Post #22791 by thejab on Wed, Feb 12, 2003 1:01 PM

chefgrey2 wrote:
"jab, I need to remind you that Kakiki had a HUGE monkey head fountain...does that disqualify it?"

Of course not. The Kahiki had so much more going for it that a monkey here and there worked. For the most part it was polynesian. I was mainly trying to make the point that the contemporary tropical look with monkeys and parrots thrown in is not a'peal'ing to me and strays too far from the classic tiki theme for my taste.

I would agree with you, Grey, that soft lounge music in general would be appropriate for a new tiki bar. So would surf music if it wasn't too loud. I appreicate your plan to not play reggae and rock. I like most kinds of music, especially rockabilly, 60s garage, punk, etc. but I don't necessarily want to hear it in a tiki bar atmosphere.

I still don't understand the fear that you have (and others have had) to try and make a new place as much like a classic tiki bar as possible. Why do you think that people won't come when it hasn't really been tried recently? I think when Taboo Cove was started the plan was to come close to a classic experience. I know it has been discussed to death here but I find it the best example I can think of. The first time I went there in Oct. 2001 they had the special tropical drink menu and at least one bartender who seemed to care about the original drink recipes (even though I had to ask her to remake my drink because she left out the Pernod because she said some people didn't like it). The drinks weren't very good but they could have easily fixed that with more training of the staff. They were playing old burlesque clips on the TVs (though it would have been better without TVs) above the bar. And the music was OK as I recall (surf music). The next visit (April 2002) it was totally different. Unfortunately, they changed many things quickly without really giving it a chance.

Taboo Cove had many things going against them. Not the least was the fact that they opened right after 9/11. Also, it was hard to find. And it wasn't promoted very much at all.

I imagine that you have loads more experience than I have in running restaurants (I have none) and you have probably done your research. I just think someone should try it before asssuming people aren't going to like it. I have spoken with the manager and the owner of the Mai Kai and they said they are always busy, even after 9/11. Why? Because people do like it the way it is: soft Hawaiian music all the time, excellent drinks that are expensive but worth it, and so on. Once people go once they will go again because it is such a pleasant and unique experience that is very tightly controlled by management. Nothing changes there and that's what brings repeat customers for generations, as well as drawing in new customers by word of mouth and by their reputation.