Post #217660 by Robertiki on Mon, Feb 27, 2006 11:02 AM

Went to Oakland's Kona Club, mixed feelings
Message body: I had the unfortunate experience of having to buy a stereo recently. The pimpled sales geek went on and on how a system is only as good as it's weakest component; the cheap speakers can't handle the power from a good amp.

So I found myself in Oakland this last week, armed with a map looking for the Kona Club.

There is no sign outside. The owner never changed the old "King's X" sign from it's old incarnation.

Inside, it is beautiful. The craft work of putting it all together is quite obvious. The volcano behind the bar is a kick.

even the crossbeams in the rafters have been tikified* . Just taking in the ambiance was worth the trip.

However, my tiki experience isn't complete without a nice drink.

This is where things go awry. There are no mugs. There are no bowl. The bartender, as friendly as he was didn't have a menu, and instead handed me an employee drink recipe book and had me pick from there. The wife was served a drink in a chimney, me, my POG+vodka in a martini glass.

I hope they work out their kinks, because I really wanted to enjoy the whole experience, and get rid of the Eminem on the jukebox.