Post #586358 by RhumStorm on Sun, Apr 24, 2011 4:24 PM

On 2011-04-23 11:21, JOHN-O wrote:
Tiki peaked in 2004 ?? !! I disagree, since then we've had...

1. Forbidden Island
2. Don the Beachcomber in Sunset Beach
3. The revitalized Tonga Hut playing in the Tiki big leagues
4. Trader Vic's Downtown LA
5. Smuggler's Cove
6. Frankie's Tiki Room
7. Tiki-No
8. Tiki Caliente
9. Mojave Oasis !!
10. Upcoming Tiki bars at Clifton's Cafeteria and a Bamboo Ben project in Hollywood

[ Edited by: JOHN-O 2011-04-23 11:23 ]

Exactly! As long as individuals take the path akin to Martin Cate we will never see a devolution of Tiki. I'd rather have pure-Tiki than faddish watered-down mass-produced tiki. I do not know if Tiki has the ability to "scale" due to the general populace and quality issues. I mean if Martinique/Demarara (i.e. quality!) rums do not matter to an individual I don't understand what keeps that person coming back. Also, the smaller Tiki bars can maintain very tight quality control and it takes time to create a very good Beach Bum Berry researched worthy drink. There is a commitment and mind-set that comes with Tiki so... I wish it would scale though! :) !!!

Having lived in Alameda, CA for 8 years I consider myself lucky to have built an appreciation for quality Tiki culture. Fortunately, business trips take me back frequently to the epicenter of Tiki culture. Every trip starts and ends with stops in Bay Area pure-Tiki bars.

RhumStorm

P.S. If there are any Tiki purists in NC let me know. I'd like to talk about your workarounds due to state control. Modern day rum-runners have been getting me the quality Demararas/Haitian/Martinique, etc (as well as me packing 5 liters worth of Rum in my bags whenever I am on a business trip to states w/o state control of liquor!).