Post #787773 by Tiki Doug on Mon, Jun 18, 2018 8:50 AM

I'll happily go negative on this one: Good drinks are not a win for tiki culture.

The Northeast is seeing a huge increase in the number of bars offering tiki drinks. Many (definitely not all) serve Beachbum Berry documented recipes. That's all good, but tiki shouldn't be just about the drinks. Being able to order a Suffering Bastard at a steakhouse does not make it a tiki bar.

The problem is that the word "tiki" has lost it's meaning. Most people East of the Mississippi will tell you tiki is a reference to Jamaica or some other Caribbean island where tiki torches are used.

If the bar doesn't offer any form of escapism other than getting drunk, I think there is a real problem with calling it tiki.

I was soooo hopeful for The Polynesian. I've had Brian Miller's drinks. The guy has been to the Hukilau more than once, so there there was real promise here. I assume the investors got scared off. Regardless, I went from having a go-bag in the car to putting this one off until I have other reason to be in Manhattan.