Updated at: 23-09-2023 - By: John Lau

Welcome to your ultimate guide for discovering the 10 Best Tiki Bars in Chicago, Illinois. Whether you’re a local or just visiting, embrace the island vibes and transport yourself to a tropical paradise with exotic cocktails, Polynesian decor, and groovy tunes at these iconic tiki establishments.

From rum punches to mai tais served in pineapple garnishes – slip on your Hawaiian shirt and let us whisk you away through an exciting journey of Chicago’s most beloved tiki bars.

Top 10 Tiki Bars In Chicago, Illinois

Three Dots And A Dash

Three Dots And A Dash

As someone who appreciates tiki culture and high-quality cocktails, I cannot recommend Three Dots and a Dash enough. Located in the bustling River North neighborhood of Chicago, Illinois, this craft cocktail tiki bar has quickly become one of my favorite spots to unwind with friends after a long day or week.

At Three Dots and a Dash, you’ll find an extensive menu featuring creative island-inspired concoctions ranging from classic tiki favorites like rum-based Mai Tai to unique creations showcasing exotic ingredients such as passion fruit syrup or coconut milk – all served with delightful pineapple garnishes.

The Bamboo Room at Three Dots is definitely worth checking out – its intimate setting makes it perfect for getting together with close friends or date night while enjoying delectable craft cocktails specially curated by their talented team of mixologists.

Hala Kahiki Lounge

Hala Kahiki Lounge is a tiki bar located in River Grove, Illinois, which has been around since 1964. Here are some things to know about Hala Kahiki Lounge:

  • The bar offers a long list of tropical cocktails.
  • The decor is tropical and retro, with chairs, lights, glassware, paintings, and original WITCO artworks.
  • There is a tropical patio garden.
  • The bar has an extensive menu, so don’t be afraid to ask your server for recommendations.
  • The Volcano is a popular drink choice, which is a huge bowl.
  • The bar has a cozy and great atmosphere.
  • Hala Kahiki Lounge is known for its inexpensive and delicious drinks.
  • The bar has a partnership with Grander Rum, which has brought the Hala Kahiki Islay Peat Single Barrel. It’s aged 10 years in an ExOak Barrel and then 2 years in an ExIslay Peat Barrel.
  • Hala Kahiki Lounge is one of the oldest and most notable tiki bars in the Midwest.

If you’re looking for a tropical escape in the Chicago area, Hala Kahiki Lounge is definitely worth checking out.

Lost Lake

Lost Lake was a tiki bar located in the Logan Square neighborhood of Chicago that opened in January 2015. It was a partnership between Paul McGee, formerly of Three Dots and a Dash. Lost Lake was known for its sophisticated roster of tropical drinks and rare rums, and it was one of Chicago’s most lauded bars.

However, due to the COVID19 pandemic, Lost Lake closed permanently on January 15, 2022.

When Lost Lake reopened in September 2021, it announced that it had rebranded as a “tropical” bar rather than tiki, serving drinks that were not specifically tikithemed.

The Tiki Terrace

The Tiki Terrace

 

The Tiki Terrace is a Hawaiian restaurant and tiki bar located in Des Plaines, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago. The restaurant features traditional Hawaiian food and drinks, as well as hand-carved Polynesian decor and daily stage shows with live entertainment and hula dancers.

The Tiki Terrace is known for its dinner and luau shows, which are perfect for birthdays, anniversaries, bachelorette parties, retirement celebrations, office parties, or just a unique and fun night out. The restaurant also offers a weekday menu that includes appetizers, entrees, and desserts.

The Tiki Terrace is open Tuesday through Thursday from 4:00 pm to 9:00 pm and is closed on Mondays. On Sundays, the restaurant offers a champagne brunch buffet with Hawaiian, American, and international favorites, live Hawaiian entertainment, and friendly Hawaiian hospitality.

The Tiki Terrace is a great destination for those looking for a festive Hawaiian experience with delicious food, tropical drinks, and live entertainment.

Tong’s Tiki Hut

Tong’s Tiki Hut is a tikithemed eatery located in Villa Park, Illinois. The restaurant serves a mix of Chinese and Polynesian cuisine, including sushi, appetizers, entrees, and desserts.

Customers can order online for delivery or takeout through the restaurant’s website. The menu features a variety of dishes, including Tong’s Tiki Hut Roll, which is seared spicy tuna with cucumber, topped off with a mixture of pico de gallo and guacamole, drizzled with citrus, chili sauce and topped.

The restaurant has received positive reviews on Yelp, with customers praising the food, drinks, and atmosphere.

If you are looking for a tikithemed restaurant that serves Chinese and Polynesian food, Tong’s Tiki Hut is a great option to consider.

Chef Shangri-La

Chef ShangriLa is a restaurant and tiki bar located in North Riverside, Illinois. The establishment features Asianfusion and Cantonese cuisine, as well as tropical drinks served in a festive space with a tiki bar.

They have a fullservice bar with a great wine collection and signature cocktails, and offer happy hour specials. Chef ShangriLa is known for its extensive collection of Tikis, and is one of the only tiki restaurants in the Chicagoland area offering a full tiki bar experience.

The restaurant also offers live entertainment, including Elvis impersonators.

Pete’s Tiki Tiki

Pete's Tiki Tiki

Pete’s Tiki Tiki is a corner bar that offers a beach party atmosphere and thirstquenching cocktails. Their menu features a variety of rumbased cocktails, including the TikiTiki Rum & Cola and the Mai Tai.

The establishment accepts reservations for bachelorette parties, birthdays, graduation parties, and other events, but walkins are welcome all night long.

According to a Reddit post, Pete’s Tiki Tiki is located in Rosemont, Illinois, and was previously known as Pete’s Dueling Pianos Bar.

Island Party Hut

Island Party Hut is a tikistyle bar and grill located by the river in Chicago. It opened in 2015 with the concept of bringing a true Tiki Bar to the Chicago Riverwalk while operating Island Party Boats for tours along the river and lake.

The bar offers casual eats, live music, and outdoor games. Some of the signature dishes include the Big Kahuna Burger and tropical drinks like the classic Mai Tai.

The Island Party Hut also has an Instagram account where they post pictures and videos of their events and menu items.

Trader Todd’s

Trader Todd’s is a festive karaoke bar located in Lakeview, Chicago. The bar has a beer garden and serves pizza, along with a bar menu that has a tropical twist.

Trader Todd’s is known for its karaoke nights where patrons can sing their hearts out.

The bar also has an Instagram account where they post pictures and videos of their events and menu items. Some additional information about Trader Todd’s can be found on their Yelp page, which includes their address, phone number, hours of operation, and health score.

Broken Shaker

Broken Shaker

Broken Shaker is a chain of rooftop bars located in different cities in the US, including Miami, New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles. The bars offer an eclectic menu of handcrafted cocktails and small bites.

The cocktails are composed of elixirs, syrups, and infusions made from garden herbs and spices, freshpressed produce, and exotic ingredients.

Broken Shaker has won several awards, including James Beard Award semifinalists and Tales of the Cocktail’s Best American Hotel Bar. The bars have a hip and trendy atmosphere, with a backyard oasis in Miami and sweeping views of the city in New York and Los Angeles.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Chicago is home to some of the best tiki bars in the Midwest. Whether you’re after exotic cocktails, island vibes or simply a beachy atmosphere, these top 10 tropical paradise locations have got you covered.

From Three Dots and a Dash’s Bamboo Room to Lost Lake’s retro ambiance and Island Party Hut’s outdoor beachside atmosphere, there’s something for everyone looking for a Polynesian-inspired experience.