Tour de Tiki Stage 3: Northwest Side

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Comment by John Greenfield on April 9, 2011 at 1:43am

We'll leave Aurora at 2 pm and it's 40 miles to the Breakers. Riding leisurely and taking a few breaks we'll probably get there around 7 pm. You can call my cell at  312-560-3966 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting            312-560-3966      end_of_the_skype_highlightingto check in.

Comment by John Greenfield on April 8, 2011 at 12:14am

Cool. Guys, if some reason you aren't going to make it give me a call on Saturday at 312-560-3966 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting            312-560-3966      end_of_the_skype_highlighting

Comment by millenial removing Bernie tattoo on April 7, 2011 at 6:41pm

I'm getting on the train @ Union Station

Comment by Tank-Ridin' Ryan on April 7, 2011 at 1:46pm

John,

 

For me, it'll be either seeing you at Union Station, on the train and/or the Aurora station.

 

 

Comment by John Greenfield on April 7, 2011 at 12:40pm

Folks, let me know if you would like to meet up at Aurora Station, on the train or at the Western/18th platform.

 

John Greenfield

Comment by John Greenfield on April 6, 2011 at 8:02am

Comment by John Greenfield on April 6, 2011 at 8:00am

Well, my friend, you don't know what you're missing! Tiki bars are tropically-themed establishments serving rum-based cocktails in decorative mugs or glasses, garnished with fruit, flowers and/or tiny paper umbrellas, or served flaming in volcano-shaped bowls. The decor reflects a Rousseau-like fantasy of the Pacific Islands with reproductions of carved idols, grass mat wallpaper, stuffed puffer fish, tropical plants and the like, and romantic lighting. The music is often soothing Hapa Haole ("Half White") tunes - early Hawaiian pop music played on ukelele, slide guitar and Western instruments. If food is offered, as at the Breakers, it's usually American-style Chinese food with quasi-Polynesian additions like pineapple, often involving a bowl of fire, as in the attached photo.Not very authentic but usually pretty tasty.

 

Tiki bars gained popularity after World War II, capitalizing on the nostalgia of American G.I.s for the Pacific islands. Nowadays, tiki bar enthusiasts like myself enjoy not only the cozy, tropical atmosphere, especially on a cold night, but also the post-war retro appeal of these establishments, which sometimes date back to the 1940s. I think for me tiki bars particularly hit a nerve with me because one of my relatives used to own a tiki-themed hotel near Miami called the Hawaiian Isle which I used to visit as a kid in the '70s.

 

Come join me on the ride and find out what tiki culture is all about!

 

- John Greenfield

Comment by millenial removing Bernie tattoo on April 5, 2011 at 5:55pm

I have never been to a "tiki bar"