Tiki Ti

In existence since 1961, the Tiki Ti brews tropical drinks worthy of worship. But be careful. The drinks are lethally strong. Ray's Mistake is one of the most popular, named after a failed attempt to make an Anting (also on the menu) for a customer many years ago, who preferred the accident. It took Ray a couple weeks to duplicate his mistake again, which has since become a favorite.

With more than 80 tropical drinks on the menu, about half of which are rum-based, you'll have plenty to choose from. According to Mike (third-generation bartender/owner) the tropical drink was invented and developed in Hollywood at places such as Trader Vic's and Don the Beachcomber, where Ray, the founder of Tiki Ti (now departed), worked as a bartender before opening his own place. Part of the reason that the bar is only open during limited hours, says Mike, is that lots of preparation goes into having such an extensive drink menu (including chopping the pineapples).

On caveat: the place is tiny and seating is very limited with only a few tables and barstools. You may have to stand and enjoy your drink. Still, the ambiance is terrific. Unassuming and easy to miss from the outside, Tiki Ti is a cozy, casual slice of faux-Polynesia, chock-full o' trinkets, pieces of surfboards, a little waterfall and, of course, tikis. The walls are covered in bamboo, but the best stuff is behind the bar. Most of the decorations have been contributed by patrons over the years, and many of them have stories (ask about the WWI shell casing in the corner). The tiny place often gets packed, and sometimes has a line out front. Certain drinks prompt the bartenders to chant phrases, echoed by the crowd, such as "Toro, Toro" (named for a bull which is used to help make the drink -- Blood & Sand is the name of the actual drink) and "Uga Booga" (actual drink).

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