If there’s anything I miss, it’s the glitz and glamour of the good old days. Imagine going back in time and seeing a full production with a big band, singers, and last but not least, dancers!
The Starella Sisters are here to bring you a glimmer of that glorious past. I’ll let Sanjna Starella take it from here…
The Tiki scene in Indianapolis is alive and well in Bob Cripe’s basement. Hidden downstairs in Bob’s home is the Mai Tiki Bar and it’s truly impressive. Bob has been in construction for over twenty years and his skills are shown in the craftsmanship of this hidden Tiki escape. I’ll let Bob tell you his story…
Continue reading “Home Tiki Bar Spotlight #30 Mai Tiki Bar Indianapolis, IN”
You sometimes forget that there was a time before highways…
I drove Route 66 from Chicago to L.A. (just like the song) and it was bittersweet to see all these cool stores, gas stations, and restaurants that where left behind. Once the new freeway was built, traffic wasn’t going to pass by again.
It was around the ’60s when freeways started to crisscross America. When it comes to searching for cool Mid-Century establishments, you have to go where cars used to travel. Tiki was at its height in popularity in the ’50s and ’60s so it didn’t surprise me to learn that a cool Tiki motel was located on the main road that used to go right through the center of Mount Vernon, Washington.
Tiki history is being made right now as I type this!
It’s exciting to be riding the third wave of Tiki and when people write about the history of Polynesian Pop twenty years down the road, another name will be added to the list along with Gantt and Bergeron. That name is Cate.
Martin and Rebecca Cate are behind the quintessential Tiki bar: Smuggler’s Cove located in San Francisco. They are writing the new rules on how Tiki should be and the proof is in the success of any bar the Cates have been involved with. This list includes Hale Pele in Portland and False Idol in San Diego. The Cates wrote the book Smuggler’s Cove and it’s the Alpha and Omega of Tiki. It talks about the history of Tiki, what’s going on now, and where Tiki is going. I don’t think I have tell you that this book is required reading for all Tikiphiles! Rebecca Cate is the woman behind all this Tiki awesomeness and here is her story…
Continue reading “Tiki VIP #25 Rebecca Cate (Smuggler’s Cove)”
You would never think that one of the coolest Tiki bars in America hides in a house on this unassuming street in Milwaukee, Wisconsin…
But there is! It’s called Foundation and I call it incredible!
Continue reading “Tiki Bar Review #38 Foundation Milwaukee, WI”
The Enchanted Tiki Lounge, not to be confused with the Enchanted Tiki Room, is located in Conroe, Texas. It’s not a coincidence. Brain Martin’s inspiration comes from Disneyland’s most famous air-conditioned attraction. To call the Enchanted Tiki Lounge “just a bar” would be a crime. This place is off the charts! Here is Brian’s story…
Continue reading “Home Tiki Bar Spotlight #29 The Enchanted Tiki Lounge Conroe, Texas”
Seattle doesn’t have many Tiki bars, but there are some bars in the city that host Tiki nights. Tuesday is Tiki night at the Diller Room and Essex, both which I highly recommend.
The Burgundian took things one step further by hosting a Tiki Week!
Continue reading “Tiki Week at The Burgundian 2017 Seattle, WA”
Hey Gang! I started a video show where I invite friends over to my Tiki bar to talk about all things Tiki!
On this first episode, Christina and Tom join me as we discuss yacht rock, the ’70s, Jimmy Buffett, and Tiki. Click below to watch the episode…
Continue reading “Tiki With Ray Episode 1: Yacht Rock, Jimmy Buffett and Tiki”
Jason T. Smith was ten years old when he made a realization that would change his life forever. For forty bucks, he could buy five times as many toys used instead of buying them new. And what young Jason wanted was MORE toys instead of new toys! Fast forward to now and Jason T. Smith has made a living by thrifting. Read on to find out how…
Continue reading “Tiki VIP #24 Jason T. Smith (Thrift Hunters and Thrifty Business)”
Jason Turnbaugh lives in the most perfect place to embrace the Tiki lifestyle: Southern California. Within a couple hours, Jason can be in Palm Springs, San Diego, or Los Angeles. Jason takes full advantage of his location and frequently visits all the cool Tiki bars So-Cal has to offer. When it came time to put together the Drunken Monkey, Jason pulled his influences from all these cool Tiki spots. Needless to say, his place is amazing! Here is how the Drunken Monkey came together…
Continue reading “Home Tiki Bar Spotlight #28 The Drunken Monkey So-Cal, CA”
