Picture yourself in a dimly lit lounge surrounded by faux tropical flowers and rattan furniture, sipping on an “exotic” rum drink in an elaborate, ocean-inspired mug. Turn on some lush modern orchestral music punctuated by bongos and bird calls. In your mind, you’re steps from a beach in some imaginary part of the South Pacific, even though in reality you’re probably closer to urban sidewalks than sand. It is very likely that you’re in a tiki bar. . .
American tiki culture is about escapism and an island-themed aesthetic that is more reflective of imagination and kitsch than true Asian and Pacific culture. It doesn’t pretend to be authentic, though over time, it’s become authentic in the sense that it established itself as a distinct American subculture. The tiki wave began in the Depression-era 1930s—largely thanks to two men, Don the Beachcomber and Trader Vic—and really took off as a means of escapism during the 1950s and 1960s. Modern tiki culture often takes inspiration from recreating the now retro vibe of this golden tiki age.
And then there are the drinks! Tiki cocktails try to match the scene’s laid-back vibe and don’t take themselves too seriously, although the mixology behind them is serious. Tiki drinks tend to be centered around rum and often layer other spirits and fruit juices, resulting in drinks that are complex and flavorful. They are also open to individual interpretation, making no tiki experience quite the same.
To me, as someone born and raised along the rocky shores of the American north-Atlantic coast—where the ocean is cold and choppy much of the year—the idea of being mentally transported to a place with serene blue waters and smooth sandy beaches is quite dreamy. The other thing that really captures my interest is the sense of nostalgia and the melting pot of cultural influences around it. As I mentioned before, today’s incarnation of tiki is largely about capturing this mid-century, American-created vibe that borrows from Polynesian, Caribbean, Chinese, and other global influences and turns them into something distinct.
Though there are questions of cultural appropriation to consider around tiki culture, I personally take the perspective that it is a largely independent creation that exists in an imaginary space carved out in Americana. That’s a theme—American creations inspired by other cultures—that I plan to explore more in my writing. But for now, I’m going to pour myself a cocktail, kick up my heels, and pretend I’m on vacation for a little bit.
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