Post #305995 by PiPhiRho on Sun, May 13, 2007 12:45 AM

After a long couple of weeks working lots of overtime and weekends I finished this phase of the project this afternoon. Seeing as that I actually had the night free, I decided to celebrate by taking myself to the Trader Vic's Lounge at the Beverly Hilton and check it out for myself. I put on an Aloha shirt and donned by Sam's Seafood tiki pendant and headed for the Hiton to check the place out for myself. I was hoping that maybe some other TC'ers would be there, but I had to explore on my own. Here is my assessment.

The Good

The drinks are still the same Trader Vic's drinks and they are still superb. I recognized the old Chinese bartender behind the bar, and the staff is still many of the restaurant employees. It is the old bar menu, too. All the drinks are there and, it seems, as are the glassware, bowls and mugs. The poolside atmosphere is relaxing and fun and there is more space there than there was at the bar at the old restaurant. There are tikis and the place has a very modern, neo-tiki atmosphere including a DJ playing some nice jazz tunes out of iTunes on his mac notebook. The staff is eager to please, including hotel employees that don't even work at Trader Vic's. Seeing my tiki, one of the hotel employees figured I was looking for Trader Vic's and directed me to find it. Even the parking lot attendant saw the validation stamp and asked me what I thought of the new "lounge." Perhaps the corporate office and the new property owners don't give a crap, but the current staff seems to be well aware of tiki enthusiasts and they want us to like the change.

The Bad

The old, "classic" tiki bar vibe - that blend of kitsch and elegance that was so characteristic of the old Trader Vic's and getting so hard to find anymore (unless you live near the Mai Kai) is gone. I mean, completely gone. The new lounge - despite the wood tables, tikis, hanging baskets and canoe - has a very neo-tiki vibe similar to something like the Mr. Tiki lounge in San Diego. Any real traces of the history of the old Vic's is pretty well gone. This is a completely new Vic's, and a few tikis doesn't change that feel. The pupus menu is kind of nice, but there is no more restaurant. The pupus are OK, but nothing like the food you could get at the old Vic's.

The Ugly

The prices border on obscene. $15 for a Navy Grog, $20 for a pupu platter. Two drinks and appetizers cost me over $50. Apparently, they are only really interested in the rich enthusiasts. This is not going to replace Tiki Ti as my preferred tiki bar and vists to the TVLBH are going to be reserved for special occasions.

The Bright Side

We have lost a local trasure, but it's not all bad. We still have a Trader Vic's in Los Angeles, even if it is but a ghost of the old one. Still, it is better than losing it altogether, and as an entirely new neo-tiki bar, this one really isn't bad if you can get over the extortionate prices. I was told the adjacent restaurant, Circa 55 (or something like that) plans on adding some of the Trader Vic's restaurant fare to their menu, so you will be able at some point to go to the lounge, enjoy your Vic's cocktails and have a dinner of Trader Vic's food. It won't be the same, but it's better than losing yet another classic tiki bar altogether.

And that's the way I see it.