Jodi and Keith have been into tiki for only a short time but their love for tiki has grown quickly, so quickly that they built their home tiki bar in less than a year! The name of their home tiki bar is Tail & Tentacle. Jodi and Keith both animal lovers, they have two dogs and Keith really loves octopuses so naming their home tiki bar was easy. What I love most about Tail & Tentacle is the large windows that let you look outside the bar. I know they say a tiki bar shouldn’t have any windows but in the case of Jodi and Keith’s home tiki bar the windows are for Tako the Kraken to look in…
What is the tiki scene like where you live?
From our perspective, the tiki scene seems to be expanding and we’re thrilled to be along for the ride. Of course, we’re relatively new ourselves, having christened Tail & Tentacle in November 2025. In many ways, we’re still discovering the hobby right alongside everyone else. Since then, we’ve met several other fledgling tikiphiles while also getting to know many of the veterans whose creativity, generosity, and enthusiasm helped build the scene we enjoy today.
What we see is a thriving community with incredible variety in aesthetics, collections, and levels of commitment. Some home bars transport you to a remote South Pacific island, while others feel like an underwater adventure, a Hollywood backlot, or a meticulously curated museum. We’ve met true scholars who can happily spend hours discussing the history of a single mug, the evolution of a classic cocktail, or the provenance of a particular carving. We’ve also met casual enthusiasts who are perfectly content sipping an umbrella drink on the back deck and enjoying a little tropical escapism after a long day. Both are equally welcome in our bar, and honestly, both approaches capture the spirit of tiki.
Amazingly, we even have our own rum distiller right here in the neighborhood: Just Rum. For tiki fans, that’s the equivalent of living next door to Willy Wonka—if Willy traded chocolate for sugarcane and a passion for tropical cocktails. It’s incredibly convenient, terrible for our self-control, and absolutely fantastic for our tasty beverages.
Our own primary focus is interesting rum and beautiful tiki mugs, but we’ve been continually amazed by the breadth of collections we’ve encountered. From vintage mugs and oceanic artifacts to Hawaiiana, exotica, vintage barware, nautical treasures, and custom artwork, every home bar seems to reveal its owner’s unique personality. One of our favorite parts of visiting other bars is hearing the stories behind the pieces—where they came from, how they were found, and sometimes what lengths were required to acquire them.
We’ve also learned that tiki collecting has a funny way of reshaping your priorities. You start out thinking you just need a few mugs and a couple of bottles of rum. Before long, you’re rearranging furniture and building shelves to make room for a treasure you didn’t know existed a week earlier, or explaining to your husband why a carved wooden parrotfish absolutely had to come home with you. There’s always something new to discover, always another fascinating piece of tiki history to learn about, and usually another object we suddenly “absolutely need.” fortunately or unfortunately our bar seems happy to keep finding room for it all.
What brought you into the tiki lifestyle and how long has it been part of your life?
The following “Evolution of a Tiki-phile” by Ryan Landfield almost perfectly describes the arc of our entry into this fascinating universe. Funny enough, Ryan was inspired to create his illustration after watching Tiki With Ray’s Building Your First Tiki Bar: Theming.
I, Jodi, left junior college at age 20 and moved to Maui. Why? Mostly because I wanted to and had no better plan at the time. Sometimes the best adventures begin with questionable decision-making. Living on Maui for four years gave me a deep appreciation for the islands and their beauty, although it wasn’t until much later that I developed a deeper understanding of the culture itself. After Keith and I married, we made it a priority to return to the islands whenever possible. One of our most memorable trips was to Fiji shortly after COVID. The warmth and hospitality we experienced there were unlike anything we’d ever encountered. The Fijian spirit of welcome quickly won us over. Bula!
When we purchased our home in West Linn in 2015, we fully intended to build a tiki bar. We even started collecting décor and mugs. Unfortunately, roofs, plumbing, and other painfully practical home projects kept taking priority. Apparently, a functioning water heater is considered more important than a room full of bamboo and rum. After nearly a decade of waiting, we finally broke ground on Tail & Tentacle in April 2025. Today, we make a point of visiting tiki bars wherever we travel, collecting mugs, memories, and friendships along the way. When we’re home, we love hosting friends in our own bar or visiting theirs. The drinks are great, but it’s the community that keeps us coming back.
Can you give a little history of how it all came together?
The original vision for our tiki bar was significantly smaller than what ultimately emerged. Once we had settled into the house, we realized we had an entirely unused area that seemed perfectly suited to transform from beach bar by day to exotic hideaway by night.
We hired a local cabinet maker to build the framing for the bar and benches, but nearly everything else was built and decorated by us. Most of our materials came from Bamboo Craftsman in Portland, along with countless hours of trial, error, and occasionally staring at a project wondering what we’d done wrong.
Keith installed all of the decorative bamboo while Jodi routed, burned, and finished the trim. Taking a blowtorch to a beautiful red eucalyptus bar top required a tremendous leap of faith in the shou sugi ban process. Fortunately, it worked out better than expected—and only slightly resembled arson. Between gluing burlap on the ceiling, cutting and stapling lauhala matting to the walls, and shellacking what felt like every bamboo surface in the Pacific Northwest, we managed to create quite a mess.
People often say that building a tiki bar requires a strong marriage and deep pockets. We can certainly attest to the first part. As for the second, creativity can go a long way. Many materials can be sourced affordably if you’re willing to hunt for them, and with enough effort, even clown tiki can be convinced to look moderately authentic.
Any story behind the name of your bar?
Like most things in our home bar, the name Tail & Tentacle started with a simple idea and quickly spiraled into a much longer story involving dogs, sea monsters, and more ambition than available ceiling space.
We’re both animal lovers, and if you spend more than five minutes in the bar, that becomes pretty obvious. Monkeys swing from unexpected places, parrots keep watch over the room, brittle stars lurk among the décor, and a pufferfish named Bloat supervises things with the confidence of someone who has never paid a mortgage payment in his life.
Keith has a special fondness for octopuses. He admires their intelligence, their problem-solving abilities, and their general eight-armed excellence so much that he absolutely refuses to eat them. While some people have favorite sports teams, Keith has favorite cephalopods. Then one Halloween, Jodi made what she believed was a perfectly reasonable discovery: the giant Kraken decoration at Lowe’s.
Most couples might look at a twelve-foot sea monster and think, “That’s ridiculous.” Jodi looked at it and thought, “That would look amazing in the bar.” Keith’s response was essentially, “You’re right.” So just like that, Tako the Kraken joined the family.
The original vision was ambitious. We planned to have Tako dramatically bursting through the ceiling as though he had emerged from the depths specifically to demand a Mai Tai. Unfortunately, once we got him home and assembled, we discovered a critical design flaw: his head was gigantic. Not “a little bigger than expected” gigantic. More “this Kraken is about to become the entire room’s personality” gigantic.
After several rounds of measuring, repositioning, and optimistic denial, we reluctantly accepted that Howie’s ceiling-smashing debut would not be happening. These days, he lives outside, where he can stretch out comfortably and terrorize the neighborhood. His tentacles still make occasional appearances around the bar, startling unsuspecting visitors.
That explains the Tentacle. The Tail comes from the other rulers of the property: our two dogs, Trixie and Tinkerbell. They are the bar’s unofficial mascots, enthusiastic greeters, treat inspectors, and self-appointed security team. Every guest receives a warm welcome, whether they asked for one or not. When they’re not making rounds through the bar, they’re busy defending the grounds from the ever-present menace of zombie squirrels.
Ultimately, the name Tail & Tentacle perfectly captures what the bar has become: a place where beloved pets, sea creatures, tiki escapism, and a healthy amount of whimsy all coexist under one roof.
How far have you driven to buy something tiki that you saw online?
We haven’t yet found a specific treasure that sent us driving across the country to acquire. That said, we’ve learned to build “picking time” into every trip we take, and recently we’ve decided the rooftop cargo carrier should probably be considered standard travel equipment. You never know when you’ll encounter a life-changing carved tiki, vintage float, or giant piece of bamboo that simply must come home with you.
Most recently, we stumbled across a large collection of Papua New Guinea artwork in Long Beach, Washington. Between the art, luggage, dogs, and a healthy lack of restraint, we managed to test the maximum carrying capacity of our Subaru Outback.
We’ve brought home Filipino rum from Italy, tiki mugs from Paris, and décor from everywhere from Las Vegas and Palm Springs to Japan. We’ve also learned that exotica can appear in the most unexpected places. We found some surprisingly nice carvings in St. George, Utah and even discovered a wonderfully-underpriced Witco in Wallace, Idaho. Neither destination is considered a cornerstone of the tiki universe, but that’s part of the fun.
Our biggest regret? Not bringing home traditional weapons from Fiji. In hindsight, they would have looked fantastic in the bar. Guess we’ll have to go back. What a shame.
What is your favorite Tiki drink? What do you think makes the perfect cocktail?
Keith’s favorite drink is the Honolulu, a Tail & Tentacle original inspired by a Manhattan and featuring coconut fat-washed bourbon. He loves that it’s spirit-forward, tropical-adjacent, and just unusual enough to spark conversation.
Jodi judges every bar by its Mai Tai and every rum by how it performs in a classic daiquiri. It’s a tough job, but somebody has to do it.
As for the perfect tiki cocktail, we think there are really two wildly different categories.
The first is a perfectly balanced drink where the spirit, sweetness, citrus, and spice all work together in harmony. The kind of cocktail that makes you stop mid-sip and say, “OFTD.”
The second is a ridiculously over-the-top concoction containing approximately 42 ingredients, served in a mug the size of a flowerpot, and strong enough to make you question your life choices before you’ve finished the first half. Ideally, it comes with a water back and at least one ingredient you’ve never heard of.
We also believe every good tiki program should offer a thoughtful NA option. Designated drivers and teetotalers deserve more than a sad glass of soda. Between creative syrups, fresh juices, and interesting bitters-free combinations, there are countless ways to make sure everyone gets to enjoy the experience.
Of course, beautiful drinkware is essential. At Tail & Tentacle, we firmly believe a cocktail tastes at least 25% better when served in the appropriate mug. (We are actively coordinating a scientific study to confirm this, so please get in touch if you’d like to participate in clinical trials.)
Garnish is equally important. In fact, we ripped out our lawn and planted a meadow that includes four different varieties of mint. Some people grow grass. We grow cocktail ingredients.
What is your favorite Tiki bar? Not including your own!
Our favorite tiki spaces will always be the home bars lovingly curated by friends. We continue to be amazed by the creativity people pour into these personal escapes, and even more inspired by the aloha spirit that seems to flourish wherever tiki people gather.
Our introduction to the home bar world came through PDXotica, where we were treated to a feast for the eyes and a quench for the tongue as we visited several incredible local home bars. We left with sore feet, happy hearts, and a dangerous number of project ideas. This year, we’re thrilled to be part of the tour ourselves and hope Tail & Tentacle can help spread a little tiki magic to newcomers, adventurers, and the tiki-curious.
The creation of Tail & Tentacle was also heavily influenced by commercial spaces. One of the first tiki bars Keith and I visited together was South Shore Tiki Lounge in Kihei, Maui. We remember a lively party atmosphere and a very good time. The details may be a little fuzzy, but let’s just say that’s probably a compliment to the bar.
As dedicated McMenaminsPassport holders, we’ve explored locations all over the Pacific Northwest. Their tiki bar Nui Nui was one of the first places that really opened our eyes to what an immersive themed environment could accomplish. It wasn’t just a place to have a drink—it was a place to disappear into another world for a while.
Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort showed us how effects, storytelling, and a healthy dose of controlled chaos can transform a cocktail into an experience. The Golden Tiki in Las Vegas—while perhaps not family-friendly—taught us the joy of hiding Easter eggs and layering details that reveal themselves over time. Every visit feels like an opportunity to discover something you somehow missed the previous dozen times.
Of course, we love our home-grown tiki bars here in the Portland area, such as Hale Pele & Coral Club. Most recently, we’ve fallen completely in love with Dark Harbour in Long Beach, Washington, created by the owners of Devil’s Reef in Tacoma. How they transformed a former motel restaurant into a fully immersive destination remains one of the great mysteries of modern civilization. Their creativity, craftsmanship, and artistry are evident in every corner, from the decor to the food and drinks. Just as impressive are the people behind it. Jason and Robyn are wonderfully generous and welcoming, freely sharing tips, stories, and encouragement with fellow enthusiasts. In fact, they’re so hospitable that we briefly considered moving into the hotel and becoming permanent residents of the bar.
One experience perfectly captures their spirit of hospitality. We had spent the day exploring the coast with our puppies before heading to Dark Harbour for dinner. Unfortunately, Jodi discovered she’d left her tiki dress back at our hotel in Astoria. As we walked in lamenting this minor fashion catastrophe, Robyn simply pointed to a rack of vintage dresses and offered to let Jodi borrow one for the evening. That simple act turned an already fun night into a lasting memory. It wasn’t about the dress—it was about feeling welcomed, included, and cared for. That’s the heart of tiki. That’s ohana.
Outside of great drinks, what do you think are essential elements in creating the perfect Tiki environment?
Tiki transports us to another place and time. It allows us to shed the stress of everyday life and become immersed in a space that feels like a vacation—whether you’ve traveled thousands of miles or simply wandered into someone’s basement on a rainy Tuesday in Portland.
The best environments engage all the senses. Your eyes take in the warm glow of the lighting, layers of decor, hidden treasures, and colorful aloha wear. Your ears are greeted by exotica music, crashing waves, distant thunder, and the sounds of laughter from people having a genuinely good time. Your nose catches the faint whiff of flowers, smoke, and citrus. Your fingers wrap around the cool, dewy surface of a tiki mug while sweetness and spice flow across your tongue, reminding you of places you’ve been and adventures yet to come.
But beyond the sights, sounds, and cocktails, the most essential ingredient is hospitality. The best tiki spaces make you feel welcome the moment you arrive. They invite you to slow down, relax, and connect with the people around you. Strangers become friends, friends become family, and everyone gets a temporary passport to someplace a little more magical than the outside world.
For us, the goal is transportation. Every light, song, carved figure, porthole, and hidden Easter egg should help tell a story and create a sense of discovery. A great tiki bar should make you smile when you walk in and feel just a little disappointed when it’s time to leave.
And when your head finally hits the pillow at the end of the night, your dreams are full of blue skies, swaying hips, ocean breezes, and the feeling that—for a few wonderful hours—you were somewhere else entirely. That’s the magic of tiki.
What does the future hold for you and your home tiki bar?
As the saying goes, a tiki bar is never finished—it merely enters a new phase of over commitment. Tail & Tentacle will continue to evolve as we discover new ideas, meet new friends, and find increasingly creative ways to fill every remaining square inch of wall space.
Jodi will undoubtedly continue expanding our collection of tiki mugs while Keith figures out where to put them.
We’ll continue traveling far and wide, referring to our pursuits as research. Whether it’s a hidden home bar, a legendary tiki destination, a vintage antique store, or a roadside curiosity with really bad taxidermy and excellent cocktails, we’re always looking for inspiration to bring home and share with our friends.
We hope to continue curating interesting artwork, collecting oddities, and restoring vintage pieces that deserve a second life. Nothing makes us happier than rescuing a forgotten treasure, polishing it up, and finding the perfect spot for it—usually after only three or four hours of debate and at least one complete redesign of the room.
We also look forward to participating in events like PDXotica and helping grow the home tiki community. The creativity, generosity, and aloha spirit we’ve encountered have been nothing short of extraordinary, and we’re excited to welcome new people into the fold. After all, every seasoned tiki enthusiast was once someone who wandered in, accepted a drink, and thought, “Well… this seems delightfully weird.”
Most importantly, we want Tail & Tentacle to remain a place where people gather. We’ll keep hosting parties, supporting small businesses, promoting community events, and finding ways to elevate artists, makers, musicians, and creators whose talents make our community so special. Every tiki mug, painting, carving, and menu item has a story, and we love helping tell those stories.
Anything else you would like to add?
Thanks Ray, for visiting Tail and Tentacle and letting us share our spirit with our community! The world could use a little more escapism, hospitality, and genuine connection right now. Tiki offers all three. If we can provide a few hours of laughter, wonder, and tropical daydreaming for the people who visit, we’ll consider that a success.
We are honored to be one small drop of allspice in the Planter’s Punch of life—doing our part to keep the mugs full, the music playing, and the aloha spirit alive. And if we’re lucky, we’ll spend the next several decades making purchases that Jodi describes as “essential” and Keith describes as “an exciting storage challenge.” After all, the tentacles always seem to find room for one more treasure. Please come visit us next time you’re on our side of the ocean, and as we like to say: Grab a drink before it grabs you.
All Photos By Jason Craig
