Trader Vic's Lounge in BH - General Tiki

P PremEx Tiki Socialite Houston, Texas Joined: Aug 23, 2006 Posts: 335	P PremEx Posted posted on Fri, May 4, 2007 3:21 PM That's exactly where I suspected they'd put it...in that W Hotel-ish lounge that was adjacent to Circa 55 restaurant. From the pictures, I'd have to agree...it certainly looks rather soul-less and sterile. A real Trader Vic's is almost like a cocoon in that it surrounds you with Aloha and Poly warmth...takes you to another place and time that perhaps never really was, but always will be. This thing has the look of just another topical themed pool bar. A "Grade A" pool bar, perhaps. But as far as true Trader Vic's go...a "Vic's Jr" at best. So what do we have now in addition to the classic and wonderful Trader Vic's that are still out there? Nouveau Trader Vic's Trader Vic's Mai Tai Bars Trader Vic's Lounge I wonder what the next trimmed-down version will be? Or perhaps more importantly...will we ever see someone build another totally new Trader Vic's restaurant and bar in Southern California that has anything close to the rich depth of detail and design of the now gutted and cannibalized Trader Vic's Beverly Hills? Regardless...the rich history of place that the Beverly Hills Trader Vic's had...and which it contained within its 50 year-old walls...is sadly all about stories of the past now. So many long-time and loyal patrons will never feel that special vibe again. And so many others will never know it at all, and what a wonderful place they missed out on. Instead...they'll be marketing-talked into thinking that thing by the pool is the famous Trader Vic's Beverly Hills. That con-job has already begun. :( Personally...because of the way they disgraced Trader Vic's and its customers with that clandestine execution in the dark of night...I wouldn't have accepted a free drink from any of them. I'm that bitter about how they handled it and continue to do so. I'm sure that someday I'll frequent the place, and of course hope the great staff earn lots of tips from many transient hotel guests. But right now I'm so pissed off at the Beverly Hilton, that I wouldn't accept a drink from those turkeys even if they danced a hula and bowed down and kissed my okole.

That's exactly where I suspected they'd put it...in that W Hotel-ish lounge that was adjacent to Circa 55 restaurant. From the pictures, I'd have to agree...it certainly looks rather soul-less and sterile. A real Trader Vic's is almost like a cocoon in that it surrounds you with Aloha and Poly warmth...takes you to another place and time that perhaps never really was, but always will be. This thing has the look of just another topical themed pool bar. A "Grade A" pool bar, perhaps. But as far as true Trader Vic's go...a "Vic's Jr" at best.

So what do we have now in addition to the classic and wonderful Trader Vic's that are still out there?

Nouveau Trader Vic's
Trader Vic's Mai Tai Bars
Trader Vic's Lounge

I wonder what the next trimmed-down version will be? Or perhaps more importantly...will we ever see someone build another totally new Trader Vic's restaurant and bar in Southern California that has anything close to the rich depth of detail and design of the now gutted and cannibalized Trader Vic's Beverly Hills?

Regardless...the rich history of place that the Beverly Hills Trader Vic's had...and which it contained within its 50 year-old walls...is sadly all about stories of the past now. So many long-time and loyal patrons will never feel that special vibe again. And so many others will never know it at all, and what a wonderful place they missed out on.

Instead...they'll be marketing-talked into thinking that thing by the pool is the famous Trader Vic's Beverly Hills. That con-job has already begun. :(

Personally...because of the way they disgraced Trader Vic's and its customers with that clandestine execution in the dark of night...I wouldn't have accepted a free drink from any of them. I'm that bitter about how they handled it and continue to do so.

I'm sure that someday I'll frequent the place, and of course hope the great staff earn lots of tips from many transient hotel guests. But right now I'm so pissed off at the Beverly Hilton, that I wouldn't accept a drink from those turkeys even if they danced a hula and bowed down and kissed my okole.

Post #304092 by PremEx on Fri, May 4, 2007 3:21 PM