Tiki-Ti

Words by Simon Difford

Address: 4427 West Sunset Boulevard, (btwn Virtgil Pl & N Hoover St), Los Angeles, California, 90027, United States
Tel: +1 323 669 9381
Website: view Tiki-Ti’s website
Door: Go early
Style: Tiki bar
Established: 1961

Review

Originally a violin-repair shop, this tiny shack on Sunset Boulevard houses a spectacularly kitsch, world-renowned Polynesian bar. Tiki-Ti was established on 28 April 1961 by Ray Buhen, a bartender at Hollywood's legendary Don the Beachcomber's, as far back as 1934. Today his son and grandson (Michael and Mike) knock out the Mai Tais from under the bar's thatched canopy. Rarely do you get this much authenticity packed into such a small place - modern tiki bars are poor, sanitized imitations by contrast.

Don't ask for beer or wine, they don't serve them. Instead there are 94 tropical drinks on the menu. Confused? You will be, as there are no explanations for any of them. Why not use the bar's wheel of fortune and take pot luck. Order a Toro Toro or the infamous Uga Booga and everyone in the bar will start chanting, and small mechanical bulls will be set marching across the bar as your cocktail is finished being made. Bring plenty of cash as cards are not accepted. Aloha. 4/5