Nobody plans to spend an evening in Bakersfield. You pass through it on the way to somewhere else -- Mammoth, the Sequoias, the long flat grind up the 99 to Sacramento -- and if you stop at all, it's for gas or a bathroom or because your BMW's brakes have decided, somewhere around the Grapevine, that they'd rather not. Thank you, Weatherford BMW of Berkeley, for the near-death experience and, inadvertently, for one of the best nights out I've had in years. Stranded and waiting on repairs, we checked into The Padre, the only hotel in Bakersfield that feels like someone with a subscription to Dwell had a hand in it, and set out walking through a downtown that time has treated with more kindness than reputation suggests. There's a Woolworth's luncheonette still hanging on. There are old brick facades and wide sidewalks and the particular quiet of a Central Valley evening when the heat finally breaks. And then, on 18th Street, there is Tiki-Ko, and suddenly you are no longer in Bakersfield at all. You are, instead, inside someone's magnificent obsession. Tiki-Ko is a proper tiki bar -- not a tiki-themed cocktail lounge, not a place that bought some bamboo at a craft store and called it atmosphere, but a genuine, committed, floor-to-ceiling shrine to mid-century Polynesian fantasy. The carvings are real. The lighting is correct -- which is to say, barely there. The mugs are serious. There are pufferfish lamps and carved totems and the whole glorious taxonomy of tiki ephemera, accented here and there with a skate-culture edge that keeps it from feeling like a museum. It's reverent without being precious. The drinks are the real thing. Mai Tais built with actual orgeat. Zombies that earn the name. The bartenders make them with the kind of care and enthusiasm that tells you this isn't a gig -- it's a calling. They want you to be here. They want to talk about rum. They want you to try the Painkiller. In a city that most Angelenos regard as a punch line, somebody built a world-class cocktail bar and filled it with joy, and the regulars clearly know it. You will not plan a trip to Bakersfield. But if you find yourself there -- by mechanical failure, by accident, by the peculiar mercy of a bad brake job -- walk downtown. Find the tiki bar. Order a second round. Stay longer than you intended. Bakersfield has been underestimated, and Tiki-Ko is the proof. read more

Tiki bar located in Downtown Bakersfield that kind of acts as two locations or spaces. There's the main bar at the corner and if you go outside and walk a bit down the sidewalk, there's 'The Sinking Ship' with a more heavy nautical and speakeasy vibe (where you enter and walk down some stairs and find a lush decor). I only had a drink upstairs at the original bar and I ordered my default go to when I visit new tiki bars and am unfamiliar with their menus and that was the painkiller. The service or person behind the bar was chill and super friendly. I came in on the earlier side of a Friday evening, so although people were trickling in, the place wasn't packed. Since I was only able to stay for a drink, I just wanted to walk down and check out 'The Sinking Ship' and was thoroughly impressed by the decor (well pretty much for both spaces). Definitely a place I'd love to grab drinks with friends or spend more time at. read more

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A Complete Lack of Welcoming Service for Sinking Ship! I was so excited to visit, having heard fabulous things about this place. I'm sure it is! I was looking for a sophisticated, virgin drink after a nice dinner, as I am not a drinker. Unfortunately, the experience at the door ensured I would not get to try the menu. The bearded bouncer was seated on a stool outside, completely engrossed in mingling with a group of four people. He completely ignored me. After waiting patiently, I finally had to interrupt the group to make a polite inquiry about entry or the wait time. He offered zero information. When I asked a second time if I could access the bar, he gave an utterly baffling response: "once the numbers makes sense." I had no idea what this meant, but the message was loud and clear. I was not welcome. This was extremely frustrating. I work hard and believe my money should go to establishments that value good customer service. The reviews I've since read confirm this bouncer is a recurring problem. Until this is addressed, I will take my business elsewhere, I ended up enjoying a wonderful, welcoming experience and a drink at Padres. I will not be returning here. read more

Visited The Sinking Ship with friends and enjoyed ourselves very much. The drinks were good and the atmosphere was really cool. It was a fun evening in a laid back environment, the bartenders were nice and the lady clearing tables was pleasant. The only thing I, personally, didn't enjoy was the weird ambient soundscapes. A little music would have been nice, rather than the creaking ship noises and ghostly wailing. read more

Tiki Co Bar - Bakersfield, CA Hands down the best drinks in town - every cocktail is perfectly made and full of tropical flavor. The bartenders really know their craft and always serve with a smile. The atmosphere is friendly, fun, and welcoming, with a cool island-vibe that makes you feel like you're on vacation right in the heart of Bakersfield. If you're looking for great company, creative cocktails, and chill vibes, Tiki Co Bar is the place to be! read more

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Great service and great drinks. Place is a little small but great for the local people. Came in a Sunday evening. read more

Tiki-Ko - Piña colada - Tiki Bars Near Me - Bakersfield, California

Both Tiki-Ko and The Sunken Ship are probably my favorite bars in the whole city! I've usually only ever came out with my friends to these spots, but I had the privilege of bringing my very reserved husband to check the place out while we were in the downtown area for dinner. We started at Tiki-Ko and had a Shark attack. He was very impressed with the decor and very much enjoyed the cocktail. Once done, we went down to the sunken ship, just so he could check it out. We didn't stay but maybe 2 minutes, but he thought it was very cool. I doubt he'll ever come back, unless I bring him along, but you can catch me out here at-least once every couple months. read more

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The drinks were really good. We ordered 4 different drinks from the menu, and all of them were presented well. The two bar tenders were fun to talk to about everything tiki. Tiki Ko was decorated for Christmas when we visited. read more

Tiki-Ko - Behind the bar - Tiki Bars Near Me - Bakersfield, California

Wow what a fun Tiki bar in Bakersfield, a true hidden gem. I came out with two friends for drinks after work. They will card at the door so have your IDs ready. The interior is super cute. Love their tiki decor. There was a lot of seating at the bar area and a few small tables and booths if you get lucky. We got super lucky some folks were leaving their booth when we got there, cause it was a completely packed house. Staff took a while to clean and clear the table from previous groups, but we just moved it aside. They have a lot of classic tiki drinks as well as seasonal house specials. And for those who aren't super into Tiki drinks, tI saw from other patrons, they also have beer. My friends and I really loved the ambiance and enjoyed hanging out and chatting here. We all also enjoyed our different drinks here also. I can't remember what everyone ordered, so I'll just go over my orders. I tried The Floating World ($15), Land of the First Light ($15), and the Open Sesame ($15). The floating world had a blend of vodka and gin. The base was a tasty matcha with a strawberry cream cloud on top. With the glass they used, I feel there there wasn't a lot of the matcha, but a lot of the strawberry. I would have preferred a stronger matcha taste and a lighter touch of strawberry. The land of the first light was my favorite of the three. It had vodka and shochu with a touch of raspberry and a ginger beer finish. The open sesame is great for banana lovers. The strongest taste was the banana and rum essence. The black sesame was a nice touch. Loved this tiki bar. Awesome vibes! Would definitely consider coming back when I'm in the area. read more

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Tiki-Ko and the Sinking Ship is one of my favorite places to stop by with the crew. It can get packed fast, but for most people it's just one of the few bars to crawl through so the traffic keeps moving. The Tiki theme is so on point and I love their attention to detail. It's just one of the few reasons why this is a must stop spot during a bar crawl. I really appreciate the mocktails that they offer. As the DD, I could use more than a Shirley Temple or water. Tonight I had the non-alcoholic painkiller. It was citrusy and the coconut cream and coconut water came out strongly. If you're not the DD then I highly recommend the Shark Attack. It's my absolute favorite and hits every time. read more

Tiki-Ko - Shark Attack, Duderino, NA Pain Killer - Tiki Bars Near Me - Bakersfield, California

Reviewing for the Sinking Ship. Love this place! Feels like a vacation, a step out of the norm. The atmosphere is just so fun and thoughtfully curated. Definitely dim, and a laid back vibe. The drinks have been great every time we've been. This time we had a Pina Colada and a Mary Ann. I loved the Mary Ann, they're so full of flavor and beautifully presented. Staff is always nice. Definitely a must visit read more

Tiki-Ko - Entrance - Tiki Bars Near Me - Bakersfield, California

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A Hawaiian themed bar that's actually better than Hawaii. Drinks are affordable and very tasty. Their specialty drinks change frequently and are always fun to try. The mixologists are super chill too. read more

No food Speedy service with a cool haunted ship vibe at the sinking ship! They're very accommodating to any changes to drink! read more

Tiki-Ko - Shark Attack - Tiki Bars Near Me - Bakersfield, California

Love love love the theme and the set up inside! It's so fun and unique. I felt like I was in another dimension, on vacation in a tropical paradise. The shark attack & N/A painkiller was phenomenal!! I definitely need to return to try more of their drinks. read more

Tiki-Ko - Shark attack & N/A Painkiller - Tiki Bars Near Me - Bakersfield, California

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I don't know why I have never been here, but I'm in my rum era, version 2.0. This time I'm seeking aged rum drinks, spirit forward with tropical accoutrements. Tiki-Ko is spot on. We went in after dinner at a local establishment, the four of us grabbed a table and ordered a few drinks. I had the painkiller to start and then ordered a Jet Fuel. Yum. The staff here is fantastic, from the door guy to the barkeeps. The restrooms are clean and the decor is spot on. I recommend this place for a chill vibe for those who like craft cocktails or mocktails. Can't wait to go back. read more

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I have been dying to go to Tiki-Ko and the one time I tried, there was a line wrapped around the building that I refused to wait in. I've heard many things about it and it's a trendy place so I figured there'd be a line but on a sweltering Bakersfield summer evening, the last place you'll find me is standing in line to spend money. This time we ended up being first in line on a sweltering Bakersfield summer evening and the bouncer was cool so we stayed. After about 8 minutes three out of six of us were allowed in. The vibe upon entering was tainted by the smell of mildew and rot as we walked down the stairs but once we got to the bottom and looked around I understood why. Apparently we were in a place called The Sinking Ship. We were seated in the only available table which was way too small for our group. But about 5 minutes later a bigger area opened up and just in time for the rest of our party to join us. There was music playing but the place was just so quiet. It didn't seem like a bar. This place just didn't have the vibe we were going for this particular evening and we only stayed about another 20 minutes before we left. I haven't been back and don't plan on going back. read more

Still one of my favorite go to spots. The staff is great. The drinks are great. Their rotating specials are an awesome way to bring a little extra excitement to the place. Great merch. Just overall an excellent place to be. They've done a lot of redecorating in the Sinking Ship since my last post so I'm adding additional photos. read more

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We love Tiki-Ko! Honestly, one of the best bars in town. All juice is made fresh daily. Creative specials for the Tuesday "Explorer Club" and a discount given for "Mug Club" BYOM on Wednesdays. We usually stop in on Tuesdays or Saturdays as our favorite bar tenders work those nights. Door man is very cool as well. Nice, chill atmosphere and clean restrooms. Upstairs is limited seating, but "Sinking Ship" downstairs has plenty more room. Downstairs is an extension of upstairs with similar drinks, but an immersion as far as decor. read more

Tiki-Ko - Mary Ann & Mai Tai - Tiki Bars Near Me - Bakersfield, California

A hidden gem in kern county with tropical drinks , vibes and ambiance. The atmosphere is chill and it's a nice spot to getaway and have quick drink without a hectic environment. The bartenders are chill and the service is excellent it seems like they have regulars in there all the time. We showed up on Friday evening about 7:00 pm and it was nice and calm not busy at all we had good conversations with the bartenders and some of the regulars. I went with the Stiggins old fashion and my wife had the Blue Hawaii both drinks were delicious. I will definitely be returning in the near future to try something else on the drink menu. Oh! they have plenty of other liquors besides Rum so don't worry if you don't see what you want on the bar menu I'm sure they could make you a custom drink. read more

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Very hidden gem. Very unassuming from exterior which I guess makes this spot so much cooler! Walked in the door and was instantly transported to a tropical villa! How cool! What a vibe! They serve all the fun tropical drinks and offer fun take home mugs as well! Bar tenders had the island vibe shirts and hats as well and offered prompt service. Prices aren't cheap but a great value with the fun atmosphere provided!! Definitely a must visit for locals and visitors alike! read more

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What a fun place! The patrons are friendly. The Tiki Decor is colorful lively and welcoming. Although they have a full bar they specialize in Hawaiian cocktails. Gabby was our fabulous mixologist this evening. She was friendly, helpful and informative gladly answering all our questions. The drinks are colorful with creative garnishes tropically themed. I ordered the Chief Lapu Lapu. She happily adjusted my drink with less sugar and it was delicious. My companion had the A La Playa, very tasty as well. For a fun evening with a twist I highly recommend Tiki-Ko! read more

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I love the cups you can buy, I have 3 and want every one that comes out. The place is so cute while it is on the small side you get better service. The drinks are amazing 2 is my absolute limit because they tend to be strong. Love coming here! Sometimes there is a line but that is because you feel so comfortable coming here. read more

We went to the basement part called "sunken ship". OMG!!!!! This is a must visit place. It's like a Disneyland pirates of the Caribbean experience . From the front door to the bar area and even to the bathrooms, every inch of this place was detailed so brilliantly keeping within the pirate/ shipwrecked theme. Large booth areas for larger parties . Staff was friendly . Place was really clean. Now let's get to the drinks . 10/10. Great and fun selection . Presentation spot on tiki bar. Closes at 11 when we went which was good because it made us leave . If not we would have drunk way too much. . Love this place. A must visit . read more

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Had the pleasure of visiting this spot during my trip to Bakersfield. The bar and drinks were great. Also, the price for drinks was reasonable, and the level of service was outstanding. Great little oasis in the downtown area :) read more

Tiki-Ko - Painkiller and an Old fashion. - Tiki Bars Near Me - Bakersfield, California

On a Sunday afternoon talking to the bartender about the history of this place. So cool to know the many places this establishment has been. Ambiance is so cool. Got that trendy vibe with hula atmosphere. Get ready to relax and chill with a signature drink. read more

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Have always enjoyed tiki bars and when I found out about Tiki-Ko a year ago, it has always been on my list to visit! Finally was able to visit tonight and loved it. The outside wasn't appeal to the eye but I knew that the inside would not disappoint. It was well decorated and loved the entire vibe of it all. We ordered three drinks total: 3 Dots and A Dash, Shark Attack, and 151 Swizzle (all in order in the picture). I would think that the 3 Dots had a stronger taste while Shark Attack had the sweetest. 151 Swizzle was surprisingly enjoyable, I thought I wouldn't since it contained a lot of strong liquor. Loved the evening, the service was great, would love to come back again :) read more

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The staff is so kind, and the bartender was not hesitant to make me a custom drink which was appreciated and it was so good!!! Plus the ambiance was awesome for taking photos and spending time with friends!!! There is also this awesome burger stand outside on fridays through the weekend I believe DEFINETLY hit them up too the burger was to die for! read more

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A total gem of Bakersfield! I'm a big tiki fan, and have been wanting to stop by Tiki-Ko on my next trip through the Central Valley. It FINALLY happened, and I'm so happy it did! Tiki-Ko holds its own with the "big" classic tiki names in SoCal, like Tiki-Ti and Strongwater. We were able to snag seats at the bar and order right away. My partner got the El Duderino, a coffee based rum drink topped with whipped cream. He loved it!! I got the Chief Lapu Lapu, which was equally loved. And we split a Mai Tai for good measure. ;) The atmosphere was great -- scenery, music, other patrons. Service was great -- we came in during a bit of a "rush" and I was so impressed that the bartenders never lost their cool and served everyone with ease. As you can see from the pictures, the drinks were definitely picture perfect. Quality inside and out! I'll be looking for another reason to pass through Bakersfield just so I can stop at Tiki-Ko! read more

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We first went to Sunken Ship the bar downstairs. The decorations and ambience are fun and gorgeous. There's plenty of seats. We were also looking for food. You can order smash burgers from the cart upstairs but it was going to take them 40 minutes for our order. Not a good idea to be drinking on an empty stomach. So we went to find another place for lunch. Came back. It took them 30 minutes to bring back our drinks. It was still great. We came back that evening to the main bar. We got lucky and sat at the bar. Our bartender Binnie did a great job. Yummy drinks. Fun great experience! read more

Tiki-Ko - Menu - Tiki Bars Near Me - Bakersfield, California

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Fun place, great tiki bar. A must visit if you're in downtown Bakersfield and thirsty for a drink.

It was like if you were at the ticket room in this land but at the dot side you definitely have to come and see the experience of a hawaiian vibes It is a great place. It's like the tiki Room in Disneyland, but I take a Rome. I don't area. I loved it. The environment was amazing. The servers Benny and Bernie The bartenders were amazing. Such a great hostess not on evad, but they were able to provide us with a great tour and great drinks throughout the night. Love. The place is an amazing decoration, an amazing environment. It's just a place that I want to come back Definitely will recommend 100 %. Thank you, guys read more

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what a dream to have tiki-ko and their sinking ship room in Bakersfield our own little oasis in the desert heat. The tiki -ko proper is a cozy bar with charm and neighborhood vibes and the sinking ship room is a Disneyland style experience. You are transported to trader Sam's and adventure land. It's like sitting at a Tiki bar inside pirates of the Caribbean ride. SERIOUSLY THE COOLEST. The drinks are big, delicious, really a treat. Some places the atmosphere is cool but the drinks not great but that's not case here, drinks are sublime - we had the pain killer and a la playa. We had such a fun time and enjoyed our drinks read more

Tiki-Ko - Painkiller & a la playa - Tiki Bars Near Me - Bakersfield, California

Will tell you they can't let you in because they are full but call you over intoxicated For sitting down and waiting for people to come out.

Excellent tiki bar! Love the drinks here; my personal favorite is the Painkiller. Also the rotating selection of drink specials is always worth a look. Good people here, behind the bar and in front. And don't miss the downstairs either, Sinking Ship is awesome. My fave bar in Bakersfield. read more

I love this place so damn much. I first came here from LA with a large group of friends not long after they opened. I think 40 of us descended on them that day. The owners and staff couldn't have been nicer or more accommodating. Cut to this past Saturday when I visited again from LA with a couple of friends. It is still an absolute gem with the nicest staff and excellent drinks. We had Singapore Slings, Saturns, and a Painkiller. One of my friends, who is a professional bartender, said it was just about the best Saturn she'd ever had. All of the drinks were made by the utterly endearing Benny. We then went downstairs to the Sinking Ship, which exceeded our expectations. Again, stellar drinks and service. It is a very handsome space and much roomier than I expected. No trip to Bakersfield is complete without a visit to Tiki-Ko. GO! read more

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What a fun experience! The drinks are amazing and the vibe is great. Staff are so friendly--Bernie took great care of us. I've been to many tiki bars and would definitely recommend this one! read more

Tiki-Ko - Tiki Bars Near Me - Bakersfield, California

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This is a total package kinda place. Delicious drinks quirky decor, fun vibe + the people..., extremely friendly, fast and attentive staff. You can tell they all love tiki not just during work hours. Street level is a fun, Blue Hawaii lounge vibe. Lots of Witco style decor, tiki, tapa-cloth lamps handmade by the staff. Fun island lounge vibe upstairs a, top drinks: Saturn Rum Barrel Mary Ann Navy Grog Stiggin's Old Fashion Then, head downstairs to get ye a pirate-style adventure! The ceiling is covered in a giant pirate map. Jade tiles, portholes play video of fish in the water. Drinks include a few of the items up top, but also some newbies. Got the painkiller (avails both up and down) and it was delicious). Then home because we had to get sleep before we vended at the Central California Tiki Market. & a bunch of the staff showed before work to check out our wares. Didn't know what I'd think of Bakersfield, as a kid it was always a place we passed through on the way to so R where else) but I will definitely return IG just to grab a midway cocktail from this lively band of tiki fans. read more

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Great little tiki bar with fantastic drinks.. Price is in line with most tiki bars we have been too, not a place to belly up to a bar all day at, but perfect for a drink or two after work or before dinner at one of the great restaurants within a couple of hundred yards away. Bartenders are friendly and talkative. Always have a good time here.. Our favorite drink in the Ultimo Hombre which is their spin on a margaria. read more

Go down the stairs and you'll find yourself a cute little ship wrecked speak easy! The staff is great - they will make you a STRONG drink for the more expensive prices. Well worth! read more

Tiki-Ko - Cocktail - Tiki Bars Near Me - Bakersfield, California

The place was a bit expensive, but every town needs a good tiki drinks place! The outside was a bit sketchy (there was trash and some worrying fellows outside). Luckily there was a bouncer outside making sure everyone was of age. The bartenders were fast and knowledgeable. I enjoy the whole tiki experience. The drinks were very interesting! I was able to try a bunch of rum that are not readily available! The drinks were very unique and had such uncanny tastes. They had many very cool mugs that you can choose to get along your drink... my only gripe is wondering what's the point of offering drinks with specific mugs if you can only experience that if you buy the mugs. Many other places let's you enjoy the drink in the custom mug, but then upgrade to keep the mug. I hope the critique is not unfair to say. read more

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