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
. 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.
Ok, I read the reviews, they were all over but I felt this place was awesome! Legit tiki decor, complete with waterfalls and huge tikis from Papa New Guinea. It was a weeknight and James was on vacation so Roger was my bartender and he rocked! Started out with his ‘44 Mai Tai and it was excellent. MANY fine rums behind the bar, as well as James’s personal cocktail recipe book which Roger shard and I order many incredible drinks from. I definitely recommend this place but go early and not on the weekend. Also check out Hidden Harbor for tight tiki cocktails.
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.
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.
Ok, I read the reviews, they were all over but I felt this place was awesome! Legit tiki decor, complete with waterfalls and huge tikis from Papa New Guinea. It was a weeknight and James was on vacation so Roger was my bartender and he rocked! Started out with his ‘44 Mai Tai and it was excellent. MANY fine rums behind the bar, as well as James’s personal cocktail recipe book which Roger shard and I order many incredible drinks from. I definitely recommend this place but go early and not on the weekend. Also check out Hidden Harbor for tight tiki cocktails.
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.
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.
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.
The Tiki Lounge is actually the second Tiki bar I have ever been to. I lived in Pittsburgh for a year. That was 2009.
The bar's decor is awesome and it's totally Tiki! It's bigger than you think. There is the room in the front with the bar, a big room in the back and an entire basement is another bar with seating.
The drink selection is pretty impressive and the drinks are tasty. When you order a Tiki drink, you get to keep the mug! I own several... ;-)
My only recommendation is to go early when it's not busy. It's quiet and chill. When the bar fills up, and it will, the whole Tiki vibe is sort of lost. It's gets loud and kind of crazy! But no complaints here! I'm glad to see a Tiki bar doing well.
Here is my full review of The Tiki Lounge:
http://www.tikiwithray.com/tiki-bar-review-6-tiki-lounge-pittsburgh-pa/
Lucky the Painproof Man is a regular at Tiki Lounge, and is usually there hosting every South Seas Thursday..
March 16, 2014, 8:36 PM
So, I'm proud to say that last Thursday was SIX MONTHS of South Seas Thursday! Every Thursday, from 4-9 (Soon to be 4-10!), I make the finest craft tiki drinks around! Fresh squeezed juices, hand-made syrups & liqueurs, and only the best classic recipes, along with new favorites and original recipes. Alongside Greta the Grass Skirt Goddess, shaking next to me, and Zombo DJ'ing only the best tunes, South Seas Thursday is not to be missed!
Lucky the Painproof Man is a regular at Tiki Lounge, and is usually there hosting every South Seas Thursday..
April 24, 2013, 7:54 AM
TIKI TUESDAY! happens here the first Tuesday of every months from 7-9PM. Bring your own tiki mug and all drinks are just $5. Join the folks of Pittiki and hear fabulous tunes provided each month by Lucky. Two years running, the only tiki night in Pittsburgh!
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.