Post #577420 by Dr. Coruba on Wed, Feb 23, 2011 11:12 AM

The Tiki Weekender was a hell of a time. There was a great mix of people combined with excellent drinks and the setting of a museum quality tiki palace - the Atlanta Trader Vic's.

Friday night started off slowly. A few of the out of towners were not able to make it in until later in the evening and some not until Saturday. At 6:10 I wondered if I had over estimated the number of local Ohana coming. Very soon the bar was packed with Tiki Weekenders, the local Ohana came in strong and in waves over the evening ready to mix and party. Eventually we had all but two of the 17 pilgrims from out of town. Papalennon brought in about 12 happy hour friends with him. The best estimate was that Friday night saw right around 50 tikiphiles joining in on the fun over the course of the evening. Thanks to the very cooperative people at Trader Vic's our party enjoyed $5 Mai Tais and provided us with their very best bartenders for the night. They did not disappoint. I finally had the opportunity to compare the regular Mai Tai versus the made from scratch Mai Tai. Even the regular is good, but the from scratch is great. One can only wonder how off the chart it must have been back in the day when Vic's had the 17 year old Wray and Nephew rums and the Coruba to use.

As if the evening couldn't get better, TikiGAP and Julie opened up their room for a midnight after-party with 1934 Zombies that cruised till 2 am and most participants having no idea how they got back to their rooms!!! (fyi, I made the mistake of going back to my room before this after-hours soiree and fell asleep where I sat - missing it completely :| )

Saturday had many people in full recovery mode and others adventurous enough to check out the sights of the city. I went out with ExoticSabina and OakTiki for some classic diner action and a rum trek. One of the great things about being away from home is that you almost always will find rums you will not find at home or at prices which surprise you. I found a few bargains and Sabina and Mike found a few boxes of rums worth carting back to Maryland.

On Saturday night we had close to 30 for dinner at Trader Vic's. After which we returned to the bar to meet up with a combination of repeat offenders from the night before and folks who had not made it to Friday night. Everyone spent the evening draining the bar and comparing notes about their daytrips and naps.

There are way too many to thank by name, but mahalos to the many local Ohana who either attended or put up excellent suggestions on additional Atlanta spots to hit. (I even managed to hit both the Majestic and the Silver Skillet) Special thanks to the several local Ohana who came out both nights. You were excellent ambassadors of Atlanta and to the Aloha Spirit.

Thanks to the many friends and fellows who came in from the four corners to share the weekend and the rum.

Thanks to Trader Vic's who still does it up royal and manages to stay true to the ideals for which the Ghost of Vic Bergeron would proud to see.

Thanks to Derek Yaniger and Ed Hamilton for making it down on Saturday. You both had many here who appreciate your work.

It was a great time and the only thing I can think of that would have made it better was if Trader Vic's was open for lunch or Sundays. I spent every minute I could at TV's and cannot wait to get back, with or without a group. (but groups are much more fun!)