It’s been over 60 years since the Polynesian vibes and tropical drinks first brightened up the nightlife scene at the Tiki-themed bar at Vancouver’s Waldorf. Now, after a bit of a revamp, the Waldorf is relaunching their Tiki Bar cocktail lounge with new drinks, eats, and management.
Bringing a bit of that South Pacific breeze to what had been the first Tiki-themed bar in the Pacific Northwest, the space that was once known as the Tahitian Cocktail Lounge will keep on pouring Mai Tais and Daiquiris in a room decked out with bamboo, palm trees, wood carvings, black velvet paintings, and a twinkling-light studded ceiling.
The Tahitian Cocktail Lounge at the Waldorf launched in 1955 at the hands of Bob Mills, who had served in the US Marines and crushed hard on the sights and sounds of Bora Bora, where he’d been stationed. Mills sold the property in the 1970s, and it changed hands again in 2010 and 2013.
While Tiki Bar marked its 60th birthday a few years ago, the team is ready to unveil a new menu of signature exotic cocktails and Polynesian-inspired fare.
Patrons slipping into this cheery slice of Polynesia in East Van can expect to find an inspired selection of handcrafted cocktails that honour their tiki-esque predecessor classics like the Mezcal-and-Cachaca-fuelled ‘Cobra Women,’ sour-inspired ‘Trés Trés Tik,’ and Pisco-and-tequila-powered ‘Beach Party.’ You’ll also be able to sip from a selection of shooters and retro boozy bowls–complete with flames!
Punch with flame (Photo courtesy Tiki Bar)
Tiki Bar at the Waldorf officially reopens its doors to the public at 1489 East Hastings Street on Sat., Dec. 15.
Check out a few more images from the fresh menu below:
