The old-school tiki revival that's swept the nation is still waiting to stake out a piece of paradise in Philadelphia. But if you're willing to extend a little mahalo spirit, there are a few spots around the area offering top-notch tiki drinks, special tiki nights and other tropical elements. Here are four bars where you can enjoy some island flavor.
The Franklin Bar
Rittenhouse Square/Penn Center
Philadelphians who were sad about The Yachtsman's closure earlier this year, can now head over to The Franklin Bar to get their fix of refreshing, tropical drinks. Located on the second floor, the newly renovated space is decorated with materials like thatch and bamboo, in addition to Polynesian carvings and special colored lights to set the mood. Customers can order individual drinks, including the 'Junglebird' (Coruba Dark, Cruzan Blackstrap Campari, pineapple, lime), 'Oxy-Colada' (Plantation OFTD, crème de cacao coconut, pineapple, orange), 'Port Light' (Wild Turkey 101 Bourbon, grenadine passion fruit, lemon) and others. If you're looking something more suitable for a bigger group, there are three shared drinks available for $25, $85 and $120 with enough alcohol content for two to eight people.
Tiki Philly
Market East
To get the full tiki experience in Philadelphia, head over to Tiki Philly, one of the only bars in the city that's solely dedicated to all things tropical. The venue, which is decorated with props such as surfboards, Hawaiian leis and and more, features an outdoor rooftop deck, complete with palm trees and a straw covered bar. Its list of cocktails include classics like pina coladas and mai tais, as well as bolder options like the 'Gwen Stefani' (Cruzan B-A-N-A-N-A Rum & Kaluha, coconut milk & pineapple), 'Shark Attack' (raspberry vodka, blue curacao & lemon juice topped with grenadine) and more. If you're going with a bigger group we suggest opting for the scorpion bowl, which comes in four different variations for $35-$37 each.
Pro tip: The outdoor bar gets extremely crowded past 6pm, so if you're looking to snag a table for a big group, we suggest getting before then.
Bud & Marilyn
Washington Square West
Bud & Marilyn is not a Polynesian bar by any means, but it does feature several tiki-inspired cocktails on its updated menu. The three drinks available are 'O'ahu' (punch booze, tropical juices, almond orgeat), 'King Kamehamema' (bourbon, orange juice, lime, Tia Maria, orgeat) and 'El Floridita' (light rum, grapefruit, lime, maraschino). Pair your drink with some mouthwatering options, including pastrami pork ribs ($15), crispy cheese curds ($9), Marilyn's fried chicken ($19) seared sea scallops ($24) and more.
You should also check the restaurant's social media pages for any tiki-related events that are happening on site. Last Christmas, they converted its open space in the back into a tiki garden and served Polynesian-inspired drinks and bites for three weeks straight.
Manayunk Brewery & Restaurant
Manayunk
Similar to the location featured above, Manayunk Brewery & Restaurant isn't a tiki bar, but earlier this month it introduced its newest tropical drink, the 'Swan Dive,' also called the 'Piña Colada Goose." It doesn't have the exact ingredients that you would find in a piña colada, but drinkers can expect to taste "fresh pineapple and tropical coconuts to balance the briny and savory notes from the sea salt," according to the business. Grab a drink and some bar bites like nachos, burgers, sandwiches, sushi and more and head outside to its large outdoor deck where you can enjoy your drink while overlooking the Schuylkill River.
