Boston Area's Best Tiki Bars
Kowloon
948 Broadway
Saugus, MA 01906
(781) 233-0077
www.kowloonrestaurant.com
Kowloon, located on Route 1, has been a Boston-area landmark since the 1950s. It is one of the largest tiki restaurants in the nation, with seating for 1,200. Kowloon even ranks on some top tiki restaurant lists nationwide and has its own gift shop. Its dining options include Cantonese, Szechuan, Thai and sushi. The full bar offers a variety of tiki drinks.
Bali Hai Restaurant
93 Moulton Drive
Lynnfield, MA 01940
(781) 593-8600
www.balihailynnfield.com
The Bali Hai Restaurant is just visible off of Route 128 in Lynnfield. The restaurant serves up Polynesian and Cantonese fare. Its scorpion bowls and mai tai concoctions are legendary (and on the strong side). Rhode Island rockabilly band the Amazing Royal Crowns even penned a song about this venue, dubbed "Trouble at the Bali Hai."
Tiki Island
269 Middlesex Ave.
Medford, MA 02155
(781) 391-0477
www.tikiislandrestaurant.com
This Medford establishment has been serving up Polynesian and Cantonese dining and drinks for over 28 years. It is well-known for its zombie, mai tai and famous scorpion bowl. Looking for a Hawaiian escape for a party? Tiki Island even has a function room that fits up to 120 people.
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Drink
348 Congress St.
Boston, MA 02210
(617) 695-1806
www.drinkfortpoint.com
Though Boston's Drink is not at all tiki in style, it does serve up a bevy of Polynesian classics. Visit this popular bar for a mai tai, jet pilot, jungle bird or anklebreaker. Drink is a must stop if you are attending an event at the nearby Boston Convention and Exhibition Center. It has a dark lounge atmosphere and is about a 15-minute walk from South Station. Patience must be a virtue of any Drink patron, because it is often very crowded and packed to the brim.
Eastern Standard Kitchen and Bar
Kenmore Square
528 Commonwealth Ave.
Boston, MA 02215
(617) 532-9100
www.easternstandardboston.com
Located in the heart of Boston's Kenmore Square, the bartenders at Eastern Standard create some of the most luscious drinks you will find in the area. The décor is not tiki, but rather has a gorgeous, 1920's-inspired vibe. When there is a long wait for food, try to snag a spot at the 22-seat bar. The cocktail menu contains various libations under their "Tikisims" section, which include a Singapore sling, a painkiller and the nefarious "Don's Zombie Circa 1934." There is a recommended limit of two "Don Zombies" per visit as it contains a whopping five rums, cinnamon, absinthe, lime and the sweet syrup falernum.
Amy Galante is a lifelong Massachusetts resident. By day, she works at a university library. By night, she is a freelance writer for Examiner.com, covering film, music, and geek culture.
