Post #687517 by JOHN-O on Fri, Jul 26, 2013 6:38 PM

On 2013-07-26 08:32, Joe Banks wrote:

...My apologies to both you and my friend John-O. I was just having a bit of fun. I hope there is no hard feelings!...

Joe Banks, I'm not sure why you felt it necessary to use a deceptive alias rather than post under your regular user name. This clearly is in violation of Tiki Central stated policy. :(

In all honesty, such seemingly creepy behavior does not bode well for one seeking a successful career in Tiki journalism. I humbly encourage you to step up your game.

Anyway let's leave that baggage behind and start off on a fresh page. Back to the Zombies (and Chop Suey)...

Well as noted by nui' umi' umi who I was drinking with, this isn't so much a destination Tiki bar as it is a "Beach bar" with Tiki accouterments. The targeted clientele is the Hermosa Beach locals crowd, not BOT-thumping Tikiphiles. I would wager that the cocktail of choice would skew towards Red Bull & Vodka rather than a classic 1934 Zombie mixed with premium rums.

Walking up the steps I was swept with a feeling of Deju Vu, I had been to this place before. I realized this was the former location of the wildly popular California Beach Sushi, a place that I used to frequent occasionally in the 1990's. That place was GREAT for mindless drunken Hermosa Beach fun...

"Hey Bro, ya wanna 'nother round of Sake Bombs."
"Bitchin', this Rainbow Roll is most excellent."
"Domo Arigato, dude !!"

Even though the place was completely devoid of customers (the official opening being a week away), THAT beach party vibe still lingered in the air. And actually California Beach was a couple of businesses ago, the site had gone through several incarnations over the last 20 years.

The bar did have some cool bamboo weaving but for the most part the Tikis were Indonesian-carved pineapple heads, i.e. what the Bigbro would refer to as "hacked wood".

Ya know though, they did fit in perfectly with the "brotard" atmosphere that is Hermosa Beach (aka the "Jersey Shore" of the South Bay). Haha.

I don't want to appear too negative here, this place will probably be tons of FUN, you just need to lower your Poly-Pop expectations, leave the Tiki "white gloves" at home, and show up with a sense of humor.

So how was my Zombie? Well it wasn't a 1934's version, maybe more like the 1950's version. They did pour the 151, albeit Bacardi. It did have a pleasant fruity taste, but might be a little on the sweet side for those preferring a more balanced cocktail. I would however order this over a Bud Light or PBR any day.

Next we ordered some Navy Grogs. The manager said this was the first time they tried mixing them, and was honest that they didn't seem quite right. I had to agree, they were more cinnamony than grapefruity tart. They affably switched them out for a couple of Primos.

Noting our Aloha wear, the staff commented that we appeared to "know our stuff". They eagerly asked us for suggestions, we in turn named dropped Tiki Central, the BOT, and Beachbum Berry's mixology bibles.

I'll be back... (Dude !!) :)

Coming up next, urban archeology in Oxnard...