Post #22845 by boutiki on Wed, Feb 12, 2003 8:35 PM

Just wanted to follow up on a couple of points. I think that some members have taken my review as being more negative than I intended. I thought that my review was largely factual, but I tried to explain what I saw as shortcomings or share my feelings about what I experienced. I don't think I was "rude" or "counter-tiki" in my assessment. If you actually read what I wrote, you will notice the many kudos I gave Wally's: the visual identity, the dioramas, the Moai fountain... the details I thought were successful. I tried to balance the negative with the positive. Like I said, I like old Cuban and Caribbean tunes and would not have minded nearly as much if they had mixed it in with Hawaiian/Exotica sounds. It began to bother me only when that was all they played. I was pleased to hear that they are receptive to suggestions from patrons and that they have made changes like moving their tiki to a place of honor. A good friend reports that he has visited Wally's since I was there and that they are playing more Hawaiian tunes even if the bartender thought "It's too slowwww."

I don't differentiate between a new tiki place or an old one when I'm assessing it. I just want to see if there are the fundamental elements which I think provide a pleasing tiki experience: A "Tropical","Polynesian" atmosphere (which would include relaxing tunes; music is part of the atmosphere) and a tasty cocktail. I'm always excited to check out a tiki place, new or old, and always give the benefit of the doubt, unless they offend me or scare me away as the rock-a-tiki has with their ads. You would think that having a guide as thorough as the Book of Tiki would make putting together a tiki bar much easier.

I have said before that a half-assed tiki bar is better than a whole-assed "T.G.I.rishMcPubCajun" joint. I'd rather have a less than ideal experience at Wally's than an evening out at Bennigan's. Though I think that to make statements which sound exclusionary like "squares" makes Tiki central members appear elitist and phony. That does nobody any good. Lest I remind you that Tiki was originally a POPULAR (not an underground) phenomenon and that Hala Kahiki is filled every night with people who would never call themselves "tiki enthusiasts." I'd just try to describe different types of experiences, those in a comfortable environment with friends, conversation and cocktails as opposed to those where loud music and a pick-up scene are the norm. There is room for both, people can go to whichever one they like.

With regards to my thoughts about the rock-a-tiki, I think it's perfectly fair to address an establishment's public persona. I was basing my comments on what the bar has presented in their advertising and what I have heard from those who have been there. I mean, THEY put the ads out there, I didn't invent that stuff. Likewise, other Tiki Central members have not taken issue with other folks making judgements based on hearsay (criticizing a place before they've seen it for themselves). Again, I was basing my comments on factual information (the ads) and pointing out that the attitude they present is of the lowest-common-denomenator variety and does not appeal to me. The Trader Vic's bashing I found particularly offensive. If they want to attract a brash, loud "in-your-face" clientele who wants to get "girly-girl-drunk," that's their prerogative. I don't have any interest in that kind of thing. My point was that, from what I have seen, I have no interest in visiting the rock-a-tiki. I'll stick with Trader Vic's, Hala Kahiki, and the Chef Shangri-La. Again, you vote with your dollars. If the places I like are patronized, they will stick around; if not, they will close. And the same is true for the places that I might not particularly care for. If people like them, they will be around after others are gone.

At the end of the day, go to the places that make you happy, nobody is stopping you, nor is anybody dragging me anywhere I don't want to go. Opinions are like assholes, everyone has one, myself included. I always suggest that people make their own assessments of a bar or restaurant or movie, or band or car or artwork or whatever. But that's what a review is, a critique. Make your own judgements after you have seen it for yourself. As far as I'm concerned, my last line said it all, "So that's my 2 cents. Take it for what it's worth." I'm certainly not trying to present myself as the last word on Tikibars.

I have yet to check out Otto's Shrunken Head in NY (maybe next trip in March) or Chan's Dragon Inn in Ridgefield, NJ (looking forward to it). I have visited the tiki bar downstairs at Niagra (which nobody has mentioned). If I were to go back to Waikiki Wally's it would have to be at a local/regular's (like Manic Cat) invitation to see how different the experience might be, visiting with an insider. After we go there, however, I'd like to take Manic Cat across the river to Lee's Hawaiian Islander in Lyndhurst, NJ. If I lived in New York, that would be one of my favorite tiki hangouts. Though I have to agree-- ENJOY THEM ALL!

[ Edited by: boutiki on 2003-02-12 20:39 ]