Tiki bars are staples in the Las Vegas bar scene, offering tropical island-themed services with an impressive selection of crafty rum-based cocktails. You won’t miss the sight of one such bar with its romanticized take on tropical cultures as well as retro décor.
The backstory of the tiki bar dates back to 1933 when Ernest Gantt, popularly known as Donn Beach, opened Don the Beachcomber in South California. The bar and restaurant became popular for its exotic rum cocktails ranging from the classic Zombie to Tahitian Rum Punch, Navy Grog, and Sumatra Kula.
Donn Beach’s tiki bar also incorporated tropical décor, curated by Donn’s many collected artifacts during his trips to Polynesian Islands. Don the Beachcomber became so successful, leading to more than 25 branches.
Today, many bars in America have adopted the tropical concept to offer customers bamboo-decorated watering holes. Las Vegas is among the most prominent cities with tiki bars featuring all the classic tiki cocktails and ambiance that whisk you off to the tropics. Read on to learn of the best tiki bars in Sin City.
Top 9 Tiki Bars in Las Vegas
1. Frankie’s Tiki Room
- Address: 1712 West Charleston Boulevard, Las Vegas, NV 891092
- Phone: 702 385 3110
- Opening Hours: 24 hours every day
Frankie’s Tiki Room is a Las Vegas icon that opened on December 4, 2008. The south seas tropical island theme is the biggest drawer for its guests, but its huge selection of classic tiki bar cocktails keeps people coming.
Located near the Strip, Frankie’s Tiki Room boasts an ambiance decorated by the renowned Bamboo Ben, the designer of the Enchanted Tiki Room in Disneyland. Bamboo Ben’s vision brilliantly brought together many elements of neon signs with traditional Island décor.
Casino games at the bar remind you that you are still in Las Vegas despite the breezy bamboo-trenched atmosphere. One thing you won’t forget about Frankie’s is the souvenir tiki mugs.
For about $30, you can get your delicious cocktail in souvenir tiki mugs that are thematically shaped. Favorites include the skull mug and zombie head mug.
Try the quirky rum drink from the buzzing Frankiestein with gold rim and ginger liquor to Lava Letch with demon rum and Surf Dragon with gold rum. Classics are in plenty, including the Zombie and Fog cutter made from a string blend of rum, brandy, and gin.
The cocktail names aren’t the quirkiest side of the menu. That title is left for the skull rating. Frankie’s Tiki Room uses a scale of one to five skulls to rate the strength of their drinks. Take the three-skull Lapu Lapu or Scorpion for an average feel. For something punchier, choose the five-skull Zombie or Navy Grog.
2. The Golden Tiki
- Address: 3939 Spring Mountain Road, Las Vegas, NV 89102
- Phone: 702 222 3196
- Opening Hours: 24 hours every day
The Golden Tiki gives Frankie’s Tiki Room a run for its money. These two are the most competitively ranked tiki bars in Las Vegas, but the Golden Tiki separates itself by offering a more immersive experience in a pirate-themed setting.
Flowing water fixtures and dancing animatronics are just the tip of the iceberg. Technicolor fills the entire atmosphere with lots of moonlighting that simulates tropical nightlife.
Themed music is on throughout the day with classics like Pirates of the Caribbean soundtracks. Souvenir mugs are plenty but will cost you an extra $5 compared to Frankie’s.
The Painkiller is the most popular cocktail on the huge menu, made with Pusser’s rum and topped with fresh nutmeg. Golden Tiki impresses with its everyday happy hour hosted between 4 pm and 7 pm. Visit the tropical bar at this time to drink their $4 beers and $8 specialty cocktails.
3. Tiki di Amore
- Address: 2850 E Tropicana Avenue, Las Vegas, NV 89121
- Phone: 702 433 4967
- Opening Hours: Friday to Sunday from 5 pm – 11 pm
The first two contenders for tiki bar lovers an indoor tropical setting lit up with lots of neon and elegant décor.
On the other hand, Tiki di Amore brings a unique outdoor lounge setting that is even grander with its $5 every hour, every day happy hour. Yes, for just $5, you can have a special tiki drink while sitting on the patio.
Tiki di Amore is Las Vegas’s only tiki bar with an outdoor space which makes it a winner for celebrations and events like wedding receptions and tropical-themed birthdays. Your dishes are also taken care of since the bar is located in Casa di Amore which serves authentic Italian foods.
Try their fan-favorite Painkiller, Zombie, Saturn, or the Blue Hawaiian.
Note: Tiki di Amore is closed for the winter. Will open in the Spring!
4. Island Time Floats Tiki Bar & Tacos
- Address: 3641 S Las Vegas Boulevard, Nv 89109
- Phone: 702 816 4866
- Opening Hours: 9 am to 5 am Thursday to Saturday, 9 am to 4 am Sunday to Wednesday
Located along the Grand Bazaar Shops, Island Time Floats serves tropical island-themed tacos and drinks. It is famously known for its Dole Soft Serve drink that is sold with or without alcohol. Specialty drinks range from the Rum Milk Punch to the Whip It and Eastern Sour Big Eye Sailor.
Island Time Floats does not serve classic tiki bar cocktails like most tiki bars. Also, the tropical island theme is only applied to the long bar section of the area. Despite this, you get to feel the full ambiance of the tropics with live music and island-themed street tacos.
5. Starboard Tack
- Address: 2601 Atlantic Street, Las Vegas, NV 89121
- Phone: 702 684 5769
- Opening Hours: 12 am – 12 pm every day
A vintage tiki bar does not get older than the 50-year-old Starboard Tack on the East side of Las Vegas. Starboard Tack opened in the 1970s and is now the go-to destination for older timers and young hipsters alike who love a little throwback.
The bar is filled with retro décor and lighting that is reminiscent of Starboard Tack’s 70s roots. Booths decorated with tropical fabrics complimented the funkiness of the venue seen in its aquatic-themed window panes.
Despite its tiki theme, Starboard Tack does not serve rum-based cocktails alone. Rum classics are in plenty, but you will also bump into vodka-based drinks like the Hong Kong Yacht Club made with mandarin.
6. Margaritaville
- Address: 355 South Las Vegas Boulevard, Las Vegas, NV 89019
- Phone: 702 733 3302
- Opening Hours: Friday and Saturday from 8 am to 11 pm, Sunday to Thursday from 8 am to 10 pm
Margaritaville takes the tropical setting to a new level. Over hanging from the roof are statues of turtles, sharks, and whales. There are some neon lighting retro elements going on, but the huge floor-to-ceiling windows limit their allure.
Wooden accents populate the bar area, from wooden chairs to tables, roof décor, and wall finishes. The tropical theme is Caribbean based, and the paired-up food menu makes it more appealing.
Happy Hour is available every day, all day, offering discounted drinks like $7 on the wells.
7. Herbs & Rye
- Address: 3713 W Sahara Avenue, Las Vegas, NV 89102
- Phone: 702 982 8036
- Opening Hours: Monday to Saturday, 5 pm to 3 am
Opened in 2009, Herbs & Rye has become one of the more elegant places to go in Las Vegas for great steaks and cocktails. Herbs & Rye falls into this category because of its classic cocktail list that pays homage to rum traditions and classic inventions.
Proceed to the Tiki Room section of the menu to feast on classics like the Beachcomber or the Fog Cutter.
8. Rhumbar Tropical Ultra Lounge
- Address: 3400 S Las Vegas Boulevard, Las Vegas, NV 89109
- Phone: 702 791 7111
- Opening Hours: Monday to Thursday from 4 pm to 12 am, Friday to Saturday from 12 pm to 2 am, Sunday from 10 am to 2 am
Located in the Mirage, Rhumbar brings you a tiki bar scene that is complimented with elegantly decorated open-space seating and plush furniture.
It is a host to many summer events and live performances, making it the go-to place for anyone who wants a tiki bar experience in an eclectic setting.
It is the biggest tiki bar experience in Las Vegas, with lots of seating and a dedicated bottle service that you won’t find in other tiki bars. Classic drinks are not in plenty, but tropical rum-based cocktails are, with a popular choice being the Tatonga made with mango rum.
9. Jammyland Cocktail Bar & Reggae Kitchen
- Address: 1121 S Main Street, Las Vegas, NV 89104
- Phone: 702 800 9098
- Opening Hours:
Jammyland is a heavy hitter showing that tiki bars can be more fun outside the Strip. The bar is located in a shanty chic converted garage in the middle of the Arts District, filled with many vintage stores and a neon ambiance.
Jammyland bar is a recent addition to the tiki bar scene, offering over 1500 different types of drinks with a clear focus on the best rum cocktails. They have the rarest of rums, including the 12-year-old Duncan Taylor, and you will not get lost in the selections because the bartenders are there to guide you.
Go for the verification and education experience to find the perfect cocktail that aligns with your interest.
Try the Jamaican classic Anaconda Punch cocktail made from Appleton Jamaican rum. It is a punchy cocktail that will hit you unexpectedly because of its fruity mango syrup and pineapple infusion combos.
Read More:
Final Thoughts
If you want an outstanding outdoor tiki bar experience, then Tiki di Amore is your go-to place, but you may be disappointed since it is not a 24-hours bar. For an always-open tiki bar experience, head into the Golden Tiki or Frankie’s Tiki Room.