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    Tropic Thunder

    4.7 (65 reviews)
    ModerateTiki Bars

    Tropic Thunder Photos

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    TROPIC THUNDER ATMOSPHERE

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    Recommended Reviews - Tropic Thunder

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    Nick C.

    This place is pretty small inside but I was still surprised how busy it was. The cocktails are all delicious though so I can see why. We stopped in for a drink while waiting for our table to be ready across the street at Sotisse. I was feeling adventurous and got industry grog. It was . . . interesting. The mirage was much better and really delicious.

    Nice atmosphere. but only canned wine :(
    Kymbre D.

    The atmosphere is just what you'd expect. Very tiki-vibe with a psychodelic feel. Really light, fun feeling, and speakeasy-ish at the same time. Fairly new and definitely worth the quick visit (we were bar hopping on a Friday with friends from out of town). A pretty cool spot to start our evening. And oh, the music vibe was eclectic, but relevant. We are a group of women of many generations and we all heard something we liked and enjoyed while we each knocked down a few of the beverages on the menu. Well, except me... To my surprise, what, no wine? That's absurd... what am I supposed to drink when I came out for a fun evening... and a bottle... ummm, I mean, a glass of wine? All jokes aside, they ended up offering me a can of wine (from the back of the mini fridge), and it was not a joy, but enough to get a lil buzz. Won't do that again. So next time I come, I'll try one of the mixed drinks because this can of wine was not a hit. Now, I understand it's a Tiki themed bar, but c'mon... there should be at least one fun wine option. Just sayin' Whelp, suffice to say, if you like mixed drinks (rummy), this place is great. But if you want a bottle of wine; this will not be your bag. To close... one bartender did not seem to happy to be there and was a bit distracted with who knows what (only maybe 8 patrons n the scene), and seemed annoyed when I called him over from the other side of the bar, but whatevvvvs.... the other bartender was pretty cool and nice enough. He eventually warmed up and started engaging with us, so that was nice and made us feel welcomed. Too bad we decided to closeout by then... Now that I think of it, is that why he was being nice, lol? Anyway, it was cool. I'll be back, back, back, back again!

    Desiree D.

    We've been meaning to try Tropic Thunder for awhile and finally stopped in on our way to dinner one night. It did not disappoint. Such a fun tiki vibe inside. Counter service. My cocktail was pretty good and had a good balance.

    Inside
    Bridget S.

    Such a great spot, I will definitely be coming here often. Wonderful daiquiris, friendly service, and the ambiance is so fun

    Sidewinder's Fang, Pain Killer, Thunder Rum Barrel
    Christina M.

    I don't claim to be a Tiki expert by any means but it is one of my favorite ways to imbibe cocktails so I am at the very least fairly seasoned in the tiki bar ways. And what's not to like? Delicious, fruity & sweet, sometimes very dessert-y style drinks that knock your socks off without you knowing it, until that moment when it catches up...yes please! Tiki style cocktails can be deceptively strong so there are some on the menu that have "X" next to the name, those drinks have a 2 per person limit. One of those is the universally popular tiki drink called a Pain Killer. And yes it works ;) It was so yummy with its pineapple, coconut creamy goodness and I couldn't taste a lick of alcohol so if I didn't know better I was just drinking a tropical smoothie, and only towards the end of the drink did I notice it was doing its painkilling job and I felt good! We had a group of 3 and I tasted the other drinks we ordered-- the Sidewinder's Fang was fresh & passion fruit juice forward, and I liked it. The Thunder Rum Barrel also had an "X" and for that one it was clear that it was strong, its very rum forward. Less sweet or fruity. My second round drink was the Industry Grog. I asked the bartender what he likes and he told me he enjoys chartreuse based cocktails so he made me that one. It had a more herbal, floral taste that I really enjoyed. And after 2 drinks I was good to go. The decor of this tiki bar is definitely on theme and looks great. The bartenders were excellent. My only gripe is that I didn't love the ordering set up. If you're sitting at the bar ordering is easy, otherwise you will walk up to the ordering area that is positioned in the middle of the bar near the ships wheel and it gets congested when there is a line. I'll definitely be back to try the other drinks on the menu.

    Elizabeth H.

    The main appeal of this cocktail bar is obviously the ambiance. They've done an excellent job making a fun, unique dark tiki themed bar. I really enjoyed the decor, and the bartenders were very nice. The signature cocktails were a little lackluster and not as unique and intricate as I expect from a cocktails bar in downtown Phoenix. If I'm in the mood for an interesting cocktail I won't be coming here. If I'm hoping to show a friend a cool downtown experience, then this is the place.

    Vlad V.

    When it comes to bars, I've always been a huge fan of speakeasies and tiki bars. After hanging out with some friends in the area, we made our way over to Tropic Thunder on a Monday night for a nightcap. Located in Roosevelt Row close to Industry Standard, this tiki bar just opened the other week. I parked on the street right across from the bar using metered parking. Ambiance (5/5): As I walked to the entrance, I saw two large tikis outside. My type of place. Upon entering, I was immediately impressed with the classic tiki vibes. Dimly lit, awesome decor, with the laid-back feel you hope from a true tiki bar. There's an awesome mural as you walk in and some pretty entertaining pictures of some topless women on your way to the bathroom. There's seating at the bar, high tops, and tables, and some comfortable couches. Tropic Thunder makes for a cool date spot. Service (3.5/5): A good amount of people for a Monday night but they were nowhere near capacity. The bartenders weren't the most attentive, but once you got their attention, you were in the clear. Upon closing my tab, I was only given the merchant copy of the receipt rather than both the merchant copy and the customer copy. This is a pet peeve of mine. It doesn't happen often, but I've seen other bars do it too. I can always ask for my customer receipt, but it just makes things easier when an establishment is proactive with it. Food (N/A): Tropic Thunder doesn't have food, but they allow you to bring food from elsewhere if you'd like to chow down. Drinks (4.5/5): There are tiki classics on the menu like the painkiller, zombie, daiquiris. and more, along with some unique selections. It's an interesting menu overall. When I think tiki drinks, I think sweet drinks that pack a punch, a rum-heavy selection, the use of fire, and cool glassware. I opted for a cocktail with Haitian rum which was a first for me. I'm always a fan of trying new things. It was served in a really cool black tiki mug that was part tiki and part turtle. It was everything I was hoping for. Flavorful and boozy. With a cinnamon stick for good measure. Pro Tip: If you've seen the movie Tropic Thunder, you might as well check out the tiki bar (no association). Especially if you're a fan of tiki bars like me. While I won't give the whole secret away, if you order the most expensive drink on the menu, there will be some cool theatrics that come with it. Awesome to have another tiki bar in the valley!

    Outside
    Abraham C.

    My wife and I have been on a huge Tiki drink vibe for the past year. However, the only place that had a wide selection that we liked was Undertow, which is quite the drive. So when we saw Tropic Thunder open up right down town, we were super excited to visit it with some friends. Love the vibe! It's definitely a wider space than some of the other bars on Roosevelt, though in the weekends it still sometimes gets pack. But all the drinks we had were awesome! Glad to have a new great bar!

    Nichole B.

    This has got to be my favorite bar in the Roosevelt Row area. The bartenders are very fun, the drinks are delicious (try the "Hotel"), it's dark and sexy inside, and there are all kinds of fun photo opportunities. The tiki bar theme is so well done, it actually feels like an experience you'd have at Disney or Universal Studios. There is a wall of funny Polaroids on the wall, lots of cool artwork, and if it's your birthday, you won't believe the awesome thing they do to celebrate that. Very unique to any tiki bar I've been to. No food menu here, but there are tons of places to eat right outside. Go check it out!

    From left: Painkiller (best one!), Zombie, Fog Cutter, Halekulani
    Lexi F.

    Cute place! Loved the decorations they really committed to the tiki theme. The drink menu was a good size too- not too overwhelming and the staff was super friendly. Sometimes you go to bars on a Friday night and you can tell the staff is stressed and busy and just want you to go away but everyone seemed to be having a great time including the workers. My friends and I all tried different drinks. The Fog Cutter and the Zombie (2 in the tall glasses) were very alcohol forward and didn't really have a taste other than that. Definitely try the pain killer that was all of our favorites. Very refreshing and coconutty. For a cocktail bar, the drinks weren't pretty reasonable priced as well. Even though the drinks weren't my favorite we will definitely be bringing our other friends back here!

    Crystal Z.

    This place is still brand new. This place feels like a Quentin Taratino dialogue in the best way possible! This is unique from Under Tow, Strong Water, and other known Tiki Bars in that you enter, find a seat, if not seated at the bar you will need to come up and order from the bartender. The menu isn't vast and overwhelming like Under Tow can be--which is nice. However...I must admit...personal opinion here--I wish they had more of a menu. Two of their cocktails weren't available. We came on a Monday (so that was a bummer). I ordered 2 cocktails from their Tropic Thunder Originals--both were yummy. The vibe and ambiance is awesome! We definitely will be back. The fiance already blasted our photos to friends who now want to come check it out. Excited to see how this place flourishes

    Denise M.

    Love this new Roosevelt Row bar! I saw it described as a tiki dive bar, but I didn't see anything divey about it. There is no host, just walk in and find a place. It was pretty full when we got there, but we found seats at the bar. By the time we left, it was standing run only. The decor and theme of this place is awesome. For the time you walk up and see the tikis with glowing eyes outside, it is definitely "tiki." When you walk in there is a room with stools and a bar that runs along the wall and is super cool tiger mural. When you walk pass that entry, you'll see a long bar with seats along the edge and a grass canopy. There are high top tables with stools and some boots along the wall. There are carved tiki poles that are super cool, and the the coolest thing--a giant skull with a seat inside. The lights are all blue and magenta and they have glass balls hanging from the ceiling. As far as I can tell, the only way to get your drinks is to walk up to the bar. Because we were a little ways from where people stand in line and walk up, it took a bit of time to get a bartender to help us. We finally ordered a couple of drinks and they were delicious. They actually bought us a third cocktail on the house to apologize for the wait, which really wasn't that long. It's quite a large cocktail menu, and they are divided up into sections. The drinks were very, very good and relatively inexpensive. This is a really fun place to go. It's Roosevelt Row, so parking can be a bit tricky. They're also a lot of great restaurants around there so it's a great place to grab a drink before dinner.

    Omari D.

    Learn from one of my fellow Yelpers that this spot recently opened, and as a Tiki Bar fan, it was a must for me to try out... even on a Monday night!!! After a few of us finished up at a nearby Yelp event, we wanted to keep the party going, so we came here to support & check out the new spot. Great way to celebrate absolutely nothing, but if it was a celebration, it was a celebration of enjoying all the great things in life! They had a variety of cocktails. The owner and bartender Meg... absolutely amazing, and I love the whole vibe as I felt like I was transported to someplace different than Phoenix during that time. Looking forward to coming back and trying some more cocktails... Especially the one that said "2 Drink Max"... Yeah, I'm on that one!!! Currently no kitchen, but they are partnering with nearby spots for food delivery while there... luv it!

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    2 months ago

    Incredible ambience, great drinks that tend to be more authentic to historical tiki drinks and friendly staff!

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    4 months ago

    As a big tiki girl is bar is full tiki still cute and a good welcome into tiki world. The service was super fast, in and out in 30 minutes.

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    5 months ago

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    6 months ago

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    6 months ago

    Very nice vibes, bartender Ryan was very nice and personable, drinks were great, will definitely be back

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    3 months ago

    If you haven't been here, absolutely go. The atmosphere is so fun and the drinks are fantastic!

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    7 months ago

    Great bartenders, great atmosphere, rad tunes. Undersea decor makes this a great new a Roosevelt street hangout.

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    8 months ago

    Fun tiki bar with a cool atmosphere and great drinks. I highly recommend going during HH and ordering the pain killer!

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    7 months ago

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    Ask the Community - Tropic Thunder

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    No. There is no outdoor seating, and it does not seem like pets would be allowed indoors.

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    Bikini Lounge

    Bikini Lounge

    3.9(267 reviews)
    1.1 mi
    $

    What an unexpectedly fun night!…read more I honestly had no idea what I was walking into when a friend told me I had to check out Bikini Lounge because they know I'm drawn to all things eclectic. They were absolutely right. From the moment the friendly bouncer smiled and said, "Step right on in," I was hooked. Yoooow!! The first DJ was incredible. He was spinning all kinds of trip-hop, indie, electronic, and remix-style tracks that had everybody partyin'. It wasn't your typical dance music, but every song seemed to connect with somebody in the room. The crowd was incredibly diverse, and it was so much fun watching people of every age and style dancing and nobody cared. The second DJ, a younger woman, shifted the vibe a bit and leaned more toward a younger crowd. It wasn't quite my style, so I took that opportunity to grab a seat at the bar and do what I apparently do best... chat with complete strangers. I'm a talker, and thankfully they seemed just as happy to strike up a conversation. This isn't some fancy cocktail lounge, and that's exactly the point. It's authentic. There were people dancing at the bar, grooving in their booths, bouncing in their seats, and filling the dance floor with great energy. I came by myself, and within minutes a cool group of strangers invited me to squeeze into their booth like we'd all come together. That's the kind of place this is. At one point they even offered me a glass of beer from their pitcher. I politely declined (look at me making responsible life choices... sometimes), but then I realized almost everyone had pitchers! So I sauntered over to the bar. I did have to wait a bit; apparently chivalry doesn't extend to letting a woman cut the line, but once I reached the bartender, the service was fast and friendly. Every trip back to the bar was the same. No complaints there. As the night went on, the energy just kept building. Before I knew it, I was on the dance floor sweating, smiling, and dancing with complete strangers. After a while, I had to retreat to the patio just to catch my breath before heading back in for more. My ankles are still sore... and the glutes? Fuhgetabouttit! The best part of the night wasn't the music or even the drinks. It was the people. Every generation was represented. Every fashion style imaginable. Every personality. And somehow it all worked. There was this genuine sense of joy and community that you just don't find everywhere. If you're looking for polished and upscale, this probably isn't your spot. But if you want great music, a welcoming crowd, zero pretension, and one of those nights where you leave happier than you arrived... give Bikini Lounge a shot. I went in not knowing what to expect. I left wondering why I'd waited so long to go.

    I have lived in AZ my entire life and never have I ever been here! So when my husband, my parents…read moreand I were on a mission to day drink we decided to visit! It's such a vibe! Our amazing bartender Eddie gave us a little history lesson, very friendly, super hospitable and made great drinks! It was a very warm day and their AC didn't seem to be working, but we made the most of it! It's a great location just west of the main attractions downtown if you want a more chill, local spot-this is it!

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    Bikini Lounge - An original

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    Hula's Modern Tiki - Hula's Modern Tiki on 7th St in Phoenix

    Hula's Modern Tiki

    4.2(1.7k reviews)
    3.6 mi
    $$

    Our first time at Hula's Modern Tiki. We stopped in almost 2 weeks ago. Such a fun and unique…read moreplace. We loved the decor and mood inside and out. The service was excellent. Kyle G. took great care of us and he was also manning the bar. The food was Amazing and we had all Vegan Super tasty and different preparations than anything we have ever had. We look forward to coming back again and hopefully we can go to the little darker Tiki room next time. There was a large arty in there but hopefully next time we can go in there. Looks fun! Fun and Different way to spend our Anniversary. Cheers

    What I got : Church music IPA…read moreLuau pork sandwhich Samurai beef sticks Very spacious and clean restaurant was served pretty fast sitting at the bar. I think the service is really good. The beef sticks were pretty solid. Perfect amount of char on the onions and meat was pretty chewy in a good way very moist and the lime curry dipping sauce was a very good touch to go with it honestly, the pork sandwich though the amount of coleslaw they put on it was way too much and it ended up making a huge pool of coleslaw sauce underneath the bun so every time you picked up the sandwich, it would be just leaking constantly of coleslaw juice. It was way too much and it ruined the sandwich completely the meat in the sandwich at least was really good. It's just a coleslaw. Definitely ruined it funny enough I happen to look at somebody else who had caught in coleslaw, but on their tacos instead, and I was seeing the guy draining his taco because there was so much coleslaw juice they really need to fix that and then they got rid of the lobster bisque soup which was really one of the best things they had what a huge letdown there

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    Hula's Modern Tiki - Crispy Coconut Shrimp rolls

    Crispy Coconut Shrimp rolls

    Hula's Modern Tiki - Hula's Modern Tiki

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    Lacuna

    Lacuna

    4.7(231 reviews)
    0.2 mi
    $$

    Such a chill spot for an elixir experience. Great alternative to drinking alcohol with a choose…read moreyour euphoria vibe. Very friendly staff, wonderful ambience, and great arts district location!

    My visit to Lacuna Kava Bar was a truly unique and memorable experience. From the moment I walked…read morein, the atmosphere felt inviting, tranquil, and intentionally designed to help guests unwind from the demands of everyday life. The staff was knowledgeable and took the time to explain the menu, making the experience approachable even for a first-time visitor. I decided to try one of their signature kava beverages, and I was pleasantly surprised by how intriguing and complex the drink was. The flavor profile was unlike anything I had experienced before--earthy, bold, and distinctive in a way that felt both adventurous and refined. More importantly, the effects were exactly as described. As I enjoyed my drink, a gentle sense of relaxation gradually settled in, leaving me feeling calm, centered, and remarkably at ease without any sense of heaviness. What I appreciated most was how the experience encouraged mindfulness and connection. Lacuna offers something refreshingly different from a traditional coffee shop or cocktail lounge, creating an environment where conversation flows naturally and relaxation takes center stage. Whether you're curious about kava for the first time or already familiar with its calming properties, Lacuna Kava Bar is absolutely worth a visit. The combination of a welcoming atmosphere, knowledgeable staff, and a truly distinctive beverage experience makes it a standout destination. I left feeling refreshed, relaxed, and looking forward to my next visit.

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    Lacuna
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    Pigtails

    Pigtails

    4.3(268 reviews)
    0.8 mi
    $$
    Happy hour specials
    Full bar

    Stopped in for a quick drink after the Bob Schneider concert at the MIM last night. Great…read moreatmosphere, totally chill bartender (in a good way!) who helped us decide on local beer to try (being from Portland we make sure we try beer that's not from home when we are out! Chef had already gone home for the evening so the bartender recommended a nearby reverse HH for us. We played a game or two that was available on the bar, watched the end of the Diamondbacks game, finished our beers - a pilsner and IPA from Catalyst, and headed for food!

    A fun little speakeasy in the heart of downtown Phoenix. A little tricky to find the hidden door…read morewithin a restaurant, but once you do, you are in. No reservations at this place, just first come, first serve! As mentioned the bar is not gigantic. When you walk in on the right there is a long bar with stools and on the left there are some small booths great for couples. The place does feature a couple large booths for larger parties of 6. The ambiance is dark like most speakeasies. Super modern looking with live plants gracing one of the walls and alcohol on the rest of the wall requiring a ladder to access top shelf. If you are hungry, the bar does offer some food. There are a variety of tacos on the menu and a raw bar. On the raw bar you can get oysters and shrimp. Lastly the bar does have a small happy hour. Bar stays open till midnight.

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    Pigtails
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    Sunny's Lounge

    Sunny's Lounge

    4.5(59 reviews)
    3.7 mi
    Locally owned & operated
    Boutique

    Sunny's may not have the recognition as a cocktail bar but I need to say this - these are the most…read moreinventive and creative cocktails in the valley. The Oaxaca Asada- perfectly savory and balanced- wow. Pornstar Highball- crushable- all the flavors of a pornstar martini but so delicious and more approachable. Monsoon Season- spicy clarified mai tai- loved that you could specify the spice level. Garrett and Kenzey went above and beyond with service. I also got to try the strawberry fernet and Anna's play on a daiquiri and her exquisite bramble shot. Everything was thoughtful- balanced and above and beyond in the flavor department. It's nice to see this bar crank on a busy Saturday. I cannot wait to be back and try more cocktails. Truly pushing the boundaries and the cocktails truly were the best I have tried in the past two years in Phoenix. Keep it up Sunny's - I will be back ASAP.

    Stopped by with some friends at Sunny's for cocktails awhile ago! We enjoyed the dive bar feel with…read morethe upscale, elevated cocktails. They do classic cocktails with an elevated twist (I opted for an amaretto sour). Everything we had was incredible, and the hot dogs my friend ordered for the table were massive, haha. Service is friendly and everyone was very informed and honest about the taste of drinks! I appreciated that as I'm a sweet drink enjoyer- the bartender steered me in the right direction. Will definitely be back!

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    Sunny's Lounge
    Sunny's Lounge
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    Tropic Thunder - tikibars - Updated September 2026

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