vegas trader vics is the place to go to drink mai tais and party - by Mike

Vegas Trader Vics

Vegas Trader Vics is the place to go when you are in the mood for one of those great rum drinks. They have names like Mai-Tai and "Zombie". However, you should be very careful how many you drink. The heavy fruit and sweet liqueur mask the alcohol quite well.

Trader Vic's is carrying on a grand tradition that started well before World War II, serving up delicious rum drinks and tasty food, and it's still going strong. Vegas Trader Vic's is in "Planet Hollywood", across the street from the Bellagio. It's a little light on Tiki decorations and Polynesian atmosphere, except for the giant statues in the main dining room. If you want Tiki kitsch and great cheeseburgers go to "Tahiti Joe's."

Here is a photo of an original Trader Vic's drink menu cover from the 60's. Las Vegas Trader Vic's is just as swinging as the original Trader Vic's use to be.

There are many Trader Vic's restaurants from China to the USA, touching Germany, Bahrain, Spain and Taiwan. But the original inventor of the Mai-Tai is gone and so are his restaurants, Don's Beachcomber. Luckily, Trader Vic's has kept the Tiki tradition alive, which has sort of flowed and ebbed like a tide.

Today it is very much alive and popular again. Tiki means the face in the carvings, or the bamboo bar with its bamboo fronds that create an island atmosphere around your drinking. It has inspired millions of people and is even used in a movie like "Cocktails," with Tom Cruise and Oscar winner Elizabeth Shue. You are probably so use to it you do not even notice. But it became popular in the 30's, and there is still a lively demand for Tiki bars, Tiki glasses, Tiki statues, Tiki masks and Tiki books. Want an authentic Tiki bar for your home; see the links on this page. Make your backyard into the most popular area in the neighborhood.

Now that you have your Polynesian hotspot, you can try making a drink like the original Mai-Tai, as its originator Don Beach made it. A real Mai-Tai can give you an out of body experience with its alcohol and fruit combined into a deceptive sweet drink. This is a serious drink. It's an official IBA cocktail, meaning it is one of a few cocktails chosen to be included in the annual World Cocktail Competition.

A Mai-Tai made the Don Beach way has no ice when it's served. It's made up of 6 parts dark rum, 6 parts white rum, and 3 parts orange Curacao (an orange liqueur). You will also need to add 3 parts Orgeat syrup (sweet syrup made from almonds, sugar and rose water), and 2 parts fresh limejuice. You can get the Orgeat on Trader Vic's website. Shake up all the ingredients with ice except the dark rum. Strain. Now pour the dark rum on top. Garnish with pineapple spear, lime peel and mint leaves. Lightweights like me feel a buzz on the first sip. But hey, that's the idea.

Look at the photo of the drink menu from Vic's. It has a lot of serious partying going on and provocative, island girls are there to serve your every whim. The suggestion is a little rum and you too can create your own island paradise. Las Vegas Trader Vic's has community drinks like Rum Keg, Scorpion or Tiki Cup that you share among 4 people - fantastic!

But why not join the others who feel like a tropical celebration too. Hurry down to "Planet Hollywood." When you get there order a few Mai-Tais or Zombies. Make sure you order some really great food. Try Trader Vic's Bongo Bongo Soup their famous spinach oyster soup, or Kalua Pork Sliders. Most diners give raves for the Fried Rice made with pork, prawns, chicken and lobster. Las Vegas Trader Vic's is 11,000 square feet and has an outdoor patio for 200 people. For the club set, there is an "Ultra-lounge" on the 2nd floor that can serve dinner to 120 Polynesian party animals. Shucks, you might even meet Eve, Vic's granddaughter at Vegas Trader Vics.