The Polynesian Room

Since the late 70's when I was just out of highschool trying to get work (unsuccessfully) as a longshore man I always thought of this as the bar where longshore men went to drink when they didn't get work for the day (the Waldorf is across the alley from the longshore hiring hall). I don't know if the bar improved over the years or my early perception was wrong, but after seeing various advertising that the bar was under new management and embracing it's too heratige, I decided to give it a try.

The decor is very nice, but a bit more Polynesian than tiki. The drinks were good, but the menu was a little sparse, although they did take orders for cocktails off the menu.

They had a food menus, although we did not order anything off of it, we thought it looked rather unimpressive.

The ambiance was a bit loud playing top 40 music. This is another tiki bar struggling between being a tiki bar and a night club.

If you are looking for a tiki experience in Vancouver stick to the Shameful Tiki.

Hopefully the TIKI BAR at the Waldorf will eventually find its potential. A fairly recent review and viewing the online cocktail menu had things looking extremely promising.... definitely worth an exploratory mission to see if this place can be recommended to friends! The place didn't open until 8pm. The lights were too bright negating the whole ambiance of the star-filled night sky ceiling effect. Music? There were several patrons spread-out enthusiastically enjoying karaoke. Good for them, but not my thing: I didn't stick around to have a drink. I do hope to visit again sometime when the lights are dimmer, appropriate music is playing, and there is better ambiance.

We went on karaoke night which was a little strange. Its no longer called The Polynesian Room its called The Tiki Bar at the Waldorf. The main space is big and mostly empty. We got the owner to give us a tour of there 2 down stair spaces. The spiral stair done in bamboo, the murals and carved pillars are really special. I wish they would use the lower spaces for the bar and rent out the main floor for there private events. The lower level has the history intact. We were luck to get the tour.

Just recently returned from a trip to Vancouver. We were there for two nights, and intended to only check out this bar on the first night, saving the second night for the Shameful Tiki Room. However we had such a great time here, we went back a second time and cut our visit to Shameful a bit short. The bar is under new management and has recently hired a new bar manager.

Although there is no set menu yet, we started off with a Mai Tai and a Zombie, and then let the bartender do her thing. Drink after drink (after drink, after drink) we were never disappointed. This is a bartender who understands a great tiki cocktail.

The decor is fantastically well preserved - but we were told that there may be some changes coming down the line. The bar manager has a real appreciation of classic tiki though, so I am sure it is in good hands.

The first night we walked in just as the bar was opening and were delighted to find the bar manager seeking out some "tiki music" - Martin Denny was the first track played, so we knew it would be a great night out. The second night, we showed up for karoke. So not tiki, but the patrons seemed to be having a great time, and we were told that a big focus of the new revamp is to remain a gathering spot for the local community (it is in a, shall we say, eclectic neighbourhood), so props to them.

I have no idea what's in store for this bar, but I will be making every effort to get back as soon as possible. If they can retain the super talented bar manager (and her wealth of terrific ideas) and keep as much of the vintage vibe as possible, this is gonna to be a great tiki bar.

I wish I didn't have to give a poor review of such a classic establishment as The Waldorf, and to be fair I should separate the hotel from the bars. My wife and I recently visited Vancouver for three nights, and on the strength of its history (and the affordability of its rooms) we decided to stay at the Hotel at the Waldorf. One evening we ventured into its Tiki Bar for their ostensible Tiki night.

The venue itself is really nice... The building has some classic mid-century architecture that is worth checking out. They owners did well with adding a tasteful Tiki vibe to the lobby and main restaurant. That restaurant, Nona's Table, serves a great breakfast as well. Tiki flavour doesn't carry up to the second floor, however. The theme transitions to deep maroon carpets and large framed photos of New York. The rooms may vary, but ours had no discernible Tiki theme.

The hotel's location is nicely centralized, but in a sketchier part of town. Lying between The Waldorf and downtown Vancouver is East Hastings, the city's skid row. The hotel is on the edge of that, so its not awful but you do want to make sure your car is cleared out of anything that could entice window-breakers. A screw that embedded itself in our rental car's tire may or may not have come from The Waldorf's parking lot.

We didn't get to see the basement bars, but the lady at the front desk did let us view the main Tiki Bar in the morning with the house lights up. Later on we went in to see the Tiki night, which is also karaoke. the place was dead and the karaoke killed any struggling ambiance. We didn't try the drinks. Our visit lasted all of six minutes before we went back upstairs to our room. It may have been unfair to The Waldorf that we checked it out after just spending a few hours at the Shameful Tiki Room... I don't think going a different night would have made it any better, but going that night certainly made it look worse.

What The Waldorf really needs is someone who appreciates the potential of the space. It really is a lovely, historic building with incredible vintage Tiki decor. Someone just needs to capitalize on it properly.

a few notes:
The original Leetegs are were sold off/replaced by prints some time ago.
There is a bit of a Miami Vice/dive bar vibe, and the music will turn to a bit of a club later, but stopping in early enough I found the staff really genuine and sincere — without pretense or snobbery, so what I like.
There are more rooms beneath the main one, these used for private bookings. Decor is decent, and would be great to host a proper Tiki-inspired private gathering in… on a quieter night perhaps, in order to avoid the regular revelry upstairs. (music conflict.)

If there is any Tiki bar that should get honorable mention, it should be the Waldorf Hotel in Vancouver, BC. The place is essentially a dance club. I can assure you, electronic dance music will be pumping out of the speakers—not Martin Denny. When I visited the Waldorf, I didn’t even have a drink. In fact, I don’t know if they even serve any Tiki cocktails at all. But the place has history. It's been around since the 40's! And it looks pretty much the same.

This is my full write up...

http://www.tikiwithray.com/tiki-bar-review-24-waldorf-vancouver-b-c/

I returned to the Waldorf a couple of weeks ago and they have significantly expanded their cocktail menu. Music was a bit on the loud side but it is a great space, no doubt about it.

Went to the Tiki Room at the Waldorf Hotel on Friday night and had a blast!
It is truly beautiful with a good menu, great Mai Tais and great analog sound system.
The renovation is fantastic and the service was friendly and efficient. Thanks Roxanne! I was really impressed with the vibe of the room and the crowd was friendly and funky. We danced up a storm! Highly recommended!

Went to the Tiki Room at the Waldorf Hotel on Friday night and had a blast!
It is truly beautiful with a good menu, great Mai Tais and great analog sound system.
The renovation is fantastic and the service was friendly and efficient. Thanks Roxanne! I was really impressed with the vibe of the room and the cried was friendly and funky. We danced up a storm! Highly recommended!

They have recently removed Mai Tais from their drink menu as they're apparently too labour intensive. This now leaves the already disappointing menu with exactly one rum cocktail.