Post #44132 by Reever on Wed, Jul 23, 2003 12:35 AM

Kitty, have I got some great images for your report. We've had our share of tiki in the past here in Texas, but we're leaning heavily on Austin to carry the tiki torch these days.

Okay... there was a tiki bar opened up a few years back in Austin called "Ocean's 11", named after the original Rat Pack movie. What's the tie-in? Best I understood, the owner's mother was a back- up singer in Vegas back in the 50s and 60s and either worked with the Rat Pack, or was just a huge fan. The owner is, like you, into all things midcentury. So he decided to put it all together. Tikis and lounge singing. It was pretty well done. Had his own signature mug and live lounge music on the patio.

Sadly, he had a good vision, but apparently lacked business savvy. Basically couldn't keep up with the cost of doing business, paying taxes, or paying paychecks.

So Ocean's 11 closed for a while, but it was apparently bought out and has reopened in the same locale as "Headhunters", focusing more on the tiki theme alone.

Now for the pictures. A fantastic custom signage/sculpture shop in Austin called Blue Genie created these black-light tikis for Ocean's 11. You'll LOVE the Rat Pack tie-in's here. Just brilliant. I've inquired about these tikis from Blue Genie... apparently they're still in the new place.

http://www.bluegenieart.com/oceans11/oceans11.html

Enjoy! Email me if you have other questions. You need to post your report here when you're done!