Tiki reviews from Reddit
Summary
We analyzed 180 Reddit reviews across 8 subreddits and 28 posts to rank the best Tiki brands recommended by redditors, including communities like r/Tiki, r/sanfrancisco, r/Dallas, r/orlando, r/CorpusChristi. Top-rated brands include Smuggler's Cove (5.0/5), False Idol (5.0/5), Undertow (5.0/5).
Stats
Reviews180
Subreddits8
Posts28
Brands82
Products47
180 reviews from
and
By Brand
/By Product
#1
Smuggler's Cove
5.0
(24)
"Guava Cooler (from Smuggler's Cove) is a crowd pleaser in my group of friends come summer. Easy to drink, and its refreshing."
"Smugglers cove is the best for classic tiki drinks and info, tropical standard is for once you’ve mastered the classics the classics and need to progress."
"Smugglers Cove is our tiki bible. If you're just starting out it should be your first book."
"My most used: Smuggler's Cove (best place to start, imo)"
"Smuggler's Cove is your move, largest rum selection of any bar in the US, and they literally wrote the book on Tiki."
"Plenty of others have said Smugglers Cove and I’m not offering anything different. The Bible of tiki in my opinion."
"Our tiki bible is Smuggler's Cove: Exotic Cocktails, Rum, and the Cult of Tiki by Martin and Rebecca Cate."
"I can not recommend smugglers cove enough. It delves into so many aspects of tiki."
"I am amazed no one has suggested the Smugglers' Cove book yet. It's almost a bible."
"I bought the Smugglers Cove book and I’ve really enjoyed making a decent number of its recipes."
#2
False Idol
5.0
(7)
"False Idol."
"False Idol, Mothership, Tonga Hut LA were all great."
"False Idol is my home bar, and my favorite."
"False Idol. Yes, it's local to us and we're regulars."
"False Idol, easily. The staff, the drinks, the ambiance, incredible."
"Definitely false idol. it’s the real deal."
"False Idol in DT, SD is incredible."
#3
Undertow
5.0
(6)
"Undertow, absolutely. A world-class tiki bar."
"Undertow is amazing. I've been to Phoenix several times for business, and I always try to stop in."
"Undertow has great cocktails, a great story, looks beautiful, and is a lot of fun."
"If you're ever in PHX or Gilbert AZ, Undertow is a must visit."
"The Original Undertow In Phoenix is my absolute Favorite."
"Undertow in Phoenix for me."
#4
Hale Pele
4.8
(6)
"Hale Pele is outstanding."
"Hale Pale in Portland, Oregon!"
"Most immersive escapism with great drinks, Hale Pele."
"Hele Pele is hard to beat in ambience and quality."
"Hale Pele in Portland, OR has always stuck with me as a favorite."
"Tiki-Tatsuya and Hale Pele my Top 2 and 3 taking into account drink quality and experience."
#5
Golden Tiki
4.7
(6)
"Golden tiki, stray pirate, red dwarf (10/10 Detroit style pizza)"
"Golden Tiki is Magic."
"Golden Tiki- Las Vegas."
"Golden Tiki in Vegas."
"Then Golden Tiki in Vegas."
"Golden Tiki in Las Vegas."
#6
Minimalist Tiki
5.0
(5)
"Matt has done a great job in Minimalist Tiki in simplifying the rum categories that make sense."
"I eventually bit the bullet and bought Minimalist Tiki - it’s a bit pricey but it’s a beautiful book that makes a nice coffee table piece."
"Well OP, now you have to buy Minimalist Tiki."
"Minimalist Tiki has 4 chapters / 48 pages devoted just to rum and it’s categories."
"I would recommend starting with Minimalist Tiki -- Cocktail Wonk's whole point in the book is understanding the backbone rums and mixers."
#7
Hidden Harbor
5.0
(5)
"Hidden harbor, hands down. if you like sipping rum, go on a wednesday and pick up the rum passport! on wednesdays, all rums in the passport are 25% off."
"Hidden Harbor is dope af."
"Hidden Harbor and hit up Maggie's Farm. The strip district location is more OG and a better bar but the South Hills location has sit down food service"
"Hidden Harbor!"
"Hidden Harbor - Pittsburgh, PA!"
#8
Tiki Ti
4.8
(5)
"Tiki Ti, is a must!"
"Tiki Ti"
"Tiki Ti, Inferno Room, Maxes Hideaway."
"But a “best” would be Tiki Ti because it’s a strange spot."
"Tiki Ti probably the best for the “dive bar tiki” segment"
#9
Forbidden Island
5.0
(4)
"For me it’s Forbidden Island, Alameda CA."
"Forbidden Island: been serving the best drinks for over a decade!"
"Forbidden Island is my local."
"Forbidden Island is one of my favorites and tops my list usually."
#10
Swizzle
5.0
(4)
"It's Swizzle. Good mix of Don the Beachcomber originals and a smattering of Trader Vic/Steve Crane drinks along with their own originals."
"Definitely swizzle! They are the only tiki bar in the country to make a drink with Malort, and it’s actually really good."
"Adding on to the love for Swizzle. Fun atmosphere. Excellent Mai Tais."
"Yeah Swizzle is the best tiki bar for drinks and atmosphere."
#11
Mai Kai
4.8
(4)
"Mai Kai"
"Of all time, probably the Mai Kai."
"2. Mai Kai"
"Here's a more obscure one that is both sour and has coffee."
#12
Tiki-Tatsuya
4.8
(4)
"Tiki Tatsu-ya in Austin, TX."
"Had a fantastic time at Tiki Tatsu-Ya in Austin TX this summer."
"Tiki-Tatsuya in Austin!"
"Tiki-Tatsuya and Hale Pele my Top 2 and 3 taking into account drink quality and experience."
#13
Trader Sam's
4.5
(4)
"**Trad’r Sam!!** “Geary Boulevard’s Trad’r Sam poured its first mai tai in 1937."
"Trader Sams. I know…it’s Disney but it’s pretty incredible."
"Trad'r Sam on Geary in the Richmond, Tiki Haven on Noriega in the Sunset."
"Trad’r Sam holds a special place in my heart for being old and dingy with loads of character and strong drinks."
#14
Tonga Room
4.5
(4)
"The Tonga Room in San Francisco. ♥️"
"Overall it’s Tonga Room for me."
"5. Tonga Room"
"Tonga room and smugglers cove."
#15
Sunken Harbor Club
4.7
(3)
"Gotta be Sunken Harbor Club."
"I had an epic time at Sunken Harbor Club this last summer."
"Sunken Harbor Club for the drinks."
#16
Three Dots and a Dash
4.7
(3)
"Three Dots and Dash in Chicago"
"Three Dots and a Dash"
"Three Dots and a Dash (Chicago) - I'm local and finally went for the first time."
#17
Suffering Bastard
4.7
(3)
"Suffering Bastard in Sanford is top tier."
"They have the best tiki cocktails I've ever had."
"Suffering Bastard... their bartenders can make you tons of tiki drinks."
#18
Trader Vic's
4.7
(3)
"Trader Vic's in Munich."
"Loved Trader Vic’s in London."
"3. Trader Vic’s Emeryville"
#19
Easy Tiki
4.3
(3)
"Easy Tiki. Makes Tiki easy."
"It is a great starter book, simple recipes, easy to follow."
"Easy Tiki got me into tiki."
#20
Tonga Hut
4.3
(3)
"Tonga Hut hands down. Best bang for your buck in the LA area imo and the vibes are soooo cozy and chill"
"The next best option is Tonga Hut, especially since you're gonna be in NoHo."
"Tonga Hut Palm Springs or Strongwater in Anaheim."
#21
Strongwater
4.3
(3)
"Favorite is Strongwater in Anaheim."
"Strongwater also has quality food."
"If you’re in Irwindale, go to Strongwater. It’s the closest and it’s good."
#22
Strong Water
5.0
(2)
"Strong Water is in Anaheim but absolutely worth the trip and you can stop at Trader Sam’s as well."
"However it is definitely Strong Water for me just food drinks and atmosphere are amazing"
#23
Total Tiki App
5.0
(2)
"This app and Smugglers Cove are a great starting point and cover a lot of the basics."
"Total tiki app is probably the cheapest legit source. Smugglers cove is great!"
#24
TikiCat
5.0
(2)
"TikiCat was hands down my favorite bar experience ever."
"TikiCat in KC (RIP) was amazing."
#25
Sippin Safari
4.5
(2)
"Sippin Safari by The Bum"
"They’re both solid. I’d start with Sippin Safari but can go either way tbh"
#26
The Honu
4.5
(2)
"Best spot left in the area is The Honu in Dunedin."
"The Honu in Dunedin is what you’re looking for."
#27
Beachbum
4.5
(2)
"Really recommend all the Beachbum stuff as they’re classics (and the Beachbum Berry Total Tiki app - used to only be on iOS, not sure now)"
"Any recommendations on which Beachbum to start with? I was thinking of the remixed compilation, but sippin safari and potions of the Caribbean get mentioned a decent amount, too"
#28
Tiki Star
4.0
(2)
"Tiki Star is solid, honestly I like their drinks better then Undertow."
"Gonna give a shout out for Tiki Star. For Phoenix it’s pretty close to a proper Tiki Bar."
#29
Saturn
4.0
(2)
"I would say try Saturn even though it uses gin."
"Saturn is solid."
#30
Skull & Crown Trading Co.
4.0
(2)
"Skull and Crown Trading Co in Honolulu."
"Skull & Crown trading co."
#31
Tiki Cat
3.5
(2)
"They like Tiki Cat dry food but not wet- weirdos!"
"Mine also don't like Tiki cat bc its not a pate but he has to chew it lol lazy bum"
#32
Lelo’s
5.0
(1)
"Lelo’s in Port Aransas is pretty authentic tiki cocktails 🍸"
#33
Trader Sam’s
5.0
(1)
"Trader Sam’s in Anaheim is worth the trip."
#34
Otto's
5.0
(1)
"It's definitely worthy of a mention if the goal is tiki drinks."
#35
Emerald Lounge
5.0
(1)
"Emerald Lounge is fantastic."
#36
Esotico
5.0
(1)
"Esotico but more specifically the Kaona Room which is their tiki speakeasy."
#37
TikiTiki
5.0
(1)
"I havent been to many, but TikiTiki in Tokyo was amazing!"
#38
Kahuna
5.0
(1)
"Kahuna Tiki Tu is also a strong winner and close to Noho."
#39
Inside Passage
5.0
(1)
"Inside Passage in Seattle."
#40
Last Rites
5.0
(1)
"I could not stop smiling at Last Rites in SF."
#41
The Captain's Cabin
5.0
(1)
"The Captain's Cabin in Phoenix is amazing."
#42
Bootlegger Tiki
5.0
(1)
"Bootlegger Tiki (Palm Springs) - great vibes, drinks, and staff."
#43
Foundation
5.0
(1)
"Foundation (Milwaukee) - so freaking underrated."
#44
Frankie's Tiki Room
5.0
(1)
"There's some good stuff from the Frankies Tiki Room Liquid Vacation book."
#45
Sip N Dip
5.0
(1)
"My favorite would have to be the Sip N Dip in Great Falls Montana."
#46
Max's
5.0
(1)
"Love Max’s in Grand Rapids!"
#48
Death & Co.
5.0
(1)
"Stirred and served up."
#49
The Archipelago
5.0
(1)
"RIP The Archipelago in D.C. That was my favorite experience."
#50
Nui Nui
5.0
(1)
"Wife and her friends love them."
#51
Tradewinds
5.0
(1)
"Tradewinds does it every time for my wife's friends."
#52
Latitude 29
5.0
(1)
"Latitude 29 has had the best, most consistent drinks."
#53
The Mai Kai
5.0
(1)
"The Mai Kai. Now and Forever."
#54
The Inferno Room
5.0
(1)
"Going to throw The Inferno Room out there."
#55
Ventiki
5.0
(1)
"My favorite of all time is Ventiki just because I spend so much time there and love them."
#56
Painkiller NYC
5.0
(1)
"Best bar ever"
#57
The Shameful Tiki
5.0
(1)
"The Shameful Tiki in Vancouver was a stand out."
#58
The Polynesian
5.0
(1)
"The Polynesian in NYC"
#59
Sorrow Drowner
5.0
(1)
"I love the Sorrow Drowner in Wilmington, NC."
#60
The Shameful Tiki Room
5.0
(1)
"The Shameful Tiki Room in Toronto. Great vibe, great decor, great music and great drinks!"
#61
Shannon Mustipher
5.0
(1)
"If you don’t have Shannon Mustipher’s TIKI, I feel like she has more stirred drinks than any other tropical cocktail book I’ve read."
#62
Appleton
5.0
(1)
"If you want to start slow and basic, and you were only to buy one rum bottle for all your tiki cocktails, I would recommend Appleton Signature Blend."
#63
Beachbum Berry
5.0
(1)
"I will go against the grain and say the only book you need is Beachbum Berrys Remix."
#64
Tiki
5.0
(1)
"So like 50,000 people here will recommend smugglers cove, but also consider Tiki: Modern Tropical Cocktails."
#65
Harrison’s Landing
4.0
(1)
"Harrison’s Landing has some good tiki drinks and a cool bar right on the water at the marina"
#66
Jungle Bird
4.0
(1)
"For a not-so-sweet option, I go with Jungle Bird."
#67
Colony Truckyard
4.0
(1)
"There's more of a true tiki bar inside the Colony Truckyard if anyone's looking for one up north."
#68
Don The Beachcomber
4.0
(1)
"Don The Beachcomber-Madeira Beach."
#69
Bamboo Hut
4.0
(1)
"Also Bamboo Hut in SF."
#70
Boo Loo Lounge
4.0
(1)
"Check out Boo Loo Lounge."
#71
South Seas
4.0
(1)
"South Seas is actually great, excellent painkiller."
#72
Bahama Breeze
4.0
(1)
"I recommend checking out Bahama Breeze in Tampa."
#73
Alibi
4.0
(1)
"Best was my first: Alibi in Portland, OR."
#74
Bamboo Room
4.0
(1)
"4. Bamboo Room inside Three Dots"
#75
Lei Low
4.0
(1)
"Lei low - houston. An old favorite."
#76
Pagan Idol
4.0
(1)
"Pagan Idol if near FiDi - sit in the back room for smoke machine and fake storms."
#77
Zombie Village
4.0
(1)
"I agree with the other recs, so I'll just add Zombie Village."
#78
Bar Tiki
4.0
(1)
"Clearwater- Bar Tiki, outdoor classic tiki cocktails along with beach tiki."
#79
The Galley
4.0
(1)
"The Galley in Santa Monica has a near-tiki vibe and everyone's always happy to be there."
#80
Tiki Easy
4.0
(1)
"I went to Tiki Easy on a vacation in Asheville recently and really enjoyed it!"
#81
Aku Aku
4.0
(1)
"Aku Aku for the vibes."
#82
Damon’s
3.0
(1)
"I agree that Damon’s is worth a visit."
Discover your audience
GummySearch is an audience research toolkit for 130,000 unique communities on Reddit.
If you are looking for startup problems to solve, want to validate your idea or find your customers online, GummySearch is for you.
Sign up for free, get community insights in minutes.
Tell me more
Get started
