Tiki Bar Review # 19 Aku Aku Orlando, FL

Aku Aku Tiki Bar Orlando

Boy and girls, today’s word is “Tiger Fu@#ker.”

Who would’ve thought to create a Tiki drink that mixes the flavors of huckleberry and jalapeno? I have the answer. It’s the Aku Aku in downtown Orlando, Florida!

There are certain things about Tiki bars that make you want to come back again and again. It could be the decor, it could be the bartenders, but most of the time, it’s the drinks.

I was sitting at the bar enjoying this one-of-a-kind Tiki drink and I just kept thinking how bittersweet this was. I was about as far away from my home (Seattle) as I could be without leaving the continental United States. It could be a long time before I can ever make it back to Orlando to enjoy another Tiger F@#ker, let alone hang out at such a cool bar.

Ray with The Aku Aku Tiki drink
Ray with The Aku Aku Tiki drink

The Aku Aku opened up in 2014 and it’s adjacent to the Stardust Lounge, which is a really cool retro martini bar. I would have checked out the Stardust, but I was having too much fun at Aku Aku. I really need to come back to Orlando!

The Aku Aku is one room with the bar right in the middle. It’s cozy, but doesn’t feel tight and crammed…

Geoffrey making drinks at The Aku Aku
Geoffrey making drinks at The Aku Aku

Aku Aku Orlando Florida

Aku Aku Orlando Florida

The Aku Aku’s decor is awesome. Filling up walls is various Tiki art…

Aku Aku Orlando Florida

Aku Aku Orlando Florida

Tikis…

Aku Aku Tiki Bar Orlando

And a very large painting of the Tiki menu that spans the length of the wall. This comes in really handy when you’re a few drinks in…

Aku Aku Orlando Florida

But the main thing I loved about the Aku Aku was all the vintage Rattan furniture.

This told me everything I needed to know. The guys who own the Aku Aku know their Tiki. I knew I was going to be in good hands tonight.

Round One: The Aku Aku

Before I was made aware of Aku Aku’s signature drink, I checked out the menu…

Aku Aku drink menu
Aku Aku drink menu

I went with a most obvious choice: the Aku Aku!

The Aku Aku cocktail
The Aku Aku cocktail

Fun fact: Aku Aku was the second book written by Thor Heyerdahl. You may have heard of Thor’s first book: Kon Tiki! Aku Aku takes place on Easter Island, so it’s very fitting that my drink was served in a Moai Tiki mug!

This drink was great and making it for me was Geoffrey Norwood…

Geoffrey making drinks at The Aku Aku
Geoffrey making drinks at The Aku Aku

He’s a cool, laid back kind of guy. The man was on his game. As soon as I finished my first drink, he was ready to serve me my second.

Round Two: the Tiger F#@ker

There’s a small sign on the bar that says, “Monday: $6 Tiger F#$ckers.” Of course I was curious. I asked Geoffrey about the drink. As soon as he said the drink is made with jalapeno juice and huckleberry vodka, I stopped him and asked him to make me one immediately! He did and wow, just wow…

The Tiger F@#cker straight up
The Tiger F@#cker straight up

The Tiger F@#cker is spicy and hot, but at the same time it’s sweet. It’s very addictive. The entire drink went from the glass to down my throat in about five minutes. I wanted another, but sadly they didn’t have the supplies to make anymore. Enter sad face here 🙁

Round Three: Big Bamboo

I wanted another drink and I had no plans to leave any time soon. Since I couldn’t get another Tiger F@#cker, it was back to the menu to see what else I could order.

I went with the Big Bamboo. It had Ron de Jeremy rum in it. Sounded strong to me! I was totally right…

The Big Bamboo at Aku Aku
The Big Bamboo at Aku Aku

The locals at Aku Aku were really cool and friendly. This is Yazmin and Rob…

Yazmin and Rob at Aku Aku
Yazmin and Rob at Aku Aku

They were blown away when I told them I flew all the way from Seattle to check out the Aku Aku. It may sound crazy, but it’s totally true!

Round Four: Ching Chong Bing Bon

Joseph Webster took over behind the bar and overheard that I came in from Seattle. He wanted to make me something special…

Joseph behind the bar at Aku Aku
Joseph behind the bar at Aku Aku
Joseph behind the bar at Aku Aku
Joseph behind the bar at Aku Aku

He said this was a new drink called the Ching Chong Bing Bon…

The Ching Chong Bing Bon at Aku Aku
The Ching Chong Bing Bon at Aku Aku

It has rum and soy sauce. Need I say more?

What a night! All the drinks were great and original. The decor was great the service was even better. I left the Aku Aku sad, knowing that it may be long time until I could make it back. If you live anywhere near Orlando, make a point to stop by.

Ray with Joseph at The Aku Aku
Ray with Joseph at The Aku Aku
Aku Aku Tiki Bar Entrance
Aku Aku Tiki Bar Entrance

Here is the Aku Aku’s website.

And Facebook Page.

Here is a video about Aku Aku’s famous drink.