Post #490141 by JOHN-O on Sun, Oct 25, 2009 4:51 PM

Initially I was going to add this to an existing thread but I couldn't decide which one.

Here goes.....

This last week I had a chance to have cocktails at Tiki-Ti (10/17), DTBC (10/20), and Trader Vics (10/23). I thought I'd compare them against each other while the drinks were still fresh in my mind.

I have to say that the drinks at DTBC are really top notch. Maybe not as stiff as Tiki-Ti but definitely well mixed and flavorful. I'll rank them as follows:

1. Navy Grog - I might even like this better than Tiki-Ti's. Rating - GREAT.
2. Reverb Crash - Similar to the Navy Grog, yet distinct. Rating - GREAT.
3. Zombie - You can really taste the booze in this one. Nice !! Rating - REALLY GOOD.
4. Mai Tai - Rating - PRETTY GOOD.

I had a chance to talk to Marie, the bar manager. She really takes pride in the tropicals. She plans to expand the selection and so I requested the Suffering Bastard (bourbon & gin version).

Tiki-Ti still remains king based on selection and overall drink quality. Value is another matter. Some of my favorite drinks there are now $18 each. Yikes !! I guess you could argue that 1 Tiki-Ti drink is equal to 2 drinks at other places (but still.....) My Tiki-Ti drink ranking is in another thread - http://www.tikicentral.com/viewtopic.php?topic=10450&forum=10&vpost=488765

The presentation of the drinks at TV is first rate but I think they add too much crushed ice. The first few sips are really good but after a third of the way down, it's hard to taste the booze because of the melting ice. I think in the future I'll request less ice (as I saw someone else do). I still need to try the Puka Puka, one of their stiffer drinks. Currently I am backing away from my prior knee-jerk anti-corporate Tiki bias. TV Downtown LA has erased the painful memories of TV Las Vegas.

Here's my overall opinionated tropical drink ranking.

1. Tiki-Ti - :) :) :)
2. Don the Beachcomber - If value was a factor, it would be #1 especially at Happy Hour. Quality wise they might be gaining fast to tie for #1. I can't believe I was a hater. I love this place. (But I hate that it's beyond the Orange Curtain.)
3. The Galley - Based on their one tropical offering. It's one kick-ass Hawaiian style Mai Tai.
4. Trader Vic's - A distant 4th. (Closer to home but it's located in the abomination which is LA Live.)
5. Tonga Hut - Although I've barely scratched the surface of the drink menu. I must visit more often.
6. Bahooka - Not very refined but the drinks are strong. I assume they use a lower quality of rum.
7. Purple Orchid - I don't know why but to me it feels more natural to drink beer here.

In closing all these places are GREAT and I feel very lucky to have seven (!!) local places to compare against each other (There could even be an 8th but I've not made it yet to the Puka Bar in Long Beach.)

Maybe the best Tiki Bar in the world is the one you happen to be sitting in.

[ Edited by: JOHN-O 2009-11-09 16:16 ]