Trader Vic's

Comments about Trader Vic's

Jasper Meer

Jasper Meer is a semi-regular at Trader Vic's.

July 22, 2017, 9:27 AM

This is the only vintage Tiki bar left standing in my hometown, so I should talk it up... but, I can't. The frat party, bro-vibe is overwhelming. While no joint can be entirely blamed for its clientele, this is a corporate hotel chain bar at its core. Expect the classic drinks, but do not expect any craft or premium ingredients to go into'em. Yeah, yeah, yeah... Ok, Hilton, Inc. does get a lot right, too. Someone's made an effort to put together regular programmed nights for Tikiphiles and those are perfect. Truly. And the Chinese wood-fired ovens are no joke. They're the real deal. And... the kitsch is on point. I might love this place more than I let on.

Ohhoe

Ohhoe has visited Trader Vic's.

June 22, 2017, 5:59 PM

It's so bad in everything but decor I'm almost offended. Live band is currently playing yacht rock, which I'm down with, but not when I'm at a tiki bar. The mai tai was horrendous, I forgot the other drink I had but it tasted like cough syrup . The bartender was irritated when I asked him for a swizzle stick.

And there's a tv showing baseball.


Cool for the history.... but ugh

Disarmed

Disarmed has visited Trader Vic's.

April 8, 2017, 9:50 PM

Maybe I was there on an off night but I was not impressed. Sports on the TV, bro patrons, and weird-almost rude encounters with the bartender.
Vic's brand rum and mixers do not help things...

It's a beautiful subdued bar though. Very different than Emeryville.

Fishboy

Fishboy is a semi-regular at Trader Vic's.

January 19, 2017, 1:40 PM

My happiest of happy places. Once those elevator doors open in the basement, I get a whiff of the thick bacony aroma of meat under heat. I get a rest for the eyes with the lights turned-down low. And I am transported away. Tiki mission accomplished, again.

KevinCrossman

KevinCrossman has visited Trader Vic's.

October 3, 2016, 11:26 PM

A gem for sure but honestly having visited Vic's in Emeryville I don't understand the high praise for this location. It was certainly a lot of fun and the drinks were high quality as with all Vic's locations. It's just the decor was plain and the layout didn't flow very well.

Cheap bastard

Cheap bastard has visited Trader Vic's.

August 27, 2016, 5:08 AM

One of the classics for sure. Certainly top 5 east coast tiki destinations for sure. Classic vibe, very mod feel. Drink menu very extensive. Souvenir mugs are a little pricey but every collector should have at least one. Great location to take a tiki virgin. It's a great restaurant too. Everyone should visit Trader Vic's.

Schwafish

Schwafish has visited Trader Vic's.

June 11, 2016, 8:58 AM

Tvs in the bar:-(

Mai hopohopo

February 1, 2016, 10:54 AM

Trader Vic's Atlanta is a very, very cool place. Not just a tiki bar, or restaurant, it is the culmination of everything tiki is, pulled off with a very high level of sophistication. This is luxurious tiki, with a dark, mysterious vibe. Low lighting, wonderful decor and many different rooms make this a slightly different experience every time you go. The drink menu is legendary and the bar tenders are very good at their craft. Food is prepared in a wood-fired, ceramic oven and is classic polynesian with some new items appearing on a regular basis to change things up a little. This is serious tiki folks and well worth the time and cost.

White Devil

White Devil is a regular at Trader Vic's.

February 16, 2015, 9:29 AM

I've finally worked my way through the entire cocktail menu, and I'm ready to start over. Don't forget the Bananas Foster! My best-of choice for Georgia. Bring back the Bongo Bongo soup!

Vince Martini

Vince Martini is a semi-regular at Trader Vic's.

February 3, 2012, 11:39 PM

Oh, one other thing...not ever tiki bar has a waiter named "Ku." How cool is that???

Vince Martini

Vince Martini is a semi-regular at Trader Vic's.

February 3, 2012, 11:30 PM

In my mind, all Trader Vics are swanky hideaways in the basements of big Hilton Hotels. I love this place!!!

retro_rick

retro_rick is a semi-regular at Trader Vic's.

March 20, 2011, 4:10 AM

First of and foremost, although Trader Vic's is a golden standard for Tiki, the food here is quite good. Every quarter or so the head chef gets to flex his skills and do a fancy prix-fixe menu. They usual pu-pu platters and currys are great, but my Money is is anything that comes from the Chinese wood ovens. For Desert: Bananas Foster Flambe table-side with macadamia nuts will just ruin you.

Now, that the food has been praised next stop: DRINKS.

I must say that the bartenders there not only know their menu items inside and out but they also know their rums. If they are not slammed I say ask for something special, they will surprise you. Be forewarned: they pour with a heavy hand, so plan accordingly.

Each drink is made with precision and care, with the appropriate glassware. We once ordered a Tiki Bowl, and they told us that they were all in the wash, and wanted to know if we minded using a Rum Keg Bowl instead. That stuff doesn't matter to me, but keeping the theme of each drink is important to the staff. Simple details like this make Trader Vic's a superior choice. That and the Mai Tais are perfect each time, as they should be.


Make sure to go on a Thursday Night when Mai Tais are $6. Local band Tongo Hiti plays classic Exotica and Hawaiian tunes from 8-midnight. These guys can jam. Novelty being a big deal to me, I find myself in awe as they break off into solos using anything from the steel bars to the theremin. Did Mention Mai Tais are $6

Triva: For the Halloween show one year, Mike from Tongo Hiti dressed up like a werewolf, his hair was perfect!

hoho

hoho is a regular at Trader Vic's, and is usually there Thursdays....or whenever they're open....

July 18, 2010, 9:01 AM

Thank GOD for T.V.s, Atlanta. Like others have mentioned, there is no other comparable tiki around for hundreds of miles & this is just tops. In the mid 2000s a few tikiphiles dedicated some attention to the place, holding events (including the first Hukilau), having live bands, talking mgmt into having drink specials & hiring a true drink expert as their main bartender. I'm not crazy about the food, but at a tiki bar, that's not really the priority anyway, is it.

bobtiki

bobtiki has visited Trader Vic's.

February 25, 2010, 4:00 PM

Excellent spot. I went there on a Monday and Tuesday night where the most of the hotel guest were booked in banquets that week, so it wasn't crowded at all. In fact, on the first night, since I was the last guy there, the bartender Joel took me around and gave me a tour of the place. Excellent drinks and excellent service.

The next night (the Tuesday) I came with a few friends and we had dinner. The Indonesian Rack of Lamb seemed to be a bit rarer than what I had asked for, but I like rare meat, so it wasn't a problem. All-around the meal was excellent and the drinks were strong and tasty, especially the Suffering Bastards.

Sideshow Bob

Sideshow Bob is a regular at Trader Vic's, and is usually there Mai Tai Thursdays!.

January 18, 2010, 10:48 AM

Always a blast!
Mai Tai Thursdays with Tongo hiti!

Cheers!

yesyesyes

yesyesyes has visited Trader Vic's.

July 5, 2009, 10:13 AM

Not only the only Tiki for miles, one of the best on the planet. Words can't do justice. Mysterious rooms and talented staff!

bubba

bubba has visited Trader Vic's.

June 22, 2009, 11:25 AM

Awesome, Awesome, Awesome. This place feels like you are stepping back in time decor, atmosphere, and Mai Tais amazing. The food was also very good. Prices are a little high on the food but oh well definatly worth a stop if you are even remotely close to Atlanta. We went in the side entrance and there was no one there to seat us as most of the traffic goes through the main hotel lobby.

John S. james

February 6, 2009, 9:36 PM

When I am in Atlanta I always visit this Trader Vic's because it is a classic - and reminds me of the Trader Vic's in Scottsdale that closed in the early 90's. I almost lived at this location during the Summer Olympics!

Articles about Trader Vic's in Critiki News

Regulars and Visitors of Trader Vic's

Regulars

People who go to Trader Vic's at least a few times a month.

• White Devil
• Sideshow Bob
  Mai Tai Thursdays!
• rocktiki
• Hekele Tiki
• hoho
  Thursdays....or whenever they're open...
• GeekboyATL
  Thursdays, 9-12mid
• Tikihut Honeycutt
• Enchanted Treehouse
  Once a week sometimes more
• Rumjourney
  At least once a month for the seminars.
• policywank
  Many Thursdays and Saturdays
• ANTIPANTS
  once a week

Semi-Regulars

People who go to Trader Vic's at least a few times a year.

• 
  Swanky
• 
  Trader Mike
• 
  Mike the Headhunter
• 
  Gilligan
• 
  Fishboy
• 
  Tiki-Tari
• 
  ParTiki
• 
  phinz
• 
  Jawi42
• 
  retro_rick
• 
  FezMonkeyWahine
• 
  Vince Martini
• 
  ratfink
• 
  murrman
• 
  TikiKeith
• 
  TastyHighFive
• 
  LonePalmBJ
• 
  oneparticularparrot
• 
  Pelvis
• 
  Lonesome Echo
• 
  Pyynkerton
• 
  Sea Witch
• 
  Wernsiki
• 
  anuanu
• 
  newlegendmike
• 
  terrylee
• 
  kemika_popoki
• 
  jokeiii
• 
  allbacktofront
• 
  Hahai
• 
  Jasper Meer

Visitors

People who have been to Trader Vic's at least once.

• 
  Humuhumu
• 
  Zombified
• 
  virani
• 
  MrBaliHai
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  kawikasurf
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  The Jab
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  TNTiki
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  wayne-tiki-tiki
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  ExoticSabina
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  Tikitastic
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  Rosstafari
• 
  Rugby Matt
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  Scott Pairan
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  Trader Tom
• 
  NautiTiki
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  tikitabby
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  Tiki Greg
• 
  bobtiki
• 
  yesyesyes
• 
  pittsburgh paulie
• 
  RumRandy
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  bohemiann
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  Tiki T
• 
  TikiT
• 
  Trott
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  Unknown_Rangoon
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  Ladewig
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  Ukulele JJ
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  TabooTiki
• 
  bubba
• 
  Larry9247
• 
  Joannebot
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  Bill-Roy
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  Tiki Lord
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  SweetieTiki
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  Malakina Kalei
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  tim
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  paulynesia
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  ecubersax
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  slickster
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  Sailor Lars
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  creepy tiki
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  gooneybird
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  Ragbag Comics
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  JuanTiki1
• 
  TallTiki
• 
  Dodger
• 
  abtiki
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  KevinCrossman
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  Travner Ravenweird
• 
  Hank
• 
  thedrunkentiki
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  Murph360
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  Grog_Zombie
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  Hawgness
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  tedtiki
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  Tiki Toli
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  LitClique
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  Dr. Coruba
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  monkeyman
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  creativenative
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  Kedex
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  Test_subj
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  Silly Idol
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  Textiki
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  Cheap bastard
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  pauhana
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  abkidd
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  alohameisha
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  TikiTravis
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  trev
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  KukePuluke
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  Baggy_Billy
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  Ohhoe
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  Castaway Kevin
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  WinkyN
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  KauaiChicken
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  Trader Trace
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  Schwafish
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  TikiPalace
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  NuclearDan
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  MissTikiLA
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  mokantiki
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  rachel
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  m4sterb4tes
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  sawalker
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  abacab
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  DrOracle
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  Cosmic Coconut
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  Mockingbird
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  Sukielau
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  Claymontgomery
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  Mamala
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  Kilikopela
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  Disarmed
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  geotiki
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  Bonefish
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  voodoooutpost
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  ChicagoTiki
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  MOETIKI
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  Mixommelier
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  Vidsgamer
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  HMac108
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  theshrew77
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  dfpratt09
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  SoCalTikiGal
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  Soni678
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  Lkotsonas
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  Motorcat
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  adriancardwell
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  Bocabear
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  Ho'i Hou Ke
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  Makai
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  Lucy Diamond Tiki
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  jessploitation
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  Witty_Pseudonym
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  TraderBrandon
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  SarntLee
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  merdogg