Post #594787 by JOHN-O on Thu, Jun 23, 2011 8:48 PM

OK, Disney (or rather the post-1960's cultural impact of the Disney corporation) has never been my cup of tea.

To this historic dive bar loving Tikiphile, the concept of "Disneyfication" is horrifying...

**Dis-ney-fi-ca-tion (noun)

: the transformation (as of something real or unsettling) into carefully controlled and safe entertainment or an environment with similar qualities.**

Yes, I enjoyed Disneyland as a pre-teen but as I've grown older, the nostalgia of those childhood memories has grown less and less. In retrospect, I think Bukowski pegged Uncle Walt's legacy correctly. :D

And isn't this place in San Francisco the real "Trader Sam's" anyway?

So all that said, what was this Disney grinch's take on this "new" Trader Sam's?...

I must admit, it was a REAL Tiki bar, very true to the spirit of mid-century Tiki-style. I'd put it one notch below the Tiki Revival perfection of places like Forbidden Island and Frankie's Tiki Room but higher than Trader Vic's recent efforts like Downtown LA.

They nailed the background music, as I heard the sounds of Tikiyaki Orchestra upon entering. After that, it was all classic Exotica. :)

Their version of the Zombie, the "Shrunken Head Zombie", was by no means a classic 1934 Zombie but it was apparent they are taking their mixology seriously. The bourbon drink "Shipwreck on the Rocks" was excellent !!

If you really want a sublime Tropical cocktail, order the off-menu "Pluto's Punch". You have to ask the lovely Rhonda to mix it for you (but only if she deems you Tiki-worthy).

I also ran into Dinah DeRosa who was there on a photo shoot for the OC Weekly. :)

All in all an excellent visit !! (But I still hate Mickey Mouse).