Post #666530 by JOHN-O on Wed, Feb 6, 2013 7:46 PM

"Man, you don't stand a chance if you go down in Chinatown" - Thin Lizzy

"How do you get shirts so clean Mr. Lee ?"..."Ancient Chinese Secret" - 1970's Calgon commercial

"Chinese... Japanese... Dirty Knees... TIKIS !!" - Popular playground limerick (JOHN-O version)

Mid-century Chinese dive bars in the tradition of LA's Hop Louie and the lamented Yee Mee Loo have always been a favorite of mine. I love that combination of historic character, "Chinky Chinese" kitsch, noir-ish atmosphere, and colorful locals.

Unfortunately in Los Angeles, these Chop Suey era bars are pretty much extinct. :(

San Francisco, on the other hand, is a different story. :)

Recently I was creepy crawling around SF's Chinatown and documented some places with that old-school flavor. I was even able to order a Mai Tai at each spot, but I did have to put aside any direct comparisons to the Trader Vic's classic version.

1. Li Po

From its vintage neon sign to the golden Buddha shrine, this place was tops when it comes to that aura of exotic Oriental mystery. Most appropriately it's probably Chinatown's oldest bar dating back to the 1930's. It's also home to the Chinese Mai Tai where the special ingredient is Chinese whiskey !!

2. Buddha Lounge

Right across the street from Li Po, this bar dates back to the 1940's although I'm skeptical that "Buddha" was the original name. Unlike Li Po, there were no Buddhas in sight. It did however seem like a good place to obtain alcoholic enlightenment. And why hasn't anyone opened up a Jesus themed bar ??

3. Empress of China

Just down the street was this multi-floor banquet hall. While not really a dive bar, the 5th floor cocktail lounge did have a retro vibe of faded glamour. This feeling was reinforced by all of the celebrity photographs on the ground floor dating from the 1960's through the mid 70's when this place was the Chinatown shit. Great views of Coit Tower but they do close early at 10pm.

4. Bow Bow Lounge

Actually I think Bow Wow Lounge sounds cooler but I guess that's not very Chinesy. This place isn't quite as mid-century old as some of the other bars listed, but it is well known for the nightly karaoke. My bartender generously serenaded me and the only other sole patron with two Chinese Pop songs. Try to get service like that at the Tiki-Ti !!

5. Red's Place

This place also claims to be one of the oldest bars in Chinatown but I think Li Po has it beat by several years. They did dig up a vintage photo for me to study. My bartender first made me a Chinese Mai Tai but later mixed me a Ginger Mojito (their house special) on the house when she learned I was on assignment for Tiki Central. It was my favorite cocktail of the evening !!

6. Mr. Bing's

The infamous Mr. Bing's !! :)... was closed the night I tried to visit. :(

And just outside of Chinatown, I was able to visit these extra credit TIKI bars...

**7. Hawaii West **

This cool Tiki dive bar flies low on the radar on TC and that's really a shame. Dating back to the late 60's, it's been owned by two generations of the same Hawaiian family. I thought the Korean soap operas being played on the TV was a nice touch and it was certainly the most patriotic Mai Tai I've ever had. But really though, shouldn't it be Hawaii "East" ??

8. Bamboo Hut

Situated in Broadway's nudie club district, this Revival place is like the evil Tiki brother to Disney's Trader Sam's. I thought the large lighted Moai hanging on the black lava rock wall was pretty cool. They told me it came from a defunct Arizona Tiki bar. Also The Hula Girls played here once !!

And now I'm making a clean break to Smuggler's Cove for one of their Caucasian Mai Tais !!...

The End. :drink: