A few weeks ago I was in Vegas for a long weekend. I saw some shows, ate a lot of delicious food, and even spent $5 in a slot machine (spoiler: not a big winner). But the top thing I wanted to do was hit up two of the most famous tiki bars in town, Frankie’s and the Golden Tiki.
I’m not going to try to tell you which spot was better, because they were both good and it will really come down to a matter of your personal preference. Plus I don’t think one visit is enough to say—and next time in Vegas, I’ll happily go back to both. Maybe I can help you make up your mind if you only have time to visit one, though.
Frankie’s: A dark and smoky dive bar with a chill vibe. Strong drinks that include tiki classics and house-made specialties. Deceptively small interior peppered with a couple of tables, bar seating, and a platform area with a long built-in bench. The place to go when you want a change of pace from the glitz of the strip and want something more low key—plus it’s open 24 hours.
This tiki bar opened in 2008 but has the feel of somewhere that has existed for decades; since the building had been home to a 50’s era bar in its past life, maybe some of the spirits linger on. The interior was designed by “Bamboo Ben” Basshman, who is probably the best known modern tiki bar designer. It’s very dark—I entered totally sober and stumbled around trying to figure out which bathroom was men’s and which was women’s, just to give my eyes a few moments to adjust. But once I could see again, I was mesmerized by the decor. Glowing blowfish lamps, thatched grass, framed maps, and tiki-inspired art.
I ordered an amazing mai tai and took a seat in the cozy bench area beside a nice couple from South Carolina and a group of seniors in Hawaiian shirts who seemed to be having a blast. It was a quiet Friday afternoon before the crowds came in. I sipped on my drink, which didn’t taste very spirit forward but packed quite the alcoholic punch, and I leaned back in my seat while enjoying the ambiance.
The Golden Tiki: A faux-Polynesian-retro-fantasy space unassumingly located in a strip mall in Chinatown. Rum-centric drinks, live music, and staff rocking pinup-vibes. Not too smoky, and pretty approachable for the non-tiki obsessed patron who is open to a fun time. Like Frankie’s, Golden Tiki is open 24 hours and has a feel far from the typical Strip spot, although it’s way more of a kitschy throwback, reflecting what you might envision tiki’s heyday to have been like. (For example, I could imagine Don and Betty Draper giggling over a drink here with friends. . .even though the Golden Tiki only opened in 2015.)
I was here on a Saturday afternoon when it wasn’t too busy, and I sat at the bar and chatted with the bartenders. There was a small stage with live music, a twinkling ceiling, lots of natural wood and brightly colored lights, and even a talking parrot that reminded me of an off-color version of Disney’s Enchanted Tiki room.
This would be a great spot to grab a strong drink and an appetizer at the bar—Golden Tiki serves some food, Frankie’s does not—or try any of the nearby Asian restaurants. (The day after I was at Golden Tiki I had an incredible banh mi sandwich not too far away, but that’s a different story). But I was driving and had to pick up a friend for dinner, so I decided to keep my alcohol intake light. Enter, the Dole whip + dark rum.
Dole whip, which has blown up on the ‘gram in recent years, is pineapple soft serve that was made famous in Disney theme parks beginning in the 1980s. My association with it is not in Disney but in Hawaii, sharing a Dole whip on a sidewalk in Waikiki on a beautiful day in early spring. So it was the obvious choice for me. I sat at the bar while watching the musicians, making small talk, and thoroughly enjoying every spoonful from my glass. Not a bad way to pass some time.
I’ll conclude with the fact that I almost never go to a bar alone, and yet I wasn’t bored at all at either Frankie’s or Golden Tiki because the drinks were good and the atmospheres were striking. I think you can’t go wrong with either of these tiki spots, especially if you’re able to avoid the crowds and give yourself a chance to appreciate each bar’s unique atmosphere.