Tiki culture was born out of the need for escapism, a postwar fad that gave landlocked imbibers an excuse to forget their dismal situation and instead drink fruit-infused, heavily garnished cocktails in a tropical wonderland. It's been a rough couple of weeks for Texas (uh, understatement), so is it any wonder that we're looking forward to throwing ourselves into Texas Tiki Week?
The week-long celebration of all things tiki starts on September 11 and continues until September 17, taking place at some of Austin's best cocktail bars and including parties, brunches and a treasure hunt. Dust off those leis and check out our favorite events happening during the week:
Monday
Texas Tiki Week Kick Off Party at the Roosevelt Room: To start the week, head to one of Austin's top cocktail spots for music by King Pelican and a menu collab between the Roosevelt Room and San Antonio's Juniper Tar. Tickets: $40
Tuesday
The Making of a Tiki Mug by John Mulder at the Townsend: Learn from John and Janet Mulder, creators of the official 2017 (and 2016 and 2015) Tiki Mug, about the process behind making the ultimate tiki mug. This event is in conjunction with the seminar below.
Exotic Cocktails and the Cult of the Tiki Bar at the Townsend: This seminar, sponsored by Pusser’s Rum, details the history of tiki culture from two folks who know it best. Martin and Rebecca Cate are founders of Smuggler’s Cove in San Francisco, and will lead you on a tiki journey that touches on how the phenomenon ended up in Texas. You'll also be able to purchase the Cates' book, Smuggler’s Cove: Exotic Cocktails, Rum, and the Cult of Tiki. Tickets: $12-32
Tiki Fun Movie Night at Weather Up: Join other tiki fanatics at Weather Up for a viewing of Hard Ticket to Hawaii, plus a special tiki menu featuring cocktails that include Appleton, Goslings and Redemption Rye. Head to Nickel City afterwards for a late-night happy hour with frozen Hurricanes. Tickets: $10
Wednesday
Texas Tiki Week Bus Tour: Grogs: This longstanding tradition welcomes tiki lovers to celebrate grogs on an imaginative bus tour, starting at Péché at 6:30pm and making stops along the way (Midnight Cowboy, WeatherUp, Craftsman, The Tigress and maybe a surprise or two) for a grog at each. Tickets: $25
Thursday
Seminar from Minister of Rum Ed Hamilton: The rum expert will discuss different types of rum and the process that goes into making tiki's most beloved liquor. Tickets: $10
Friday
Group Tiki Cocktail Treasure Hunt: Yeah, yeah, we're all adults, but that doesn't mean we can't partake in a treasure hunt now and then (especially when it involves cocktails). Meet your fellow treasure hunters at the Roosevelt Room and end at King Bee with fun stops along the way. Oh, and there are contests and prizes too. RSVP here
Tiki Trivia Bingo Time at Frank: Head to Frank for an evening of trivia bingo, tiki cocktails and prizes. RSVP here
Saturday
Texas Tiki Week Tiki Village at Contigo: This is a first for Tiki Week—an entire tiki village selling wares like vintage Hawaiian wear, tiki art, stickers, and tiki cookies that taste like tiki cocktails. A DJ, cocktails and bites from Contigo, and a special class will also be onsite.
Sunday
Tiki Time Brunch at Weather Up: End the week with a special pig roast at Weather Up, where you'll be able to sip on St. Germain cocktails and pineapple mimosas. Tickets: $28
Check out the complete list of events here.
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