Post #7359 by bigbrotiki on Sun, Sep 1, 2002 10:45 AM

PLease remember that Trader Vic's, just like Don The Beachcomber, was founded in the Pre-Tiki period (see the B.O.T. "Evolution of Polynesian Pop" chart) and they never used a Tiki as a logo originally.

If it would have not been for the creative work of sculptor Barney West, all of T.V's Tikis would have probably been authentic reproductions, less "Polynesia Americana", which was considered too tacky by people who wanted "class". It is this attitude that is continued in the Palo Alto Trader.
Plus, with the de-cluttering by throwing "tacky things" like the Beachcomber lamps out, the remaining T.V.s are looking less and less like CLASSIC Tiki bars (trying to be "classy" Tiki bars instead).

The B.O.T. mission statement is that American, interpretive Tiki Style is an art form in it's own right, but it is too much to expect from companies from the first generation that have been greatly damaged by the "Down with Fake Kon-Tiki" attitude of the 80s to understand and wholeheartedly go for that.

This said, thank god that Trader Vic's still exists, they are the last pillar of American Tiki culture still standing. And Mahalo that they went for Holden's efforts to resurrect their great mug tradition (and rums!).

In general, a Tiki bar should always have Tikis and Polynesian items as it's MAIN decor, but ad Melanesian, Micronesian, nautical, trader and beachcomber items so it gets that "adventures in the South Seas" feel.

[ Edited by: bigbrotiki on 2002-09-01 10:48 ]