The Castaways, Manitou Springs, CO (restaurant)

Name:The Castaways
Type:restaurant
Street:103 Manitou Avenue Ave.
City:Manitou Springs
State:CO
Zip:80829
country:USA
Phone:(877) 586-3300
Status: defunct

Description:
The Castaways "Pirate" Restaurant is a kid friendly place with some tiki remnants still visible. Opened in 1971, 3 dining rooms and downstairs ballrooms that once hosted live music. Sub-par drinks and so-so food. Currently for sale.

Web Site

[ Edited by: Kenike 2011-12-15 17:50 ]

[ Edited by: Kenike 2013-09-16 08:43 ]

The Castaways, located in Manitou Springs, CO, well seasoned spot that has lost much of the magic it apparently once had and yet you can still find a lot of interesting things if you look hard enough. Sadly, based on the little info I was able to gather when I visited last July, it’s days are numbered. The staff seem like a nice bunch of folks who just can’t pretend to be excited anymore.

The Castway’s promotes itself as "The Pirate Restaurant." I never got a clear answer but it sounds like the pirate thing came about to capitalize on the popularity of "Pirates of the Caribbean." The staff all dress in pirate garb and there's some pirate-y stuff around, but mostly a hodge-podge of cheap plastic safari animals and trinkets mixed with pink flamingos.

If you look closely enough you can tell that at one time this place was very tiki. There's a few poles that have been painted and a big tiki inside the main entrance. It too was painted but most of the paint was worn off. Those fangs didn’t seem to belong on a tiki that looked to be fairly old, but a fanged tiki is what you’re greeted with upon entering.

I was told this giant shell lamp was hand-made by a loyal customer and given as a gift to the owner several years ago.

Several of the lamps look Orchids of Hawaii-ish and a few of the booths had some tapa decor and bamboo.

This old buffet or salad bar now only serves up fake plastic fish and booster seats

I did spot one float and one fish trap

The drink menu had several drinks I'm used to seeing on a Trader Vics menu...The Fogcutter and Suffering Bastard taste basically the same (and nothing like the original) and are served in the Castaways signature mug you get to keep. It's the plastic parrot mug from Dynasty Wholesale. Surprisingly, the drink I liked most was a Mai Tai, which tasted nothing like a Mai Tai, but tasty nonetheless. It appears they use Creme de Noyaux instead of orgeat in many drinks. Bar syrup was taken from a margarita machine and described as a "base." Drinks are in the $9.00 range.

Food ranged from steak to seafood to pasta...I'd give it a solid 6.5 rating.

The Castaways has 3 dining rooms, two of which were closed. Unfortunately, the one with the sunken bar and a Hawaiian mural was left in the dark. I tried to get a photo but it doesn’t do this room justice.

Spotted this outrigger in another darkened room...along with a boat o' booty...

I was told that the downstairs ballrooms are now for private parties but at one time was host to some REALLY big musical acts like Frankie Avalon, The Four Kingsmen, Chubby Checker.. and, based on the autographed photos on the wall of fame, Ray Charles has been here.

I took a peek inside one of the ballrooms but couldn’t find a lightswitch. When I finally did find one, I was greeted by wall to wall red naugahide!!

The "gift shop" was filled with more Dynasty stuff, but I did spot 2 Orchids of Hawaii coconuts which I promptly grabbed.

And so, as is the story with any privately owned once great place, the owner is getting up there in years. The end is neigh...

[ Edited by: Kenike 2011-12-15 17:51 ]

Thanks for your report on this place. I hope it doesn't fall into the "defunct" category. I hope to visit the area next year and will keep tabs on the place in case they are still operating then.

Interesting find. Very "old school". Which makes me wonder if this place was not at one time part of that "old school" restaurant chain...

http://www.specialtyrestaurants.com/src/restaurants.aspx

...founded by David Tallichet, they had several Castaways in their group:

http://nrn.com/article/tallichet-founder-specialty-restaurants-dies-84

[ Edited by: bigbrotiki 2011-12-19 21:49 ]

Just saw on Craigslist that they are closing and selling off the tiki stuff:

http://denver.craigslist.org/bfs/3596513651.html

Sigh. T'is the way of things...

I was able to stop by and buy a few great things. I am sad to see it go but the owner's son seems to appreciate tiki history (and has a good knowledge of other local tiki bars from years past.) Prices are good but not giveaway which is as it should be. They are keeping the basement as is for private parties and they may host auctions in the future he said. I hope Adrift gets wind of this and is able to improve their decor. PM if anyone wants the contact info.

gabbahey