Post #244334 by Coco Loco on Fri, Jul 21, 2006 1:09 PM

I have to agree with Conga Mike. Tiki done right is the key.

There are many wanna be pseudo Tiki places in the Bay Area, trying to capitalize on this "Hot Tiki thing"...without really getting it. They view Tiki as only a trend (upon which they can make quick $$) and not as a movement or culture.

The "trend" bars go as quickly as they come without ever getting it -- ambiance and quality are the key. Sneaky Tiki was not considered a strong "Tiki" bar for many reasons, among them drink quality and tiki ambiance.

Generally, Sneaky Tiki was an okay place and worthy of one stop, but they had an intrinsic problem. They were a "tiki" bar that didn't attract the Tiki crowd (reasons above), and their non-tiki draw was limited. Hence a business model quandary.

Two examples of what works in terms of ambiance and quality (in NoCAl) are Forbidden Island and the Conga Lounge. Both attract across the board and have lines to get in most nights. It's like waiting for a Disneyland ride -- but at Fastpass speed. :)

[ Edited by: Coco Loco 2006-07-21 13:32 ]