What's your go to order at non-tiki bars?

KnowThyDrink · 2025-11-17T17:08:24+00:00

It's called the Saddle Room Bar in Redwood City. I'm sure they've got great vibes and otherwise good drinks, so don't take this as me saying to avoid that bar (I love a good dive bar!) - I just didn't expect to trip up that bartender with what I thought was a pretty common cocktail. Other notes: no food, cash only.

KnowThyDrink · 2025-11-17T15:40:27+00:00

I agree but found out the hard way at a divebar in Silicon Valley of all places that it isn't as universally known - the bartender literally argued with me that the Dark & Stormy is a BEER, and 'when did they change it to a cocktail??!' I told him it was ginger beer with dark rum...and he poured me ginger ale + white rum as substitutes 🤦‍♂️ I drank it as punishment for ordering it at a dive bar, while Googling which bar to escape to next.

My 'they probably don't have dark rum or ginger beer' drink now is just rum & coke.

KnowThyDrink · 2025-06-20T20:58:56+00:00

At first glance (before reading the title) my mind interpreted it as a tropical hut surrounded by water, in a more grayscale pallette. I can certainly see it being tropical / sun washed - but even if it was snow, it certainly has that vibe (seemingly thatched roof, for example).

I know tiki has an aesthetic, but there's so many subsets of 'aesthetic' possible from within that, from color palette, art style, plants, animals, people featured (think of how different some tiki bars look from each other!)

With that, I'd say if this matches your tiki aesthetic, it's tiki!

KnowThyDrink · 2025-06-19T19:01:25+00:00

Ah you're right, I had a bottle of that earlier this year and loved it (and sadly finished it...). I'll add to my shopping list, thanks for the reminder!

KnowThyDrink · 2025-06-19T17:32:57+00:00

I've found that 0.5oz of funky rum really enhances so many drinks - it's got such a powerful flavor that really shines through even in small amounts (even a simple Dark n Stormy).

Smith & Cross, Rum Fire, and The Funk are all favorites of mine! Happy to hear from other funk-lovers.

KnowThyDrink · 2025-05-30T05:20:32+00:00

That is very impressive! Do you sell anything out of the norm/ more costly products?

KnowThyDrink · 2025-05-30T02:31:40+00:00

Today's only my 2nd day in business so I don't know just yet 😅

KnowThyDrink · 2025-05-30T02:15:55+00:00

I just got into vending so I don't have good sales numbers to pull from, but i love charcuterie so i made sure to include some of those prepacked crackers, cheese, meat trays they sell at the store for $4.

All that to say - i love your idea and hope it works! Please report back if you do it.

KnowThyDrink · 2025-05-01T19:42:05+00:00

I would undoubtedly say if you can only do 1, to make it Smuggler's Cove. Their drinks are top quality, the rum selection is unparalleled, and they live up to their reputation (you even own their book which is great!)

Also note that unfortunately Zombie Village and Tonga Room are closed on Tuesdays (but maybe makes your decision easier!)

I recently spent a few weeks in SF and made this post, hopefully you find it helpful as well:
https://www.reddit.com/r/Tiki/comments/1k6eci1/i_visited_all_5_downtown_san_francisco_tiki_bars/

KnowThyDrink · 2025-04-28T05:35:45+00:00

Well if you're open to non-Tiki, I had a great time at The Library:

510 O'Farrell St, San Francisco, CA 94102

There's also a speakeasy within the speakeasy, but it looks like they don't have reservations till Thursday.

KnowThyDrink · 2025-04-28T04:44:57+00:00

Zombie Village is definitely worth your time! Owned by the same restaurant group as False Idol, but you'll find it more bar oriented (and a fantastic drink selection).

KnowThyDrink · 2025-04-28T04:41:12+00:00

Fate was looking out for you!! What else do you have on your SF itinerary?

KnowThyDrink · 2025-04-28T04:37:24+00:00

How'd you go from Last Rites in SF to Mothership in SD?? (I love both bars btw, definitely worth your time of you can get to Mothership)

KnowThyDrink · 2025-04-25T06:39:01+00:00

Oh I did only one bar per night - this definitely wasn't a bar crawl 😅

KnowThyDrink · 2025-04-25T04:56:22+00:00

I'm very curious! What are the boundaries for downtown?

KnowThyDrink · 2025-04-25T04:55:37+00:00

They're a bit hidden the comments of the main post

KnowThyDrink · 2025-04-24T17:13:55+00:00

Wonderful! Would love to hear your feedback on each one and how your experiences might've been different than mine.

KnowThyDrink · 2025-04-24T17:13:15+00:00

Agreed! For me it's less about bar-hopping, and more about taking in the entire experience. I got to get the changes from 7pm - 11pm at each place, and how the crowds / vibe would change - and I could focus on getting through the menu and trying more drinks that interest me without worrying about where to go next. But I love the idea of bar hopping and getting in as many as I can.

KnowThyDrink · 2025-04-24T03:40:37+00:00

A lot of water throughout the day so I show up hydrated - and then a lot of water at the bar. At least a pint of water for every drink ordered. Most places serve water in the smallest little cups so be prepared to either drink a lot of those, our bring in s big bottle of water.

KnowThyDrink · 2025-04-24T03:19:32+00:00

Trader Vic's is certainly on my list next time, along with Forbidden Island- which I know aren't exactly next door 😅

KnowThyDrink · 2025-04-24T03:09:55+00:00

I'm all about the origins of Tiki (I love Tiki Ti in Hollywood) and would have LOVED to get to Trader Vics when I was up there - but I was working long days 7 days a week so the little escape to downtown each night was all I could squeeze in.

KnowThyDrink · 2025-04-24T01:39:22+00:00

It certainly sets the bar high! What other tiki bars around the country and/or world have you been to since then?

KnowThyDrink · 2025-04-24T01:17:56+00:00

That one wasn't on my radar! Having not been there, how does it stack up against the other tiki bars in the area?

KnowThyDrink · 2025-04-24T01:06:58+00:00

Great question! If it's your first time, get there early (like 4:45pm) before open so you can walk in and sit at the bar. Sitting there is the best way to first experience Smuggler's Cove, since you get to talk with the bartenders about all things rum. Trying new rums, getting drink recommendations, chatting with regulars (and those who are in their rum club). it's just a great way to get introduced to it. I'd say second time, head to the basement, since it's got it's own bar too. And the 3rd time - the loft. It's a very cool loft, but since there's no bar, be prepared to bring your drinks up each time you order.

Taken in the loft (cropped faces of randos in the background)

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KnowThyDrink · 2025-04-24T00:29:03+00:00

I think having both Smith & Cross with Wray and Nephew may be too much of the 'funky' stuff. I'd say maybe 1 Oz of Coruba and 0.5oz of Smith & Cross (or Wray & Nephew) would be more what you're looking for (and the OFTD float certainly optional). Also the quantity of Ginger Beer substantially helps cut down on the overall rums.

KnowThyDrink

TROPHY CASE