I’ve always wondered what a home tiki bar would look like from the 70’s. I’m thinking someone’s home tiki bar would be in the basement, the bar itself would have already been built into the home, maybe there would be a tiki or two, some thatch would be hung up and a whole lot of rum would be behind the bar! Well gang, I think I just described RumTiki’s home bar Hogo Village located in San Francisco …
What is the tiki scene like where you live?
RumTiki- The Tiki scene in the San Francisco bay area and not too far cities is epic! We are lucky, meeting the top Tikicentric musicians, bartenders, and artists of all sorts just by walking into a Tiki bar on a random weeknight is easy. Being surrounded by such talent, many of us have been able to build-up our home getaways to professional proportions. This has led us to have Ohanas in each of the major parts of Northern California which have regular gatherings at each other’s homes.
What brought you into the “Tiki lifestyle” and how long has it been part of your life?
RumTiki- I have been into Tiki bars since before I could drink. When I was a kid, my Great Uncle would take me to Trader Vic’s at 20 Cosmo Place, San Francisco. He was a line cook and watched me while he prepped food, until my Mom got off of work. Honestly, the Menehune scared me but the décor was like Disneyland.
When I was “old enough” I spent many nights at Trad’r Sam, until The Conga Lounge opened, and I learned what a balanced drink was. The common binding element in each of these bars was the openness everyone felt to talk to each other and ask, “What is that drink?!” This always led to more fun conversation.
It wasn’t until 2014, when I became part of the Rumbustion Society at Smuggler’s Cove that I was truly exposed to the other aspects of the Tiki Scene. Simply by sipping rum next to people from all over the world, I learned about the festivals and key books I should read. I even learned about much of my own culture that was only now being brought to the mainstream because of the growing Tiki scene.
The friendly environments brought me to the Tiki culture and the creative nature of the community is what really inspired me to become engulfed in the lifestyle. I love how everyone is sharing how they made this and found that. Each person’s adornments on their clothes or in their bar is unique. This community is also very supportive of artists and small businesses, each also having their own style.
I’ve continued to be in this Tiki lifestyle because of the diverse artistic scene that draws people from all backgrounds. People I would never have met otherwise and are now my Ohana!
Can you give a little history of how it all came together?
RumTiki- I always wanted to have my own bar but knew that I would probably lose money from giving away all my booze to good conversation. So, when I found a 1944 home in San Francisco with a dedicated bar space covered in teak veneer walls, I had to have it!
The space was more of a lounge lizard feel, somewhat caught in the early 60’s. The first thing I had to do was change the lighting to dimmable LED, along with some colored mood lighting from the twelve 100-watt incandescent bulbs that made the place into a sauna. Next, I made custom shelving to maximize my mug and glass space. The hardest part was color matching the shelf to the walls to keep the look consistent. The final touch was to add the thatch above the bar to give a more secluded, yet outdoor feel. The wall treatments are evolving, but I don’t want to cover up too much of the teak.
Any story behind the name of your bar?
RumTiki- Hogo Village around the corner from Dunder Cat Alley:
My favorite styles of rums, Jamaican and fresh pressed cane (Agricole, Clairin, Cachaca), have distinct hogo. Hogo is the terroir of the area where the sugar cane is grown and the wild yeast that is used to ferment the rum. Dunder is added to many Jamaican rums to intensify the unique terroir notes.
Therefore, for the love of funky rums and to describe the uniqueness of my bar, it has gained a long-winded name.
What is your favorite Tiki drink? Why?
RumTiki- My favorite Tiki drink is the Mr. Bali Hai. I love coffee; the combination of coffee and pineapple seems strange, but it works so well to balance sweet and savory.
What is your favorite Tiki bar? Not including your own!
RumTiki- My favorite local “Tiki Bar” is Last Rites, which is actually an adventure bar that serves amazing Tiki drinks. I love this place because the décor provides complete escapism and has a really old school neighborhood vibe, since many of the regulars live only blocks away.
My favorite actual Tiki Bar to hang out in is Forbidden Island because it also has a neighborhood feel, the staff is amazing, and it has outdoor tiki décor seating.
Outside of great drinks, what do you think are essential elements in creating the perfect Tiki environment?
RumTiki- Lighting and music are key to setting the right Tiki environment, but the guests play a very big part by dressing for the occasion. The goal is always full immersion to escape into fantasy, which means jumping into bright tapa or floral costumes. I do keep leis and aloha where they’re on hand for guests to get the full experience.
What does the future hold for you and your home tiki bar?
RumTiki- Ceiling treatment has been difficult to add because of the acoustic tiles, but I’ll make it happen. Currently, I’m focusing on Dunder Cat Alley which is the hallway to the bar through the garage. This area will have additional wall treatments and seating area. This will also be the area to house souvenirs from our travels and additional artwork.
Anything else you would like to add?
RumTiki- To relax and not be glued to the TV, my wife and I will paint, sew, or build as a way keeping our mind creative and challenged. I’m hoping to make Hogo Village into an art collective where friends can do the same by trying their hands at making tiki crafts and craft cocktails.
Here is the Hogo Village Instagram page: Instagram: @hogovillage