Written by Lindsey Chronert

In 2019, one of my co-workers invited me to Tiki Oasis, an annual event held in San Diego that celebrates all things tropical. It’s the world’s largest tiki convention, and my friend entered the cocktail competition. Knowing nothing about the event or tiki culture, I had no idea what I was in for. And people who love tiki really love tiki. There’s no in-between.

Upon our arrival, Woodies and vintage cars filled the parking lot. The guests dressed up in stunning vintage attire, featuring bright hues and intricate designs. Everyone’s hair was perfectly coiffed. There were pool parties with mermaids, seminars about famous Filipino bartenders, floral hair workshops, and cocktail classes. There were discussions with artists and authors, music performances, and hundreds of vendors showcasing vintage clothing, art, ceramics, and decor. This single event exposed me to an entire sub-culture I knew nothing about. I was aware that tiki culture originated from two white men who, after returning from war, developed a fascination for the exotic. A little orange flag, right? You can read more about the rocky history of tiki culture here. But what I experienced at this event were industry professionals telling a new story of tiki culture and distancing themselves from the historical issues of cultural appropriation. They’re educating others and reinventing the tiki culture.

At the cocktail competition, bartenders get points for creativity, taste, and the story behind their cocktails. The stories are really what make up tiki culture. My friend Irving won second place with his “Tiki Elote,” a tejuino cocktail made from fermented corn and brown sugar. It showcased his Mexican heritage and deep passion for rum and tiki cocktails. Dannika Underhill from Kindred won first place for her elevated riff on a Miami Vice. I saw a strong passion for tiki culture, both in elaborate cocktail-making and in the stories shared by the bartenders. At its core, tiki culture is about escaping reality and the allure of something exotic. Irving’s tales of his cocktail-making beginnings, favorite bars in Tijuana, and the significance behind his tiki tattoos have the ability to transport me to exotic places through the art and act of storytelling. That’s the tiki culture I’m going to embrace.

Here’s a list of my favorite tiki bars in San Diego, where you can find high-quality cocktails, respect for tiki culture, and a great ambiance.

Best Tiki Bars in San Diego

False Idol

A speakeasy tucked away within Little Italy’s Craft & Commerce, False Idol is a quintessential tiki bar in San Diego. The space is decorated from floor to ceiling with Polynesian art, and there’s even a thunderstorm brewing in the musical soundtrack of the space. Ice plays such a large role in a cocktail selection, especially with tiki drinks. One of my favorite attributes of a tiki menu is the small sketches next to the cocktail list. You can see if a cocktail is served up, with pebble ice or served blended in a hurricane glass. Sketches aside, the menu is full of delicious and skillfully crafted cocktails. Standouts include the "Rum Barrel," hailed by critics for its layered flavors, the "Mai Tai," a classic executed to perfection, and my personal favorite, the “Ube Bae” which has a balance between tropical and earthy flavors. False Idol's unique tiki decor, thundering soundtrack, amazing tiki drinks, and genuine service make it an iconic destination on your tiki tour.

Mothership

From the creative minds behind Kindred, Mothership is the newest tiki bar to land in San Diego. For Kindred cult fans, we are thrilled they took their weekly “permanent vacation” pop-up and launched it into an entirely new space called Mothership. Step into a retro-futuristic world at Mothership, a bar that feels like an alien spaceship landed in a tropical paradise. Self-described as a restaurant and bar that pays homage to the Ancient Astronaut Shuttle Crew, a fictional sci-fi concept that explores the furthest reaches of the galaxy. The talented bartenders here take pride in concocting unique and refreshing drinks that pay homage to tiki traditions. Their "Galactic Grog" is a delightful mix of rum, pineapple, and coconut, guaranteed to launch your taste buds into orbit.

Grass Skirt

Located in Pacific Beach, Grass Skirt is a standout tiki destination known for its creative twist—a refrigerator door entrance through a take-out poke shop. Their pupu menu offers inventive delights like Skuna Bay salmon cones and pork belly bao buns. The real star, however, is their tiki drink selection. Try the Fire & Ice—a bold fusion of serrano-infused tequila, overproof Jamaican rum, and harmonious flavors, topped with a flaming 151 shot inside a lime rind. Their "Passion Fruit Painkiller" is a tropical delight that will transport you to the shores of a faraway island. For tiki enthusiasts, you can join their Rum Club and get perks, plus an invite to their annual Luau!

Kindred

Kindred in South Park defies categorization as a captivating fusion of romantic, cat-obsessed gothic ambiance with a vegan twist. While not exclusively a tiki bar, it earns its place with a creative tiki-inspired cocktail menu. Kory Stetina seamlessly combines edgy and inviting elements, boasting some of San Diego's finest cocktails. Thursdays at Kindred transform into Polynesian-inspired havens during "Permanent Vacation," where rum-soaked libations take the spotlight. Their Permanent Vacation menus have received such high praise, they opened Mothership less than a mile away.

Honorable Mentions:

Bali Hai

No exploration of San Diego's tiki culture is complete without a nod to the iconic Bali Hai. Since 1955, this classic tiki spot has been delighting locals and visitors alike with its breathtaking waterfront views and legendary Mai Tais. Careful, one is usually enough, and two is the maximum. Yes, that’s a rule. And yes, they’re really that strong.

A dash of Tiki:

Waverly

While it’s not a tiki bar, Waverly in Encinitas offers a delightful coastal escape with its relaxed ambiance and tropical cocktails. With a bar program led by Eric Johnson, anything you order is going to be fantastic. My favorite cocktail on the menu is Bodega Boy with mezcal, toasted rice, coconut milk, lime, and mango.

Campfire

At Campfire, you’ll see a nod to tiki culture on the rotating cocktail list. The Gold Tooth is a decadent choice made of Jamaican rum, coconut cream, pineapple, smoked macadamia, and Madeira. There are no poor choices at Campfire.

Convoy Music Bar

Enter this speakeasy through an alley behind O’Briens, and you’ll feel transported to the listening bars of Tokyo, Japan. A great spot for good music and a tropical-inspired cocktail!

Gather your fellow adventurers and set sail on a tiki-filled voyage through the sun-kissed streets of San Diego, where cocktails and ambiance combine to create an unforgettable journey. I can’t wait to hear about the stories you’ll share.

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