Post #240788 by Ghost on Mon, Jul 3, 2006 12:07 PM

On 2006-07-03 11:08, Tiki Fink wrote:

Bottom line, Tiki is not for everybody and thank the Great Kahuna! If I saw some shit like Jessica Simpson pushin' Tiki as the new cool, I might get permanently sick.

Couldn't agree more. I have found that some folks are genuinely interested in the history while some folks simply find it "neat" or "cute". As much as the latter used to piss me off, I have made a certain amount of peace with it as to a certain extent it benefits the establishments by putting butts in the chairs. Within reason, of course.

Recently, I re-visited a local non-tiki bar that was a favorite of mine a few years ago. Dark, quiet, strong drinks and a decor that had remained unchanged since the mid-fifties. On most nights, including weekends, you'd be hard pressed to see more than 8 people in there at a time. When I went back recently I couldn't believe what had happened. The decor remained unchanged but it was now packed wall to wall with local college kids. It looked like a TGI Fridays exploded inside the bar. While I was selfishly glad that the bar was making money and, therefore, ensuring that it would be around for at least a little while longer, I couldn't help but feel a certain sadness as well. The new found popularity of this bar is most likely the beginning of the end for this place as I know it and as the owners cater to their new clientele (as evidenced by the "updated" jukebox) the charm, history, and atmosphere will torn out in favor of "Jager-shot Tuesdays" and "Spring Break Drink Specials".

Sorry if I am going on a rant here but the topic just made me think about how the growing popularity of Tiki can be a double edged sword at times.