Archive for September, 2008

Adventurer’s Club says its last “Kungaloosh!”

Saturday, September 27th, 2008

Adventurer’s Club Pleasure IslandToday is the last day of operation for the Adventurer’s Club (and the rest of the bars at Disney’s Pleasure Island) in Orlando. Although not strictly a tiki bar, the Adventurer’s Club featured many elements that appealed to the tiki crowd: talking masks and stone heads, live comedic characters, and mostly decent drinks.

The club’s motto, “Kungaloosh!” was also the name of one of its best beverages. There were at least two distinct recipes: pre-2000 and post-2000. The post-2000 version was (in my opinion) a dreadful combination of blackberry brandy and commercial strawberry mix. The pre-2000 is a lot more interesting and much more flavorful:

Old Kungaloosh Recipe - Circa 1997

1 1/4 ounce vodka
1 1/4 ounce Malibu Rum
3/4 ounce Midori (melon liqueur)
2 tablespoons 1 ounce pineapple juice
1 splash cranberry juice

Mix well in a shaker.

Word has it that the Pleasure Island area never really made enough money to justify its existence — and it drove a huge wedge between the overly crowded Disney Marketplace and the not-crowded enough Westside. The hope is that by eliminating the clubs and filling the space with shops and restaurants, the traffic will flow smoothly though the entire area. To that I say, “Balderdash!”

UPDATE: My wife and I made and taste-tested the recipe above as a tribute since we couldn’t make the event itself. Our findings:

1) 2 tablespoons = 1 ounce. It seems odd to me that a mixologist would make a rookie mistake of marking the quantity of pineapple juice as 2 tablespoons when all the other quantities are labeled as ounces. It makes me wonder if this is a misprint and the original actually calls for 2 teaspoons.

2) The above recipe, as is, tastes pretty much as I remember it — very funky. I think in a good way. It’s not really a “refreshing” taste. I think surprising is a better word.

3) Using a full ounce of Midori instead of 3/4 improved the flavor somewhat.

4) All of the ingredients are nearly colorless except the Midori and the cranberry juice. Can anyone confirm that this drink was predominantly green pre-2000? Adding more cranberry juice moves the color closer to brown, since red and green are opposites on the color wheel, but the Midori colors the Kungaloosh green, green, green!

Great tiki pumpkin carving ideas

Thursday, September 25th, 2008

Tiki pumpkinRegina of the anatomy of thought blog has put together an inspiring gallery of tiki themed carved pumpkins. With Halloween a little more than a month away, now is a good time to start thinking about how to celebrate.

Read Halloween Goodness - Tiki Pumpkin Inspiration at anatomy of thought

First Hukilau 2009 event announced: Tiki Beach boat cruise

Tuesday, September 23rd, 2008

Hukilau 2009 cruisePlans for Hukilau 2009, the annual gathering of tiki fans in Ft. Lauderdale, are shaping up for the weekend of June 11-14. The organizer, Tiki Kiliki, just announced the first event of the weekend: a three-hour cruise on the inter coastal waterway aboard the very tropical “Tiki Beach” boat.

The cruise will start sometime on Friday afternoon (3:30PM is the tentitive time) and it looks like it’s going to be fun time with the following activities and ammenities planned:

  • An authentic Mai-Kai Rum Punch cocktail - complimentary as you board
  • A 3 Hour Tour of the inter coastal waterways of Fort Lauderdale, better known as the “Venice of America”
  • Complimentary appetizers and Polynesian delights
  • A “Cruise Only” Hukilau keepsake
  • An exclusive performance by the Exotica band “Stolen Idols”

The cruise is priced at $80 each and is limited to 150 participants.

My wife and I took the cruise back in 2004, the year Hurricane Jean forced everyone to abondon the event early. We had a blast and will probably do it again next year!

Get more information at www.thehukilau.com

The Eighth Annual Official Tiki Central Tiki Bar Crawl, San Francisco, CA

Monday, September 22nd, 2008

Tiki Central Tiki Crawl 8Tiki Central, the world’s largest online tiki community is very proud to present

The Eighth Annual Official Tiki Central San Francisco Bay Area Tiki Bar Crawl!

Come join in the biggest Bay Area Tiki Bar Crawl yet! Four days! Ten Bars! Savor the world of tiki with visits to bars and restaurants both new and legendary all over the Bay Area. Celebrate the rich history of tiki in the Bay Area, and its lasting impact for over 70 years. Make your plans today to join in an exciting four day weekend of good friends, good drinks, and good tiki. It all starts on:

THURSDAY, October 9th: SOUTH BAY THURSDAY

We once again return to the South Bay to enjoy two top notch spots: Smoke Tiki in San Jose and Trader Vic’s in Palo Alto. We will also be featuring a very special performance from Project: Pimento, one of the top acts in the world of exotica and lounge music. And you’ll be able to enjoy the entire event from the comfort and safety of an air-conditioned shuttle bus which will depart from San Francisco that afternoon. Don’t miss all the great times and great tunes as we kick off the weekend in style.

FRIDAY, October 10th: FRISCO FRIDAY

San Francisco continues to offer some of the best tiki bars around, both new and old, and each year is always a memorable experience as we trace the roots of tiki across the City by the Bay. We will start as per tradition at the legendary Trad’r Sam’s. Open since 1939 (or possibly 1937), Trad’r Sam’s is the quintessential neighborhood tiki dive bar, and the oldest continuously operating tiki bar on earth. Step into history at this friendly watering hole for an early happy hour meet and greet. Then it’s off to one of the last great temples of mid-century American Tiki, the Tonga Room. Located in the beautiful Fairmont Hotel, and recently given a fresh update (still plenty o’ tiki, have no fear!), The Tonga Room continues to dazzle with its amazing décor, tropical rainstorms, and potent potables. Then it’s up to North Beach to the mighty Bamboo Hut, serving up tiki goodness for almost a decade- and featuring killer tunes spun by DJ Jab and DJ Otto Von Stroheim!

SATURDAY, October 11TH: EAST BAY SATURDAY

Our first stop will be Forbidden Island. Located in the heart of Alameda, Forbidden Island offers true vintage tiki bar atmosphere and world class cocktails to match—you may have seen them featured in the New York Times, San Francisco Chronicle, Food & Wine, the Today Show, and much more. Then it’s off to the Conga Lounge, Oakland’s oasis and home to expertly prepared cocktails, award-winning pizza, and an amazing atmosphere—all set to the upbeat tunes of DJ Tropic. So grab a bite and get ready for the next stop, Oakland’s Kona Club. In a stunningly designed space, you’ll enjoy a terrific array of cocktails and beers- and don’t miss the hypnotic hula girl or erupting volcano!

After that, we’re very proud to announce that we will make our way to the place that started it all for a very special, once in a lifetime event: Trader Vic’s Emeryville!! You spoke, and we listened, and moved Vic’s to the end so that it will be our grand finale! So get ready: For the first time ever, we will be taking over their stunning main dining room for a cocktail reception like you’ve never seen! Trader Vic’s famous exotic cocktails, delicious food, and historic décor will all be at your fingers, as you mix, mingle, and swoon to the gentle hapa haole sounds of the Bay Area’s own Mai Kai Gents featuring the Mysterious Miss Mauna Loa. One gaze across the bay to the beautiful lights of San Francisco, and you’ll know you’ve reached tiki nirvana.

SUNDAY, October 12th: SLOWDOWN SUNDAY

Our Sunday afternoon tradition continues: Take it nice and easy with an afternoon trip to Forbidden Island in Alameda. Relax and talk very slowly and quietly with other tiki lovers as you vainly attempt to piece together the events of the rest of the weekend. We’re going to have a potluck as well, along with the usual shenanigans.

PLUS MORE SURPRISES AND EVENTS TO BE ANNOUNCED!

OFFICIAL HOTEL:

The Phoenix Hotel at 601 Eddy St. in San Francisco is the home base for Tiki Crawl 8. For special room rates, call 1-800-248-9466 and mention promo code “Tiki Crawl 8”. Hurry- there’s only a handful of rooms left!

PLEASE NOTE: The Saturday Tiki Bus is SOLD OUT—but you are more than encouraged to follow along with a designated driver in your own wheels! Please sign up on the mailing list at tikicrawl.com for any last minute cancellations.

For more information about scheduling, official hotel, transportation, and more, please visit: www.tikicrawl.com

First signs of Trader Vic’s return to Chicago revealed!

Friday, September 19th, 2008

Trader Vic’s Chicago tiki installationThe Chicago Tribune has published the first evidence of Trader’s Vic’s long-promised return to Chicago—the installation of a large tiki in front of the new location.

The Palmer House location closed in 2005 after 48 years of business. A quick replacement was promised, but it took 3 years to start construction at Vic’s new address: 1030 N. State Street, which will open no earlier than November.

Read the story at chicagotribune.com

Tiki Farm Mauna Loa Tribute mug

Thursday, September 18th, 2008

Mauna Loa Tribute MugTiki Farm has just come out with another wonderful vessel, “The Mauna Loa Tribute Mug.” I can’t figure out exactly what it’s a tribute to (Google has failed me), but it’s wonderful regardless. Designed by Tiki Central member “Tiki Nomad” as part of the 2007 Tiki Central design contest, it stands 6.75 inches tall and holds 13 ounces.

$12.95

Buy it at the Tiki Farm website

Forbidden Island Annual Parking Lot Sale 2008, Alameda, CA

Friday, September 12th, 2008

Forbidden Island will once again host Northern California’s largest sale of collectible & vintage tiki, Hawaiiana, rockabilly, and mid-century modern goods. The sale will feature an incredible selection of original art, collectable mugs and décor, vintage aloha & rockabilly clothes, vinyl, furniture, and much more. We’ll also be offering drink specials and a few surprises. Come early for the best selection- it’s guaranteed to be a sell-out event! Don’t miss it!

Sunday, September 14th from 3-7pm | 1304 Lincoln Ave., Alameda, CA 94501 | (510) 749-0332 | map


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