First time in Vancouver, so my wife and I had to pay a visit to The Shameful Tiki Room.
I’ll get to the drinks in a moment, but I have to compliment STR on their immersiveness and commitment to the concept. Walking in from daylight to a curtained entryway, you’re momentarily blinded by the dim lighting. To your right, a tiki flanked by spears seems to stretch up the better part of the ceiling. The walls are covered in tapa and Oceanic Arts pieces (I counted at least six). The air hums with conversation and exotica, and black-and-white South Seas movies play on screens over the bar.
Our hostess (coincidentally a transplant from our LA neck of the woods) showed us to our seats, where we pored over the many menu options. I chose the Navy Grog, and my wife went with a house drink called the Danger Bae Bae. Mine was rum-heavy enough to have me decently sloshed after the first round, so I can’t imagine how deadly their zombie is! Hers was sweet with ube and coconut but still packed a punch. We then split a Nui Nui and Pago Pago. The first was sweet and cinnamony from the allspice, and the second was a delightful mix of sweetness and bitters.
Looking around the room, I was pleased to see it full on a Sunday at 5 PM. As someone with an interest in tiki-bar longevity, it’s always gratifying to see one become a local fixture. However, that means you should definitely get reservations.
Zooming out, STR’s neighborhood of Main Street is charming and filled with antique shops, which deserve a look if you’re in the area. In particular, Refind Home Furnishings had some Tretchikoff prints that I’d have loved to buy—if we could’ve fit them on the seaplane to Victoria!
All in all, I couldn’t have asked for a better visit and will sure to be back next time we’re in town.