Post #69799 by liabungalo on Thu, Jan 15, 2004 10:58 AM

My quest for the ultimate tiki bar led me to New York's East Village this week and the home of no less than three modern tiki lounges. I was in the city anyway for a boring trade show, so I figured I'd veg-out that evening at one of the coolest tiki hot spots Otto's Shrunken Head.

Equal parts tiki bar and rock n' roll kitche wonderland, Otto's offers a laid back atmosphere with cool bamboo decor and modern highlights. Velvet paintings of Johnny Cash and the Devil line the walls, while a Simpson's pinball machine separates the bar section of the establishment from the lounge/concert space in the back. Colored blow fish hang from above the bar and provide much of Otto's subtle lighting.

The bar itself is grass lined with leopard spotted stools and a drink menu that pays homage to the Polynesian world with a wide selection of tiki beverages, such as the Mai Tai, Zombie and a homegrown concoction that glows in the dark. I had the Mai Tai and it went down just fine.

Otto's doesn't seem to serve food, but there are a series of half moon lounge benches and tables next to the bar that were occupied by a few local hipsters. The jukebox was stocked with a wide array of obscure rock discs and some strange lounge stuff. The rear sitting area featured a tiny stage that only seems to hold half a drum set if a full band is on stage. The walls are bamboo-lined with a plastic sheet behind them that billows against a fan giving off an ocean effect. Giant tiki poles stand guard on each side of the stage and a little bamboo hut is set up above one of the tables.

I actually went to Otto's in hopes of catching the Monday night tiki band, and as luck would have it I got there just in time. The band is called Fisherman, and their style of music ranges from a more rockin' Les Baxter to surf style lounge. After opening the set with their theme song, Fisherman brought out a burlesque dancer to mesmerize the audience. Clad in little but garters, the girl pulled out a cap gun and fired at the crowd. The crowd didn't mind. The rest of the evening featured some guest steel guitar playing and a rousing rendition of "Ape Man." The band played from 9 pm until midnight, but I checked out early to get back to the train.

On the way out I noticed another tall tiki at the front door, and a display window featuring dozens of vintage tiki mugs. Otto's Shrunken Head might not be the traditional tiki lounge, but it's definitely Rock N' Roll.

-g-