Disappointing experience! We arrived on a Sunday around 1pm and were seated quickly. However, we…read morewaited over 30 minutes to receive our first round of drinks, no food ordered yet. We were ready to walk out, but our drinks finally arrived. I suggested we ask for the check sooner than later, considering how long it took to get our drinks. (Others who arrived after us did not seem to have to wait as long as we did.) Moments later, the vibe completely turned around when the bartender blew a conch shell to award a patron a Ventiki fez, accomplished after drinking all 60 cocktails on their in-house passport. That energy really helped recapture any aloha we felt upon arriving and we ended up staying for hours and chatting with staff. The place redeemed itself. We promised to return with some friends shortly who were driving through Ventura. We stepped out to grab coffee while waiting for our friends to arrive. We were excited to show them this place. When our friends got there around 4pm, they received an incredibly cold greeting at the entrance. They sent us a text and we told them we were a block away having just picked up a coffee and heading their way. When we all arrived together, a bouncer was at the front stand, boorish and inhospitable... his immediate attitude was downright insulting. (He wasn't around when we were there earlier.) He had previously refused to seat our friends at a table for four--even though we were just a block away--demanded we throw away our coffees, and asked us for ID. (My husband and I are in our late 50s/early 60s, and friends late 40s.) We literally had just been there for a couple hours and spent a good amount of money. Sure, I understand places have policies, but this attitude was COMPLETELY different than when we were there earlier. The bouncer was a self-important jerk about the whole thing. We went from giving them a second chance after they rekindled the aloha spirit to being completely turned off by the bouncer's egomaniacal attitude. Again, 4pm Sunday, no line or anything. Not some nightclub. Utterly unnecessary brute at the front. Rude and completely uninviting customer service. We ended up going down the street to a local brewpub that welcomed us, no attitude, no carding, and they didn't bat an eye at our coffee cups. AND when we parted ways with our friends, they told us they swung by Ventiki to talk to the manager. The manager told them she supports her bouncer and was unapologetic. If there was a society for tiki lounges with a membership card, this place should have their card revoked. They are not worthy. Tearing up the fez passport I started and will never set foot in there again.

Ventiki was totally solid! Very decent drinks and sushi, and the prices are fair…read more Service is...apathetic. As a side note, please work on extending your sunshades to go the full length of your outdoor patio. The sun is pretty brutal and the shades stop short of the bench seating by a good 24".

Amazing bar with a highly skilled bartender (on a Tuesday night) who managed to deliver…read moreconsistently perfect cocktails with zero help, to a crowd. The cocktails are highly creative, diverse in flavor and design, and really could stand up to any you would find at a top cocktail bar in a major city. The exterior doesn't scream "must come in" but you absolutely should. Is it a tiki bar? Yes, but in the best way. And the bartender deserves applause for pulling off 3+ quite complex cocktails every 5 minutes off of memory and without any support.

Test Pilot lands somewhere in the orbit of tiki without fully crash-landing on a bamboo runway, and…read morehonestly, that works in its favor. In a stretch of Lower State packed with breweries, wine bars, and roaming weekend energy-drink humans in vintage bowling shirts, it threads the needle nicely between cocktail bar and tropical escape pod. The menu leans tiki-adjacent rather than deep-cut exotica, but the drinks are smartly built and avoid the "every problem can be solved with more rum" philosophy. There's a solid spread of spirits across the board, which makes the place feel more welcoming to a broader nightlife crowd instead of strictly rum disciples clutching vintage Trader Vic's mugs. The Oaxacan Dead was the standout for me. Smoky, balanced, endlessly sippable. One of those drinks where every sip quietly talks you into ordering another without turning into a sugar avalanche. The Jungle Bird was also great, though presented more in the direction of a Negroni than the punchier tropical versions you usually see. Bitter, restrained, and easy to settle into. Crowd-wise, things tilted a little frat-floaty as the night rolled on, but the staff handled everything smoothly and kept the vibe from turning into full pirate mutiny. Service stayed friendly and composed even when the volume of the room started climbing like a malfunctioning theremin. Big bonus points for the location and outdoor seating. Being right in the middle of Lower State makes it an easy launch point or final stop depending on your evening trajectory. Grab a drink, people-watch, drift between breweries and wine spots, repeat as necessary.

Tiki-licious spot near Del Amo! I come here for the frozen drinks almost exclusively, though I've…read morehad their Mai Tais too -- mandatory if you're a Mai Tai fanatic. They're solid. The night we went, they had the regular Dole Whip frozen drink and ube as the rotating flavor. Both were dope! It's only a few bucks more to add a rum floater, but I stopped doing that. The drink tastes so good I finish it in minutes, and I prefer not to get hammered on a Wednesday night. No kitchen is the only real downside. People bring food in or DoorDash it, which works. Parking can be tough sometimes because of the other businesses around the plaza. It can get cold in there from the A/C, so bring a sweatshirt or jacket. When I want a frozen drink in the South Bay, I know where to go!

Hit this place the night before our Warped Tour trip, right after Benihana, and it ended up being…read moreone of the highlights of the pregame. It's literally walking distance from our hotel in Torrance -- so close we actually walked past it the first time without even realizing it was there. Super hidden, easy to miss. The space itself is small, and when you first walk in it doesn't hit you with an over-the-top tiki vibe right away. But once the drinks start coming out, it fully delivers. The glassware is so fun and themed -- I was obsessed with the flamingo cup and actually ended up buying a couple online since I couldn't take the real one home with me. Drink-wise, I stuck mostly to my usual zombie, which has this great earthy, cinnamon-y flavor that's just different from anything else -- does the trick every time (there's a two-drink max/minimum on it, which I respect). We also tried a Makahiki Mua and a Painkiller, both really solid. The Makahiki Mua had a fun flavor, kind of similar to a Painkiller, but the zombie is still my go-to. Service was pretty good overall -- the bartender stayed mostly in one corner of the bar, which actually worked in our favor since we got served fast. A couple of small quirks though: they only have a limited number of menus, so we kept having to pass one back and forth around the bar, which felt a little silly. They also seemed to be running low on drink cups at times, having to wash and rotate them back into use, which was an odd thing to notice at a bar this size. Also wish they had some food or snacks available, even something small -- but that's a minor gripe. Vibe-wise, this is easily one of my favorite tiki lounges I've been to -- doesn't quite topple Broken Compass Tiki for me, but it's up there. Fun, easy, great drinks, solid service despite the small hiccups, and a perfect spot if you're staying in the Torrance area. Would absolutely go back and would recommend it to anyone chasing that tiki lounge crawl.

What an amazing hidden gem in Goleta!…read more While visiting the town, we were looking for a lounge walking distance from our hotel. We found this cool spot via yelp. A for atmosphere. You are transformed into a tiki/tropical/ vintage/bohemian not sure what to call it atmosphere. Super mellow and chill. We sat at a corner couch across from the bar. Comfy and relaxing, and dim lighting. Drink menu was diverse. Great selection. From cocktails to all types of alcohol. With an average price range of $15. Bartender knew his craft. All drinks ordered were great! C for service. The service dept needs some help, and I get it, with one person serving 15+ people. It is impossible to provide a5 star service. Initially service was great with a smile when we first arrived @ 6 pm. But soon after the bar became super busy. The wait was 20-30 minutes for an order. It was time to leave. We asked for our check and it came non-itemized. If it was 2 or 4 drinks that would be fine, but we were party of 3 with over 10 drinks. Then we had to wait again after asking for an itemized check. Waiter stated they need to hand write as their "machine" was not working. That took more time than needed. Ahhhhhh.... Ah well.. you can't get it all. Hence the 3.5 stars. I recommend, to sit at the bar and maybe pay cash to avoid hurdles I experienced.

Amazing atmosphere and great service! The staff were friendly and attentive, the drinks were…read moreexcellent, and the vibe was perfect for relaxing with friends. Everything was clean and well organized. Definitely one of the best lounges I've visited -- highly recommend. ‍ Relaxing, stylish, or cozy environment,Great lighting, music, and seating,Perfect place to unwind or socialize. Friendly and attentive staff,Fast service and helpful recommendations Staff make you feel welcomed. love the beardedGotti's of SB

Love the atmosphere the drinks and the people. Drinks are genuinely creative. Great Mexican food…read moreat the entrance

LOVE!!! I have driven past Tonga Hut for YEARS and kept forgetting to visit but finally planned a…read morenight to celebrate my friend's birthday and omg what fun!! It's smaller than I expected with more outdoor seating than indoor, so be aware during summer time and I'd recommend mosquito repellent! We did not make a reservation (I do recommend if you want indoor seating on busy nights) but we came at 4 pm and got a table that was reserved at 9 pm so we got to sit until we left that table at ~8:30 pm. We loved the indoor tiki decor and thought the whole vibe of the place was so cute and charming and we did appreciate some of the other customers who dressed up in Tiki style clothing as well. We did get dropped off/picked up but there's theoretical street parking out front for your DD (drink responsibly!!). They had a summer drinks special menu and we got the TBD and the Pure Imagination, I preferred the pure imagination. But our absolute favorite drink was the Nutty Chi Chi, a vodka blend on a classic Piña Colada! They don't serve food themselves but there is a taco stand out back after ~6pm that takes cash + card (card fee!) and will drop off food to your table. Such a fun night and looking forward to coming around again!

Love finding a new tiki spot nearby. Cantiki is on such a cute street with a bunch of other fun…read moreplaces nearby, definitely want to explore more next time. Amber was our bartender and she was awesome: super friendly and made fantastic drinks. Already looking forward to coming back! Ghosted Girl was our favorite drink of the 3 we tried

I love this little place. It's a cozy little spot offering tropical cocktails, small bites and…read morespinning the best tunes. You never know what you'll hear when you walk in but it'll be something good. There is searing along the bar, small booths along the side wall and larger booths and tables in the back. Service is always great. I like to stop in and have the shumai, fries and either a responsible drink or an irresponsible drink in a bucket. The bucket drinks are fun but quite sweet and some come with gummy candies like sharks. Parking is a nightmare but I usually get lucky. Come and stay a while though, it's a good time.

A local favorite for good reason. Fluid State is the kind of spot that's perfect for a casual…read morelunch, dinner with friends, or grabbing a slice after a long day. The laid-back atmosphere, indoor and outdoor seating, and dog-friendly patio make it easy to settle in, and the full bar with 24 rotating taps of independent craft beer is a huge bonus. My go-to slices are the Fungus Amungus and the Dr. Pepperoni, but the real surprise is the Caesar salad. I know... ordering a salad at a pizza place sounds questionable, but I'm obsessed. The service is always friendly and efficient, and the quality for the price is hard to beat. Whether you're stopping in for a quick slice or staying awhile with friends, it's one of those places you'll keep coming back to.

FAVORITE IN ALL OF CA! STAFF...always awesome! Everything…read moreabout this place is amazing. All of the pizzas are delicious. The menu continues to grow and get more interesting every time I visit. Actually live in San Diego and find reasons to travel up here "for work"...buuuut, also PIZZA. NO TVs! ALWAYS a killer Playlist! The beer is so interesting from light to dark. I always enjoy a little light reading when I review the different beer writeups. It's a buzzing cacophony of pizza-fueled jubilation!

This is a secret LA experience not to be missed!! Tucked…read moreabove the Tail o'the Pup hot dog restaurant, this place is a treasure of a tiki hideaway waiting to be discovered. The secret entrance is a ton of fun and the ambience is dark and mysterious and transports you to a land far away, all while not leaving LA. The drinks are spectacularly delicious and innovative. There is a theme (and entire experience) to each drink. The food is likewise excellent. The hot dogs from Tail o'the Pup are some of the best in the city and you can order directly from the downstairs hot spot, or order from the tailored menu to fit the tiki theme. The wait staff was super attentive. This is a great date spot or somewhere to come with friends. Just remember to book your reservations on Resy and then check the website for knowledge on how to get into the secret entrance. This is a top experience in LA!

TIKI DAVE had the opportunity to FINALLY hit The Lucky Tiki last night and boy was he impressed!…read more TIKI DAVE and WIFE OF TIKI DAVE pre-gamed a very good friend's 50th birthday at The Lucky Tiki from 5:30 - 7:00pm last night. Reservations are a must. Who doesn't love a Speakeasy and the Pickle Barrel entrance at the Tail 'o the Pup with the buzzer in the barrel was a cute touch. Once you're allowed entry, you are immediately transported to another world via beautifully decorated stairs to the check-in desk. The decor has got to be one of the best looking tiki bars out there. Wow, they hit this out of the park. The drink and food menu is fantastic in a wood covered binder. Naturally, we ordered the standard Mai Tai to start. The Lucky Tiki's take on the traditional 1944 Trader Vic Mai Tai is fantastic. Each Mai Tai comes with the Lucky Tiki swizzle stick and I happily kept the 3 we ordered to display in our home Tiki Bar. The wife ordered a second one while I took the waitress' recommendation and ordered The Maverick ("A Renegade of Rums, Cinnamon Syrup, White Grapefruit & Lime Juice, A Bold, Fiery, and Unapologetically Wild Ride, This Cocktail is for Those Who Live By Their Own Rules")...and coincidentally, this applies to me perfectly. The Maverick was awesome and came complete with a show of fire. We also ordered the Potstickers which were fantastic, especially dipped in their garlic teriyaki sauce. Wow! I wished we lived closer because I would hit this place A LOT. TIKI DAVE highly highly highly recommends THE LUCKY TIKI! I will be uploading video to my YouTube channel soon! Please subscribe! https://www.youtube.com/@TIKIDAVETRAVEL And follow! https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61565274777775&mibextid=ZbWKwL https://www.instagram.com/tikidavetravel/?__d=1%2F%3Fhidemenu%3Dtrue

This was my first time visiting Purple Orchid, and I wanted to try a tiki bar close to home…read more Overall, I had a really fun time! The vibe is very classic, no-fuss tiki bar, and they have two pool tables inside, which adds to the laid-back feel. The drinks were great, and everyone there was really nice, which made the experience even better. The only thing I'd say could use some improvement is the music. Omg, I was definitely wishing the playlist had a little more energy or personality. Better music would take the vibe up a notch for sure. Other than that, the drinks were solid, the people were friendly, and I had a great Saturday night. I'd definitely come back for a casual tiki drink night.

I went here after karaoke with some friends on a Wednesday night. Our group loves a tiki bar. This…read morefelt like a great neighborhood spot. It was busy but not full. There were two pool tables actively being used. The bartender was friendly and helpful. We considered sharing a cocktail bowl but we all wanted different tropical profiles. The drinks were worth their prices. Overall, the vibe was just right, too bad we had work the next day or we would have stayed later than midnight.