So you wanna open your own commercial Tiki Bar huh? - General Tiki

T tastysp Member Joined: Oct 07, 2002 Posts: 192	T tastysp Posted posted on Wed, Mar 9, 2011 3:07 PM Hi Trav Steve here from Otto's Shrunken Head in NYC. I've had Otto's for 8+ years in NYC and the reason we succeed is that we fill a niche and have built a community. If you can do that it doesn't matter what kind of bar you open. We are no Mai Kai or Trader Vic's we have a handful of Tiki drinks, we survive on our live music scene and the community that comes with that scene. We are constantly booking bands, DJs, events and parties. The fact that we're a Tiki bar adds to our appeal but we would NEVER survive on trying to be just a Tiki bar. A hardcore high end cocktail bar is extremely difficult to run, the amount of ingredients and training and time involved is prohibitive. When the bar is 4 deep and everyone is asking what's in this drink or that drink you'll start pulling your hair out. I'm not saying don't do it, but if you are going to do it, realize what you are getting into and find a way that works. You are going to have to compromise somewhere. good luck

Hi Trav
Steve here from Otto's Shrunken Head in NYC. I've had Otto's for 8+ years in NYC and the reason we succeed is that we fill a niche and have built a community. If you can do that it doesn't matter what kind of bar you open. We are no Mai Kai or Trader Vic's we have a handful of Tiki drinks, we survive on our live music scene and the community that comes with that scene. We are constantly booking bands, DJs, events and parties. The fact that we're a Tiki bar adds to our appeal but we would NEVER survive on trying to be just a Tiki bar. A hardcore high end cocktail bar is extremely difficult to run, the amount of ingredients and training and time involved is prohibitive. When the bar is 4 deep and everyone is asking what's in this drink or that drink you'll start pulling your hair out.

I'm not saying don't do it, but if you are going to do it, realize what you are getting into and find a way that works. You are going to have to compromise somewhere.
good luck

Post #579590 by tastysp on Wed, Mar 9, 2011 3:07 PM