Travel – The Search for the Ultimate Mai Tai

January 15, 2025January 15, 2025

The Best Tiki Bar in SoCal is Trader Sam’s

We had another great visit to Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar at the Disneyland Hotel on our recent trip, arriving in the mid-evening on a Sunday during the holiday week between Christmas and New Year’s. Despite being such as busy weekend at the resort, we were paged and seated at the bar within just 20 minutes even without a reservation.

The cozy confines of this bar feel like home, thanks in part to the Skippers who recognize regulars or even irregular vacationers with a greeting. Such was the case for us again this time as Skipper Melissa said hello and took our order. For many years Mrs Mai Tai’s favorite drink has been the Tiki Tiki Tiki Tiki Tiki Rum, which is the Trader Sam’s version of a Painkiller. And they made it just as great as usual, though as her tastes are changing it now might be too sweet for her palette. I asked for a Mai Tai with Smith & Cross Jamaica rum and it was simply fantastic and made totally on point, thanks to Skipper Melissa.

The ability for the bar staff to adapt to customer requests and even develop their own custom “secret menu” items is truly what separates Trader Sam’s from many bars. Even in a high volume location like this, I’ve never seen them bat an eye at this and in some occasions they’ve even encouraged orders of off-menu items. The staff here from greeters to servers really work well together.

Tiki Tiki Tiki Tiki Tiki Rum and Smith & Cross Mai Tai

The Disneyland version of Trader Sam’s has a few special effects when certain drinks are ordered, but this is relatively mild to the Disney World version where you can barely breathe in between effects and gags; the Disneyland version is better where it is a special event not an onslaught. The immersive space is impressive as is the friendly customer service at this Trader Sam’s where we saw a bartender reposition a guest so that they could see the Shipwreck on the Rocks display for their order.

Trader Sam’s has been an intro to tiki bars for so many people who likely are forever spoiled by the dark immersive space with so many thematic elements and exotica music that’s always on point. It is about as good as any tiki bar anywhere given the size and it is our favorite in the region.

January 1, 2025January 15, 2025

Top 10 Mai Tais of 2024: Runners Up

As with 2023 we had so many great Mai Tais that many of them would have been deep into the top 10 in past years and this year couldn’t crack the top 10. But they’re nonetheless worth noting and we thank the bartenders and bar owners for making these stellar Mai Tais.

For this list the rating is solely about what’s in the glass and does not factor in other elements such as ambiance, food, service, or decor. Each location only gets one Mai Tai on the list, exceptions for guest cocktails such as the Mister, Might I… at The Kon Tiki.

Some of the Mai Tais involve rum substitutions from what the bar would normally serve, such as custom blend at the Lucky Tiki. This presents the reader with more to consider when visiting these places, but highlights that making spirit substitutions is often what changes a good Mai Tai into a great one.

11. Smuggler’s Cove
12. Latitude 29
13. Bootlegger Tiki
14. Stray Pirate
15. My Tie, Youse Tai
16. Mister, Might I… by Doc Parks at The Kon-Tiki
17. “Impress Me” Mai Tai at The Lucky Tiki by Skipper Christian
18. Mai Tai with Appleton 15 at Rumpus Tiki Budapest
19. Tai-Lo by Pagan Idol at Trader Vic’s Mai Tai Day
20. Brujo’s Mai Tai at The Kon-Tiki
21. Frozen Mai Tai at Make & Drink Studio
22. Mai Tai with Appleton 17 at Kona Street Market (shhhh…)
23. Sugar Plum Mai Tai (Sippin’ Santa) at 55 South
24. Original Mai Tai with LH 151 float at Trader Vics’s Emeryville
25. Zombie Village with Saint Benevolence Rum Clairin

Just Missed:
California Gold, Lost Inferno, The Fink, Trader Vic’s SJC, Frozen Mai Tai at Tommy Bahama Marlin Bar, Trailer Happiness, Equiano Rum Mai Tai at The Shipwreck, Boo Loo Lounge, Kamalatai at Forbidden Island.

Honorable Mentions:
Wilfred’s Lounge, Our Big Luauski, Damn Fine Mai Tai by Greg Smith/Becca Morris, Trader Vic’s Munich, The Formosa Cafe, Red Dwarf, Hula Hoops (Lilikoi Tai), Kapu Bar, Golden Tiki

View the Top 10 Mai Tais of 2024

December 11, 2024December 11, 2024

Different Sugar Plum Mai Tai at Kona’s Street Market

We popped into downtown San Francisco’s Kona’s Street Market to check out their Sippin’ Santa pop-up. We saw that the menu options were the same as our Sippin’ visit to Beer Baron, but the bartender mentioned that their rum blends were different due to availability reasons.

So, I tried the Sugar Plum Mai Tai and found this one to be significantly different. Much sweeter and forward with the plum mix, so much so that it didn’t really remind me of a Mai Tai. Which isn’t to say this one was worse, in fact I could see this one being favored by a lot of customers who might like a cocktail that isn’t as spirit-forward. They say the cocktails for these pop-ups vary by location a little, even within the same state, and this was most definitely true for Mrs. Mai Tai who found the Frosty the Merman cocktail to have a lot more flavor.

Each of these Miracle/Sippin’ Santa locations sets their own prices for the drinks and merch. Kona’s cocktails were understandably around $3 more than Beer Baron in Pleasanton, and their mugs were $20 more as well, though some of the glassware items were less expensive. Your mileage may vary.

We really enjoyed our visit to Kona’s Street Market, where the bar staff were super friendly and the decor was appropriately elaborate.

December 5, 2024December 5, 2024

Changes at Kapu Petaluma

Kapu Bar in downtown Petaluma has garnered great reviews for their immersive Polynesian and Chinese themed spaces, plus notable drinks and inspired food. We heard there have been some changes to the venue so we went to go check it out.

Most notably, reservations are no longer available and seating is now fully on a first-come basis at all times with no greeter at the entrance. This means that locals will have an easier time dropping in during the week but that out-of-towners will have to do more planning to visit on the weekends. We opened the place at 4 pm on Saturday so were able to secure a booth, but later in the evening it likely would be more chaotic.

There is no longer a wait staff, and all orders are at the bar. Drinks are delivered to your table and staff did pop by the table occasionally but once again if the bar is busy you likely will need to be more vigilant about going up to order another round. We weren’t eating but heard that the food menu is pared down on weekends and significantly reduced on weekdays.

Despite this, we had a pretty good time with our friends who had never visited Kapu before. The music and decor really helped us get into the mood and our cocktails were overall pretty good as well. The 1944 style Mai Tai leans a little sweet but not too much for a snob like me to dislike it, but the balance was welcomed strongly by another person in our group who enthusiastically ordered one for a second round. I also enjoyed a nicely balanced Three Dots & a Dash that had a flavorful rum blend. The venue has a well-stocked rum collection, so there’s plenty to enjoy if drink spirits neat is your thing.

The remaining staff at Kapu seem to be adjusting to these changes with good cheer, and a positive attitude certainly goes a long way as both from the crew and also as a customer. We still think Kapu is a great option in Petaluma’s charming downtown.

December 1, 2024December 3, 2024

Miracle Holiday Pop-Up at The Fat Pigeon Livermore

We visited downtown Livermore for a visit to the Miracle holiday cocktail pop-up at The Fat Pigeon. In the year since they opened, the Fat Pigeon has hosted themed pop ups related to the Golden Girls and a witch theme for Halloween, and now Miracle for a second time. The small venue does have a heated tent outside that’s reasonably decorated for the holidays but inside is warmer and more elaborately themed.

The cocktail list for Miracle varies a little from bar to bar, but I stuck with one the cornerstone offerings, the Christmapolitan. Made with vodka, elderflower, dry vermouth, spiced cranberry sauce, lime, and absinthe mist, with a rosemary garnish, the blend of flavors and spices elevates this cocktail and I have to get it at least once per season. I also tried the “Nice Shot” which is rye whiskey and gingerbread syrup, quite nice and thematically on point.

The Fat Pigeon does offer some appetizers and shared plates, though we didn’t partake this time. We like the vibe and service here, plus there’s plenty to do in downtown Livermore before or after if you want to make an evening out of it.

November 30, 2024December 3, 2024

Miracle Holiday Pop-Up at Brewsters Petaluma

Miracle holiday cocktail popups are seemingly everywhere these days but one of the best is at Brewsters Beer Garden in Petaluma. The expansive venue features Miracle cocktails such as the Christmapolitan and Yippe Ki Kay Mother F****r, but also their own eggnog and glogg, so it can be worth it to check out more than Miracle location.

We went to Brewsters twice this week around lunchtime to find the place to be packed but not so much that food and drink orders were delayed. There is lots of covered seating and heat lamps, even plastic sheeting for protection in the case of rain. There is an explosion of holiday decor and holiday music, plus a sleigh for group photos. The staff have themes for how they dress, as one day was ugly sweater and another was pajamas.

The cocktails are really great here, and I was quite impressed by the Elfing Around with cognac, mulled wine reduction, sparkling wine, lemon, bitters, and absinthe since I don’t usually like mulled wine but the balance of other ingredients was perfect. I also loved the Crooked Antler with brandy, ruby port, chestnut orgeat. acid adjusted orange juice, and lapsang tea. Cappy’s World Famous Eggnog was tasty but the portion was fairly small. Brewsters sells some cocktails and their eggnog to go, plus Miracle merchandise and other holiday items.

We think the food is pretty good here and enjoy Petaluma’s antique stores and shops that are great for a stroll afterwards. Brewsters is always a highlight of the holiday cocktail season.

Eggnog, Stocking Stuffer, Crooked Antler

November 13, 2024November 14, 2024

Beachbum Berry’s Latitude 29 – Best Tiki Bar in NOLA

We bookended two visits to Beachbum Berry’s Latitude 29 during our visit to New Orleans, making sure to visit more than once to the preeminent restaurant and tiki bar from acclaimed author and cocktail historian Jeff “Beachbum” Berry. Look at the menu of nearly any tiki bar and you’ll find Berry’s original cocktails or more likely cocktails whose recipes were lost until uncovered by Berry. Check out his books Potions of the Caribbean or even better the 10th anniversary edition of Sippin’ Safari for all the historical details written in the Bum’s inimitable style, but suffice to say that every single fan of this genre owes the Bum a huge debt of gratitude.

Inside Latitude 29, there are tables and booths on one side and bar / hi-top seating on the other, and we got to experience both on the trip. There’s a smallish food menu her and while I loved the burger and pimento cheese rangoons, it was tough for Mrs. Mai Tai to find something she liked between the fishy catfish bao and Korean fried chicken. Our service was generally good, though it appeared staff was one server shy of a full crew both times.

But nobody comes to Latitude 29 for the food; we come for the immersive tiki bar decor and the amazing cocktails. We’ll talk more about the Mai Tai tomorrow but we’ll say that overall the standard cocktail menu items were really great, including the Navy Grog (the Bum’s favorite), Zombie, and a fab Rum Barrel with a ridiculously over the top garnish. A top-notch Cobra’s Fang was on the special Halloween menu which also featured some other impressive cocktails. You can even get drinks to go, which we took advantage of with a to-go Mai Tai!

Latitude 29 was well-decorated for Halloween and it is great to see special decor and the standard stuff mixed in between, complete with a killer spooky soundtrack. There’s a cabinet of historical items in the bar area, plus Beachbum Berry merch if that’s your thing. We loved our visits to this wonderful bar and must-see destination for any NOLA visitor interested in cocktails.