Aloha Grill

It was one of those summer Mondays. I was tired and it was a long day at the office. So I grabbed my husband and whisked him away to the Aloha Grill located in Huntington Beach. Kind of a mistake on our part, because it was hot and muggy AND the parking was a pain. I imagine if we didn’t go in the middle of the summer it would have been much better. We sat inside which had some really cool tike carvings. I grabbed their menu and THE RAINBOW. Their world famous slushy drink. Well when in Rome right? Plus it was so hot I needed a cool drink. After that I of course ordered a mai tai. It wasn’t bad. I would order it again. I can’t wait to go back and try some other drinks! Also, the rainbow drink tasted like a watermelon gobstopper. In case anyone was wondering.

Luau Larry's

I have been making a habit out of going to Catalina Island for my birthday. Last year we went we had breakfast, walked around Avalon, did a submarine tour around the area and an island tour. It was pretty awesome. So this year I just wanted to take it easy and relax.  Luckily for me there is a tiki bar on the island!

Luau Larry is located right in front of the water. We got there early so there was no lunch time rush. It looks small but there is a room in the back to host more patrons if they need it. Staff is nice, food was good, Mai tai was mediocre and not anything to write home about. I did have a second drink but I can’t remember what it was but it was pretty good. I would go back! Maybe next year ;)

Don the Beachcomber presents - The International Tiki Marketplace

Thanks to all of the tiki folk on instagram they let me know of a awesome happening at Don the Beachcomber. About once a month they have something called the International Tiki Marketplace. The best way to describe it is like a tiki flea marketplace. There was one actually one today! I missed it today but hoping I might catch the next one. I really enjoyed the one I went to last month! Also I forgot to mention you get a free drink with admission!

Frankie's Tiki Room

I mentioned before, that I would occasionally derail my southern California hunt and visit some places not listed. This bar was one of those I meant. Back when I was Las Vegas resident this place opened right before I moved to California. So I got to see it once and when I did it was 9 am on a Wednesday morning so obviously wasn’t exciting and I still had to work so I couldn’t even buy a drink. On June 1st we went to go visit some family in Las Vegas and to make up for the heat my husband promised a trip to Frankie's and I was NOT disappointed!

Originally Frankie’s Bar and Cocktail lounge, when it was for sale the owner of the Double Down Saloon saw its potential as a place where the tiki culture could be saved. Even though Las Vegas is a mecca for bars tiki bars just don’t seem to stick well but they have really done a great job in the decor and drinks to make it the tiki go to in the city!

We were pretty bored on a Saturday and it was early in the afternoon, hot, dry and we were thirsty. We headed to Frankie's Tiki Room located on Charleston right next to the UMC hospital. I know it’s a weird place for a bar. As soon as we walked in it was so dim it really took a while to get used to the dim lighting inside. We stepped up to the bar and decided to sit at a table. It was hard to see but there was plenty of seating. At first, we had to read the menus with our phones but shortly after my eyes adjusted I was able to really enjoy the whole experience. 

The menu is long and has a guide on its potency, which I really enjoyed. Everyone in my party got something different and of course I had a sip of everyone’s drink I was so excited that everything was absolutely amazing! I don’t remember what the bartenders name was but she deserves an award for making some great drinks. The mai tai was delicious and I wouldn’t mind going back and getting another..and another...

Now, on to mugs and books. Of course most tiki places have their own tiki mugs that are different with each place. What I LOVE about this place is that all of their mugs are absolutely unique and really have personalities of their own? The owner was also approached about doing a book with recipes. He had written several fiction books but nothing tiki related. His book Liquid Vacation goes over tiki history off Las Vegas and 77 different tiki recipes. Including recipes for some of their famous drinks in the bar. My husband being the awesome man that he is bought me a book on our way out and my mother went to the launch party of the book and had it signed for me by the author! I am so excited to receive the book back! I read it and can’t wait to put it to good use!