vegas tiki bar lets you make an island escape - by Mike

Vegas Tiki Bar

Vegas Tiki Bar on the Strip is at Trader Vic's in Planet Hollywood, former The Aladdin. Go if you are in a Polynesian, island oasis mode, or you just want to get the party on. Trader Vic's makes drinks so large 4 people have to share them. With drink names like Rum Keg, Scorpion and Tiki Bowl you will soon be singing along to the "Tiki music".

Trader Vic's at "Planet Hollywood" is not the only one keeping the Tiki tradition alive in Vegas. From Trader Joe's to Cost Plus World Market it seems like the Tiki god is back and he still wears bamboo fronds and holds lightening bolts. Tiki started in the 30's with a drink called Mai-Tai and spread into a global industry of Tiki glasses, Vegas Tiki bars, Tiki statues, Tiki masks, Tiki cruises, Tiki books, even Tiki music.

The Tiki bar in the photo is for sale for your home or backyard. Tiki bars come in many variations; some even have granite counters and cost more.

Plenty of homeowners set up their own Tiki bars, from the elaborate marble top oak beam stud sets to the simple bamboo frond tied over a pole. The whole idea is to make an island retreat from the world. It can be had for a simple phone call. Check some of the listings on this page.

Your island escape will never be complete without an authentic Mai-Tai. Have you every wondered how the first Mai-Tai was mixed? You will need special syrups and liqueurs, but you can buy them at Trader Vic's online.

The Tiki statue photograph shows some of the Polynesian gods you can purchase for your home. These are some of the Tiki items you can buy to create an island retreat in your own home.

Don Beach invented the Mai-Tai in 1932. Let me share his recipe with you.
· 6 parts white rum
· 6 parts dark rum
· 3 parts Orgeat syrup
· 2 parts fresh limejuice

Put everything but the dark rum into a shaker with ice and give it a good shaking. Strain into a double rocks glass. No ice. Now carefully, slowly, pour the rum across so it stays on top. Cut a pineapple into a spear; add lime peel and fresh mint leaves. Your first sip is dynamite! That's what Tiki is all about: strong pleasure, making an escape from life. The Tiki bar with its island motifs is symbolic of the escape you are about to make.

Here is an image of an original Trader Vic's drink menu cover. Las Vegas Trader Vic's is carrying on the tradition of the original Trader Vic's.

I always put on a little Tiki music to set the mood. Of course everyone should have Martin Denny, the Outriggers, and Milt Raskin on their iPod. It's such a part of the island experience. Now decorate your house with Tiki glasses and statues and invite your guests over and watch them ogle and awe. You won't have to wait long for them to fall into an island mode of pleasure and escape. Anything is possible in a Vegas Tiki bar.