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Lava & Tonic

4.3 (32 reviews)
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Robert T.

Delicious & Authentic Tiki cocktails. Good food & a friendly staff. Decor is old school Polynesian. Love going when we're in town!

Ted C.

If it wasn't for one of the bartenders at Hopping Gnome, one of their next door neighbors our group wouldn't have known that Lava & Tonic existed so, that's a bonus for them. I like Tiki bar atmosphere and L&T had it done right, dark and stormy without being super...moist is the best word for it. Lava & Tonic had that right combination of dive-y and fun. We sat down in the front and after looking at the menu and I saw their original drink the Teak-9. I usually am not a rum drinker but the cocktail looked interesting and with 3 out of 4 shrunken heads (their internal rating for how strong their drinks out) and you know, I don't want to spoil their mood by ordering an Old Fashioned. So, I will caveat this by saying that I had been drinking beers prior to this but the Teak 9 was not only delicious but it's 3 shrunken heads rating was well deserved, but it drank well so it went down quickly...maybe little too quickly. I actually got another one because: 1) it was that good, pretty well balanced which for tiki drinks is hard to do, 2) they were 9 dollars. Thankfully I wasn't driving.

Lava and Tonic in Wichita, Kansas, is a must-visit for tiki bar enthusiasts. The Zombie cocktail here is crafted to perfection, staying true to the classic Donn Beach recipe, offering a balanced yet potent experience. Their impressive selection of rare rums includes a standout Plantation rum that delivers a flavor reminiscent of fire-roasted sugar cane--a smoky delight that captivates the palate. The ambiance of Lava and Tonic is spectacular, embodying the vibrant and colorful essence of a traditional tiki bar. The decor pays homage to Hawaiian and naval cultures of the past, creating an immersive atmosphere that transports you to a tropical paradise. The staff, both the bartender and the server, demonstrate a profound respect and understanding of tiki culture, enhancing the overall experience with their passion and knowledge. Lava and Tonic is not just a bar; it's a destination where the spirit of tiki culture is alive and celebrated. Whether you're a rum connoisseur or simply seeking a unique and engaging atmosphere, this place is where it's at. Dalton the bartender and Maddie the server are tiki enthusiasts that will ensure you are transported to Polynesian paradise!

a red light in a cave
R B.

Super awesome bartender, cute bar, good drinks. It was a neat find in the middle of the country.

the interior of a tropical themed bar

We were in Kansas to see some family and found this little gem. We have been to several tiki bars and my expectations were low. I wasn't sure what to expect. This place was great! The ambiance was classic tiki bar; dimly lit with an appropriate amount of tiki decor which was not kitschy. Please note, you need to be 21 or over to be seated, and you will be asked to show your ID. Our party of four ordered different drinks. The Teak 9, Mai tai, Jalisco Headhunter, Shark Bite, and a virgin Piña Colada. They were all really good. I thought the shark bite was maybe a little sweet for my taste buds though. They have Tiki Discs, which are small pizzas but they are also great for sharing. They were good and had several different offerings. It took a little while to get the pizzas, so be patient. And speaking of patient, as with most tiki bars, the drinks take some time to prepare. This is not a place where you go when you are in a hurry. The whole point of tiki is to sit back, relax, and enjoy the vibe. Escapism at its best. I was also impressed with the music. They definitely kept it in the tiki style. This is a pet peeve of mine with other tiki bars, but not at Lava and Tonic, they nailed it. Parking was easy. I would recommend this for a fun night out especially if you are looking for something unique and special.

Ambience
Catherine K.

Our service was outstanding. The waitress was waiting till I got back to the table to take our order. She paid attention to the fact that I said we were on our way to a concert and asked if we wanted our check now or later. The drinks were very good. My husband ordered a Mai Tai and I had an old fashioned. Kudos to the bartender. We got a pizza -Lilly's Luau - and was sooo good. The menu should say ' personal pizza' as it's small. I wanted to order another one!

Amazing rum.
Jonathan W.

This is the best tiki spot in Wichita. The vibe is awesome, the staff is top notch. Morgan, the bartender, was fantastic and made excellent suggestions based on what we told her we liked. Excellent selection of rums and creative, along with classic tiki cocktails. Really chill vibes and a great place to hang with friends. Highly recommended. Will be back many times.

Mai Tai
Daniel F.

If you enjoy legitimate classic tiki drinks with a cool retro tiki atmosphere then this is the place for you. I never leave reviews but I've been in and out of Wichita for work and I randomly came across this place. I went last night and I'll probably go every night for the next two weeks! Also it's right beside Piatto (awesome pizza).

Mai Tai with fresh flower and mint
Amy K.

This place is awesome. We came here on a recommendation from the staff at Piatto (which was another great spot) and so glad we did. The door is non discript as the windows are all blacked out. Look for the two flickering lights outside. We were asked if we had a reservation and we didn't but thankfully snagged two spots at the bar. The vibe in here is spot on. Friendly staff and great drinks. You can tell they thoughtfully put together the drink menu, glass selections and garnishments. I wish we had a place like this in our hometown. Mai Tai was delicious as well as the Navy Grog. Highly recommended.

Monica D.

I can't say enough positive things about this place! Their drinks are creative, delicious, and STRONG! Listen to their strength guide, haha. They are not joking! Overall, it's obvious how much time they have taken to create this amazing place. From the detailed decor to the quality of service and drinks...I cannot day enough positive things about Lava and Tonic. Give these guys a visit, for sure!

Zombie. Mostly ice and booze. Really had no fruity flavor to it

I was excited to come here because of the reviews and what I had heard from friends. Went on a Wednesday evening happy hour. It is very dark when you first walk in and it took a while for my eyes to adjust. The place was dead even though I had toale a reservation. The bartender told us where to sit, but I asked for a booth since no one was there. We were told that was fine, but if it got busy we would have to go back to our original seats. It never got busy and our original seats were given to others. It took about 10 minutes to even get waited on even though there was only one other couple there, so I was already a bit irritated. Ordered a zombie and a shark bite to drink and a couple of little pizzas. Everything was overpriced for the quality. Drinks were super strong and ended giving us both a headache even though we both only had one. Pizzas were nothing special and way overpriced. Bartender was slow and not very friendly. Place looked cool inside, but probably won't be back. So disappointing.

Rum selection and tiki glass presentation.

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2 years ago

Employees are prompt and professional always, also drinks are great. Overall nice little hole in the wall!

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5 years ago

Unique atmosphere , friendly staff. Drinks are amazing! It's a great place to escape everyday life and relax .

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4 years ago

Good drinks the pizza is good just smaller than expected. You definitely should go with friends or for a date night

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Ask the Community - Lava & Tonic

Review Highlights - Lava & Tonic

The Teak 9, Mai tai, Jalisco Headhunter, Shark Bite, and a virgin Piña Colada.

Mentioned in 2 reviews

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Dockum

Dockum

4.4(85 reviews)
1.0 mi
$$

If you're big into mixed drinks this is your place. This is mine and my husband's favorite date…read morespot. We love getting a good cocktail and listening to live music. Dockum has both great cocktails, and great entertainment. I really like the atmosphere here every single time. It's dim, it's romantic, it's lively. Our waitress every time has been the same girl and she's fabulous and attentive. Her name is Elvia, shoutout to her! We have our favorite drinks here, but always try something new each time. Never had a bad drink here. Our favorites are: The Last Word, Dizzy Dame, Cinder and Smoke. You can't go wrong with anything you order honestly. We could sit here for a few hours. It's also a speakeasy. It's under ground, you have to knock to get in. Overall it's just a cool vibe for something downtown in Wichita. It is my favorite spot to go. If you are in town visiting or a local, I recommend this place 1000%.

We went to Dockum Speakeasy for the first time with pretty high expectations. The hostess was…read morewonderful and seated us right away at a nice table, which started the evening off well. When our waitress came by, we told her it was our first visit and that we needed a little time with the menu. We ordered drinks, but they came out at odd times--two arrived quickly, while the other two took noticeably longer. My husband ordered a Bijou, which is a unique cocktail, and it seemed to take a while for the bar to figure out how to make it. Still, the drinks were good once they arrived. For food, we tried the burnt ends and the JoJos. The JoJos were excellent--crispy and flavorful--but the burnt ends were disappointing, served a bit cold and lacking in flavor. Things really unraveled with our second round of drinks. Service slowed to a crawl, and we eventually learned that our waitress had been sent home by the manager even though the bar was packed on a Friday night. A young server, only two weeks into the job, was left to take over, and unfortunately, he had no idea what he was doing. Another waitress stopped by to help but admitted she usually works upstairs in the restaurant and didn't know the cocktail menu either. The shift in service quality from the first round of drinks to the second was very jarring. There was live music, but the sound system wasn't great, so it didn't add much to the atmosphere. We did order desserts from the upstairs restaurant, which were a nice finish, but by the end of the night it was clear the staff was overwhelmed. As we left, we even saw the manager outside looking exhausted, which made us feel bad for the whole team. Overall, while the drinks were solid and the JoJos worth trying, the experience was inconsistent and stressful. Maybe we just got caught up in an off night of drama, but I wouldn't recommend Dockum for more than one drink.

Photos
Dockum - Food menu

Food menu

Dockum - Bar area

Bar area

Dockum - Aurelius Manhattan  and Chocolate Martini

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Aurelius Manhattan and Chocolate Martini

Mort's Martini Bar - Outside patio for cigar smoking.

Mort's Martini Bar

4.3(139 reviews)
0.6 mi
$$

I smoked my first cigar at Mort's! Lol…read more We were in town for our once a year business trip to check up on properties. We try to check out a new place during each trip and wound up back at river city brewery. However! There was great live music coming from across the parking lot. Taking a closer look, we thought... cigar bar? Let's check it out. And I am glad we did! Mort's has such a great atmosphere! The girls working here are so cute, friendly and helpful! My partner is a cigar smoker but it was my first time. We opted for the Havana Honey, which was a smaller cigar. Our server got us all set up and that choice was pretty good! I now see the hype. They have a large drink menu but I stuck with a Michelob Ultra. We came back the next day and Sundays was $1 off drafts so we did the same thing again. The live music was great. Mort's has live music EVERY DAY! I love bars with live music and the fact that they have it every day is a reason we went back the next day. I can't wait for our next trip back to Wichita because we will definitely be heading to Mort's again!

We found this cool gem walking around old town Wichita on a Sunday night. We heard the live music…read moreon the patio and decided to go in. The restaurant has an extensive cigar list as well as an extensive martini list. I decided to go traditional with the 007 martini. It was fantastic. Next I had the espresso martini which was equally good. There is an outdoor patio for cigar smoking, which is tented in with heaters. It was actually warmer on the patio than it was inside the location. The live music was enjoyable and the singer played a lot of 60s and 70s easy listening.

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Mort's Martini Bar
Mort's Martini Bar
Mort's Martini Bar - Patio

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Vorshay’s Cocktail Lounge - More old Fashioned

Vorshay’s Cocktail Lounge

3.4(48 reviews)
0.9 mi

We were down the street at another bar and we have always wanted to check this place out…read more Positives: Live music, cool venue inside, tons of seating options, inside and outside options, decent drinks with good prices. Less positive: Door cover charge (this could have been because of the live band? Not sure if there's always a cover) $10 each, not terrible. They have drinks online that look great, but none of the bartenders knew how to make them and they seemed confused when we showed them the online menu we were ordering from. There are no menus anywhere but online. We did find food menus but no drink menus so that's why we pulled the online one. For a cocktail lounge, I assume they have mixed drinks they create beyond your traditional cocktails. So it was a bummer no one knew the menu. So we just ordered traditional cocktails. Our bartender was great all night and our drinks tasted good and the bill was low. The live band was great and there was a dance floor for some two step. Everyone seemed to be having fun and we really enjoyed our time here. We are going to come back when there isn't a live band to see how it is and if there is no cover, so I'll update my review then. Overall 8/10 experience. I think if they just had mixed drinks for cocktail lounge it would be 10/10

Service was not great, we waited 35 minutes for our meal. Food was ok not surprised to hear that…read morethey closed shortly after we went in.

Photos
Vorshay’s Cocktail Lounge - Bar

Bar

Vorshay’s Cocktail Lounge - Inside, live band, dance floor

Inside, live band, dance floor

Vorshay’s Cocktail Lounge - Great bar

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Great bar

Lava & Tonic - tikibars - Updated May 2026

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