Post #58918 by ikitnrev on Fri, Nov 7, 2003 10:25 AM

I guess one should not expect authentic tiki when dealing with large shopping malls - especially malls that feature large indoor amusement parks named Camp Snoopy. I've been to the Mall of America once, and rather enjoyed the experience, but it is a whole world apart than the world of tiki that I enjoy.

Are there any decent tiki bars and locations located within a shopping mall? Most of my favorite tiki places are located in individual buildings - much like a lone desert island in the middle of an ocean. I would have preferred to see a smaller, more authentic tiki bar in a more quiet or hidden section of the Twin Cities (much like Nye's Polonaise Room)) rather than this Kokomos located where one must attract many to counter the high rents.

The picture that disturbed me the most was the one with the bottles of beer displayed on the wall. Perhaps we should classify a tiki bar not only by the amount of tiki decor within, but by the ratio of exotic drinks served versus bottles of beer. I do think the decor of this place is too cartoony, but if people are drinking more mai-tais than Budweiser, then it might be a fun place to hang out, especially when the tiki bars of Chicago are 420 miles away.

Kokomo's may not be an authentic tiki establishment. But I do get a small perverse thrill from the possibility of riding the NASCAR race simulators (located in the mall) one moment, and then drinking a mai-tai in a custom mug 5 minutes later.

Vern