Big Kahuna Bash 5 - Part 3

Saturday, July 29, 2023

For my second drink I got the Mai Tai. It was great. 

Dale got a Coors Light. 

Perfect weather for the event. 

A couple of classic cars were driven to the event. Dale poses here with a Plymouth. How do you get parts for something like this when repairs are needed?

I'm posing with a Cadillac Coupe de Ville. This car gets referenced by Joan Blondell in a one of our favorite movies, Desk Set.

The best dressed award went to Dr. Frankenstein and The Bride. The event was judged by the artist joSH AGle (SHAG). He flew out from California and actually MC'd the whole event. 

jane.g.design on Instagram

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Big Kahuna Bash 5 - Part 2

Saturday, July 29, 2023

Usually Dale and I go in the later afternoon and stay into the evening. However, due to Sam, Becky, and the boys being in town we've got dinner plans this evening. 

For my first drink I got the Surfing' Bird. It's named after the song by the Trashmen, a Minnesota classic surf band. It was made from rum, M & R bitters, fresh pineapple juice, lime, and simple syrup. It was delicious. Dale got a Coors Light. We sat down outside and were joined by a couple named John and Dawn. They were very nice and we shared some travel and tiki stories. John got the Big Kahuna to drink which was made with dark rum, citrus, honey, and passion fruit. John said the bartender told him there was also tea in it. He didn't seem to like it very much. 

Next Dale and I checked out the vendors. There was a lot to see. 

I picked up a couple of lowball glasses from the Black Lagoon Room. I find them to be pretty groovy. 

Big Kahuna Bash 5 - Part 1

Saturday, July 29, 2023

Dale and I headed to Grumpy's in Nordeast for the 5th annual Big Kahuna Bash. This is the 4th one we've attended. Couldn't make it last year because Dale needed to be on Madeline for an event. 

Started out be grabbing some Vietnamese food from the D & D Goodies food truck.

It was delicious. We got a couple of (huge) egg rolls, some dumplings and also some shrimp tempura. Good gravy it was awesome. 

For the previous 4 occasions the event has been held at Grumpy's bar in Roseville, a suburb of St. Paul. However, this year (not sure of the reason) the event was held at Grumpy's Minneapolis location. 

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. 

Bikini Lounge Part 2

Friday, July 21, 2023

Great time. We'll be back.