Post #139702 by vini-tiki-vechi on Sun, Feb 6, 2005 7:49 AM

My tiki experience is small relative to most of the TC'ers I read postings from....but that said I'll share my opinion on Hale Tiki from a neophytes perspective. I first learned of the bar in an indirect way via ebay in the spring of 04. I purchased a Hale Tiki napkin and a swizzle stick from a seller for about a $1.50 and was pretty happy thinking I'd bought something from a relic of the 50's that I never knew existed in my home state. To confirm my suspicion, I did a search on the internet only to discover that to the bar was brand new. Alas an opportunity shortly followed in July to make a trip (timed with the running of the Southern Nationals (a big drag boat race on the Savannah River- an event worth seeing in its on right). There something obsessive and otherworldly about guys who risk their life, spend their savings, and travel across the country to go 230 mph in a 16 ft boat for a few seconds (all for a grand prize that will not even cover expenses for the weekend).....sounds a bit like the quest for Tiki.... but I digress.

As others have already said, the place is stunning and obviously the product of many contributed hours and offerings of liked minded Tiki fanatics. The owner/barkeep "Brad" was beyond gracious, taking the time to talk Tiki, Augusta and even politics (you know we were drunk at that point). A pearl in a somewhat out of the way place,,,,,Defintely worth a visit!!

As for the departure of the once guardian Tikis carved by BK......that’s unfortunate

My best to carver and barkeep