Post #344512 by PiPhiRho on Sat, Nov 17, 2007 2:37 PM

OK, well if we are going to exclude the Mai Kai as a given, then it would have to be this:

Past:

1. Tonga Lei/Don the Beachcomber's Malibu

This was my favorite Don the Beachcomber's of my legal drinking days. It was right on the beach, had a very nice, realaxing tiki atmosphere, great food and those wonderful Don the Beachcomber cocktails. In earlier days this same spot was the Tonga Lei, a wonderful tikified Chinese restaurant (see the Book of Tiki). Although the Marina Del Rey Don's was larger and fancier, Malibu was my preferred spot.

2. Beverly Hills' Trader Vic's.

Wonderful atmosphere, great food, wonderful drinks. What more can you say?

Present:

1. TIKI TI

Forget Disneyland. This is the happiest place on earth (with the possible exception of the Mai Kai). The essence of Tiki, boiled down to one tiny little bar on Sunset Blvd.

2. Bahooka

OK, the food is nothing to write home about and the drinks are OK at best and the TIPSI factor may be kinda low for a tiki bar, but I love this place just the same.