The Shameful Tiki Room

Comments about The Shameful Tiki Room

NWTiki

NWTiki is a semi-regular at The Shameful Tiki Room.

January 9, 2020, 9:20 PM

I have been going to The Shameful Tiki Room regularly since it opened. I have collected a number of mugs from them as well as a t-shirt and even a pair of socks. Their merch is good fun and very well done. The decor of this place is about as authentic as you could ever expect in a Canadian tiki bar. Many of the pieces come from classic establishments and are displayed proudly among the classic puffer fish and float lanterns, bamboo thatching, vintage tiki mugs and Hawaiian records. The music has a tropical jungle vibe and occasionally they'll be playing early surf rock or Hawaiian records. I have not had a single cocktail that I didn't love. My favourite was their Three Dots and a Dash. They have all the right bits and pieces (a backscratcher in the Back Scratcher drink, swizzle sticks, flaming cocktails, excellent barware and tiki mugs, etc). I would highly recommend this place to any tiki fan.

AtomicTikiSpy

AtomicTikiSpy is a semi-regular at The Shameful Tiki Room.

November 22, 2018, 12:34 AM

Highly recommend this place to friends and have been visiting fairly often since it opened. I tried most of the tiki cocktails as well as sampling their broad selections of rum. It is obvious great care was taken to create this genuine tiki experience. It tends to get busy and a bit noisy, so if you really want to experience a more mellow ambiance before the crowd, get there early. Collectors and those who want a nice souvenir, be sure to buy a tiki mug as they are high quality, attractive, unique, and well branded. Also, maybe take home some matches and a swizzle stick while you are at it...

Tikichef

Tikichef has visited The Shameful Tiki Room.

October 1, 2018, 6:22 PM

Great bar, had a nice time and a cocktail and snacks before our dinner reservation. Our hotel gave us the tip that we also needed a reservation at the Shameful Tiki.

CWGross

CWGross has visited The Shameful Tiki Room.

July 6, 2018, 8:43 PM

On a recent trip to Vancouver, my wife and I made reservations for two evenings: a "Mai-Tai Mondays" and a "Waikiki Wednesdays" featuring hula dancers. Monday provided a great experience of just getting to meet the bar, try the drinks, and soak in the attentively, lovingly created ambiance. Wednesday provided a nice little "hook" with its half-hour long modern hula show. I'm glad that, in our three short days in the city, we spent two of our evenings at the Shameful Tiki Room. It was well worth it and perhaps THE highlight of our visit.

For food we had the Captain's Mix pupu platter both times, which was a fantastic sampling of very good finger foods. The coconut mango rice especially was to die for. Drinkwise, we tried the mai-tai which is always a little too tart for us no matter where we drink it, the excellent painkiller, and the mystery bowl. The latter came with much fanfare as well. Taking a cue from other establishments, different drinks come with their own unique fanfare. Luckily, with their extensive drink menu, nobody is ordering enough of the same drinks to make the fanfare a repetitive problem like in other places.

A reservation is the way to go, as the place was packed on both nights we went. Reservation seatings last two hours, after which they may reseat you at the bar if it is available. However, being merely visitors to the city, that two hour time frame was generally okay for getting us back out the door and on our way to see more of the city or turn in for an early rise the next day. I might have preferred an extra hour or half-hour to just enjoy it, but it also makes you leave wanting more, which is good marketing if nothing else. They could easily expend into the adjacent store space and fill that up too.

While I might agree that the Shameful Tiki Room isn't worth a special trip to Vancouver for its own sake, I did give it extra "tilt" for being Canada's own Tiki bar chain of the 21st century. It is definitely worth visiting if you are in the Pacific Northwest and, for me, it lived up to the hype. If they could be induced to opening more locations across Canada, that wouldn't hurt my feelings at all, even as it might hurt my pocketbook!

vgriffindor

vgriffindor has visited The Shameful Tiki Room.

June 5, 2018, 9:59 AM

Great atmosphere, and a large Tiki drinks menu. One of the best parts are the various magical things that happen when you order one of their bowls, which never fails to put a smile on everyone's faces, customers and staff alike.

KevinCrossman

KevinCrossman has visited The Shameful Tiki Room.

July 1, 2017, 7:24 PM

We tried to make a reservation but none were available so we took our chances with a walk-in around 6:30 on a Friday. Place was only maybe 2/3 full and still they sat us at the bar. My Mai Tai was good but a bit too sour, but the other drinks we ordered were well done. My wife liked her Chi-Chi (she was asked if she wanted a single or a double and surprised me by saying a double. The fact that she liked the boozier drink was surprising). We also had a Frankie's Special which I liked and she didn't.

The bar staff was super friendly as they made drinks, juiced limes, and talked to or they at the bar. The wait staff worked well getting the food out too (we had the potstickers and they were very tasty). The ladies working there were dressed up in a cool tiki style which aided the ambiance. Music was softer than I prefer and included a lot of surf. We mentioned being from San Francisco and one of the bartenders mentioned he'll be there for Rum Fest 2017 repping Hamilton Rums. (There was an obnoxious patron at the bar who used the F word constantly and it killed the vibe for us).

The decor here is very good and pays homage to other tiki bars. The wall of exotica and Hawaiian music was a nice touch.

We visited Hale Pele a couple days earlier and the layouts are similar. Perhaps this is coloring my view. I felt the Shameful Tiki room is a gem in Vancouver, but should not be considered in the upper echelon of tiki bars as some have opined. Something wasn't all the way there. But, definitely worth going to and patronizing frequently if you're a local.

EmeraldGoddess

EmeraldGoddess has visited The Shameful Tiki Room.

June 3, 2017, 9:47 AM

Drinks were AMAZING - selection was authentic and well-made! Service was very thoughtful and attentive - we sat at the bar and I am coming to find that is the best for tiki establishments. Only downside was that the usual patrons seemed to be groups of younger locals bar-hopping or having a rowdy get-together (but sitting at the bar helped avoid that). Will be back the next time I am in Vancouver!

Tiki-E

Tiki-E has visited The Shameful Tiki Room.

May 19, 2017, 4:19 AM

We visited late afternoon without a reservation. Mr. Beach snuck us in too a great table where we enjoyed many of the drinks from the menu. Every drink was mixed with precision and was delicious. Also I joined the rum club and will return many more times to fill my passport! special shout out to Teylissa and Mr. Beach! Great job and excellent vibe!

mikehooker

mikehooker has visited The Shameful Tiki Room.

April 20, 2017, 12:26 PM

We took an Alaskan cruise out of Vancouver for our honeymoon a couple years ago and spent three nights in BC beforehand so made sure to pop in to Shameful a couple times. Must say, I was very impressed. The first night we arrived for happy hour which had a small menu of drinks for $6 that aren't on the regular menu. Wife had the Shark Bait and I the Cobra's Fang. Neither of us really enjoyed them so we decided to quit being cheapskates and order off the regular menu. Glad we did because everything we had thereafter - '34 Zombie, Tika Puka Puka, and Fog Cutter - was really good. I like on the menu how they have barrels to indicate how strong the drinks are. We knew when we reached our limit for the night.
As for the decor, it's tastefully done. A healthy heaping of bamboo, thatch, tapa and matting lined the walls and overhead. They had some nice Bosko pieces, nicely carved statues, velvet wahine paintings, and other vintage ephemera scattered all over the place including a display case for some collectible mugs. There were peacock chairs, puffer fish, a TV playing old b/w movies, exotica album covers and old advertisements lining the walls. The music was right too. Great ambiance to help you forget the outside world. They really focused a lot of attention to detail and it shows.
I went back solo two nights later and sat at the bar to chat up the bartender, Chad, and began to explore the menu further. Had a Navy Grog, Jet Pilot and Day of the Dead. Chad was a trooper behind the bar, promptly taking care of thirsty patrons while squeezing massive amounts of limes, cooking up syrups, and getting it all done without seeming bogged down and keeping the atmosphere fun.
Left with a custom mug, some swizzles, matchbooks and lasting memories.

RobMagus

RobMagus is a semi-regular at The Shameful Tiki Room.

April 1, 2017, 3:27 AM

This is by far my favourite bar in Vancouver. Small enough to feel intimate, large enough not to be cramped, fantastic decor and music, -great- cocktails and bowls, and special effects! Not to mention the classic polynesian dance floorshows and burlesque shows, and special menus and decor for holidays. What really tips it over the edge in quality though, is the -excellent- service. Every server here is knowledgeable, friendly, and enthusiastic. Great, great tiki bar!

maxelman

maxelman has visited The Shameful Tiki Room.

January 8, 2017, 11:58 AM

Love the shameful tiki! Great spot to get out of the cold Canada weather!

tikiwithray

tikiwithray has visited The Shameful Tiki Room.

December 27, 2016, 8:47 PM

Okay, I’m just going to say it: The Shameful Tiki Room is the best Tiki bar in Canada!

Or maybe a truer statement would be, one of the best Tiki bars on the continent! Yes, the Shameful Tiki Room is that good!

Here is my full write up...

http://www.tikiwithray.com/tiki-bar-review-23-shameful-tiki-room-vancouver-b-c-canada/

Blueguerilla

Blueguerilla is a semi-regular at The Shameful Tiki Room.

September 22, 2016, 1:23 AM

So lucky to have such and amazing tiki paradise in my hometown! By far one of the best tiki bars I have ever visited. Decor is top notch, and done with care. Drinks are always well mixed by talented staff.
Regular surf rock, hula dancers and burlesque performances only help to up the vibe, although it can get a tad loud in the tiny space when the band is rocking.
If you are in Vancouver you gotta visit this place, and if you are a true tiki lover, you gotta plan a visit to Vancouver!

AJM

AJM has visited The Shameful Tiki Room.

July 18, 2015, 10:45 PM

The quality of the drinks here is the best I have personally experienced. Better than Mai-Kai, probably a little better than Tiki-Ti. Not a lot of especially stiff drinks but it's a great menu.

The decor is excellent because they took the time to find or replicate real print artifacts from old tropical themed destinations. Really excellent work.

Our waitress started trying to regulate our intake after the second round. It was our first bar of the day so we didn't appreciate this in the slightest. She was also being passively aggressive about how much we were laughing. She was the only blight on a fabulous evening at what is probably a top 5 tiki bar in North America.

Daggtiki

Daggtiki is a semi-regular at The Shameful Tiki Room.

May 24, 2014, 11:12 AM

Great cocktails. great decor. I echo Zoya's comment " they've done it right" I only wish it was twice the size!

tikitabby

tikitabby has visited The Shameful Tiki Room.

May 23, 2014, 5:49 PM

The Shameful Tiki Room was a labor of love long before it opened its doors to the public in March of 2013. Rod and Monica diligently did their research into past Tiki temples and picked the brains of several contemporary SoCal Tiki notables to make sure their lovechild was worthy to be included in places, well, like Critiki! And it is, believe me. From the minute you walk in the door it is a marvelous escape from the dismal weather Vancouver is famous for. The drinks are beyond exquisite. Alongside the 'usual' beverages you will find several house elixirs that are incredibly delicious (the same owners also own a bartender supply business in Chinatown - Modern Bartender - so are able to access the best of the best as far as ingredients go). The staff are terrific, talented and knowledgeable. The soundtrack is mainly surf and Exotica and they often have live bands on the weekends. To date I've seen some great surf bands, a pseudo-psychedelic group, a Bossanova/lounge group and a fab Rockabilly/Western Swing band. For free! They've recently started their own rum club complete with passport - no free vacations here but you do get a fab t-shirt and a plaque with your name on it mounted prominently on the wall. I seriously can't say enough good things about this place. They've managed to combine the best of the past with the pulse of the present. There are several Bosko pieces, some carvings done by the owner, glass float and pufferfish lamps a-plenty and a stunning vintage panel painted by the same artist who did the amazing Savage-esque murals at my beloved Waldorf in Vancouver. They've done it right - anyone who questions a Canadian Tiki bar should immediately renew their passports and head on over.

Regulars and Visitors of The Shameful Tiki Room

Regulars

People who go to The Shameful Tiki Room at least a few times a month.

• Shameful Tiki
  almost every day!
• Tiki_Toad
  Nov 3 2016
• nohonatiki
• Pepe le Tiki
  Probably sitting at the bar now!
• TikiMichelle
  Weekends
• Scuba747
  A couple times a month...
• rmyers
  A few times a month
• BlazeArmi
  Couple of times a month at least

Semi-Regulars

People who go to The Shameful Tiki Room at least a few times a year.

• 
  Tiki Monkey
• 
  kilaueakyd
• 
  Daggtiki
• 
  Blueguerilla
• 
  BCTiki
• 
  Nalani
• 
  RumRunning
• 
  RobMagus
• 
  elliepritts
• 
  go_jake
• 
  Kaiavatar
• 
  mlp
• 
  kylehutton
• 
  neufer420
• 
  Rheanna
• 
  The Pineapple Princess
• 
  AtomicTikiSpy
• 
  NWTiki
• 
  TikiDavid

Visitors

People who have been to The Shameful Tiki Room at least once.

• 
  Tiki Wahine
• 
  monkeyskull
• 
  Rugby Matt
• 
  tikitabby
• 
  phynix
• 
  djmagus
• 
  KeithH
• 
  galtiki
• 
  jmax86lax
• 
  jonvon
• 
  KevinCrossman
• 
  Captainwhoopass
• 
  Ivy
• 
  rumdrinkerRVA
• 
  AJM
• 
  John T.
• 
  Muskeg
• 
  TikiKeith
• 
  madcow
• 
  Tikichef
• 
  CWGross
• 
  Tiki Mon
• 
  maxelman
• 
  twitchylizard
• 
  tikiwithray
• 
  erinsauce
• 
  Schwafish
• 
  thedrgram
• 
  BrianRex
• 
  abacab
• 
  rapscallion
• 
  SenorSwanky
• 
  Tiki Grove
• 
  BaliHaiBrad
• 
  Stabby
• 
  MichaelSaul
• 
  mikehooker
• 
  EmeraldGoddess
• 
  tiki-kath
• 
  Thorn.atropa
• 
  atomicfreak
• 
  Nikki_Jae
• 
  Murray
• 
  MrLzrd
• 
  TikiGigi
• 
  Uapu'uwai
• 
  IITYWYBMAD
• 
  aidan
• 
  Tiki-E
• 
  Kimmy Ann
• 
  Ogopogotiki
• 
  Megatron
• 
  natecreed
• 
  MissDiLovely
• 
  ottawatiki
• 
  Voodoo Rae
• 
  BambooForrest
• 
  Sykes
• 
  CanadianGoofy
• 
  Darshan17
• 
  dustinukulele
• 
  BetterCocktailsatHome
• 
  The Mortal Remains
• 
  Tikimatt
• 
  notquitesean
• 
  TikAndDestroy
• 
  canadrian
• 
  Barnebey
• 
  melika
• 
  vgriffindor
• 
  MolokaiMaiden
• 
  tiki-mike
• 
  Ldykat
• 
  Tikimarc
• 
  MichaelJTanner
• 
  Friki4Tiki
• 
  Muppetman
• 
  Mick_v73
• 
  cbalmain
• 
  EricaTheRed
• 
  SugaKane
• 
  Swinggrrl
• 
  The Wichita Kid
• 
  Mel_Ral
• 
  Raintree Tiki