In Search of Tiki in Washington, D.C...Georgians on the Hunt

To anyone who might be able to help...I am taking a group of University of Georgia Architectural Design Grads up to tour various forms of unique architectural types in the greater D.C. area. For extracurricular fun, I wanted to try to find a tiki lounge to hang out in and relax. I know that the Politiki is history, but have read (on another thread) about a place called the Big Hunt. How is this place? Would it be worth searching out? Also, our grand tour will take us over to Maryland and near the Tiki Bar and Vera's White Sands. Are these places still in operation? Are they worth a trip?

Appreciating any in-put...

Swamp

There's a place in Sterling Virginia (15-20 miles from DC) called the Pacific Restaurant. It's really good food and some interesting tiki goin on in there. They have a piano player in the eveningsn that knows Exotica music pretty well, too. They have a website:

http://www.chengspacific.com/

Heres some pictures I took of it too:

http://mywebpages.comcast.net/gapster/pacific.htm

If you are near Vera's White Sands, you should definitely make an effort to stop in. Yes, it is definitely over the top, with some of the best tiki decor in the DC area. It is a gem that most people overlook, and I think your students will greatly appreciate it. You may want to telephone before stopping by (410-586-1182), to make sure they are open, as their hours and days of operation change throughout the year.

The Solomon's Island Tiki Bar gets more visitors, but the bar is a more open-air Jimmy Buffet type place, with mass-produced drinks poured out of gallon jugs.

I have never been to the Big Hunt, so cannot vouch for that location. Another place to consider stopping at is the Continental Modern Pool Lounge http://modernpoollounge.com/index.html , http://smallpicture.blogspot.com/2005/08/continental-pool-lounge-in-rosslyn.html , which is a modern bar/pool hall located in Rosslyn, just across the Key Bridge from Georgetown (free parking is available) The pool table area in the back corner has a tiki theme.

The following is from an USA Today that appeared last year, "Probably the most imaginatively designed room in America," "The inspiration is equal parts The Jetsons, Disneyland and Barbarella. Each signature space is its own little movie set, stocked with kitschy furniture and doodads. The décor and exotic cocktails make it perfect for a fun, social game."

I do like Continental -- they actually have $2 drafts (very cheap in this town) during happy hours. If you're stuck in DC proper, this is a cool place. Consult their website for more info on the place:
http://www.modernpoollounge.com/

Also in DC, if you're more into beer, the Brickskeller has a great beer list - they're on 22 between P&Q (that's my mnemonic to remember the address): http://www.thebrickskeller.com/

Sad to say, there's no tiki right in DC proper these days - the places mentioned here are 30 mins to an hour outside of the District. For great food & great drinks and good decor (plus a piano player who apparently may know Quiet Village, & definitely knows the Hukilau song), head out to Pacific as mentioned previously: http://www.chengspacific.com

For over-the-top decor, okay drinks, and poor food head to Vera's White Sands (they do have seasonal hours), but you may want to call first. I'd advise you to check their site at http://www.veraswhitesands.com but it seems to be non-existent now. Uh-oh. Not a huge deal, it was of extremely little use when it was up anyway, very little info was to be found.

More on Vera's (including photos & phone #) here:
http://www.tikicentral.com/viewtopic.php?topic=15661&forum=2&4

~Rupe

The last time I was at Vera's, (September 05) both the food and drinks had improved since my previous visit (in 04)

One visits Vera's, not knowing what the food and drinks will be like. Fortunately, the decor stays the same ... at least, I hope it does. Vera is getting older, and I fear what will happen to the place when she passes away.

Vern

I'm with Vern on this one... the food had greatly improved since my first visit! When selecting off the dinner menu just avoid the items that seem "tiki appropriate" and go for the Maryland fried chicken - the best chicken I've had in quite some time! Also, someone nearer than I might want to look into the tiki bar at Solomon's Island... About a month ago I know they had a major fire in the immediate vicinity that ended up torching a few boats and a couple waterfront restaurants.

Here's the article from the St. Mary's Today website

“Also, someone nearer than I might want to look into the tiki bar at Solomon's Island... About a month ago I know they had a major fire in the immediate vicinity that ended up torching a few boats and a couple waterfront restaurants.”

That would be a bigger tragedy than you guys might imagine, I just spent four months carving hundreds of Tikis for the place and they finished installing everything a month or so ago.

Bosko

Swamp Tiki! I am a Bulldog. Verily and truly. As is Mrs. Satan's Sin. I therefore harken unto you to quit pussyfooting around on the Southeastern Coast in search of Tiki. Life's important missions should never be half-hearted. Come unto me, Swamp Tiki, into the land of California-ay, and bring your architectural design students with you. Tiki and architecture -- noble pursuits, indeed! Far too important to be left for gestation in the lovely state of Georgia. Loveliness is not enough. Mind-blowing-ness is needed. My direct ancestor was a lieutenant in the 3rd Georgia Cavalry during the Civil War. If he were alive today he'd prefer a Mai-Tai on the lanai of a midcentury modern masterpiece in the Mojave over the scent of the sweet magnolia blossom, any old day of the week. Trust me on this. And come on. I'll leave the light on for you.

Swamp,
DC's a helluva place for architecture, though IMHO, most of the fedgov buildings are horrendous.
As other members of the MD/DC/VA ohana have mentioned, there's not much commercial tiki in the area (if you're in the area, Vera's is DEFINITELY worth the trip). However, depending on the size of your group, and the timing of your visit, I could probably convince my wahine to host a gathering in our basement tiki bar, the Moai Lounge! PM or email me with details, and perhaps we can work something out!
Embassy Row, The National Building Museum, The Mall, the old Capitol columns at the Arboretum, Watergate...y'all will have plenty to enjoy!
peace,
Scottiki

The Tiki Bar on Solomon's Island survived the fire. The last picture of this following link shows that it is still intact. This is an open-air bar, and the blue tarps protect the bar/seating areas from the winter elements.

http://imageevent.com/jameo/fire

It is not exactly a building of any architectural significance, but I'm sure its appearance will be helped by more Bosko.

Vern

Hey Swamp,

Take it from me - this is an invite you should really look into. The Moai Lounge is fabulous!

On 2006-05-05 00:11, Scottiki wrote:
Swamp,
DC's a helluva place for architecture, though IMHO, most of the fedgov buildings are horrendous.
As other members of the MD/DC/VA ohana have mentioned, there's not much commercial tiki in the area (if you're in the area, Vera's is DEFINITELY worth the trip). However, depending on the size of your group, and the timing of your visit, I could probably convince my wahine to host a gathering in our basement tiki bar, the Moai Lounge! PM or email me with details, and perhaps we can work something out!
Embassy Row, The National Building Museum, The Mall, the old Capitol columns at the Arboretum, Watergate...y'all will have plenty to enjoy!
peace,
Scottiki

Thanks for the info. I am really looking forward to checking these places out. If Polynesian drinks aren't on the menu, then its time for a bourbon.

Swamp

Scottiki,

Sounds great. Timing is the key, I'll keep you posted.

Swamp

AAww, maaaaan, Swamp Tiki and (Mr/Mrs) Satan's Sin!

Why weren't y'all there when I was in Athens - or were you??
I was there from '87 to '01, but not as a Bulldog.

Swampy, I'm heading back for a visit this summer. Let's meet up while I'm there - my trips back to Georgia AL-ways involve an evening at TV's!

Oh, and what everybody else has said about what to do in D.C. - ditto!
Now, when you want to take your students on a field trip to Prague, I'm taggin' along. Architectural Disneyland.

alice b
formerly of Hillbilly Frankenstein
and missing The Grit's cowboy omelette....

Alice B

Things are always kicking in Athens Town. The Grit and its edible delights are keeping the light on for ya. Post the word when you head back this way, TV is always a good lure into the ATL.

Swamp

The Big Hunt is a bar right off Dupont Circle. It doesn't have any tiki architecture since it's basically part of a long strip of buildings but it has a lot of tiki and old african safari decor inside. It does a decent job of putting someone into a tiki mood depending on the crowd.

Ah, Athens. Fun little town. Form, Mr. and Mrs. Satan's Sin were there before you. Haven't been back since, and how the Bulldog alumni association managed to track me down way out here I'd like to know.

If you haven't left for DC already, you might find what you're looking for at the tiki bar at Mango Mike's, just outside the Capital in Alexandria, VA.

In fact, if you and your group of students hadn't planned to visit the Alexandria/Mt. Vernon area of northern Virginia during your trip, you might find it worth adding in as a little side excursion in any case. In particular, considering your group's interests, you might want to check out the new U.S. Patent and Trademark mega-plex across from the King Street Metro station, as well as some of the quite splendid federalist-style homes and buildings that still make Alexandria’s old town historic district a national draw.

As to local tiki scenes, as I first suggested, you may find just what you’re looking for at nearby Mango Mike’s, located just a few minutes drive up Duke Street in the Foxchase/Landmark area of the city’s west end. The place can be a real hoot, particularly during happy hours in their Tiki Bar or (in good weather) their amusing outdoor ‘beach’ area, when you can often find some fairly good bar fare and libations at relatively college student-friendly prices. And as you'd expect, its a young scene.

I've included a link to their website if you decide to check out some photos and related details. Hope you enjoy your trip.

(http://www.mangomikes.com/Pages/m2pg.html)

Mango Mike's, 4580 Duke Street, Alexandria, Va. 22304, 703-370-3800.

I have been to Mango Mike's several times. Although the food - especially the fish is pretty good, and they do serve some tiki drinks, and they do have some tiki carvings, overall the feel of the place is too Caribbean for my personal tastes, and there were too many beer promotion signs (and TVs) hanging in the bar area. Worse of all, their mai-tais had that cloudy orange look and taste to them. Perhaps things have changed in the year or so since I have last been there.

Mango Mike's can be a fun place to visit as a neighborhood get together type place, but it is hard to recommend as a tiki destination for an out-of-towner.

How I miss the Honolulu!

Vern

Earlier today I took a drive down to Vera's and the nearby Solomon's Island Tiki Bar. Big changes have taken place at each place - updates can be found at the following threads.

http://www.tikicentral.com/viewtopic.php?topic=19679&forum=1

http://www.tikicentral.com/viewtopic.php?topic=15661&forum=2&start=last&5

As someone once said, the only thing that remains constant is change itself.

Vern