Tiki culture is experiencing a resurgence in popularity
with Gen Xers who missed it the first time around in the
1950s and 1960s, and with retro buffs interested in preserving
cultural trends. The word tiki refers to the carved wooden
heads created in Polynesia, which became emblematic of the
Polynesian pop movement.
 The
Tiki phenomenon can be traced back to the early 1930s, beginning
with the post-prohibition opening of a tropical-themed eatery
by Donn Beach , aka Don the Beachcomber. In addition to tropical
Asian cuisine and a big helping of colorful Polynesian culture,
he served up rum-based umbrella drinks, in large part because
of the cheaper availability of rum at the time, compared
with other spirits.
Around the same time, Victor Bergeron opened his first
Polynesian-style restaurant in California . The exotic food
and tropical cocktails were quickly popular, and resulted
in a chain of restaurants, which later (along with their
proprietor) became known as Trader Vic’s. (History is a little
blurred as to which of the entrepreneurs first created the
Mai Tai cocktail, but accounts seem to lean on the side of
Don the Beachcomber.)
A few years later, soldiers began returning home from World
War II with stories of exotic paradises in far-off lands.
Those romanticized recollections, coupled with the release
of the American movie “South Pacific” triggered an explosion
in Polynesian pop culture that continued through the 1950s,
1960s and 1970s, eclipsed only by the birth of disco culture.
Four steps to a great summer party – any
time of year
The campy escapism that is typical Tiki makes it ideal
for a fun, casual party. Try our four-step process to conjure
up your own “island away from home.”
1. Create a tropical paradise
 Invitations – Get
people in the mood right away with a teaser of what they
can expect in the way of frozen cocktails, and make sure
they know that if they don’t arrive wearing an aloha shirt
or muu-muu, you’ll be providing them with a grass skirt and
coconut bra. You can even find a Tiki background for your
e-invitation at www.evite.com.
Décor – Of course, guests should
be provided with leis when they arrive. Draping tables and
your bar in grass skirts and string lights (keep the open
flames and grass far away from each other) is a great touch.
If it’s starting to look like the set of Gilligan’s Island,
you’re probably on the right track.
Lighting – Strings and strings
of tiki-style patio lights, of course – the tackier, the
better! Outdoor torches are great touches as well.
Music -- There are
lots of Tiki albums available now, so you shouldn’t have trouble finding
them. A quick search under “Tiki” on www.amazon.com yields
a good selection. A few ideas:
Play Songs for the…Suburban Savages (Tiki Tones) Skinny
Dip with Don Tiki (Don Tiki)
Ultra-Lounge: Tiki Sampler (various
artists)
2. Serve fun, easy food
As with all casual parties where guests are likely to be
mingling (probably with a drink in hand), plentiful finger
food is the order of the day. Skewers, key to Tiki cuisine,
are easy for guests to eat and even easier for you to prepare.
A wide variety of meat (try Tropical Pork Kabobs LINK), veggie
and fruit skewers can be prepared or bought ahead of time
and grilled as needed. Serve dipping sauces in hollowed-out
pineapples and melons.
3. Tiki Bar - make the cocktails part
of the entertainment
Have a few blenders on hand and mix up some fun, frozen,
rum-based concoctions. Plastic glassware works well, but
hollowed-out coconuts and pineapples (if you’re feeling creative)
are even better. Plastic or wood tiki mugs are great, too.
And don’t forget the fancy umbrellas!
 A
few of our favourite tiki cocktails:
Zombie - Pina
Colada - Banana
Daiquiri - Mai
Tai - Bahama
Mama
4. Have fun!
Tacky Tiki culture inspires relaxation and the mood for
fun, so be sure to have a few party games planned. Some suggestions:
-- Do the limbo
-- Hire someone to teach your guests the fine art of hula
dancing
-- Whack a pińata (it might not be a Tiki tradition, but
it’s good, campy fun)
-- If you have the space (and preferably, the sand), set
up a beach volleyball tournament
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