Trader Vic's to open in VEGAS!! (Closed)

We had drinks and appetizers at TV in London this summer and with the exchange rate that cost about $100/pp so by comparison Las Vegas is quite affordable!

..do not get roped into the whole "it's a work in progress..." line of b.s. ...I worked for a few years in the bar and niteclub design business and it has been my experience that the owners of an establishment never add much, if anything at all to the decor of a place...once the doors open, it's all about recouping the initial investment as fast as possible, which means no extra money is getting spent on decor...this is a fantasy and a pipe dream, meant to calm folks down so that they will continue to support the place under the ruse that things will get better in time....

i will eat my straw goddamn hat if this place looks any different in terms of tiki than it does right now, in one years time....

Unfortunately, it is probably correct that they won't make significant changes. But it would be great to be surprised. I hope to be in Vegas and see it for myself soon. I hope rumors of the bar going light on the rum are false. If nothing else a TVics must have great drinks.

"I'm too drunk to taste the chicken" - Col. Sanders 1963

[ Edited by: Tonga Tiki 2007-10-28 12:48 ]

[ Edited by: Tonga Tiki 2007-10-28 12:49 ]

On 2007-10-18 08:49, rev_thumper wrote:

I think this location is a very unique challenge and has to be in tune with modern Sin City Vegas if they want to be successful (Taboo Cove already tried traditional, right?).

Vic's does have a unique challenge, but I don't think Taboo Cove failed because of the tradtional decor. There were many reasons in my opinion, with opening right before 9/11 being the main one and poor marketing/advertising being the secondary one. Heck, the employees I talked to in the Venician had NO clue what I was talking about when I asked how to find the Taboo Cove. The Vic's restaurant management I talked to said some additions are coming and even some changes, too. But, it is very bland now.

On 2007-10-27 03:01, Tiki Lee's wrote:
WOW! Inky & Smiley must be da RICH Kine, 'cuz dat mealz is 'bout $30 each! Den wit drinks & dezzertz & da tipz, we'z iz talkin' mo den $100 dollaz!

(why the hell am I talking like that?)

I got a Birthday Gift Card Bonus at work the week before and we decided to spend it on our dinner that night...I don't think we will be doing that frequently!!! and they dont have the cheap bar burger smiley became so used to in SF, boo.

On 2007-10-25 10:38, arriano wrote:
We went to Trader Vic’s Las Vegas on Tuesday afternoon/early evening and here’s my report:

This is a place still very much in transition in that they have not finished decorating or trying different things. While we were there the owner ordered all the white table cloths removed and replaced with tan ones. There was also an elderly Asian man named “Mike” there that our waiter told us was a consultant who had worked at TV for 44 years – I presume those of you in the know will be able to identify him better than I have. Anyway, he was wandering around, straightening things here, move things there.

Is there anyone of you lurkers from Las Vegas Trader Vic's that would like to chime in?

I attended the SEMA trade show in Vegas and had dinner with 3 friends at Vic's on Monday. It's sure not Tiki like Tucson's Kon Tiki,or other traditional Tiki bars but I have to say I had the best New York Strip I've ever had, and my friends raved about the Filet Mignon. The Mai Tai's were good, and sitting on the deck outside overlooking the strip was a treat on a nearly perfect 75 degree evening. I would return in a heartbeat.
The Sema show is a trade show held in Vegas once a year for vendors of automotive aftermarket parts. If a company makes a wheel or a car stereo part, they will showcase their part on a car that has been heavily modified. I took a few pics of some cars I found sporting a little Tiki influence that I thought the ohana here would enjoy. The last picture is not Tiki, but just makes me laugh! Sorry the pics aren't better, as I found out my camera was set at macro, and some pics came out a little blurry. Enjoy.

Hyundai debuted their 08 4 door Elantra wagon sporting a beach cruiser theme with Tiki pinstipes.

As to the drinks...by the book, all must be done by the jigger...no free pouring here...that's the house rules. We were there the night before the official grand opening....and the story was...Tiki Bars don't make it its the food that brings them back...So my $ is on the it is as done as it gets..glass and chrome...have replaced the old style TV.

On 2007-10-22 16:44, Bargoyle wrote:
Agreed that its not nearly as cool as say Atlanta.

It is 100% a lounge. Not a traditional tiki bar.

The ulta-lounge is what's hot in Vegas right now....

Although Bargoyle is dead on accurate with ultra lounges.....It's just a buji way of saying $500 for a bottle of Grey Goose Vodka and a six pack of redbulls tableside. I hope TV does not offer this like all of the other mega ultra lounges in the city!
I do have to argue that Trader Vic's reputation was not only that of their mai tais and decent cuisine, but their enviroment was also a key factor. The feeling of "Escapism" had alot to do with their success. Leaving the busy streets of the world behind as you walked into Vic's, and it was like you were almost carried away on a vacation for your brief couple of hours visit. If the Vegas TV went to brass and glass and white walls, I'll be the first to say that I'll pass on visiting to eat and spend my food money at the Silverton, which has an awesome asian/american buffet(thaz rye, i said BUFFET) that includes a couple of polynesian styled dishes including kalbi and korean bbq beef for slightly under $12. Did I mention it was really tasty and packed with nutrition? :lol:

[edited to remove my long rant on the ultra lounge trend in Vegas, and tried to keep more focused on the topic!]

[ Edited by: Tom Slick 2007-11-02 11:20 ]

They have said the ultralounge will have "bottle service" in addition to the normal drinks.

(I think bottle service is silly also.)

I too attended the SEMA show & went to TV. Nice enough place! Tiki? Not even close! I answered my own question: "Do they have any mugs?". Yes they do and for $25.00 & up, they can keep em!!!! I bought a Lucky Tiki mug at the Hard Rock for $12.00 & a mug at Cheeseburger for $12.00. We did not order food, just drinks. The drinks were pretty good & for what it's worth, the bartender was very nice and a smokin' hottie! To call this place Trader Vic's is a travesty! It's just another Vegas trendy lounge that will be gone & replaced with the next hot thing in 2 years. It's a real shame because I think a real TV would do great in Vegas! Tahiti Joe's has great tikis but a very small menu. The food was OK & we didn't order drinks as we were on our way to TV for that. Cheeseburger looks like one of our home bars. It has lots of mugs, hula girls & Hawaiiana & great cheeseburgers! I liked it alot & I think the Tiki Farm mug with the cheeseburger is kool. For the record, when in Vegas, check out the tikis at Tahiti Joe's, eat at Cheeseburger & skip that poor excuse for a TV!

Yep I agree, Cheeseburgers will be a must see for me after I get shocked by LVTVUL next month.
Last time I was there the manager told me the story of Edna and Lauren both from Southern California who moved to Lahaina to open the first Cheeseburgers in 1989..
Their slogan was and still is, Cheeseburgers, Mai Tais & Rock & Roll. They had a vision for the decor that they have been loyal to where others apparently have not.
They use their ever growing personal collection of Hawaiiana to decorate the locations.
My only suggestion is to order their Planters Punch which is good not the Maui Mai Tai they serve unless you like a fruity mai tai.
A real Mai Tai may be the only reason to visit LVTV and break out my VR googles.

Restaurant Hospitality has an article on Trader Vics in this month's issue. So here it is from the restauranteur's perspective:

Totally Tiki
We can't pinpoint the exact moment when Trader Vic's made the transition from over-the-hill restaurant chain to retr-hip hot spot. But with last month's opening of Trader Vic's Las Vegas, there's no denying that the 73-year-old concept has made it all the way back into the mainstream.

Located at the Miracle Mile shopping are inside Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino, the 15,000 sq. ft. dining and entertainment venue is Trader Vic's 10th location. It has 19 units elsewhere in the world, four of them in the United Arab Emirates. All feature the chain's signature combination of tropical island motif, a menu heavy on Asian/Polynesian dishes and a cocktail list that offers 40 specialty drinks, including the original Mai Tai (a Trader Vic's invention)and potent communal drinks such as the Tiki Bowl for two and the Scorpion Bowl for four. London, Tokyo, Beirut, Beijing-- it's a formula that has proven it can work anywhere in the world.

Trader Vic's went big in Las Vegas. In addition to the main restaurant (120 seats), there's a second-level ultralounge (100 seats) and an outdoor party patio (also 100 seats), both of which overlook the Las Vegas strip. The menu features such items as Hawaiian poke with ahi and hamachi served with taro chips; trditional bongo bongo soup; BBQ Kobe short ribs with nashi pear salad; and soy sake glazed Hawaiian ono with green papaya salad. Entree range from $9 to $35.

"There are very few culinary icons like Trader Vic's," says Doc Wiener, whose DW Enterprises is the developer of Trader Vic's Las Vegas. "It's legacy in the restaurant world is unmatched."

There are two big pluses for the resurrected Trader Vic's. One is that its food offerings, considered exotic for most of the chain's existence, are nothing out of the ordinary for the current generation of customers. A second is that most of that current generation has probably heard of Trader Vic's, but never been there. Curiosity alone should bring in crowds of tourists for years.
[Restaurant Hopitality, November 2007, pg.28]

Wait, wait wait....I'm like totally confused.

one of these things is not like the other.

Which is the real TVLV - is it this place in the magazine that actually looks pretty good:

or is it this place:

On 2007-11-09 13:18, leisure master wrote:
Wait, wait wait....I'm like totally confused.

one of these things is not like the other.

Which is the real TVLV - is it this place in the magazine that actually looks pretty good:

Sorry, I have to break my oath of not posting anymore on this thread...but WHERE THE HELL IS THAT PLACE?? It sure as hell ain't Vegas!

Has anybody been upstairs yet?

What magazine is this and when did it come out? Is this an old magazine with the old Vegas TV? If so, this in a nutshell would show how far TV has fallen.

On 2007-11-09 13:04, Bongo Bungalow wrote:
Restaurant Hospitality has an article on Trader Vics in this month's issue. So here it is from the restauranteur's perspective:

..look closely at the layout of this place..it looks exactly like taboo cove in many respects..the bar placement, the red joists on the ceiling mimic the bamboo lattice work of the cove...the narrowness of the bar area and the stonework....all this place needs is some bosko masks..

"I may not always be right...but i'm never wrong"

[ Edited by: Tipsy McStagger 2007-11-09 14:50 ]

If I remember right, Taboo Cove was much narrower.

Well, this is the picture with the article in the CURRENT restaurant trade magazine I just received today. And it claims to be Traver Vic's Las Vegas!?

I didn't go upstairs but there is no freakin' way it could look like that given the operating room atmosphere downstairs. I wonder if the writer was even there!

On 2007-11-09 15:41, Rob Roy wrote:
If I remember right, Taboo Cove was much narrower.

not likely, but i meant it in a general way, not specifically.

On 2007-11-09 16:28, Big Kahuna wrote:
I didn't go upstairs but there is no freakin' way it could look like that given the operating room atmosphere downstairs. I wonder if the writer was even there!

holy shit!! don't tell me i put my feet in my mouth again by pu-puing the place when they had this room upstairs!! (it still deserves a good pu-puing).....why didn't anyone explore upstairs?? what's wrong with you people???

On 2007-11-09 13:18, leisure master wrote:
Wait, wait wait....I'm like totally confused.

one of these things is not like the other.

Which is the real TVLV - is it this place in the magazine that actually looks pretty good:

I hate to burst eveybody's bubble, but that picture is from the TV in Scottsdale.
The upstairs lounge looks like the downstairs.

Vegas BABY!

[ Edited by: TikiPug 2007-11-09 17:47 ]

Dammit! I knew it was too good to be true....

thanks for clearing that up.

upstairs is the Ultra Lounge, which has a MASSIVE view of the Strip and particularly the Bellaggio fountains. Lighting subdued, club chairs a plenty. It's pretty impressive no matter how you slice it, unless you're predisposed to slag off TVLV without even seeing it.

Yea, that picture is TV Scottsdale... where velveteenlounge and kristiki are running up a bar tab at this very moment.

[ Edited by: rev_thumper 2007-11-09 20:21 ]

OK, Not to keep flogging a dead horse, but imagine for a moment if that really was Vegas Vics..
Wouldn't that just kick ass?? Don't you think it would be a hit and considered super swanky by both lounge lizards and the average Vegas tourist?
Heck, the pic fooled the reporter, didn't it?

I hate to burst eveybody's bubble, but that picture is from the TV in Scottsdale.

Just goes to show what proper lighting can do...I've been to TV Scottsdale and didn't recognize this picture. When I was there it was still daylight...but now I recognize the brick wall behind the bar.

So why use it it in an article about Vegas TV? Aren't the investors proud of the decor they put into place?

So why use it it in an article about Vegas TV? Aren't the investors proud of the decor they put into place?

Well it ran in "Restaurant Hospitality" magazine so who knows where the photo came from.... probably a careless selection from the files by an editor.

Holy Crap! I just saw this picture today.
I'm sorry LV Trader Vic's for slamming you guys. Guess I won’t need my VR googles after all. That picture doesn't look bad at all except for the concrete blocks.
I guess I'll have to venture upstairs to check it out. I'm still confused about the downstairs though. If you guys ran short of money maybe you can up the cost on mugs and raise some funds for decor. Kan is getting $55.00 for the LVTV Sex Cup Tiki so you guys could get the same I'm sure.

On 2007-11-09 13:04, Bongo Bungalow wrote:
Restaurant Hospitality has an article on Trader Vics in this month's issue. So here it is from the restauranteur's perspective:

"There are very few culinary icons like Trader Vic's," says Doc Wiener, whose DW Enterprises is the developer of Trader Vic's Las Vegas. "It's legacy in the restaurant world is unmatched."

There are two big pluses for the resurrected Trader Vic's. One is that its food offerings, considered exotic for most of the chain's existence, are nothing out of the ordinary for the current generation of customers. A second is that most of that current generation has probably heard of Trader Vic's, but never been there. Curiosity alone should bring in crowds of tourists for years.
[Restaurant Hopitality, November 2007, pg.28]

On 2007-11-10 09:31, Ojaitimo wrote:

Holy Crap! I just saw this picture today.
I'm sorry LV Trader Vic's for slamming you guys. Guess I won’t need my VR googles after all. That picture doesn't look bad at all except for the concrete blocks.
I guess I'll have to venture upstairs to check it out. I'm still confused about the downstairs though. If you guys ran short of money maybe you can up the cost on mugs and raise some funds for decor. Kan is getting $55.00 for the LVTV Sex Cup Tiki so you guys could get the same I'm sure.

On 2007-11-09 13:04, Bongo Bungalow wrote:
Restaurant Hospitality has an article on Trader Vics in this month's issue. So here it is from the restauranteur's perspective:

You might want to read up a few posts Ojai... That's TV's Scottsdale. I've been there twice, and the food, drinks and service have been TOP NOTCH each time. In fact, both meals there have been two of the best I have had in my life. Compared to the food and drinks at the Beverly Hilton location (made it there a couple months before it closed) it is can't miss. TVBH was completely disappointing. The decor was nice, but the food, drinks, and service weren't anything to write home about.

I would not hesitate to recommend TV's Scottsdale to anyone. The decor isn't "old school" TV's, but it is pretty nice still. I can't wait to go back.

Chris

On 2007-11-10 16:13, Kona Chris wrote:

On 2007-11-10 09:31, Ojaitimo wrote:

Holy Crap! I just saw this picture today.
I'm sorry LV Trader Vic's for slamming you guys. Guess I won’t need my VR googles after all.

On 2007-11-09 13:04, Bongo Bungalow wrote:
Restaurant Hospitality has an article on Trader Vics in this month's issue. So here it is from the restauranteur's perspective:

You might want to read up a few posts Ojai... That's TV's Scottsdale.

Chris

What can I say, wishfull thinking. But the magazine picture did say Las Vegas Trader Vic's.

Guess I will be needing these after all.

Curiosity alone should bring in crowds of tourists for years.
[Restaurant Hopitality, November 2007, pg.28] (yeah, maybe one time)

Sung to the tune of Money (that’s what I want} by the Beatles

The new Las Vegas Trader ’s Vic’s,
Doc built a ultra lounge that looks like ##
Now he wants money ( that’s what he wants)
That what they want, want (that’s what they want)

Vic Burgeron is is rolling in his grave,
He can’t believe what happened there,
They turned his swank Polynesian fantasy vision
Into this,just for money? (that’s what they want)

““There are very few culinary icons like Trader Vic’s”
“It’s legacy in the world is unmatched” says Doc Weirner.
But please explain to me how this place fits in?
Unless it’s money? (is that all that counts)

[ Edited by: Ojaitimo 2007-11-13 09:23 ]

O.K... My turn, for what it's worth.
I had tunch at TVLV today. I will admit that the decor and atmosphere is no where near what one would expect for Trader Vic's especially in the fantasyland that is Sin City. This was a disappointment. The few nods to traditional tiki are appreciated and did add a sense of comfort and I sense that they may make adjustments/additions in the future.

So what about the other reason we go to TV's... Food and drink. Both of these were excellent! I admit that the bartenders are still getting the hang of the many cocktails but they all seem eager and willing to learn. In addition to that, the service was great and all of the staff were very friendly and helpful.

Overall, Tiki Royale gives Trader Vic's Las Vegas a thumbs-up.

Aloha,
:tiki:

Went there about a week ago to check it out for myself. We arrived after the kitchen had closed and they were cranking house/techno music throughout the empty restuarant. First impression.....Great, another "ultralounge" thats just what vegas needs. Beening a vegas local I can tell you right now this concept will fail simply because its been done by everyone else 100Xs over. The club/ultralounge scene here in Vegas is played out. Every mega resort hotel here already has 2 or 3 nightclub type venues.

We went outside on the deck overlooking the strip which does have a great view but its way too "ultramodern" and cold feeling. I did go upstairs to the lounge where the DJ booth was located only to find louder music and no south seas. Dont get me wrong, I dont have anything against loud music, Im a club DJ myself, however this guy must be a new "play it louder and maybe they will start dancing" type DJ.

We didnt eat there so I cant comment on the food but I did have 3 Mai Tais that were damn good.

I must agree with Tiki Royale's post.

My wife and I went to Vic's in Las Vegas last weekend and, while it was far from the classic tiki bar experience we all revere, the food was extremely good (a GIANT step above Cheeseburgers', much as I love their burgers...), and yes - don't we go there for the DRINKS?

There's no question that the staff has room to grow in their appreciation of Vic's history and vibe - the good news is, the ones I talked to were interested, and want to do so! I had a long talk with the Patio bartender about various rums, etc, and she was grateful for (and admittedly in need of) the education!

More than anything I was just happy to see a Trader Vic's OPENING rather than closing, and with a full menu to boot - not just the "bar food" menu to which the Beverly Hills location has sadly been reduced.

We ALL would love to see "the real tiki bar vibe".... well, the Venus Lounge at the Venetian WAS the real thing - and we all know how long that lasted! Did anybody really think the "ultra lounge" at Vic's was going to play exotica?? They want to draw a crowd and be successful - if that leaves us old-schoolers relegated to the downstairs patio and dining room, so be it! As long as I can get a Mai Tai!

By the way, the hospitality manager (a gentleman named Mike, apparently with Vic's for decades - described as "a legend" by more than one employee) spoke to us for a while, and before we left, he very kindly presented my wife and me with one of those new TVLV glasses that a previous poster wanted to put in her purse. I guess we were just lucky....

We truly had a wonderful time (and went back a second time during our stay in town). We appreciated what was there, and didn't dwell on what wasn't. I encourage all those who can do the same to visit Trader Vic's in Las Vegas - I want it to succeed so that they'll continue their expansion all the way back to New York City!

My pics of the weekend can be found at
http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewPicture&friendID=118715667&albumId=1278559

Best,
Dennis

From Las Vegas Trader Vic’s site

http://www.tradervicslv.com/vicstory.asp
How Vic came to Las Vegas
(quote)
Although inspired by Trader Vic’s famed tropical island motif, Trader Vic’s Las Vegas will build upon the signature Polynesian décor of towering wooden tikis and amplify the tropical theme with two separate DJ booths, a 20-foot outdoor bar and lanai surrounded by palms, thatch, a sweeping shingled roof, and an upstairs Tiki Club-ultra lounge.

“Part of the magic of Trader Vic’s is its ability to temporarily transport our customers to far distant and imaginary shores,” said Bill Tremper, Vice President of Operations of DW Enterprises. “If you’re visiting Las Vegas you can take a vacation within a vacation and indulge upon the food, service, escapist ambience that is uniquely Trader Vic’s,” Tremper added.
( e quote)

Am I missing something here? I know I’m a fanatic and all. But I do feel there is a Trader Vic ethos that was ignored here. Come on Doc, Trader Vic’s isn’t another Coyote Ugly club is it? (Well it is ugly that’s true) But you know what I mean don’t you?.
You might try getting some artifacts from the California TV warehouse before TV Chicago cleans it out for their traditional Trader Vic’s they are opening soon.

We will be visiting your place next month, see you then.

"Although inspired by Trader Vic’s famed tropical island motif, Trader Vic’s Las Vegas will build upon the signature Polynesian décor of towering wooden tikis and amplify the tropical theme with two separate DJ booths, a 20-foot outdoor bar and lanai surrounded by palms, thatch, a sweeping shingled roof, and an upstairs Tiki Club-ultra lounge."

I get this creepy feeling that TVegas managenent wanted to do it right, tried to do it right, put a lot of moolah into the project, even hired an old-school guy to oversee opening operations,

but -

the design company, the ones who were actually contracted to do the facelift, DIDN'T GET IT! They just built another chrome lounge.

And upstairs - isn't the whole 'ultra-lounge' concept based on sampled 50s and 60s original lounge music? Mix bands like Thievery Corporation, etc.? Cause that stuff can sound pretty good; it isn't really techno. It's actually a perfect mix for TVegas, if its done right...

On 2007-11-17 07:46, Cammo wrote:

I get this creepy feeling that TVegas managenent wanted to do it right, tried to do it right, put a lot of moolah into the project, even hired an old-school guy to oversee opening operations,

but -

the design company, the ones who were actually contracted to do the facelift, DIDN'T GET IT! They just built another chrome lounge.

I'm not sure I agree. I think the management knew exactly what they wanted: another Vegas ultra lounge with some minor "tiki" accents and the Trader Vic's drinks, food and name. They probably saw the recent closings of tiki bars in Vegas and decided that visitors didn't want a tropical oasis, they wanted another ultra lounge. The problem is that it's location, name and "newness" factor will probably make it intially successful, until the new "latest thing" opens and everyone moves on.

Well, if the ultralounge fad passes and that isn't working any longer they still have a top notch location so redecorating and going after another demographic is not a difficult change to make.

Well, if the ultralounge fad passes and that isn't working any longer they still have a top notch location so redecorating and going after another demographic is not a difficult change to make.

On 2007-11-17 07:07, Ojaitimo wrote:
From Las Vegas Trader Vic’s site as of today,

towering wooden tikis and amplify the tropical theme with two separate DJ booths, a 20-foot outdoor bar and lanai surrounded by palms, thatch, a sweeping shingled roof, and an upstairs Tiki Club-ultra lounge.

OK,I've seen the two towering tiki but I'm not understanding your description on your site "Amplify the tropical theme with two separate DJ booths. The lanai surrounded by palm, thatch, a sweeping shingled roof"?

By the way, the hospitality manager (a gentleman named Mike, apparently with Vic's for decades - described as "a legend" by more than one employee) spoke to us for a while, and before we left, he very kindly presented my wife and me with one of those new TVLV glasses that a previous poster wanted to put in her purse. I guess we were just lucky....

My pics of the weekend can be found at
http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewPicture&friendID=118715667&albumId=1278559

That is Mike Emizawa, who was until recently with Trader Vic's in Scottsdale. Frankly I find it disappointing that he has moved (back) to Las Vegas, since he was likely a large part of what made the experience at the Scottsdale location so great. Hopefully he can bring some of that to LV, although from the pictures I've seen the interior of the restaurant was done very poorly.

Mike though is truly a class act. He personally shredded our MuShu Duck last time we were in Scottsdale, and made sure that our evening was perfect.

I googled him, just to see if I could find some more info on him, and found this post by him on ReviewJournal.com :

Mike Emizawa wrote on November 05, 2007 02:41 PM: "Dear Norm:
I am back(for good)in town after a long absence in Scottsdale, AZ, with Trader Vic's there. I now, am here with the new Trader Vic's at Planet Hollywood resort as
an Ambassador. My home Tel. #(702)269-####. Oh, I was the first GM @ Shintaro when it opened in late 98'! Love to hear from you. Mike E, formerly with
Golden Nugget's Lillie Langtry's, MGM Grand's Grand Wok and Shintaro @ Bellagio."

He will definitely be missed at TV Scottsdale.

Chris

....nuff said.

i found this on a lasvegas-forum posted from a guy
who wanted to visit tv the night after the lv-marathon:

"...
Trader Vic's was a huge disappointment.

So disappointing that, ultimately, we didn't even have a drink there.

There is none of the tiki charm that old Trader Vic's
(like the one in the Palmer House Hilton in Chicago) had.
The only nod to traditional tiki was two structural columns
shaped like tiki statues in the dining room.

The vibe was cool to the point of being cold.

A hostess showed us to the bar; the bartender,
who was busy loudly proclaiming to two acquaintances sitting at the bar
that people who drank on the strip were idiots
when we sat down, ignored us for about 5 minutes
while he talked to his friends.
There was no one else sitting at the bar at the time.

After a few minutes we simply got up and left.

It seems that the owners have gone for an ultra-lounge feel,
and this place bears no resemblance to any Trader Vics I've ever seen.

We checked out a menu, and tiki cocktails went for $12-14,
with some choices going higher.
Most dinner items were in the $25-$35 range.

It just didn't seem friendly at all,
which is a shame because it's in a great location
at the front of the Miracle Mile shops at PH.
..."

Over/Under [Jan. 2009] on when Trader Vic's Vegas closes?

Damn, I guess I need to take a road trip to Vegas to check out TV before it does close.

Tsk, Tsk. Betting on when a brand new tiki bar is going to close seems more than a little cynical even for this progress-weary group.

Live aloha and support tiki in all its incarnations.