Spring Break 2019 Tiki Tour: The Golden Tiki Part 1

Friday, April 5, 2019

Our flight left today around 4:30 p.m. so we had some time to work with to squeeze in another place on our tiki bar tour. 

Located in Chinatown, The Golden Tiki was very minimalist in terms of tiki-ness on the outside. Inside, however, was a tiki lover's paradise. 

Like Frankie's Tiki Room, The Golden Tiki was awesome. We got there around 11:00 a.m. and the place wasn't very busy. Our bartender, Roxanne, was very welcoming and took really good care of us. 

I looked over the menu and was at a loss as to where to even start drink-wise. Roxanne recommended the Lime In the Coconut cocktail which she said was one of her personal favorites and that it didn't hurt that it was also served flaming. I had to try it. She didn't steer me wrong cuz I loved it. The drink menu described it as: "Don Q Cristal and Malibu coconut rum combined with Giffard Orgeat and fresh lime." The flame came from a sugar cube soaked in something flammable and floated on a lime. (see above)

Spring Break 2019 Tiki Tour: Frankie's Tiki Room Part 3

Thursday, April 4, 2019

Frankie's Tiki Room turned out to be a bit different from what I expected. Now I know that Las Vegas and tiki bars themselves are by nature over the top. However, I was expecting Frankie's to more stylized, sleek, and even outlandish, like something you might see in a theme park. It ended up being smaller and more down home than I thought. It felt something like a much loved neighborhood dive bar. Dale and I loved it. 

Spring Break 2019 Tiki Tour: Frankie's Tiki Room Part 2

Thursday, April 4, 2019

When we arrived the joint wasn't very busy. We found seats at a table and were approached by someone in an aloha shirt. He said something to us but it was hard to hear him over the din of the bar. I assumed he asked what we wanted. I told him I'd need a minute. He responded, "I've got a minute," and continued to stand by our table. After a few quiet moments Dale broke the awkward pause and said he'd have a beer and asked what they had. The guy told us we'd have to order at the bar but that he'd need an I.D. Both of us embarrassed, I realized that that's what he must've said in the first place and pulled out my I.D. I'm impressed with how patient he was with us when I realized how what I'd said actually sounded. Anyway, all was forgiven and he moved to a seat by the door. We figured he was the bouncer and must have briefly stepped away from his post when we walked in. 

Frankie's was the main reason I'd wanted to make the side trip to Vegas in the first place so it was good to finally make it. 

I started with the a Tangerine Speedo which the menu described thusly: "One of these zesty refreshers of rhum, juices, creme de cassis and Chambord will give you the courage to wear the Speedo. Drink two and you will want to go commando."

Tangerine Speedo

I loved it!

Next I went for the Nakalele Knockout because I wanted to buy the mug it came in. However, the bartender, Mike, told me he was out of that particular mug but that he'd make it and put it in another mug of my choice. I went with the mug meant for the Lava Letch cocktail (pictured above). The Nakalele Knockout  is described on the menu as such: "This tangy refresher of rums, hibiscus and lime pays tribute to the human sacrifices once offered to the namesake blowhole on Maui. Drink on and count your blessings. Drink two and watch your step." I loved it.

Drink number three was the Sea Hag which is the one shown above and not in the tiki mug. The drink menu says this of the Sea Hag: "This wicked wallop of gold rum, blackberry brandy, guava nectar and Cherry Heering will give you the magical power to make those around you disappear." It was well made but a little too bitter for my liking. 

Shown above is my faithful photographer who sometimes helps out in my quest to over-document my life. Thanks, Dale, for driving and visiting so many tiki bars with this tiki nut. 

Spring Break 2019 Tiki Tour: Frankie's Tiki Room Part 1

Thursday, April 4, 2019

After a number of days in Phoenix Dale and I planned an overnight get-away to Las Vegas. 

Dale amazes me with his ability to get around large and unfamiliar places, especially at nighttime. We made it to Frankie's Tiki Room without much effort and were about to begin our adventure in the world of Vegas tiki. 

Spring Break 2019 Tiki Tour: Hula's Modern Tiki - My Critiki Review

Tuesday, April 2, 2019

"Overall very pleasant experience. Service was friendly and excellent. Food fantastic and drinks good."

"Much more contemporary vibe and very light inside. I prefer more traditional tiki decor and atmosphere than this place offers."

"However, it's hard to fault the place for this as the name of the establishment is Hula's MODERN tiki. In the end what all comes down to for me is would I go again? The answer? A resounding YES!!"

Spring Break 2019 Tiki Tour: Hula's Modern Tiki - Good Food and Drink

Tuesday, April 2, 2019

Dale and I are in Phoenix for spring break this year. We're staying with Dianne and John along with John's daughter Sarah and her husband Tim. We're also getting to spend lots of time with Brenda and Irv who are now fully settled nearby. 

I'm always up for visiting a tiki bar and Dianne recommended we try a place called Hula's Modern Tiki. Excellent choice. The food and drinks were fantastic. 

Sarah and Tim, Dale and I, neighbors Kirk and Theresa, all accompanied John and Dianne to Hula's Modern Tiki for dinner and drinks tonight. Sarah and Theresa were jazzed to try the Scorpion Bowl which is a shared drink and a tiki cocktail classic. 

I agreed to help out and Dale, not a mixed drink fan, was willing to give it a try.

John was eager to try it too but needed a little help as the straw wasn't quite long enough to reach him.

I think he liked it. 

I also tried out Hula's version of the Zombie. Quite good.