The Shameful Tiki Room opened on November 17, 2015, and is in the Parkdale neighborhood of Toronto. It is the sister location of The Shameful Tiki Room in Vancouver, B.C.
in Southern California in the 1930s. Classic exotic cocktails and pu-pu platter items are available, prepared and presented in the traditional style. The soundtrack is a mix of Exotica and surf.
Having visited the Vancouver Shameful Tiki Room many times and having loved it, I had very high expectations of the Toronto location. It's very good, but it doesn't quite hit the mark that its Vancouver sister so beautifully nailed. It's a bigger, more open room. It's brighter and I don't feel as much like I am lost in a tropical jungle when I walk in. I feel like I walked into a city bar. However, even if it loses a few points in charm, the drinks are still spectacular, the music is good, the decor is classic tiki, and the food is tasty. I still recommend it, but given the choice... the Vancouver one is far better.
Tiki Mon is a regular at The Shameful Tiki Room, and is usually there Whenever I'm in Toronto.
November 4, 2019, 7:32 PM
UPDATE! I first reviewed the Shameful Tiki Room Toronto back in 2016, but as the STR approaches their 4th Anniversary this November, it's fair to say this is my favourite bar in the GTA. Amazing staff, a wicked vibe, and consistently great cocktails. If they rented out rooms, I'd live here. The attention to detail and genuine love of Tiki is evident, right down to the groovy Exotica music. This place is the real deal. Aloha!
Finally got to visit the TO spot and really enjoyed it. Loved their takes on the classics, and tried one of their originals the Blue Suede Booze and dug it. I went solo while in town for work, but the bowls looked amazing and I wished I had someone to share one with. Excellent decor and a wonderful staff. Drinks were excellent and came out fast despite the bar being somewhat busy. I had the Tuna Poke and Fried Pickles. Both were great, but the chips weren't strong enough to scoop the poke-guac. My only true negative to share was that clientele didn't seem like a tiki crowd. I watched a guy next to me at the bar read the entire menu front to back and then order a Long Island Iced Tea... what a shame.
Having visited the Vancouver Shameful Tiki Room many times and having loved it, I had very high expectations of the Toronto location. It's very good, but it doesn't quite hit the mark that its Vancouver sister so beautifully nailed. It's a bigger, more open room. It's brighter and I don't feel as much like I am lost in a tropical jungle when I walk in. I feel like I walked into a city bar. However, even if it loses a few points in charm, the drinks are still spectacular, the music is good, the decor is classic tiki, and the food is tasty. I still recommend it, but given the choice... the Vancouver one is far better.
Tiki Mon is a regular at The Shameful Tiki Room, and is usually there Whenever I'm in Toronto.
November 4, 2019, 7:32 PM
UPDATE! I first reviewed the Shameful Tiki Room Toronto back in 2016, but as the STR approaches their 4th Anniversary this November, it's fair to say this is my favourite bar in the GTA. Amazing staff, a wicked vibe, and consistently great cocktails. If they rented out rooms, I'd live here. The attention to detail and genuine love of Tiki is evident, right down to the groovy Exotica music. This place is the real deal. Aloha!
Finally got to visit the TO spot and really enjoyed it. Loved their takes on the classics, and tried one of their originals the Blue Suede Booze and dug it. I went solo while in town for work, but the bowls looked amazing and I wished I had someone to share one with. Excellent decor and a wonderful staff. Drinks were excellent and came out fast despite the bar being somewhat busy. I had the Tuna Poke and Fried Pickles. Both were great, but the chips weren't strong enough to scoop the poke-guac. My only true negative to share was that clientele didn't seem like a tiki crowd. I watched a guy next to me at the bar read the entire menu front to back and then order a Long Island Iced Tea... what a shame.
SugaKane is a semi-regular at The Shameful Tiki Room.
July 9, 2019, 11:54 AM
Excellent Tiki Bar! I try to make the trip out anytime I'm in Toronto, and while I feel that the Vancouver location has a tilt quality that I just dig a little bit more, the TO room is always a good time.
I was in Toronto this summer for a baseball game with my son. We decided to go to the Shameful Tiki based on reputation and suggestions from people we know in Toronto. The drinks were excellent especially the bowls. Even better was the theater when bowls were delivered. The food was okay but I would have liked something more exotic than Tikified versions of burgers and such. We had a great time and would go back.
Under rated gem. Drink menu isnt as vast as a place like the legendary bars in San Francisco, but drink quality is fantastic, staff is friendly, the vibe is great. I love going here and return semi regularly. Love having a place like this in town!
Truly enjoyed our visit, it was on of the highlights of our weeklong visit tonToronto. The drinks were excellent t and Jay was loads of fun. Thanks for a great evening! See you next year!
Truly enjoyed our visit, it was on of the highlights of our weeklong visit tonToronto. The drinks were excellent t and Jay was loads of fun. Thanks for a great evening! See you next year!
One of my favorite experiences. These folks up north get it. Great service from personalities that understand the tiki experience and presentation. The great tasting drinks were well presented in full tiki style , most had a flame feature including the Mai Tai. Yes, I know that's not tradition , but tiki isn't about a playbook, Tiki is exotic and adventurous and this place captures that. Even the late night entertainment was a bazaar white wigged German accented Elvis impersonator doing karaoke. Crazy fun, don't miss this one in Toronto folks!
Good well made drinks. Many original cocktails. Knowledgeable staff. Food selection is minimal so eat before arriving, plus it's small portions and expensive. Best to focus on the drinks. Garnished well, with proper luxardo cherries. Fine selection of sipping rums. Street parking.
Tiki Mon is a regular at The Shameful Tiki Room, and is usually there Whenever I'm in Toronto.
November 15, 2016, 1:19 PM
The Shameful Tiki Room is slowly finding it's place in the Toronto bar scene. Great retro vibe and lots of special events. They have initiated a Rum Club for regulars who want to delve deeper into that base spirit and venture beyond the noble Mai Tai. Excellent drinks and an outstanding staff who are genuinely into the crafting of Tiki cocktails. The best tiki you'll find North of 49 and east of the Rockies!
Not quite as good as the Shameful room in Vancouver, but still a great bar. Decor is fantastic, music, food and drinks are all on point. Great they have live bands but the group seating is right in front of the stage. I went there for a big get-together reunion of sorts and we ended up having to leave because we couldn't talk with the band blasting right in our ears.
Unlike the Vancouver location, they seem to let this place get a little packed, allowing a throng of people in front of the bar, which ruins the vibe and slows service. At least that was the case when I was there.
I will definitely be back next time I am in Toronto though, overall a quality tiki bar!
In Toronto for business and I almost forgot to check this place out. Boy am I glad I remembered at 11pm on Thursday night! Walking through the door, the decor reminded me immediately of a scaled-back Pagan Idol (San Francisco), which is a good thing. They had a surf band (The Cliff Divers) playing Dick Dale covers and other surf songs, and it really created an awesome vibe. They had a tv behind the bar playing old black and white surf/beach/tiki clips, giving the place a nostalgic feel. They have a well-designed menu and drinks range from $8-$14, and bowls from $23-$40. I would definitely come back here again if I was in the area!