kicking back, thoughts of a tropical paradise
Tiki bars are one of those places that ebb and flow in popularity, but here in the Bay Area, there are some standards, no institutions that never go away. I for one cannot imagine not taking visitors to San Francisco to the Tonga Room where else can you enjoy a tropical rainstorm in a high end hotel (the Fairmont) while sipping a fruity concoction complete with paper parasol. This bar is an institution in San Francisco having been around since 1945.
The History of the Tiki Bar
Surprisingly (at least for me) Tiki bars predate World War I, people were starting to explore the world as air and sea travel was not just for the affluent. As might be expected, people were interested in seeing what exotic locales were like, and vacationing in the “South Seas” was a sure sign of status.
As with any popular idea or there, entrepreneurial folks quickly developed money making ideas to capitalize on the interest. As a result, nightclubs opened around the country with a South Seas island there.
a bit of the tropics on foggy Geary
The first tiki bar is considered to be Hollywood’s “Don the Beachcomber Restaurant.” Donn Beach (the name was just too good to be true) renamed himself in 1934 having previously spent his life as Earnest Raymond Beaumont Gantt. started the craze, decorating his beach themed restaurant and bar with nets, starfish, and shells. However, that was just a beach themed bar, it was not until he added real artifacts to his tiki decor (the diving masks, spears, and specifically the carved idols from various islands), that his restaurant distinguished themselves from all of the other island-themed establishments. This was the first tiki bar. Soon others followed suit, and the craze for the tiki bar was well and truly on its way.
World War II accelerated the demand for this bar in the United States as American G.I.s actually spent time in the South Pacific islands, and gravitated to Don’s and other tiki bars when they returned stateside.
tropical paradise
Added to that incentive, about this time that Hawaii became a state, and this further fueled the trend. Americans loved the idea of a warm tropical paradise, to the extend that at one time, nearly every American city had at least one tiki bar. The only problem was that most bar owners could not afford authentic artifacts or fly/sail to the locations to pick them up. As luck would have it, equally enterprising companies sprang up to offer special South Sea reproductions to support the burgeoning tiki bar scene.
What Exactly is a Tiki, Anyway?
The word “tiki” was originally the Maori word for image, but has since come to be associated with a carved statue representing a Polynesian god. Most tikis are depicted standing in the traditional Polynesian “power posture,” which is head up, knees flexed, and arms held curved at the sides.
Let's hear it for the man!
Besides being an art form, tikis serve a wide variety of other purposes from magical objects used as a focus for telepathic influence in voodoo-like ceremonies. Other tikis (like my friend here) were carved with large mouths and threatening expressions and placed in doorways to scare off evil spirits. Still others are used for healing and good luck, and some were just for decoration.
Tiki Bar Nibble and Libations
Even if you have never been to a Tiki Bar, I’m will to place a bet, that you’ve encountered some of the food that they made popular:
Mai Tai‘s (invented in that first Tiki Bar)
Crab Rangoon, now de rigeur in most every Chinese Restaurant in the US.
More on Mai Tai’s
Both Trader Vic’s (the orignial restaurant in Oakland, CA) and that Don, the Beachcomber (Hollywood) claim to have invented the MaiTai, but the recipes are differnt. The Mai Tai is an alcoholic cocktail made with rum, Curaçao liqueur, and lime juice, thats hard to imagine being drunk without a tiki close at hand.
The name for the drink is a variation of “Maita’i” the Tahitian word for “good.” In the Trader Vic version of its invention, the Trader (Victor J. Bergeron) created the drink for some visiting Tahitian friends. One of those friends, upon tasting it exclaimed, “Maita’i roa ae!” (Literally “very good!”, or “Out of this world! The Best!”) — hence the name.
For obvious reasons, the Mai Tai rapidly became such a popular cocktail in the 1950s and 1960s that virtually every restaurant, particularly tiki-themed restaurants or bars served them.
So kick back with a Mai Tai and enjoy a pupu platter and think of the tropics, or better yet, have a real tiki experience and seek out your own tiki bar.
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Update On Me: I haven’t posted in a while and apologize for being silent. I may have mentioned I took on a new project, and as a consultant, so I’ve been doing a lot of the other work in my off hours, and when I finally sat in front of my computer, I was too tired to even think of writing a post. I’d come up with an idea and could not even form the sentences. The good news is that I think I am over the hump, so I hope to be a bit more regular, but bear with me, I have some odd (but great) projects pop up, like speaking to Russian entrepreneurs on innovation (you cannot say no to requests like that). The bad news is that I probably will not be as frequent as I have been in the past. I also know I am so far behind on reading so many of your wonderful posts. Believe me I intend to savor them and I will try to be a more frequent visitor, again I will make every effort to comment on all of them. I missed the writing and the reading and hope to have this back as a regular part of my life soon.
I’ve never been to a Tiki bar…I didn’t realize tikis really DID exist. I mean, I thought it was just an
“exotic” thing for tourists. Haha!
I’m glad you’re back! I totally understand being tired of staring into the computer screen after doing it for so long. I usually have no desire to blog or read blogs after working on an article or paper for hours on my laptop. I hope you’re having a good time on your new project though!
I’ve never been to a tiki bar, but I’ll have to check out the Tonga Room soon! And Mai Tai’s can be very dangerous!!! That’s all I’m gonna say…
I was glad to see your post pop up, but I totally understand that little time remains for blogging when life gets busy! Enjoy your projects!
Andrea@WellnessNotes recently posted..CSA Veggies and Workout Adjustments
love these places so much fun great write up
rebecca recently posted..Dropped Scones
I was just recently reading about Trader Vic’s & Mai Tai, when I was making my mai tai gelee. Fun info! Glad to see you back online
5 Star Foodie recently posted..5 Star Makeover- White Asparagus Roundup
Kitschy or not, I love tiki decor! And the drinks that go with it. I’m looking forward to the next chance I get to sit back with a mai tai and dream of a tropical getaway!
lisaiscooking recently posted..Pistachio Tart with Strawberries and Rhubarb
I have always had a fascination with all things Tiki. I’m hoping to do a post about Trader Vic in the future. (when I find his book actually) and would love to include this link Lou Ann. GREAT info!!!
I’m sorry you’re going through a hectic time. Not to worry, we understand. Just remember to, breath:)
Louise recently posted..The Yummy Month of May!!!
Sophia – Project is very fun, its more the commute that’s killing me – took me 1.5 hours this morning, so that by the time I get home dog tired. But the break makes me feel more focused, so I guess I needed it.
Andrea – Thanks for the support. The Tonga Room would be a fun break for you when you are wandering around the city, and a walk up to Nob Hill makes one very thirsty for Mai Tai’s. =)
Rebecca – Thanks!
5 Star – I need to check out your recipe – sounds divine!
Lisa – I am so with you there.
Louise – Can’t wait to read your write up and please feel free to link. Thanks for the support. I really appreciate it.
Its great to see a real Tiki umbrella, the one I saw on Ultimate cakeoff confused me
.
And my dear – focus on your projects. Everything has its time and place and much as blogging is dear to the heart, life only offers 24 hours. Which includes sleep time. Stay strong!
Thanks so much for explaining the appeal of something so kitschy that has always befuddled me.
I have enjoyed Tiki bars without knowing a thing about them! Many thanks for info – there is something about them that spell “paradise.” Best of luck with your new projects – sounds exciting! Always happy to discover a post from you in my inbox.
Claudia recently posted..Pizza Rustica
What a fun post…I love tiki bars, such good times
Hope your project is coming along well 
With the first photo – I’m in holidays, especially to the Polynesia
The Mai Tai is international but I’ve never visited a bar like that – as soon as possible in my plans!
Cheers,
Gera
Gera@Sweets Foods Blog recently posted..StumbleUpon Tips and Tricks to Stumble Upon like a Rockstar!
I have never been to a Tiki bar. Would really love to visit it!
Angie@Angiesrecipes recently posted..Chicken Rice with Black Fungus- Parmesan and Cherry Radish Leaves
Oh I so wish it were warm enough here to get in a tiki bar mood. I love tropical drinks outdoors in the summer!
I Wilkerson recently posted..Summer is Icumen In…with Summer Salads
I had no idea I was sitting in such history while sipping my fruity cocktail. How interesting! Although, I’m not sure I’ve been to an authentic tiki bar or just a representation. Either way, I love them!
It sounds like things are going well! I’ve been so far behind in my reading and writing as well. I know that exact feeling when you have the time to write, but your brain is too tired to do it. I’ll be here reading any time you have the time (and energy) to for a post
I’ve learned more through your blog than any other source I have for food and culture!
Lori recently posted..Bourbon- Chocolate Chip- Pecan Cookies for Derby Day- More Baking with Coconut Oil
Never been to a tiki bar:-( life happens and as much as we love it blogging doesn’t pay the bills ( for some of us anyway) find your balance and if it means a little bit of dead air for a while we won’t take it personally:-)
This is a cool story. So I guess the bottom line is that tiki bars are unique to the US? I’ve been to the Tonga Room and it is as incredible as your describe. The rainfall over the swimming pool/ exotic lake is unbelievable. In fact, until I saw it myself, I didn’t believe it was possible. I was with a friend and we shared a very large and very strong cocktail in a huge bowl with a flaming volcano in the center using super long straws. Wonderful!
Have you by chance seen the Brady Bunch episode when they travel to Hawaii and one of the kids finds a tiki and everyone starts getting cursed? I wonder thinking about this now if somehow the annexation of Hawaii wasn’t somehow related to the tiki phenomena?
Hey Stevie,
I remember that episode, you would think there’d be a connection with Hawaii, but everything I mentioned pointed to farther afield.