The 1933 Group’s Bobby Green is reviving his once-popular but now-defunct bar, the Lucky Tiki, nearly two decades after its closure.
The original Lucky Tiki in the San Fernando Valley was among the many themed bars developed by Green, known for creating popular spots like Bigfoot Lodge, Little Cave, Thirsty Crow, Harlow, and Idle Hour. Situated at a former 1950s bar called The Wild Cherry near the intersection of the 405 and 118 freeways, the Lucky Tiki featured decor by artists such as Crazy Al Evans, Tiki Tony, and Kevin Kidney. However, after the property was sold to a new owner in early 2006, the Lucky Tiki closed its doors, and its unique interior elements were placed into storage.
Lucky Tiki is now set to make a comeback in an unrevealed location near Tail O’ The Pup on Santa Monica Boulevard in West Hollywood.
The reestablished venue will feature all its original décor, including carved stools and vintage fishing floats, accompanied by a soundtrack of exotica music, according to LA Magazine.
Green is known for his dedication to preserving the cultural heritage of the area. His efforts with the 1933 Group have previously earned a Preservation Award from the Los Angeles Conservancy for revitalizing iconic locales such as the Highland Park Bowl and the Formosa Cafe.
The revamped bar is expected to draw a diverse and upscale crowd, rather than the bikers and car club enthusiasts which composed its original clientele.
Now, if they can only bring back the Mocambo and Ciro’s!
Does W. Hollywood really need yet ANOTHER bar?? 95% of all businesses in the city seem to be bars.
Ever notice that in numerous dystopian science fiction series there always seems to be a tiki bar🗿 that figures rather prominently in a few episodes ❓ Perhaps if we’re struck by an absolutely epic apocalyptic event ☢, it seems likely we would be able to shortly there after come up with all the bamboo & grass mats we would ever want because the stuff grows really fast, maybe some work involved in getting the corrugated metal for the roof and, no shortage of junk around to make tiki lamps out of.
The Lucky Tiki is now upstairs above the Pup of the Tail in the old bienvenidos bar space. You will need reservations as it’s booked 6months out already.
Trust me, I won’t need reservations, because I couldn’t care less nor would I ever be dumb enough to wait six months to go to a tiki bar.
The Lucky Tiki is in the old Bien Va
I’m pretty sure it is already open and starting as a bit of a secret word of mouth thing. There have been TikToks about it: https://www.tiktok.com/@cassidynashdavis/video/7357886076456815915
Go towards the red door on the downstairs patio. Open the small door on the pickle barrel and push the white button, wait for the door to be opened, go upstairs and have an Island inspired drink or two or three. There’s a video about it on the ticker tock.
PICKLES !!!
unrevealed? We all know where it is..
I rather go to a tiki bar with bikers and car club enthusiasts who actually appreciate the artistry and history of the tiki style than upscale snobs. This guy is sounding like the Kathleen Kennedy of the hospitality world.
You nailed it. Tok Tok getting people overly excited about a tiki bar. BTW: Above the old Benvenuto’s is the former office of the manager of The Doors.