USA Today's 10 Best Tiki Bars Around the USA - General Tiki

F finky099 Tiki Socialite Orange County, CA Joined: May 15, 2012 Posts: 542	F finky099 Posted posted on Tue, Nov 25, 2014 4:43 PM I went to Tiki Tolteca in October and I find it hard to rank with the likes of Forbidden Island, Smuggler's, and Frankie's. Drinks = fine. Decor = very good. Modern music BLARING = poke my eyes out with a handful of swizzles! Maybe it was me, but I didn't get nearly the kind of "tilt" vibe I need to overcome a disruptive factor like the environment in which I imbibe. It can certainly be done, and in some cases, even work for the tiki joint (see someone this list), but in Tiki Tolteca's case, I was pretty disappointed. Made me wish even more so that Berry's place at the Bienville had already opened. but maybe I just needed a few more drinks. :wink: Maybe it's time for me to re-visit the Tonga Room. Is it true they have improved their mixology? I have been a few times, but not since 2010. The decor itself is unique and definitely worth experiencing once- not to mention the beautifully historic Fairmont- but the vibe was tainted by the overall noise level and so-so food and drinks. But when faced with a choice of "Smuggler's Cove" or "Tonga Room" it's just been too hard NOT to pick Smuggler's the last couple of years. Cheers! :drink:

I went to Tiki Tolteca in October and I find it hard to rank with the likes of Forbidden Island, Smuggler's, and Frankie's. Drinks = fine. Decor = very good. Modern music BLARING = poke my eyes out with a handful of swizzles!

Maybe it was me, but I didn't get nearly the kind of "tilt" vibe I need to overcome a disruptive factor like the environment in which I imbibe. It can certainly be done, and in some cases, even work for the tiki joint (see someone this list), but in Tiki Tolteca's case, I was pretty disappointed. Made me wish even more so that Berry's place at the Bienville had already opened. but maybe I just needed a few more drinks. :wink:

Maybe it's time for me to re-visit the Tonga Room. Is it true they have improved their mixology? I have been a few times, but not since 2010. The decor itself is unique and definitely worth experiencing once- not to mention the beautifully historic Fairmont- but the vibe was tainted by the overall noise level and so-so food and drinks. But when faced with a choice of "Smuggler's Cove" or "Tonga Room" it's just been too hard NOT to pick Smuggler's the last couple of years.

Cheers!
:drink:

Post #732154 by finky099 on Tue, Nov 25, 2014 4:43 PM