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They might be more kitsch than culture, but is there anything more irresistible than spending a lazy Saturday afternoon at the local tiki bar?
It's been decades since the boozerific, Polynesian-themed temples to icy rum drinks spread to nearly every waterfront outpost on the planet, including those on the white sanded beaches of the Gulf of Mexico.
So if a frozen zombie or mai tai served among palm fronds, steel drum music and oil-lit torches sounds like a right Labor Day strategy, consider this totally laid-back, unscientifically selected collection of bay area tiki bars.
Shephard's Tiki Bar
601-619 S Gulfview Blvd., Clearwater Beach, (727) 442-5107; www.shephards.com
Shephard's is what every tiki bar would be like if Hugh Hefner ran the world. Every Sunday, a $500 bikini contest brings out packs of rum-fueled, coconut-oiled hard-bodies who party like the world is going to end at sunset.
Crabby Bill's Beach Club
7700 W Courtney Campbell Causeway, Tampa, (813) 281-0566; www.crabbybills.com
You say you crave more half-naked, sizzling skin? Crabby Bill's Rocky Point Island locale is like Spring Break gone amok. Hit them up on for the weekly "South Beach Sunday" for the true apex of guilty debauchery. Today's — sniffle — is the last of this summer's season.
The Hut at Sculley's Boardwalk Restaurant
190 John's Pass Boardwalk, Madeira Beach, (727) 399-9559; www.sculleysrestaurant.com
If you're less breast-and-beer and more of an ice tea-and-fried shrimp kind of person, the Hut is probably more your speed. Plus, the tourist-friendly John's Pass Boardwalk location provides plenty of diversions for your pre- and post-buzz pleasures.
Swigwam Beach Bar
6300 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach, (727) 360-0889; www.swigwam.com
The "Swiggy" keeps a low profile tucked behind the Travelodge, but that's what keeps locals coming back for more than 20 years. Well, that and the house speciality drink — the bushwhacker. With vodka, rum, Kahlua and a handful of other potent ingredients, it's like a mudslide on steroids.
Green Iguana
9202 Anderson Road, Tampa, (813) 288-9076; www.greeniguana.com
Each of the five Green Iguana locations has its unique charm, but you gotta appreciate the Veterans location if only because it touts itself as the "ultimate and largest climate-controlled tiki hut in Florida." Air conditioning! We think we're in love.
Ka'tiki Sunset Beach
8803 W Gulf Blvd., Treasure Island, (727) 360-2272; www.katikisunsetbeach.com
When Jimmy Buffett sang of lost salt shakers and days lost to tequila, he was probably thinking of the Ka'Tiki, where being a beach bum is still considered a respectable profession. Stick to the beer and the hard stuff here, wait your turn at the pool table while noshing on chicken wings, and you'll fit right in.
Jack Willie's Tiki Bar
1013 St Petersburg Drive W, Oldsmar, (813) 854-1972; www.jackwilliestikibar.com
No beach, no problem. At the northern tip of Old Tampa Bay sits Jack Willie's, where hard-core sports fans outnumber bathing beauties, and Yankees and baseball memorabilia are scattered above the saltwater-weathered wood bars. Need another reason to visit? Try the "big bamboo" — the bar's heavy-hitting rum drink.
Frenchy's Tiki Pavilion
At Bright House Field: 601 Old Coachman Road, Clearwater, (727) 467-4457; www.threshersbaseball.com
A tiki bar at the ball yard? That's what makes Bright House one of the best spring training and minor-league parks around. Anyplace that offers an umbrella drink from behind the outfield fence is our real field of dreams.
Tiki faves
(Okay, this isn't really the former football player's list, but we thought any salute to tikis has gotta include this guy.)
Rule No. 1 when you visit any tiki bar: Ask the bartenders for the house special cocktail. If they give you a funny look — or hand you a Bud Light — consider one of these all-time classics:
ZOMBIE: Considered the grandfather of tiki treats, it usually contains apricot brandy, light rum, dark rum, lemon juice, lime juice along with dashes of grenadine and orange juice. Float some 151 proof rum on top for the full "night of the living dead" experience.
MAI TAI: The specialty of the house at the infamous Trader Vic's has rum, lime juice, orange curacao, rock candy syrup and orgeat syrup
RUM RUNNER: Black rum, 151 proof rum, creme de banane, blackberry brandy, grenadine and lime juice.
GOOMBAY SMASH: Spiced rum, coconut rum and pineapple juice.
THE LACTOSE-INTOLERANT KANGAROO: Jagermeister, vodka and drops of Aftershock liqueur gently floating on the top of a 32-ounce mug of Foster's Lager.
(Ha! We just made that last one up.)
[Last modified: Sep 02, 2008 03:57 PM]
Comments on this article
by Jake
Sep 2, 2008 3:57 PM
Some great places listed. I'd recommend bypassing the Swigwam and go to Jimmy B's. Unless you're into biker bars, with local drunks peppered in. The rats and cockroaches topped off the enviance.. (I agree with tash)
by Carl & Lee
Sep 2, 2008 3:03 PM
Anybody know of an authentic Tiki Bar, 1950's polynesian style around here? Some thatch palm frond roofing and a liquor license seems a low standard; the Panama Jack display at WalMart is more "Tiki". (We really miss Trader Frank and Tiki Gardens)
by Bill
Sep 2, 2008 2:49 PM
All righty then lets get naked at Crabby Bill's Beach Club
by Hot Lava
Sep 2, 2008 2:09 PM
You can order a zombie or mai tai at a local bar, but you'll get nothing like the Trader Vic's/Don the Beachcomber originals. No one has orgeat or passion fruit syrup. Save up for a trip to the Mai Kai in Ft. Lauderdale, the last tiki bar in Florida.
by Cherylee
Sep 2, 2008 2:05 PM
The Swig is the best kept secret on St Pete Beach! The best bartenders too!
Rum Runners RULE!
by Mary
Sep 2, 2008 2:04 PM
When will Florida realize it takes more than a thatched hut to make a Tiki bar? Where are the Tiki masks and carvings? Does anyone in the state (north of the Mai Kai)have a clue how to make a decent tiki drink? Wake up people!
by johnny cracker
Aug 31, 2008 6:39 PM
how about the palm pavillion on clw bch or frenchy's rockaways or that old stand-by THE BEACH BAR now in its new incarnation as Kellys Beach Place I will never forget these places no matter where I live. Party on!
by tash
Aug 31, 2008 9:03 AM
you'd think by this article that all of these places are the place to be... 'til you realize they're either 60 & up crowd or thug & riff-raff crowd. enjoy your jagermeisters.
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