Post #498017 by hanford_lemoore on Tue, Dec 8, 2009 7:15 PM

I am always excited when a new Tiki Bar opens. Nine years ago when Tiki Central was started, the idea that new, quality Tiki Bars would be coming to life was really just a pipe dream that I only hoped would come true. But we've bore witness to many -- Kahiki Moon, Forbidden Island, multiple Trader Vic's, Hale Tiki, Thatch, Frankie's, Kona Club -- just to name a new. To think that perhaps Tiki Central, in some small way, aided or encouraged the creation of some of these places is just icing on the rum cake for me.

Today, Smuggler's Cove opens its doors to the public, and I want to talk a little bit about this bar and the man behind it: Martin "Martiki" Cate.We met at a pre-crawl show by Ape at Tiki Crawl 2, and since then Martin has been a Tiki Central Moderator, he's spearheaded the organization of many of the subsequent Tiki Central Crawls, and was the master mixologist for the Tiki Central Drink Contest, just to name some of his many contributions to TC. To say he's helped out Tiki Central is an understatement.

I've been lucky enough to drink at Smuggler's Cove two times now, and can honestly say he's doing something special for the Tiki Bar movement. I've never seen a bar that simultaneously pays such serious tribute to its heritage, while going out of its way to not be too serious. On one hand, Smuggler's Cove is a top notch creation that nails every aspect of what we love about classic Tiki Bars: it is packed with tiki decor, bathed in moody lighting, features the classic accouterments of tiny umbrellas and swizzles, and plays Exotica and other period music -- all in the name of relaxation, a fun time, and transporting you to another place. But at the same time it is serious cocktail connoisseur's paradise; perhaps the most serious cocktail bar Tiki has ever seen; with the menu featuring a staggering selection of drinks that span the gamut from classic exotic cocktails, to historical drinks, to modern creations. The menu is littered with tidbits about the history of rum and the drinks made with it. I don't think you can get a true understanding for how important The Art of the Cocktail is to Smuggler's Cove unless you read the menu cover-to-cover, as I've done many times.

It is a remarkable endeavor, and it is executed splendidly. So today I'd like to honor him and his new creation, and thank him for all he's given to Tiki Central over the years, and bestow upon him the title of Official Mixologist of Tiki Central.

I also want to say congratulations to his wife Rebecca, Notch, and to everyone else who helped bring Smuggler's Cove to life. You should all be proud.

And to Martin: I wish you all the best with Smuggler's Cove. I am honored to have you as a friend. Now, let's lift a drink!

~Hanford Lemoore

PS I've changed Tiki Central's background to the Smuggler's Cove logo in honor for a few days! Enjoy the makeover!