditional Tiki Bar. To go to a Tiki Bar I have to travel to North Jersey to Lun Wah in Roselle NJ, Lee’s Hawaiian Islander in Lyndhurst NJ, the Cellar 335 in Jersey City or the Vanguard in my hometown of Harrison NJ.
What brought you into the ‘Tiki lifestyle” and how long has it been part of your life?
James- Growing up in Hudson County NJ we were just a ten-minute subway ride to Manhattan so there was a lot of diversity. My Aunt would take me to restaurants like the long-gone Wing Haun Restaurant and Bar in Harrison, the long gone Jade Fountain in North Arlington and the timeless Lee’s Hawaiian Islander in Lyndhurst (which is still going strong). I was always fascinated with the idea and romance of the South Pacific. Movies like Donovan’s Reef and In Harm’s Way and one of my favorite short stories, The Moon and Sixpence, all influenced me. As I got older the complexity and flare of the Tiki drinks just put it over the top. I never went to Disney as a kid but as an adult with my own children, 19 years ago for the first of countless times since, I’d say Adventure Land, the Jungle Cruise and the Polynesian Village as well as Trader Sam’s of course.
As for it being a part of my life I’d say the last ten years. I started collecting mugs here and there and began acquiring some of the “necessary” decor for my bar.
Can you give a little history of how it all came together?
James- My first Tiki Bar was at my old home. It was a pub shed tiki bar with a huge WW2 South Pacific theme. I love to grow tropical plants here in NJ and it was surrounded by Banana Plants and Elephant Ears. It was awesome but unfortunately the winters here get pretty cold so it was not a year-round bar. After we moved further south on the Jersey Shore I had the opportunity to turn a pretty good size sunroom into my next version of Rodgers Reef and it’s year-round. Little mistakes I made in my first version were worked out and much more planning went into Rodgers Reef 2.0
Any story behind the name of your bar?
James- Well the name is my last name but it’s really an homage to one of my favorite John Wayne films, Donovan’s Reef. I wanted it to be for my family, not just my sanctuary! The 2.0 is because it’s the 2nd version obviously.
What is your favorite Tiki drink?
James- I really enjoy a good Mai Tai. It’s as original as it gets (provided it’s prepared properly) and the balance and flavors of the drink are refreshing. I also love the Trader Sam’s Tiki Tiki Tiki Tiki Tiki Rum. It’s a Rich cocktail and I love the Nutmeg honestly. I also love a good rum neat or on the rocks.
What is your favorite Tiki bar? Not including your own!
James- Oh, that’s easy, The Mai-Kai in Fort Lauderdale!
Outside of great drinks, what do you think are essential elements in creating the perfect Tiki environment?
James- I think a good Tiki Bar has to be a dark yet warm atmosphere. That’s achieved by strategically placed lighting. There has to be some mystery and a hint of danger. It should definitely have a South Pacific and South East Asian flare. Plenty of Skulls, bamboo, some nautical and most importantly Tikis. I also like to honor the era from which the modern Tiki culture emerged from, which is post WW2. I also think that they should have the tiny little touches that the people at Disney have perfected in all their projects and I have tried to do the same. I love the fact that with Tiki Bars the creator puts their own spin on it like what Jason and Robyn did at the Devil’s Reef with their influence from H. P. Lovecraft. I also love what Dana did at his incredible home Tiki Bar The Cabana. I’m one of his Happy Friday viewers.
What does the future hold for you and your home tiki bar?
James- Right now, Rodgers Reef 2.0 is at its size limit. I have hinted to management (my wife) that maybe it could expand into the living room just outside of the Tiki Bar but that was very politely rebuffed. The tiki bar has an exit onto a small deck and it is slowly but surely creeping out on to it where it will soon become the Rodgers Reef 2.0 Terrace Lounge!
Anything else you would like to add?
James- I think that a large investor with deep pockets should build the greatest Tiki Bar in the North East in Atlantic City, NJ!
