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Hold the mojito, Little Havana is going Polynesian for a change. Calle Ocho’s newest bar, Casa Tiki, is bringing all things South Pacific to the historically Cuban neighborhood.
Homecookin’ Hospitality Group (the group behind Drunken Dragon, Foxhole and Racket) followed its general mode of operation for this latest venture—leave a nondescript entrance that leads into a themed adult playground. Walk through the door and you’ll arrive somewhere imaginary within the islands of Hawaii and Tahiti.
Inside, it’s a multipurpose space commanded by a large, 180-degree bar with a thatched roof to one side and a lounge with a small stage to the other (we can only hope some kind of fire dancers will be taking over soon). Bamboo accents, rattan furnishings and ukuleles tacked on the walls help set the island scene. The vibe at Casa Tiki is very much luau-after-dark with the occasional steel guitar tune or drumbeat to further imbue the vacation feel.
It all feels very tropical and exotic but the real cherry on top are the drinks, which are mostly fruity and served in a variety of cute ceramic tiki mugs. Expect punches and rum-based concoctions with many ingredients and liqueurs to keep things lip-smackingly sweet. Most are single-serving drinks though several cocktails are also available as large-format bowls to share. And if all of that sounds like too much rum for your blood, Casa Tiki sells beer as well.
Ready to pretend you’ve left Miami? Casa Tiki is located at 1728 SW 8th Street and opens Thursday through Saturday from 5pm until midnight (or whenever curfew might be that day).
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