Waitiki, Orlando, FL (restaurant) - Locating Tiki

B bigbrotiki Tiki Socialite Tiki Island, above the Silverlake Joined: Mar 25, 2002 Posts: 11621	B bigbrotiki Posted posted on Thu, Jun 14, 2007 2:36 AM The Waitiki is a good example of two factors that are helpful in opening a nouveaux Tiki Bar in this day and age: 1.) Financial backing. Just like the Waitiki in London, this place was opened by people who already own several successful clubs/bars in that town. They had the money to a.) invest in the concept, b.) to stick with it. Any new business takes a year or more to recoup its expenses, and if there is no back up money, some have to close before they can. 2.) Location. The Waitiki is located in a night club neighborhood which already had several successful bars and restaurants. What any new business needs is people, so go where they already go. Only WE make pilgrimages to bars. I think everyone agrees by now that a new Tiki bar cannot be sustained by Tikiphiles alone, especially not in towns like Orlando. To complain about the ignorance of its frat pack clientele is un-constructive, because of those people's business WE can enjoy the art and atmosphere of the place. Careful missionairy work to improve cocktail and music quality is adequate, but success must not be taken for granted. Thanks for the photos Matt, the mosaik is great. I miss some pictures of the restrooms though, they share the Purple Orchid's concept of using BOT pages (and other art) as wall paper...at least I hope they still do?

The Waitiki is a good example of two factors that are helpful in opening a nouveaux Tiki Bar in this day and age:

1.) Financial backing. Just like the Waitiki in London, this place was opened by people who already own several successful clubs/bars in that town. They had the money to a.) invest in the concept, b.) to stick with it. Any new business takes a year or more to recoup its expenses, and if there is no back up money, some have to close before they can.

2.) Location. The Waitiki is located in a night club neighborhood which already had several successful bars and restaurants. What any new business needs is people, so go where they already go. Only WE make pilgrimages to bars. I think everyone agrees by now that a new Tiki bar cannot be sustained by Tikiphiles alone, especially not in towns like Orlando. To complain about the ignorance of its frat pack clientele is un-constructive, because of those people's business WE can enjoy the art and atmosphere of the place. Careful missionairy work to improve cocktail and music quality is adequate, but success must not be taken for granted.

Thanks for the photos Matt, the mosaik is great. I miss some pictures of the restrooms though, they share the Purple Orchid's concept of using BOT pages (and other art) as wall paper...at least I hope they still do?

Post #312825 by bigbrotiki on Thu, Jun 14, 2007 2:36 AM