Post #205460 by tikibars on Tue, Jan 3, 2006 11:13 AM

Just got back from working in Spain, and of course, I did some poking around for fun too.

Working on an extensive report, but here's the short version:

In Barcelona...

Aloha:
Grumpy service, shittiest drinks ever, but I liked the dark, labyrinthine design of the place, the turtle pond, the murals... great decor.

Kahiki:
Friendly Service, decent drinks, decent decor.
Overall, firmly in the middle of the three.

Kahala:
Awesome drinks, awesome service, very nice decor.
Definitely the winner of the three.
Went back a few times, incluing New Year's Eve.

in Lloret Del Mar...

Hula Hula:
Only open on weekends, and is impossible to find.
Great looking place, but I couldn't stay for a drink.

in Callella...

Maui:
Was closed for the season when I went.
Sign and Tiki statue in front looked cool.

Kauai:
Decor is more like the inside of an Aztec temple than Tiki but I liked it. Friendly staff. Giant log drum Tikis out front.

Waikiki:
Greasy spoon diner. No Tiki.

and...

Port Aventura
This is an amusement park with five sections, each themed to a different place: Polynesia, China, Wild West, Mediteranean, Mexico.

In Polynesia, there are Tikis EVERYWHERE, and even Tiki themed rides, such as the puke-inducing Kon Tiki. Yes, the park is for kids, and is pretty cheezy, but it is also pretty Tikirific.

Most of these places had the same selection of Tiki mugs, with a few variations.

Overall, I counted at least 33 different mug designs.

Most of these places still match each mug to a drink and serve the drinks in the mugs. But different places will put different drinks in the same style mugs.

Can't think of anywhere in the USA that still does this quite as religiously as ALL of the places in Spain do. Awesome.

Also hit Boadas off of the Rambla: AMAZING (non-Tiki) cocktail bar.