Post #394601 by Dave7F on Wed, Jul 16, 2008 11:19 PM

Name:Trader Vic's in Scottsdale Arizona (AZ)
Type:bar
Street:6850 E Main St
City: Scottsdale
State:AZ
Zip:85251
country:USA
Phone:(480) 421-7799
Status:operational

Description:
Trader Vic's is located south of Indian School Road on 66th Street in Scottsdale, Arizona.

I know I was supposed to post most of this in a "trip report", but I didn't immediately figure out how to do that (I just came back from a night of Mai Tai and Scorpion drinking. :) My first choice for an operating Tiki bar in Arizona would have to be the Kon Tiki in Tucson, but this was a close second and MUCH closer to my home. My main criteria is, of course, foo-foo drinks with rum and umbrellas. This place had the drinks....

I understand that many in the area would choose the Bikini because it is an authentic, and still operating, Tiki bar. However, it is now a local beer joint that caters to the local arts crowd in during a monthly event called "First Fridays" and some possibly homeless, shoeless "gentlemen". There is nothing wrong with that, and I will probably check it out someday, but I wanted RUM dammit, NOT PBR!

The bartender was very knowledgeable about all things Tiki, "Trader Vic's", and threw in a bunch of "Don the beachcomber" stories as well. He also was quite versed in general Hawaiian history and several other subjects. There was no question as to his ability to mix a drink. Mine were quite good (even compared to Zelo's on the north shore of Kauai, Hawaii). As a matter of fact, one of the regulars came in with a bag of fresh grown basil. I found this odd, but was quite entertained when both bartenders started developing drinks right on the spot using basil as an ingredient (samples of both freely given to all at the bar that night!). One bartender created a concoction of basil, strawberries and a rum I didn't catch the name of -- surprisingly, quite good. The other created a variation on a gin and tonic based drink that involved mint and basil and it was also surprisingly good. (You don't see that everyday!) This display certainly proved that these gentlemen knew a thing or two about mixing drinks.

I was a little disappointed (and so were the staff) that the bar had so many south facing windows. Complaints have been registered with the architects. Hey, it is a "hotel bar" and I might even take advantage of the hotel some night so I can really sample the drink menu! Visit at night for the best dark Tiki ambiance. Given the limited choices in Arizona for the Tiki experience and especially the limited choices in the 5th largest city in the U.S., I would say that trader Vic's is a "best bet". If you don't like it, it is just down the road from the "Drift", which I will visit shortly and report on (other's reports are less than encouraging though).

Bring a friend and have the Scorpion (for four, but legally in AZ, two can enjoy). And the Mai Tai -- come on, it was invented at Trader Vics! While I was there another couple drank some kind of "Fog" drink that also sounded quite good, and came in a tiki mug, which I will try next time as they left quite happy and with friendly words for the rest of us on the way out.

Mahalo Vic's, I will be back.

[ Edited by: Dave7F 2008-07-16 23:58 ]