Here in the lounge we talk about our favorite event on half of our podcasts. Well, its sold out as usual, BUT, you may still be able to attend. Are you a female between 37 and 50 years of age? Can you be at the event? Would like a wristband with one small harmless catch? Listen to this episode to find out how. We promise, no stranger danger. It’ll be fun and you get to be on the podcast.

If you are attending Tiki Caliente 15, you won’t want to miss our annual room party. This year for the first time we will be the kick off party on Thursday night. Tiki Chance On Me smashes ABBA and Tiki together in ways we aren’t even sure how to explain. As always the drinks and music will be just what you need to start a wonderful TC weekend.

Tiki Mirage, the moving tiki bar in the back of a truck. Starshine and the Surfing Samurai booked seats in Tiki Mirage and give a review of the bar in a truck. The decor, aroma and drinks were all highly recommended by both of them. Listen for their full review and more details.

We hope to have some new rum friends here at ZTL. Sunshine is speaking with the team at 9 North Rum and hope to be sharing them with you at Tiki Caliente this May. Take a look at their info and follow the instagram page for all the details. 9 North offers an aged silver, dark spiced and an aged. We just got some bottles of the silver and spiced. The Blanca is a lovely sweet and auricle aroma with some nice fruit flavors and lightly sweet feel. The Especiado or spiced is not your usual holiday spiced rum. (I said that, not like mine at all) This spiced option is very smooth, a little overproof and a complex blend of not your mothers spiced rum. Its unique, floral and citrusy, maybe some chocolate…there’s a lot going on there. Listen to episode 476 for some tasting notes and a first ZTL cocktail made with 9 north rum.

Soft! Tiki! Cleans up Mai Tai spills! You need tiki bar T-shirt club shirts. A new one each month. We wear them and swear by them. Click the image!

Below you see all 4 ZTL podcast hosts enjoying a libation at the Reef Palm Springs. We haven’t been this happy in a few months now. 16 years hosting together and we have run into some challenges that normally would have never come between us. Listen if you like.

Parting is such sweet sorrow.

We always start with a beverage. Usually a spirited drink, but Starshine ask for a mocktail and we know better than upsetting her. The Insurrection was crafted just for dry January at Starshines request.

This is one of our rare episodes with all four hosts present. Sunshine is doing his best to wrangle the cats and still share some tiki news and updates on new bars and events. The ladies were actually on their “better” behavior.

Conversation includes:

Dry January, soap making, a visit to the Lost Inferno, things you do only when in college, Pumpkins tips for staying youthful and thoughts about a tiki bar train tour in Southern California.

On this episode we are happy to share the latest from Mr. Moai & The Tikiheads, listen at the end of the podcast. From their recent press release: The band has consistently delivered feel-good music that captures the essence of island life, and "Rongo Rongo" is no exception. Mark your calendars for January 18, 2024, as the band invites you to kick off the new year with the infectious rhythms and sunny melodies of their latest single. Kane Manakoora, also known as Jeremy DeHart, is a distinguished artist associated with The Manakooras (Hi-Tide Recordings), The Lords Of Atlantis (Tabu Recordings), and Charlotte, NC’s own Aqualads. With a stellar reputation in the music industry, Kane Manakoora brings his unparalleled talent on the steel guitar to collaborate with Mr. Moai & The Tikiheads on "Rongo Rongo," promising a sonic experience that transcends boundaries.

We recommend their newest release Rongo Rongo feat. Kane Manakoora as well as their most recent album Surfotica. Use the link to download all of the tracks, just $8! What do we like most about Mr. Moai? Chill surf that feels good.

During the recording of this, our 473rd episode, Pumpkin acted like she didn’t know how we start the show. There is a way of doing things. We may not be very professional but we do have some “best practices”. After clearing up who says Aloha first we get right to the cocktail, our listener mail and some party planning and hosting tips. Thats pretty much the show. We stuck to the basics. Listen, drink, enjoy!

Below are two of our time tested holiday cocktails. Every tiki bar has a few festive rum concoctions to keep us all merry and bright. Start with Xmas Helper to get everyone in the mood for wrapping presents and putting up the lights. Then put out Dirty Christmas Punch , one of our ZTL favorites during the holidays. Our record is 5 punchbowls at one event. Can you do more?

Starshine and Kalani and Pumpkin, Oh my! All the ladies are in the lounge for one of our rare all host podcasts. If you hear meowing cats its because Sunshine couldn’t edit out all the cross talk. Sorry. Sunshine and the ladies have some catching up to do including: Summer tomato tastings from our gardens (it turns dirty say you may assume), what scent is your tiki bar (it also turns dirty), and what event was I ate when I was found passed out in a stairwell. Classic.

We are drinking a lovely Summer Missionaries Downfall. This classic tiki drink from Don the Beachcomber in the 1940’s. Our version simply adds more booze. Specifically more rum and a little more mint. Click HERE for our recipe!

Below you will see clip from the hit toy of this years potty training crowd. Although I Gotta Go Flamingo isn’t new, it might as well be for these inebriated podcast hosts. Pumpkin came up with more synonyms for poop than you might imagine. If you have a potty trainer in your family you need Gotta Go Flamingo.

Listener Bonus! Count how many scents the ladies describe in this episode. Send your answer to [email protected] and give us your answer. First person who is correct gets a pair of our signature rocks glasses. Or just buy them by clicking here…

Have you heard of the Mrs. Roper Romp? We have! But what we didn’t know is that this awesome fun has been growing each year. If you live in the Mecca of San Diego you must join next year. Not in SD? Try staring a romp of your own. Or, just get your pals together in caftans and big wigs and hit the local tiki bar. Mrs. Roper is a true legend of TV.

Its been a few months since the horrible fire the ravaged Maui and burned Lahaina to the ground. The island is special to all of us, but most of all it is home to thousands who have lost their home, their belongings and even their lives. You can’t make lite of something that has had such a huge impact on so many and our tiki community. There are may organizations you can donate to that make sure your contribution really helps people and doesn’t get trapped in charity red tape. While we don’t recommend a specific charity, we do recommend that you use Charity Navigator.org to see how well your money will be put to use before you donate. Please help however you can.

Sunshine and Kalani in the Zen Tiki Lounge for this episode. Sunshine surprised Kalani with one of her all time favorite drinks. Marooned! We first came across this drink in 2009 while visiting the Florida Keys. Then, we served it as one of two cocktails at Tiki Oasis 2010. Now, we are finally posting the recipe.

Both hosts were back from vacations. Kalani spent 17 days in Hawaii doing a little island hopping while Sunshine was on an Alaskan cruise. Most of the conversations centers on our very different summer trips. Listen to the show to hear our vacay stories, mix yourself a marooned and don’t miss the links below for destination recommendations.

Sunshine shares his recent vacation visit to The Shameful Tiki Room while on an Alaskan cruise. If you are in Vancouver BC we recommend a visit to this small but might tiki bar. The drink menu is extensive with classics and new. And, food!

Also while cruising Alaska, Sunshine visited Port Chilkoot Distillery. To his surprise, Sunshine tasted 8 spirits distilled in Haines Alaska. Rum, Vodka, Gin, Bourbon, Absinthe and more. Both the tasting room and the spirits were all good. The distillery has a small list of cocktails that offer a twist on some classics like Mai Tai and Mojitos.

Aloha, welcome to our LIVE recording at the Bamboo Club in Long Beach. The ZTL crew was looking forward to this podcast for many weeks and when it finally happened, we were ready to drink! That said, below are some of our favorite drinks from the Bamboo Club. From left to right: Zombie, Fog Cutter, Daiquiris, and the Mai Tai. Every drink we sipped was presented perfectly despite the bar not actually opening for a few hours. The Zombie was Sunshines first drink of the day at 9am and was perfectly balanced with the Zombie kick we expect from a drink named after the undead. We cannot recommend enough that you drink your way through the menu at Bamboo Club at your soonest convenience and don’t forget to bring a DD or get a LYFT.

On this episode we met up with Bamboo Ben, his son Blake, Dustin Rodriguez and Marty Lush. We couldn’t ask for a better group of people to discuss the creation of the Bamboo Club from concept to reality and what it feels like just a few years later. Can you believe that Marty and never been here before? He doesn’t get out much ;)

Sunshine, Starshine and Kalani sat down with Dustin Rodriguez who manages the Bamboo Club as well as directs their drink program. Our first time meeting Dustin we noticed he takes a lot of pride talking about the bar and all it has to offer. Dustin has been around since day one and even for the creating of Long Beach’s premiere dimly lit libation sanctuary.

During our conversation we learned that Dustin along with Bamboo Ben and the proprietors of The Bamboo Club worked hand in hand to create an authentic looking and feeling tropical escape. You do smell the thatch when you walk in. Your eyes need time to adjust to the dark and cool venue. You will likely notice hints of citrus juice and sweet aromas when you step up to the bar. Dustin shared that every drink is made by hand without batching ahead. Its hard to hand mix in a busy bar but they make it happen at The Bamboo Club. In addition to the excellent drinks, there is a full menu of tiki/polynesian style food that helps guard your blood alcohol from sneaking up on you.

The Bamboo Club also hosts events every weekend and has live entertainment almost 365 days a year. Dustin let us know they are testing a drag brunch and the ZTL crew is hoping that it really takes off so we can make that a regular weekend stop for us.

There is so much more to hear from our interview with Dustin. Listen to the full podcast to get all the insights, some laughs and inebriated banter.

Sunshine was a bit of a fan boy interviewing Bamboo Ben and his Blake. Following both of these guys on social is a trip into the creation of tiki bars across the country. You really never know where they will pop up with their nail guns and blow torches. We just didn’t have enough time to interview a true Grand Poobah of tiki so we may have more Bamboo Ben coming at you in the future.

Where and when can you see Ben and his works for sale? Don’t miss the Hardcore Tiki Marketplace the first Saturday of each month and the Bamboo Club.

We asked Ben and Son which of their most recent projects we should visit first. Two spots were recommended and are perfect for those of us who live in Southern California. STOWAWAY Tiki Bar in Tustin, CA was just completely redone by Ben and is now a true tiki destination. Kapu Bar in Petaluma is just north fo the Bay Area and worth a visit. Both locations serve great tiki drinks and food. ZTL gives an extra thumbs up to any tiki bar that graces us with Polynesian style tidbits and larger meals.

What does Bamboo Ben drink after a long day of building tiki bars? Coconut water and Hawaiian vodka. Lime is optional. We tried it, not bad at all. And, low calorie.

Oh Marty! How much fun did we have getting together at The Bamboo Club? It would be hard to believe that any ZTL fans don’t already listen to another great podcast by Marty Lush, aka Mark Riddle. Marty was also at the bar with us and we really couldn’t be in better company. If you aren’t listening to the Quiet Village podcast were absolutely demand that you do so right now!

Not just a podcaster, Marty is a musician who has been entertaining people since before Sunshine graduated high school. ;) Most recently Marty (Mark Riddle) released his first solo exotica album, Lahaina Sunset. The album is available on vinyl and digital formats and you can grab a copy on his sit. Digitiki.com On the two previous episodes of ZTL we played several tracks from the new album and have been spinning it in the Zen Tiki Lounge for weeks. Lahaina Sunset sets the perfect mood for pool time, cocktails in dimly lit tiki bars and just about anywhere you want to escape the world.

Get Lahaina Sunset NOW! 100% recommendation rom ZTL. P.S. doesn’t Marty look good below?

Below are just some of the pics we got while visiting The Bamboo Club with so many great people.

This episode of ZTL recorded at Le Fern during Tiki Caliente 14. Le Fern is a 70’s fern bar with throwback cocktails and appetizers to match. The only thing they don’t offer is fondue…(that’s a hint Rory). We give you just a taste of all the fun you can have over a four day weekend filled with live music, over a dozen parties and lots of great food and cocktails. Special guests this time are Rory Snyder, host and creator of Tiki Caliente. Each year Rory pulls off an even more spectacular weekend that pictures don’t do justice. All of us at ZTL are tipsy with joy being partners with this event for over a decade.

We also have a very special interview with Mark Riddle, aka Marty Lush. Marty has just released his first solo exotica album, Lahaina Sunset. It was a pleasure sitting with Marty and talking about his inspiration for this LP and how it was composed. There is no nicer guy in all of the tiki community. Marty will do almost anything to help keep the party going.

Below from left to right: Marty Lush, Sunshine Tiki and Rory Snyder behind the mics in Le Fern.

In order below: Marty Lush shows off his new album, Lahaina Sunset. The Lahaina Sunset cover is reminiscent of exotica albums during the hey day of Martin Denny, Les Baxter and Arthur Lyman. Get the album in a bamboo case for digital consumption with extra tracks you will not find on the album. Marty and Sunshine pose for a pic after getting the album autographed. And a HUGE Mahalo to Marty for putting together a soundtrack for our room party “The Disenchanted Tiki Room.” It was a few years ago that Marty suggested the theme and we finally partnered together to pull it off.

We love tiki bar tshirt club and so should you. every month a new T with a different tiki bar design. click the pic and visit the site. buy just the one you want or get a montly subscription.

April 1st is just another day. Though, there is one tradition we had never participated in. Practical jokes are always fun for someone but not always everyone. Well, we went for it with mostly positive “ha ha” results. On our previous episode the hosts of ZTL created a not so elaborate scheme to convince people that we had broken up due to a little tiki back stabbing. But not to worry, all is good with the four of us and this podcast is proof.

What if there was a tiki centric football podcast? Would you listen?

If Starshine and Kalani could no longer be in the same room together, would ZTL still go on?

Does Pumpkin really care at all?

Those are some of the things we explore on this reunion episode. In addition to some Mai Tai’s and listener mail. We hope you enjoy having all four hosts back together

Kalani and Sunshine are in the lounge with several cocktails and some packet drinks to review. You may notice we decided this episode back before Valentine’s Day. Well, we meant to get it posted sooner but that just didn’t happen. You were sure to enjoy our comments about the noble mix packet drinks, they were surprisingly good. We have a review on a new cocktail that uses strawberry sorbet and mount gay rum. Some updates on local, Tiki events and East Coast Tiki events. Sorry to say that most of these events sold out so quickly that nothing is available at this time. We recommend signing up for the email lists of any events that are sold out, they often release additional tickets later.

Ohana tickets sold out in mere hours. But you can click the pic to put your name on the waitlist. If you are in the NY area in June this is a great weekend with all the tiki Ohana.

We love Tiki Bar T Shirt Club. Click the picture below to get the T-shirt you want or subscribe and get one every month.

Aloooooooooha! and welcome to the Zen Tiki Lounge. The bar is full this time. Sunshine, Kalani, Neighbor Julio and Neighbor Nicole are on board for a new cocktail, some shots and a new rum to taste. Plus, some great conversation about saving water, a Tiki Caliente update and what songs get you in the mood?