Post #223828 by Tipsy McStagger on Wed, Mar 29, 2006 4:06 PM

the loss of the kahiki was a major blow to the midwest tiki collective...i totally understand the importance of having a place to go to get your tiki freak-on, especially if your town may be lacking in places to go....i'm just spoiled here in chicago what with 2 vintage tiki bars at my disposal whenever i get the urge to imbibe...however, there was a time, not too long ago, when we would shit ourselves with excitement over finding a place that was remotely tiki, much like the reaction to the bistro...those days are happily over. with the tiki movement gaining momentum over the past few years we've seen alot of new and awesome bars appear on the scene...folks like crazy al and bamboo ben, among others have been putting blood sweat and tears into some of the best new places for a new tiki generation....and the point i was trying to make is that we, as tiki folk, no longer have to be beggars in terms of tiki...this is not the eighties anymore, tiki is plentiful and there are many more places deserving of our support....the whole line about the bistro having no budget is alot of crap...what they have at the bistro is no balls!! everyone knows that with the right creative people on board, any new place can make alittle seem like alot, regardless of how much cash you have to throw at it...the ol' no budget routine is an utter cop-out. yes, i have never set foot in the bistro, nor do i care to...i understand it's not trying to be a tiki bar and all that, but I used to work for a company that designed bars/niteclubs and restuarants and i'll tell you this...these days, half measures are not enough...they never were...if you're going to open a place and expect me to rally behind it you gotta be "bringin' it", you know what I mean?? ....and I think the bistro left it at home....but that's just my spin on it..sorry if I offend but life's rough, folks. I think a discussion deserves many points of view, even if they appear negative, jeff...so in an attitude 100% humor and happy tiki spirits, i say 2 thumbs to you my friend...right up your butt.