Sunshine. Sandy beaches and warm sand to walk on. A place to lay back in a lounge chair and order a tantalizing, rum and fruit filled tropical beverage in a tall, festive glass. The Pacific Northwest is known for, well, absolutely none of these things. While not everyone can afford to fly out to such places when we are craving a tropical getaway, there are a few bars across the Northwest that have brought the paradise here. Stop by one of these tiki bars next time you’re in need for a midweek summer vacation.
Hale Pele || Portland
With more than 300 different types of rum and 42 cocktails to choose from, it’s impossible to not find something that will help you get your tropical fix. These drinks are on fire. Literally–some of the drinks are actually lit on fire, creating a festive and fun tropical environment. The décor seals the deal, complete with puffer-fish-turned-light-fixtures suspended from the ceiling.
Shameful Tiki Bar || Vancouver
No shame comes from sipping on a cocktail at this vintage, Polynesian-inspired tiki bar. Their cocktails pay tribute to recipes dating as far back as the 1930s. A place dedicated to giving its guests a truly exotic experience, stop in to check out the entertainment. Perhaps you will catch a musician or two expertly strumming a ukulele.
Rumba || Seattle
Located in the active Capitol Hill neighborhood, Rumba is known as Seattle’s first rum bar, offering classic tropical drinks as well as their own Caribbean-inspired cocktails. The tropics infused with the food as well, with recipes that use mango and hibiscus, coconut and plantains. Try their Ti’ Punch, which is named aptly so after the classic way to serve rum in the Caribbean.
Rum Club || Portland
The Rum Club specializes in none other than exotic and sweet rum-infused cocktails. It’s even in the food, with dishes like their rum and chile glazed shrimp. Stop by their daily happy hour from 4-6 pm, where signature tropical drinks are about five or six bucks.
Sun Liquor || Seattle
Sun Liquor has two locations in Seattle, one being a distillery and the other the lounge. The craftsmanship is seem in the cocktails, which are made from fresh juice and their in-house bitters and syrups. Sun Liquor even makes some of their own spirits, including their Sun Rum Barrel Aged, where sugarcane is the only ingredient.
Seastar || Bellevue, WA
Seafood and tiki go together like sand on a beach. This Eastside eatery melds their sushi raw bar and briny cuisine with an award-winning wine list and handcrafted cocktails which have taken a spin toward tiki in recent years. Fresh pineapple juice, local rums, foams, flare and more light up from behind the bar.
