Post #762082 by bobtiki on Thu, Apr 7, 2016 10:06 AM

A few updates to the list at the top: The Luau is no more. Neither is Trader Vic's. I don't think The Islander or Tiki Bob's Cantina are either.

I go to the Hula Hula about once a year, and the decor is blacklight-heavy and feels beach bar over tiki, to my eye, but the worst thing has been the drinks. They got a little better about a year ago, but still not great. I was about to go back tonight for an annual karaoke gathering with some friends, but instead of karaoke, they're playing some sort of fly fishing movie(?), so we'll be moving to another karaoke bar. I guess finding out if their drinks have improved any more will have to wait — it's possible it may close before I get a chance to return.

I've had a few good visits at the Hotel Albatross (since it's in my neighborhood), and while the decor is lackluster (it's a fine bar; just not "tiki" at all), the drinks have been quite tasty. The Painkiller and the Three Dots and a Dash are particularly good.

There's another new place in Ballard, the vegan No Bones Beach Club, and while I haven't been yet, friends tell me that the decor is pretty nice, but the drinks are the kind of fruit punch nonsense that you might rather avoid.

Went to the North Shore Lagoon for my birthday, back in March, and that place is totally spot-on. Amazing decor, and great drinks too. Their only mug comes with a Zombie, and it seems to be a non-traditional Renaissance-looking fish-man of some sort. I'll have to take a picture and get it up on Ooga-Mooga soon.

Still haven't been to Rhumba or Tacoma Cabana yet, to my shame.