The legacy of Las Vegas Tiki Bars dates back to the ‘50s and ‘60s when spots like the Hawaiian Steakhouse, Don the Beachcomber, and Mandalay Bar (not to be confused with Mandalay Bay) enticed customers with Painkillers, Mai Tais, and kitschy Polynesian decor. The tradition is alive and well as popular bars and lounges continue to put their own spin on Tiki culture.
☠️ Frankie’s Tiki Room
The godfather of modern Vegas Tiki bars dates back to 2008 with all the familiar characteristics of the format locked down. Frankie’s Tiki Room has low lighting, playful glassware, colorful garnishes, and strength levels of the booze identified by the number of skulls next to each cocktail on the menu.
🦜 Golden Tiki
This Chinatown favorite mixes traditional recipes with a craft-cocktail mentality. Fee free to add Dole Whip (or fire! 🔥) to any drink. The Golden Tiki doesn’t shy away from provocative decorations, from vulgar talking parrots to a collection of shrunken heads based on local celebrities.
🐕 Stray Pirate
Stray Pirate is a transformative space, based on a love of the high seas, pirates, and yes, doggies 🐶 The Arts District drinking destination doesn’t claim to be a traditional Tiki bar, but has an impressive lineup of tropical cocktails, a few thoughtful mocktails, and scenery straight out of “Treasure Island.”
🍕 Red Dwarf
Despite the thatched roof and bamboo, Red Dwarf is another bar that doesn’t cling too hard to conventional Tiki imagery, preferring to focus on dive bar charm, friendly service, and punk rock concert posters above a tight corner stage. The rum selection is stellar and the pizza is dangerously addictive.
🌵 Todo Bien
Todo Bien is like a Mexican version of a Tiki bar with a focus on agave spirits, served in UnCommons, served in cactus-inspired glassware. The interior design is a home run with string lights above the patio, but the prices push the boundaries for what’s acceptable off the Strip.
🍹 Tiki Di Amore
Why would an Italian restaurant have a secluded Tiki bar tucked away on the back patio? The real question — why not? Casa Di Amore, an old-school red sauce pasta joint, adds a playful touch to its business with Tiki Di Amore, featuring rum-fueled cocktails and seafood specials.
Tiki bars are a lot of fun, but they’re often controversial too. City Cast Las Vegas co-hosts Dayvid Figler and Sarah Lohman discuss the history of Tiki bars and their impact in Las Vegas. [City Cast Las Vegas 🎧]
