Aku Aku

Comments about Aku Aku

Whaia-Muri

Whaia-Muri is a semi-regular at Aku Aku.

June 4, 2019, 12:10 PM

I have patronized Aku Aku numerous times. I like it, but there are some short comings...

The decor is pretty good. There are a bunch of amazing artifacts in there surrounded by a bunch of junk (my guess is people give them anything "tiki-ish" and they put it on the shelf).

My biggest grievances are the HUGE TVs DIRECTLY BEHIND THE BAR which have usually been tuned to a soccer game or equally distracting visual. Maybe I'm being harsh, but I hate TVs in tiki bars! It throws the whole thing off.

The music is good. Classic exotica and the like. At their worst they at least play yacht rock.

It definitely gets the bud light and tequila shot crowd. Not their fault, but the drinks suffer as a result. The bartenders usually end up free-pouring the drinks which ruins the balance. Most of the drinks I've had were either way too sweet or watered down.

The staff is nice and I can tell it is run by a tikiphile. Just needs a little more focus.

tikiglees

tikiglees has visited Aku Aku.

June 14, 2018, 7:31 AM

Arrived on a rainy night around midnight after a full week of conferences in Orlando and AkuAku didn't disappoint. Small but cool - drinks were ok, but Pixie the bartender was super accommodating to help out the crew. Went straight for the Tiger Fuqr and loved the spice in it. We needed to relax a bit and the double Aku was exactly what the doctor ordered... not sure he ordered up the Waffle House visit afterwards but when in Orlando....

Uskathoth

Uskathoth is a regular at Aku Aku, and is usually there Mon, Tues, Wed or Sunday, afternoons or HH.

March 6, 2018, 1:50 PM

They finally got unique Aku Aku tiki mugs in! Great place to hang out; great location by the lake.

donwestchester

donwestchester has visited Aku Aku.

February 22, 2018, 8:56 AM

Rarely in Orlando but had opportunity just recently to visit. Enjoyed the quaint relaxing tiki vibe. Had the Tiger Fucker which was great along with purchasing an awesome mug. Eric the bartender is a super cool cat and thank you to Flounder for signing my mug. Cheers....

JP

JP is a regular at Aku Aku, and is usually there weekday evenings.

November 11, 2017, 2:30 PM

Let me preface this comment with this: Aku Aku has the potential to be great. Some nights, it comes very close. But others...

Orlando has a lot of bars. A LOT OF BARS. In fact, Aku Aku is right above a bar called Stardust and next to a World of Beer. There's lots of options nearby for non-tiki fans/drinkers...and yet, the Aku Aku bar regularly has folks sitting at the bar drinking vodka and Redbull. WHY?! YOU'RE AT A TIKI BAR.

If you can get past the deadweight at the bar, the atmosphere is pretty good! The TV's usually have something pretty kitschy on, the music is usually on point, the bartenders seem to enjoy making tiki drinks (when they AREN'T pouring tequila shots)...so, you know, it's not bad.

The secret about Orlando is: a lot of the bartenders in town (at the cooler bars) are huge Tiki fans. You can request off-menu tiki drinks from these guys and girls, and they always deliver. So, there's always options.

Anyway, the drinks at Aku Aku are nice, and if you're into a bit of spice, ask for the Tiger Fucker (it's off-menu!)

KevinCrossman

KevinCrossman has visited Aku Aku.

September 24, 2017, 11:20 AM

Went with some Tiki muggles on a Saturday evening, and while there was a lively crowd there was also plenty of space on the lounge chairs for our group of six. Overall impression is that this isn't a bad tiki bar, and certainly better than the touristy restaurant/bars lining International Drive, City Walk, and Disney Springs.

Ordered the first round and each drink seems to come in its own tiki mug. My Mai Tai was served with a ton of mint, more then just a sprig. The Mai Tai supposedly is based on the 1944 recipe but didn't taste quite like that to me. It wasn't bad though. I also has the Aku Aku which was sweeter but still good for my palette.

I also ordered a Tiger Fucker, which is served flaming and features jalapeño peppers. It's a very interesting drink but it really, really kicked me hard. Beware! But worth trying (maybe not with two other drinks, though). Weird that this drink is sort of their signature but isn't listed on the menu.

Decor is a mix of authentic looking (great looking Aku Aku statue, nice wood shelving behind the bar) along with some tacky tiki elements. TV above the bar playing football with no sound. The music was a mix of reggae and sixties pop (two Beatles songs, oy vey!). Bar staff was friendly but did lose track of a couple orders.

yesyesyes

yesyesyes has visited Aku Aku.

June 4, 2017, 8:34 AM

Remember, over 21 only

JimNeumayer

JimNeumayer is a semi-regular at Aku Aku.

May 24, 2017, 2:01 PM

A fun tiki bar in downtown Orlando. While not a
large drink menu (more drinks are rumored to
be coming) the drinks on the menu are good.
The Pupule Punch has 18 oz of 4 rums and is amazing!

Cheap bastard

Cheap bastard has visited Aku Aku.

February 8, 2017, 8:33 PM

Total quality tiki bar. Located in a great area of Orlando. Get there early so you can rent a swan and paddle the lake. Eric is a superior bartender. There are very friendly locals here. The drinks are very affordable and good. They have a signature drink called the Tiger Fucker which is so good. They are in the process of ordering souvenir mugs from tiki farm but in the meantime Eric gave me some killer swag (koozies and stickers) this is a great alternative for people who want Orlando tiki and don't want to mess with the mouse.

dfranko

dfranko is a semi-regular at Aku Aku.

June 1, 2016, 4:31 PM

A classic tiki bar in downtown Orlando. Finally, a place to get true tiki drinks. A must see for tiki lovers.

sveinnphotography

sveinnphotography is a regular at Aku Aku, and is usually there Sunday or Monday nights.

January 25, 2016, 3:03 PM

Really it's the best local Tiki in Orlando, they do have to deal with the downtown crowd which has been a challenge but the atmosphere and drink quality is great! the music is usually awesome but they do like to mix it up a bit some nights, like sunday night is Punk night, which i love but it's not Tiki. The Staff are awesome.

SGT623

SGT623 has visited Aku Aku.

February 13, 2015, 7:43 PM

Great atmosphere, tasty drinks! Only thing missing is signature tiki mugs!

Regulars and Visitors of Aku Aku

Regulars

People who go to Aku Aku at least a few times a month.

• sveinnphotography
  Sunday or Monday nights
• Capttiki
• cam
  Evening
• JP
  weekday evenings
• claysatiki
• Uskathoth
  Mon, Tues, Wed or Sunday, afternoons or HH

Semi-Regulars

People who go to Aku Aku at least a few times a year.

• 
  Whaia-Muri
• 
  The Tizz
• 
  GuidedbyCMac
• 
  djclulow
• 
  dfranko
• 
  LisaGirl
• 
  JimNeumayer
• 
  tatdiver
• 
  Sukielau
• 
  TikiShrug
• 
  Enchanted Erin
• 
  Brandon the Magician
• 
  MikeTheMainlander
• 
  Uncommon2000
• 
  Patrick720
• 
  Professor Tiki
• 
  JDMagineer10
• 
  jupiterjones
• 
  daveduffett

Visitors

People who have been to Aku Aku at least once.

• 
  Trader Mike
• 
  yesyesyes
• 
  pittsburgh paulie
• 
  tikigrotto
• 
  KevinCrossman
• 
  ridric
• 
  Tikikahuna
• 
  A'Pau-ling
• 
  NYC Tiki
• 
  Silly Idol
• 
  SGT623
• 
  Jon-Tiki
• 
  Cheap bastard
• 
  retrocelt
• 
  alohameisha
• 
  tikiglees
• 
  steve hammons
• 
  bejacob
• 
  Doctor Ti
• 
  Dr. McTiki
• 
  theatomickid1959
• 
  Badgersan
• 
  Castaway Kevin
• 
  Gwendolyn
• 
  ghornett
• 
  Bange
• 
  popkiller
• 
  Gonzo Tiki
• 
  TikiPalace
• 
  tikinooch
• 
  Mel
• 
  abacab
• 
  donwestchester
• 
  Vegus
• 
  amy
• 
  JentikiPDX
• 
  carvingbike
• 
  twocaledonias
• 
  heathenlife
• 
  Bonefish
• 
  aboucher04
• 
  Marilyn Mercury
• 
  DriftwoodDrew
• 
  fun4robots
• 
  Murray
• 
  TikiBear
• 
  Raqi
• 
  Wernsiki
• 
  theshrew77
• 
  Moxietregatti
• 
  Uapu'uwai
• 
  Evie Apple
• 
  adriancardwell
• 
  NatalievonTiki
• 
  Cape FM
• 
  tvmikek
• 
  Makai
• 
  joshuamathias
• 
  Missmaelaroux
• 
  TraderBrandon
• 
  Hahai
• 
  MechaLeary
• 
  Doctorgori
• 
  montken
• 
  bowlofpretzels
• 
  ottawatiki
• 
  Trader Jay
• 
  Akela Akoni
• 
  KingDado
• 
  WayneS
• 
  tikiobsessed
• 
  KariRyan
• 
  MeaganKyla
• 
  binaryoverride
• 
  TraderSharps
• 
  floridarumrunnergal
• 
  Ualani
• 
  brucelightyear
• 
  KahunaCP
• 
  SocialCrash
• 
  Progressland
• 
  Fendaddy
• 
  tikirk
• 
  AtomicTiki
• 
  Wendyluvzelvis
• 
  j4shiner
• 
  yetanotherusername
• 
  LNVitril
• 
  Tiki Crab
• 
  achapnick
• 
  TikiTikiTiki42