Tiki Lounge in Pittsburgh, PA

This tiki bar opened in 2002 after four years of effort by owners Scott Kramer and Steve Zumoff, who also own a non-tiki bar in the same neighborhood called Lava Lounge. The bar features three waterfalls, thatch & bamboo hut booths, and a large tiki head entrance reminiscent of the large tiki fireplace at the now defunct Kahiki Supper Club

history

Kahiki Supper Club

Columbus, OH

Bar & Restaurant

. Tiki Lounge offers a variety of tropical cocktails in souvenir tiki mugs. The bar is full of regulars and probably has more appeal to tikiphiles on weeknights, as on the weekend it becomes a packed hip-hop dance club.

Comments

Kahiki Guy

Kahiki Guy has visited Tiki Lounge.

April 1, 2019, 9:23 AM

Let me preface my review by acknowledging that everyone will not have the same experience as my wife and I did at this bar. The Tiki gods smiled upon us for our visit, and we got there at the right time and had the right bartender.
We arrived at the Tiki Lounge right when they opened at 4pm on a Saturday. The bartender (James) was just unlocking the door so we were the only people there for most of our visit, with the occasional random couple popping in for a quick drink then leaving. As soon as we sat down, James commented on our Tikiwear, and told us not to even bother looking at the "dumbed down college drink menu" that was sitting out, and asked us what we're drinking. I ordered a '44 mai tai, and my wife got a painkiller. This was one of the most delicious and perfect mai tai's i've had in a long time. James was an absolute delight to talk to, and really knows his craft. The bar itself is awesome, with several different water effects, it's dark and escapist, and everything a tiki bar should be. Now later on, starting around 9pm, this bar turns into just another cheap, well-drink pushing, college drunk spot, complete with a DJ and dance floor, so that is where a lot of the negativity is coming from on the reviews. James did warn us about the transition, and we did come back after the show to find out how correct he was.
I highly recommend spending some time here, but do it during the week or early when they open on the weekend. If James is working, you're in for a great time. But stay away once the sun goes down.

Kimberry226

Kimberry226 has visited Tiki Lounge.

October 13, 2018, 6:45 PM

This place was so cool ( check out the restroom) we got there right when they opened only 1 other person in there. the guy who served us must hate his job! He made delicious drinks but had a bad attitude. He did not make us feel welcomed. I believe tiki drinks should be enjoyed in traditional tiki mugs, ours came in average bar glasses.

Tiki Lindy

Tiki Lindy has visited Tiki Lounge.

May 21, 2018, 9:31 PM

I am shocked the average rating is as high as it is. Drinks are no where near the caliber those of us close to quality tiki bars enjoy, with cheap booze and bottled mixers dominating the drinks, not to mention some common tiki drink names but with far from original recipe (total disservice to a Fog Cutter). Unfortunately this kind of place gives tiki and tropical drinks the bad rap of overly sweet and poorly made. Not to mention absolutely no effort on garnish. Paper flamingos and cheap straws are all you get.

So unfortunate. The decor and layout really lend itself to possibility. Great nooks and a dance floor. But all I got on a Monday night is rap music.

Out of staters beware, apparently PA (Pittsburgh) is not a no smoking on bars place.

If they'd upgrade the drinks (and music) this place could rock it. But they don't. Bacardi abounds. I didn't spot one bottle of quality rum behind the counter.

This place needs a reboot. A quality reboot. It's no surprise the Lava Lounge also owned by the same folks closed. Man I was really hoping for more from this place.

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