The Golden Tiki

Located in Las Vegas’s Chinatown, The Golden Tiki transports guests into an “adult Disneyland” of Polynesian escapism, combining pirate mythos, animatronics, and lavish tiki décor. Conceived by Branden Powers and opened in 2015, the bar’s captivating narrative centers on Captain William Tobias Faulkner’s quest for the mythical Golden Tiki, brought to life through immersive design elements—fake shrunken celebrity heads, talking tikis, starry ceilings, and black velvet paintings telling the pirate saga. The space brims with hidden details: a skeleton that animates during shows, a waterfall of seashells, conch‑shell seating, and vaulted thatched huts over the bar—all crowned by eclectic touches like giraffe bones and Hunter S. Thompson’s dagger. With just a dozen tables inside, reservations are recommended, especially weekends. The cocktail lineup is a feast: elaborate flaming drinks, shareable fishbowls, and Instagram‑friendly pineapple floats. Classics like Mai Tai, Navy Grog, and Piranha Punch shine alongside inventive specials such as Rings of Saturn, Viking Tiki Negroni, Demon Seaman, and Dole Whip floats spiked with rum. Average cocktail price is around $17, with fishbowls and bespoke shareable cocktails higher. Open 24/7 (21+), it frequently features live music and DJ sets, offering a bold nightlife spectacle for locals and tourists alike . The Golden Tiki remains one of the most celebrated tiki bars in the U.S., earning praise from Forbes, Eater Vegas, Thrillist, Time Out, and Atlas Obscura.