TIKI!

I am proud to say that I have finally completed my collection of Tiki Mugs from Frankie's Tiki Room (if you count the one of David's that's living at my house!) First let talk a little about Frankie's. It's the best Tiki Bar in Las Vegas, and possibly the world. Started by P. Moss, the gentleman who also started DoubleDown, possibly the world's saltiest and craggiest punk bar, Frankie's is a small, out-of-the-way little venue on Charleston Ave. It's got a bright pink neon sign that's hard to miss.

There's hand-carved tiki chairs and tables, original artwork, including a Vice Tester by SHAG, and the juke box is full of Polynesian-inspired surfer rock. There are big illuminated colored orbs hanging from the ceiling for light, and several puffer fish mounted with colored lights in them too. There's even a fog machine surrounding the 8 foot tall tiki god with red dice for eyes that greets you when you walk in.

The drinks are strong, fruity, and have great names like Fink Bomb and Zombie. My friends and I go there all the time. We went there on my 30th birthday party and it was fantastic! Anyway, the specialty drinks either come in a regular glass, or, for a little extra, you can get them in the fantastic ceramic tiki mugs, 8 in all, designed especially for Frankie's.

I am proud to say that, over the past year, I have collected them all! Here are photos of each one and the memory I have from it. Also are the descriptions, taken from Frankiestikiroom.com





Lava Letch
"A lecherous concoction made with demon rum, brandy, raspberry liqueur and ginger beer. Lock up your daughters."

This is the first one I got, because I think it's my favorite. I am actually a little fuzzy on the memory of getting this, but I think it's a night when I went with a bunch of people: Jorge, Justin, Josh, Jessica & Andrea are among those that I remember. I got this sometime around January 2009.




Bombora Blast
"Loaded with 151 rum proof plus a jolt of guava-based energy drink, this volcanic eruption will keep you soaring all night."

This one I got in April of 2009 when Mikkel, Robert & Troy were visiting. It was their first time there and Justin, Josh, Lisa and Allison all came. It was a fun night, as always!



Malekula
"A glowing island elixir prepared with coconut rum, Tuaca, melon liqueur and pineapple juice. The perfect refresher for that perfect buzz."



Bearded Clam
"This tiki twist on the classic mojito includes light rum, mint leaves and a whisper of passion fruit. Guaranteed to part that grass skirt."

The two above were attained in early June when Angel was visiting. I think she enjoyed the bar too! She, David and I went to Frankie's with a bunch of friends. This was only a couple of months into our relationship, it seemed as if and David, my roommates, their S.O.s and I had been partying non-stop for a the entire summer. It was great! I got the volcano one for me, and the other for David, although it's lived at my since.




Thurston Howl
"A powerful explosion of rum, brandy, gin and Pernod. A couple of these and Lovey Howell will look like Ginger Grant."



Kahiki Kai
"This creamy delight of pure island freshness features coconut rum, banana liqueur and pineapple juice. The perfect escape to the perfect state of mind."

I got both of these on my 30th birthday party in October 2009 at Frankie's, which followed a dinner at the lovely Seredipity3. I was only planning on getting one, but then my friend Kobbe hit it big at the video poker and donated $400 to the party's bar tab. Needless to say, it made a good party great! So, I splurged and got these two.



Tiki Bandit
"A jackpot of pineapple rum, 151 proof rum, apricot brandy and blue curacao. This dreamy nectar will keep you rolling sevens."

6 months later, we went back to Frankie's again when my dear friend Leah was visiting from San Diego in March 2010. I got this one, which appears to be a second edition, because it has green details, where as Allison's mug, from an earlier time, has red lettering. I also got Leah the Lava Letch for a souvenir. I think the Tiki Bandit is competing with the Lava Letch for my favorite mug, it's just so dang great.



Green Gasser
"This lethal blast of citrus rum, melon liqueur, 151 proof rum and energy drink will knock you on your ass, then make you get up and beg for more."

A week later, we were back at Frankie's with Matt and Amanda visiting us from Phoenix. Greg joined us there and I got the last mug to complete the collection! I am quite proud of them and love them all.

We've taken so many visiting people, even the bartender remarked, "Say, you brought some new friends tonight!"

Here are a couple more photos, including the entire set, and the swizzle sticks that come in each and every drink. The first year Frankie's was open, all drinks came with the purple stick. Now, in its second year, all drinks have the red swizzle stick, with the face of P. Moss, the owner.











I hope they release more mugs someday! I love having them, and remembering the nights that I have spent there.

PS: If you got there, order the Fink Bomb or the Kahiki Kai. The Fink Bomb tastes like a liquid pineapple Life Saver and the Kahiki Kai's creaminess are both awesome.

frankiestikiroom.com

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Currently listening to Plastic Beach by Gorillaz