Post #3330 by tikitommy on Fri, Jul 5, 2002 10:31 AM

Hi all,

I recently returned from a whirlwind trip to Vegas. I was out there with my parents to celebrate their 42nd wedding anniversary. Since they grew up with, and lived, the original tiki culture (and my dad was stationed in the South Pacific in the late 50s)I thought it would be a treat to take them to the new Tiki Bar, Taboo Cove, at the Venetian Hotel, as well as the neighboring Venus Lounge (think leopard carpet and Rat Pack). Taboo Cove is billed as Vegas' first authentic Tiki Bar in 40 years; needless to say, I was really looking forward to this. After seeing Don Rickles (amazing!!) at the Stardust Hotel my parents and I headed over to "paradise" to immurse ourselves in Martin Denny and Les Baxter and to drink zombies out of devlish tiki mugs. As we drew closer to the establishments I nearly forgot how to walk as I was so overwhelmed with anticipation. Upon entering Taboo Cove one is surrounded by a beautifully realized Tiki Bar, aesthetically speaking that is. Puffer fish, lanterns, old album covers, fishing nets, etc.. BUT, one is also treated to the rapping of Missy Elliot and similar music. My parents first reaction was, "What the hell is this music!!" I expressed my surprise, too. I informed them that we were listening to a type of music popular in urban areas. They asked where Don Ho, Mr.Denny or Mr.Baxter were. I didn't know. I proceeded over to the bar to order some drinks with the intent of asking about the lack of music of the Exotica genre. Well, the bartenders are kids (19-25) who had no clue...or class..at least the one who grunted at me was of no help at all. However, one of the bartenders was nice and sympathetic. He explained that they play top 40 in this bar, but that the Venus Lounge plays different music; we'll get to that later. When I asked why they didn't play authentic tiki-type music, I believe the response had to do something with ignorance about this type of music, as well as the need to attract a certain type of (young) crowd; okay, I'm 37 and may not appreciate Ms. Elliot and her contemporaries, but why create this "authentic" paradise only to fill it with noise??? Okay, that was not fair, but what I heard was not congruent with the setting. At any rate, I order drinks and ask to see what collectible tiki mugs they had. I was salivating for I was coveting Bosko's collection behind the bar. Alas, THOSE are only for show and do not reflect the selection available to the public. Offered were the obigatory hula girl, a Fu Manchu, a very small Moai good for shots, and what looked like a Sleeztak from Krofft's "Land of the Lost" (70s kid show). So, up to this point we have poor music and a rotten mug selection. I tried to remain optimistic, for the Venus Lounge would open at 11:00, and boy oh boy did it look swell. Very swank, cool and authentic looking. My parents having lost faith decided to leave. I walked them back to their hotel feeling sad that this was not the time I had planned for them. I head back over to the Venus Lounge, and as I'm walking up the side of the establishment I hear this heavy, thumping techno type music coming from inside. You know that sickening feeling in your stomach and guts where you feel like your getting diarrhea and there isn't a bathroom for 100 miles?? That's what I felt upon hearing this. I compose myself and walk to the entrance where I am greeted by Pauly, the congenial manager of the lounge. As I say hello to him, I look inside only to have my worst fears confirmed. This was no lounge, it was just another club pumping out the same corporate crap that one could hear anywhere. A large lump formed in my throat as I watched all of the MTV kids dancing in their metallic tops totally oblivious to the sacrilage that was taking place. Where were all of the mom and pops who used to cut a rug while listening to Sinatra, Rosemary Clooney, Doris Day, Bobby Darin and similar?? Hell, I would have settled for a chunky, middle aged woman in a polyester pantsuit, with heavy eye make-up who reaked of AquaNet; but alas, no. A little melodramatic here? You betcha. But why not???? Vegas (this country) has toooooo many of these places, why not follow through and make the ambience complete??? I'll tell you why: money!! Pauly confirmed this after I was done blabbing and blubbering about my disappointment, which in the grand scheme of life and the universe really isn't important; I do realize this. Apparently, Taboo Cove and the Venus Lounge originally played authentic music to fit these establishments (which are rather new to the Venetian). However, since business was not up to par with this format, the big boys came in and made some changes to boost business. And these are the changes that my parents and I saw. I did call the Venetian the next day to express my feelings and I got the obligatory "I'm sorry, we'll pass on your comments" answer. I told them that I spent $40 on drinks at Taboo Cove; they didn't even budge and say, hey, we'll give you a coupon for some free Clark Bars at our gift shop!!! So much for customer service. Aside from my comments to Pauly, I also left a message with the Venus Lounge/Taboo Cove answering service. No return call from them. Okay, I was a pain in the ass. But, people, when in Vegas, I would highly recommend that you do not visit these places, for you be extremely disappointed if what you seek is a throw back to a simpler, more original and exotic place and time. I think I feel better now that I got this off my chest. Hope to see you all in Atlanta in a few weeks. Which reminds me, I better book a room!!!!