Billy Berings, who lived in Nairobi for years has taken the Polynesian feel to Diani, opening the first tiki bar which also serves seafood.
Tiki bars have picked up globally, serving savage drinks in dark comforts. In Diani, the bar serves from zombie to mud driver.
There is a new bar and restaurant in Diani where you feel that you have been magically transported to a beach in Hawaii or a forbidden island.
Billy Berings, who lived in Nairobi for years has taken the Polynesian feel to Diani, opening the first tiki bar which also serves seafood.
Tiki bars have picked up globally, serving savage drinks in dark comforts. In Diani, the bar serves from zombie to mud driver.
“Original tiki bars were opened in California in the 30s to 50s by Hawaiians,’’ said Mr Berings.
Two years ago, he was living in Nairobi and got tired of ‘‘the traffic and pollution.’’
“I started thinking of relocating to the Coast and of the concept of a tiki bar that was missing in Diani,’’ he said.
Having run a similar bar and restaurant in Canary Islands, he decided to replicate the idea in Kenya.
“Over the years, I have been working in the hospitality business and improving my skills in the kitchen. I studied management, tourism and recreation,’’ he said.
He designed all the recipes and plates and trained the chefs.
The joint opened its doors in November last year and is always full with tourists. It is best known for its hanging king prawn skewer, the Thai green curries, Nanyuki steaks, shawarma chicken, spicy sticky spare ribs, the chilly con carne, seafood skewer, surf and turf.
Some of their popular cocktails are the frozen margaritas, the tiki gin tonic, mud driver, zombie, Mai Tai’s, piña colada prepared by in-house mixologists. Mr Berings has also added theme nights that attract a fair share of holidaymakers in search of a unique experience away the conventional bars.
“We had several theme nights for example, a Spanish night, a 007 Movie Night, a Greek night, a Hungarian night, a Mexican night,’’ he said.
Staff members wear clothes matching the decorations at the bar.
“People love these theme nights, we plan to introduce more in future,” Mr Bering said.
The thatch-roofed restaurant cum bar sits 100 people indoor and outdoors. Their chocolate martinis are made from Belgian chocolate. They also serve boozy coffees and the Tiki birds cocktails made from cranberry juice.
In the escapist bar, the incredible drinks are served with a heaping side of fun. Cocktails are served in the typical exotic-themed tiki ceramic mugs and glasses. Others serve alcohol from a skull.
At night the bar plays cool music as you can watch games with friends.
emurathe@ke.nationmedia.com
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