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Tiki Central / Tiki Travel / Seattle Tiki

Post #390404 by woofmutt on Sun, Jun 29, 2008 12:28 AM

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The woofmutt opinions...

If you're in town for a short visit Hula Hula is the one I'd recommend. It has a nice interior, a good chance of tolerable music playing, and they're usual running a vintage beach flick or surfing film on the big screen over the bar. For sight seers Hula Hula has the added advantage of being not too far from the Seattle Center (Space Needle, Monorail, Sci-Fi Museum). Hula Hula also is the only Seattle bar that has their own mug. (Still for sale, I think.)

Down side: The tropical drinks friends and I have had at Hula Hula have been mediocre to forgettable. I stick to beer and wells. (The mediocre tropical drink has been the norm at all the Seattle Tiki bars I've drank in.)

If you have more time in town it'd be very easy to check out Hula Hula, the Lava Lounge, 'Ohana, and the Islander (currently attempting some sort of de-islanding) in one afternoon/evening. I'd end the tour with Hula Hula, it's the most interesting.

The Hawai'i General Store is definitely worth a visit. They have a large selection of Hawaiian arts and crafts, Aloha fabric by the yard, Hawaiian souvenir items, a selection of tropical soaps and lotions, cards, gift wrap, books, CDs, snacks, lots of Aloha shirts, and a decent selection of Tiki things (some mugs, party supplies, etc.). They're prices are pretty good. Hawai'i General Store has a great look to it, smells exotic (from the lotions), and there's always Hawaiian music playing. It's a really relaxing place to spend a slow hour shopping. (Especially after the sensorial cacophony of Archie McPhee.)

Trader Vic's is super swell. The bar looks very much like a high end Tiki joint from the Golden Age with great drink presentation.

The down side: My friends and I have found the drinks to be undependable in quality and forgettable when they were good.

Vic's location, Bellevue, not only can be a big pain-in-the-asterisk getting into and out of but near Vic's there's absolutely nothing else unique or of any real interest to look at. (Unless you're into giant malls and chain restaurants.)