Wikipedia’s definition of a tiki bar is an exotic-themed drinking establishment that serves elaborate cocktails, especially rum-based mixed drinks such as the Mai Tai. Tiki bars are aesthetically defined by their decor which is based upon a romanticised conception of tropical cultures, most commonly Polynesian…
Not the type of establishment you expect to find on Market Street in Aberdeen then, but I had heard good things about the recently opened Tiki Park so I was excited to give it a try.
The Saturday afternoon we visited the sun was actually shining, so we donned our summery dresses (under winter coats of course) and looked forward to sampling some fine cocktails and dinner.
It is definitely the type of place to go with the girls, so I brought my two ‘besties’ along to share the experience.
Inside, the décor transported us right back to sunshine holidays. The walls are colour washed blue with beach accessories as well as some tiki god masks and carvings. The focal point is the large bar which resembles a beach hut with an authentic thatched straw roof, while the staff behind it wear colourful tops and flower garlands.
It was fairly busy when we got there, with a large group of girls celebrating a birthday and also quite a few couples, all happily sampling the cocktails and food.
The cocktail list is extensive with over 40 delicious concoctions to try. From rum rhapsodies to cheeky tiki milkshakes or banana daiquiris to the non-alcoholic hula girl mocktail, we really were spoilt for choice. I chose a Pina Colada which came in a half coconut shell complete with toasted coconut sprinkles. This old classic with a twist of special infused rum, coconut and pineapple was divine.
As I sat back and relaxed, listening to the reggae music and catching a glimpse of sunshine through the window, I almost felt like I was on an exotic beach somewhere!
My friend Wendy, a cocktail connoisseur, loved the light and refreshing Cheeky Berry – vodka, blackcurrant liqueur, blueberries, strawberry puree and sour mix.
My other dining companion Karen’s favourite was the aptly named The Irresistible. Beautifully presented in a glass jar and decorated with mint leaves and fresh fruit, this frozen cocktail was packed with berry flavours.
After sampling cocktails one must eat, so we perused the menus which include a wide range of dishes with Caribbean and Latin American influences.
We wanted to try a number of starters so we opted for the Tiki Platter to share. They were served on authentic wooden boards, and we tucked in to Jerk Wings, King Prawn Hush Puppies, Jalapeno Poppers, Tiki Haggis and tortilla chips with dips and salads.
It was a cracking start to our meal, the wings were full of spice, smokin’ hot and made for eating with your fingers while the deep-fried prawns just melted in the mouth.
For the main course, Karen had the monkfish and chorizo kebab. She said it was lovely and light after the large starter and the accompanying salad with an orange and parsley butter sauce added a citrus punch. Wendy tucked in to the tiki ribs n wings. Marinated in special spices then slow roasted and covered in a sticky BBQ sauce, the wings were bursting with flavour and came with roast corn and Caribbean slaw. I chose one of the Tiki Favourites, a bad boy chill bowl with a side of sweet potato fries. The fries arrived spilling out of a coconut shell and were deliciously crisp with the perfect amount of seasoning. My chilli was covered in a thick layer of cheese, a bit too much for my liking but the spicy stew underneath was tasty enough with a good kick for added measure.
We debated about sweets so long that we simply had to have another cocktail. The multi-tasking staff were all friendly enough although we did have to catch their eye a few times for service.
Being the pudding queen I had already spied the key lime pie on the menu, so we decided to share this and the warm chocolate brownie. The brownie with ice-cream was elegantly presented, drizzled with chocolate sauce and crushed nuts. Unfortunately the brownie itself was rather dry and lacked the gooey consistency we would have preferred. However the zingy and refreshing key lime pie was wonderful, covered in a plethora of fruit and with a ginger nut biscuit base, my only regret was having to share it.
While paying our bill we noticed the sunshine had been replaced with heavy rain; talk about bursting our holiday bubble in a flash. But it was fun while it lasted, and maybe we’ll get to visit a tropical island one day to compare, you never know…