If you’re still in denial that summer is over, venture down to 13th and Drury streets and hit up a place that offers you a slice of paradise no matter the season. Meet Tiki: Philadelphia’s newest rooftop bar that serves up boozy tropical drinks and delectable small plates. The brainchild of owners Jim Heusiler and Jason Evenchik, the aptly–named establishment seeks to embody “tiki culture,” an Americanized take on Polynesian art and mythology.
I know, I know. You’re probably thinking, “What good is a rooftop bar in nippy fall weather?” Fortunately, manager Coleman Yunger assured me that he and the owners plan on heating the outside space, either with an insulated tent or a fire pit, when the temperatures start to drop. Regardless of the set–up, you’ll be able to go apple–picking at Linvilla and still get your luau on.
THE DRANKS:
It’s safe to say these were not the watered–down drinks you might find at some on–campus establishments. Here we were, at 5 p.m. on a Sunday, sipping on “The Zombie” (Captain Morgan white, gold, meyers dark, apricot brandy, 151, pineapple, papaya, grenadine, $15) and a “Pineapple Crush” (Faber vodka, Creme de Cacao, banana rum, lime, pineapple, $13), a unique take on the classic piña colada, and honestly feeling quite alright. Yunger admits that, when designing the drink menu, he wanted alcohol–heavy concoctions without sacrificing balanced flavor. Simply put, the drinks were meant to be “fun and well–done.” Our taste buds and livers certainly agreed.
THE FOOD:
Tiki may be a bar first, but its menu, inspired by Hawaiian, Thai and Indonesian dishes, packs the same delicious punch as its drinks. The beef satay (Thai red curry $10) sizzled with spicy flavor on tender meat kabobs, while the barbecue pork buns (pork belly, pickled mustard greens, cilantro, peanuts, $9) were a contrast of crunchy, nutty goodness wrapped in the doughiest bun you’ve ever seen. We topped it all off with two deliciously savory orders of dumplings—the edamame dumplings ($7) and the fried pork dumplings ($7). Word to the wise: They’re called small plates for a reason, so you might have to order several orders of Bao buns to really feel full.
THE TAKEAWAY:
You’ll come for the drinks, stay for the food and come back again for the good vibes. From the impressive surfer mural on the first floor, to the bamboo–lined bars and ubiquity of tiki totems, this bar will transport you far, far away from midterms, finals and maybe even Philly itself. Imbibe and vibe, my friends.
