Post #566814 by JOHN-O on Sun, Nov 28, 2010 2:40 PM

Wow, how long has the Puka Bar been around? Until last night I've never even been there. Whenever my car is that far south on the 405, it automatically navigates to Don the Beachcomber so the Puka Bar always get ignored. Sometimes I think there's TOO much Tiki in So CA, without enough Tikiphiles to adequately spread the love (and money) around.

Due to the lack of coverage here on TC, I always assumed the Puka Bar was TINO (Tiki In Name Only). The only comments that stick in my mind are "bad drinks" and "unsafe area". Walking into the place with low expectations, I was really pleasantly surprised. It's quite a large place and has a definite exotic Tiki vibe. Yes, there are a few sad Tikis but also a lot of great Poly-Pop decor done by artists like Crazy Al.

Tiki "Punk Rock" club was the atmosphere it evoked for me. An uninhibited place where you could feel free to let loose and have a great time (one guy was dancing with a cabbage on his head). I think the best thing about the Puka Bar was it had a nice stage area in the back for bands to perform. I saw the Ding Dong Devils there and they put on a GREAT show. The acoustics and sight lines were just so much better than a place like Don the Beachcomber's Dagger Bar.

Based on comments in TC, I expected this to be Long Beach ghetto. It's actually on a well lighted street surrounded by businesses like BofA. There was plenty of street parking nearby.

So HOW were those drinks? Well I was already pretty buzzed after meeting a friend at Tony's on the Pier (another post), but I did sample the Zombie for this thread. It wasn't a classic zombie, its fruit (very peachy) taste was the dominant flavor. Not great, but not that bad either. It was pleasant and drinkable. And how can you fault a place that uses Lemon Hart as an ingredient? (when they had it)...

I think with a few simple changes, this place could easily move up into the top tier of So Ca Tiki Revival. I'd definitely add it to anyone's Tiki Roadtrip, especially if a good band is playing.

I'm going to keep an eye on this place. :)

[ Edited by: JOHN-O 2010-11-28 14:45 ]