This Trader Vic's opened in the basement level of the Hilton Hotel in downtown Atlanta in 1976. This is the only one of the Trader Vic's locations in the United States today that has not been updated in a way that removes some of the original charm. There have been ebbs and flows in the quality of the drink offerings over the last decade or so, but its value as a piece of Polynesian Pop history has helped it remain an important attraction.

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Lacers

Lacers has visited Trader Vic's.

November 18, 2018, 11:01 AM

I was so sad when I left here. I entered the building with so much sparkling anticipation. The elevator ride down to the basement sets the stage for greatness. Large tikis loom in dimly lit rock gardens. Everything look so magical. The decor. The tiki mugs on display in the glass case. All of it. There was no one at the host stand so we showed ourselves to the bar.
We arrived at 10:30 on a Saturday night. Not exactly late in tiki land. The place was nearly dead. There were 3 tables full of people and one other twosome at the bar. The table behind us was full of drunk middle aged women shouting about selfies with the bartenders. The bartenders were loving it. They were loud and animated and (frankly) exceptionally inappropriate with another staff member. They yelled over our heads back and forth with the drunk women for most of our visit.
There was no music.
CNN on the TV.
The bar was over lit.
The kitchen was closed. In fact, the lights in most of the dining room were off. We still took a self guided tour though, and the decor and vintage photos were great.
The drinks were ok. Made quick and sloppy and lacked nuance. The garnish was something to be embarrassed about.
The worst part was that there were no mugs. Not for service or for sale.
The bartenders were nice enough to give me a handful of swizzle sticks when I voiced my disappointment in not having a souvenir.

I'd go back, because I want to try the food and see this place packed. But seriously Vic's, please dim the lights and turn on some music.

DanTiki

DanTiki has visited Trader Vic's.

September 10, 2018, 5:33 PM

While the decor is still vintage, this is nothing more than a hotel bar with a tiki theme. No music, and the tv was showing CNN. Not the tiki escape I expected. Garnishes were a joke, a canned cherry and a pineapple chunk. Drink quality was ok, but seemed very meh. I can only imagine this place must have been like in the 70�s swinging with some mood music.

Miss Catwings

Miss Catwings has visited Trader Vic's.

July 4, 2018, 1:46 PM

I think I what some people here are missing is that this IS the quintessential tiki bar before they were called tiki bars. The ambiance here reeks of tropical drinks and pacific and Asian food fare. Although not many tiki�s and the disappointment of no tiki barware I felt like I was transported to another time and place. I didn�t feel like I was in the lower level of the Atlanta Hilton in the middle of the business district. I felt like I could�ve been in Honolulu in the 70s, the only thing missing would�ve been Don Ho. I went at happy hour time and it was relatively empty since that�s right when it opens and as I left more people started to fill the restaurant. Aside from the annoying couple next to me that were talking incessantly to the bartender about how they come down a two times a year and how into �Tiki� they are were (although it sounds like they had only been to a small handful of bars in their hometown- they didn�t even know what to call a swizzle stick) and shit-talking the S.O.S. in Decatur, I still had a wonderful time next to the quiet businessmen enjoying their tropical cocktails in regular old glasses with tropical garnishments and the other young couple soaking in the lowlight of the bar. I decided to try their signature drink since I was in Atlanta, �Atlanta�s own Peach Tree Punch.� It was served with half a canned peach, and was a blend of rum, peaches and bit of orange. It was a delicious and delightful spin on a tropical drink southern style. I ordered the Mac Nut Encrusted MahiMahi which was served with a side of ratatouille and sweet potato mash. It was PERFECTLY cooked. I was amazed since this is a land-locked city and I�m from Hawaii and have fresh fish all the time. It made up for the bill and was still amazing the next day as leftovers. I�m very thankful I got to visit this Trader Vic�s. A taste of kitsch and old tiki bar culture. A hidden oasis in the middle of Downtown ATL.

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