Post #761362 by lunavideogames on Thu, Mar 24, 2016 12:16 PM

I got some more information on the Tiki Bar opening in PB. Looks to be the guys from Kettner Exchange opening it where Good Time Charlies used to be at 910 Grand Ave #101, San Diego, CA 92109. It is right in the thick of PB 2 blocks from the beach/Crystal Pier and one block up on Garnet from Mission Blvd.

Kettner Exchange has had tiki drink/dinner parings and has a few drinks on the menu in the style of tiki. They have a tiki brunch as well, although when I attended I didn't really see anything tiki about it. They are definitely trying, but don't have any decor to speak of.

KEX is a place that I like, it is different than the CH Project bars. They sometimes tend to try to be a bit more upscale than I am used to. They have some strange rules about no backpacks (which never bothered me and they can do what they want, just seems strange) and on the weekends they have a huge line with a heavy club vibe. The drinks are always tasty and they tend to lean to and carry many rum brands that other bars in town shy away from.

I only had a short chat with the bar manager, Steven Tuttle, but some of the things he is talking about sound very interesting. I guess they are tring to aquire more property so that they can expand the spot even further. He said they wanted to even have a room for rum tastings, a bar that specializes in rum would be very welcome in SD. He had just gotten back from Venezuela touring the Diplomatico rum distillery. He also travelled out to Chicago and has been talking to Paul McGee and checking out 3 Dots and Lost Lake and said that he is tring to bring the same feel to SD. I didn't ask if the name was going to be Grass Skirt so I am not 100% if this is the working name still or not.

Will the Bros in PB change their palates to appreciate well crafted rum drinks? Only time will tell. I guess we have to start trying to bring craft drinks to the beaches at some point, but I am still hesitant on how well it will be accepted. It seems to me that this will be a place tiki lovers should and will want to check out when they are in town. My hopes are a lot higher hearing who is behind this project. I will post more details as soon as I hear anything.

I am trying my best to get some local artists involved in these new bars, I hope that it pans out. I would love to see local art, I think it could only improve the vibes of these tiki bars.

http://www.kettnerexchange.com/

This is kkocka's fav glass, the only one he uses when drinking at home :wink: