Hula's Modern Tiki - Phoenix

 Friday, February 2, 2024

Dale and I are in Phoenix to visit family so we took the opportunity to revisit Hula's Modern Tiki at the 7th Street location in Phoenix. 

Listened to Mondo Exotica from the Ultra Lounge on the drive in.

It took some effort to get there as we headed into town during rush hour. However, it turned out to be well worth the wait. I got a kick out of this picture hanging in the restaurant. It looks like the cover of a Pink Martini album cover. 

                     

Tiki drinks are only $8.00 each during happy hour. I started with the Blood Orange Martini which I've had before and is one of my favorites. According to the menu it contains vodka, blood orange liqueur, orange, lime, and cranberry juices. Not over sweet and the blood oranges provide a nice sharpness which gives it a great bite. Dale went with a house red wine during our time here. 

                    

Appetizers only 8 bucks as well. We had the Crispy Fish Bites. So delicious. We both loved 'em. 

                     

For my second drink I went with the Tiki Bastard. This one has gin, bourbon, pomegranate syrup, lime juice, and cock 'n bull ginger brew. Very unique. 

                      

For my third drink I had the Hula's Blue Hawaiian. This contains coconut rum, vodka, sweet & sour, blue curacao, coconut, and pineapple. A little sweeter than the other two but not overly so and the sweetness works well with the coconut flavors. 

                     

For dinner we each had Caesar salads. Dale got his with tuna but I had mine with shrimp. Again, delicious. 

                      

Our bartender took really good care of us. 

The place was lively and had great energy. 

Our drive back to Peoria was a bit quicker than our journey into town. 

Lit up a stogie once we got home. 

Fun outing today. Dale and I both had a great time. 

Phoenix July 2023 - Hula's Modern Tiki

Tuesday, July 25, 2023

We arrived at the restaurant pretty early, say 4 p.m., and it was unsurprisingly not busy due to how early it was. By the time we left after 6 it was hoppin'. The place had a great energy and vibe. Dale and I both had a wonderful time. 

Hula's doesn't go the traditional route of a tiki bar being dark on the inside. The front of the restaurant has big window which let's in lot's of natural light. However, the name of the place makes it clear that this isn't a traditional tiki bar, at least in terms of atmosphere. That said the drinks, the food, and much of the decor are top notch. 

Can't wait to go again!

Phoenix July 2023 - Hula's Modern Tiki: The Food

Tuesday, July 25, 2023

By the way, for an appetizer we ordered the Hawaiian ceviche which was whitefish with chips. Yum. For dinner Dale got the chicken Cesar and I got the mango and shrimp Cesar. Wow. Not only were the drinks fantastic but so was the food. 

Phoenix July 2023 - Hula's Modern Tiki: The Cocktails

Tuesday, July 25, 2023

Dale and I stopped at Hula's Modern Tiki today and we made it in time for happy hour! Tiki cocktails were only 7 bucks (down from 12) and all appetizers were 7 bucks as well. 

Our bartender was great. I acknowledged to her my awareness that most tiki drinks have an element of sweetness but I'm not fond of drinks which are overly so. I asked if she could recommend one that had a little sharpness to balance out the sweet. Before she could say anything I asked about the Pink Bikini Martini because I thought it sounded interesting and that the color pink is quite IN because of the Barbie movie. She matter-of-factly told me that that's about the sweetest drink on the menu and that it basically tastes like a watermelon Jolly Rancher. I appreciated her honesty. She recommended the Zombie which is what I went with. She was spot on about it not being over sweet. I've had Zombies before and have found them to be less sweet but you never know how individual establishments make them. According to their drink menu their Zombie has "Bacardi light rum, dark rum, overproof rum, passion fruit, pineapple and lime juices." It was awesome. Dale had a beer. 

For my next drink she recommended the Hawaii 5-0. According to the menu it consists of "Bacardi light rum, spiced rum,pineapple, passion fruit, orange and cranberry juices." I liked this one even better than the Zombie. I also liked that it had a slight fizzy element to it. Dale had a beer. 

For my third (and final drink) our bartender recommended the Blood Orange Martini. The menu listed the ingredients as "vodka, blood orange liqueur, orange, lime and cranberry juices." She said she found it to be very refreshing. Agreed. Again, a winner. Dale had a beer. 

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.