The Story of Tiki A go Go

Like many great adventures, Tiki A Go Go began with a cocktail.

In 2008, a casual conversation drifted toward a problem sitting in plain sight: a rusty, neglected shed in my backyard. It was taking up valuable real estate, collecting cobwebs and rust, and desperately needed both a purpose and a little love. As the cocktails flowed, so did the ideas. What if it became a backyard bar?

That naturally led to the next question: what kind of bar?

Should it have a theme? A sports bar? An Irish pub? A New Orleans dive? Somewhere during that conversation, someone suggested a tiki bar. None of us really knew what that meant. The collective assumption was simple: throw up some bamboo poles, tack on a little thatch, hang a couple of carved masks, and voilà... instant tiki bar.

If only it were that easy.

What began as a simple backyard project quickly became an unexpected journey into a fascinating world of tropical escapism, mid-century design, exotic cocktails, Polynesian Pop culture, vintage collectibles, and an entire community of passionate enthusiasts. The deeper I dug, the more I discovered that tiki wasn't just a decorating style. It was a culture, a history, a state of mind, and for some, an obsession.

I had no idea what I was getting myself into.

Fast forward nearly two decades. Two major renovations later, that rusty shed has transformed into Tiki a Go Go, a fully realized ten-seat tiki oasis tucked away in New Orleans. The bar is filled with hand-carved décor, glowing lamps, tropical treasures, and enough bamboo to make a panda feel at home. The soundtrack is an endless rotation of Exotica music. My tiki mug collection has grown far beyond what any reasonable person would consider normal. My closet contains far more Aloha shirts than should be legally allowed. And my travel itinerary often includes detours to visit legendary tiki bars around the world.

Most importantly, the cocktails got better.

Much better.

Thanks in no small part to the pioneering work of Jeff "Beachbum" Berry and other tiki historians, I discovered the rich history of classic exotic cocktails. What I thought were overly sweet rum drinks turned out to be some of the most complex and carefully crafted cocktails ever created. Today, Tiki a Go Go proudly serves many of these legendary recipes, each one carrying a story from tiki's golden age.

Over the years, Tiki a Go Go has hosted birthday parties, holiday celebrations, neighborhood gatherings, cocktail classes, charity events, and countless evenings where friends became regulars and regulars became family. What began as a backyard construction project unexpectedly became a gathering place, a conversation starter, and a little slice of paradise hidden behind an urban fence.

Perhaps its greatest role, however, has been serving as the home port of the Exotic Cocktail Club of New Orleans (ECCNO) since 2008. From monthly gatherings and rum tastings to educational presentations and tropical adventures, Tiki a Go Go has provided a place where fellow enthusiasts can celebrate cocktail history, tiki culture, and the simple joy of sharing a well-made drink with good company.

Not bad for a rusty shed.