Nothing around town comes even close to the glory of the Chin Tiki in its heyday. However, here’s a select guide to the remaining Tiki — both good and bad — to be found.
Chin’s
28205 Plymouth, Livonia
734-525-CHIN
The precursor to the Chin Tiki; Chinese restaurant with bamboo and rattan furniture, plastic foliage, blowfish lamps, and yes, Tikis. Serves some Polynesian dishes and tropical drinks.
Tecumseh Inn
1445 Chicago Blvd., Tecumseh
517-423-7401
It’s a bit of a drive, but it’s a rare find; this small hotel’s cocktail lounge is a quintessential Tiki bar, complete with impressive carved Tiki stools and hanging bamboo chairs. However, the bar doesn’t serve even remotely exotic drinks. Open daily, 4-11:30 pm.
Waves
24223 Jefferson, St. Clair Shores
810-773-3840
Tropical-themed restaurant with South Pacific style cuisine and decor (more Hawaiian than Tiki) and hula dancers.
Szechuan West
2161 W. Stadium, Ann Arbor
734-769-5722
Chinese restaurant designed to look like a cave, with the occasional Tiki in the decor. Serves tropical drinks, including the elusive Zombie, in Tiki mugs.
Aubree’s Saloon
39 East Cross, Ypsilanti
734-483-1870
Outdoor rooftop Tiki bar with an interesting array of flotsom. Serves an excellent Sangria, but no Tiki mugs. Closes for the season this Saturday with a pig roast luau.
Jade Tiki
3250 South Blvd., Bloomfield Hills
248-852-8181
Chinese restaurant serving tropical drinks in Tiki mugs
Jack’s Waterfront
24214 Jefferson Ave., St. Clair Shores
586-445-8080
Like many popular waterfront restaurants, their Tiki bar is little more than an outdoor thatched hut serving Coronas and premixed piña coladas, with no actual Tikis in sight.
Tiki Bob’s Cantina
25 S. Saginaw, Pontiac
248-335-6100
Despite the name and logo, this is no Tiki mecca. It’s essentially a Top 40 dance club that happens to have a bamboo bar railing and the occasional coconut.
Cat’s Meow
110 E. Fifth St., Royal Oak
248-542-1161
Metro Detroit’s primary source for all things Tiki.
Send comments to [email protected]
