From the 1930s to the 1970s, America was swept away by a Polynesian-inspired revolution: The Tiki Bar. The feeling of a tropical escape during the Depression ignited the imagination of people across the country, and launched a fad that was to last four decades and expand to include art, architecture, and most importantly- cocktails. From the mind of one man in Hollywood in 1934 was born new kind of cocktail that owed its roots to the rums & recipes of the Caribbean, Colonial Southeast Asia, the soda fountains of New Orleans, and much more. These complex, layered, dynamic and inspired drinks delighted and intrigued people everywhere for years. But the complexity of the drinks, changing tastes, and lost recipes conspired to bring the whole thing to a dismal end by the 1980s. Soon pre-made drink syrups with artificial flavors & colors conspired to ruin the exotic cocktail and create the vacation package slushy pink nightmare that we've come to expect. Now- forget everything you know and prepare to travel back to a time when a night on the town meant drinks and dancing next to an indoor waterfall. When a tropical vacation was just down the street. And when incredible exotic cocktails had the power to transport you to a moonlight night in Waikiki.

-Discover the incredible history of the Tiki Bar & Don the Beachcomber- the dynamic entrepreneur who changed the way America drank.

-Learn about the Bay Area's own Trader Vic Bergeron, whose empire was started in a tiny Oakland restaurant and became one of San Francisco's most famous destinations.

-The importance of rum in great exotic cocktails- how to select the right rums for the right drinks, and blending rums to achieve incredible results.

-The building blocks of a great classic exotic cocktail- learn how to make incredible drinks in a hands-on environment that will change the way you think about tropical drinks.

-Great party recipes that you can make at home- perfect for your next luau! We'll show you fast, delicious techniques that will delight your guests.

-Plus amazing rums, unique liqueurs, and much more!

So break out your best aloha shirt and prepare for a night in the islands!

There are no classes currently scheduled please contact us if you have interest in this class


Instructors : Martin Cate