Tiki B’s

Finding the Hidden Entrance

Walk into Barney’s Beanery on Colorado Boulevard and head for the stairs. Down you go into Tiki B’s, a basement bar that opened in 2022 when the restaurant decided their lower level could use some tropical flair. The speakeasy-style entrance sets expectations for something secretive, though once you descend those stairs, the vibe shifts from hidden gem to weekend party spot pretty quickly.

The space stretches larger than you’d expect for a basement. Booths line the walls beneath rows of coconut monkey decorations. Float lamps hang from the ceiling casting amber light across the room. Digital screens show ocean scenes and tropical sunsets. The decor commits to the tiki theme, even if the execution reads more “fun basement renovation” than “authentic Polynesian escape.”

The Actual Experience

Tiki B’s runs Thursday through Saturday nights only, usually opening around 8 or 8:30pm and going until 1am. The bar stays closed Sunday through Wednesday, which tells you something about the target crowd. This place caters to people looking for weekend nightlife, karaoke sessions, and social drinking rather than tiki cocktail connoisseurs seeking the perfect Mai Tai recipe.

The drinks lean sweet. Order a Mai Tai and you’ll get something sugary that goes down easy, though don’t expect the balanced rum-forward cocktails serious tiki bars are known for. Some visitors report drinks served in regular glasses rather than ceramic tiki mugs. Beer drinkers fare better with reasonably priced drafts and standard bar options. The menu pulls from Barney’s Beanery upstairs, so you can order pub food if you’re hungry.

Music plays a major role in the atmosphere, and here’s where Tiki B’s diverges sharply from traditional tiki bars. Expect hip hop, reggaeton, R&B, and current hits. No exotica. No surf rock. The soundtrack matches the younger crowd that fills the space on weekends, creating dance floor energy rather than tropical lounge vibes. Some visitors love this contemporary twist. Others find it jarring when surrounded by bamboo and coconut decorations.

Karaoke and Events

Karaoke runs Thursday through Saturday nights and draws regular crowds. The DJ gets solid reviews for keeping things moving and creating good energy. People come specifically for this, turning Tiki B’s into a karaoke destination that happens to have tropical decor rather than a tiki bar that occasionally does karaoke. Trivia nights happen on certain evenings, and there’s comedy programming as well, though schedules vary.

The basement location brings practical considerations. Some visitors report musty smells typical of below-ground spaces. Ventilation can struggle when the bar fills up. It gets crowded on weekend nights, particularly Saturday, when the party vibe peaks. If you want space to breathe and have quiet conversations, arrive early or skip the busiest nights entirely.

Service quality varies by night and bartender. Some visitors praise friendly, attentive staff. Others describe slower service during rush periods. Your experience likely depends on timing and how packed the place gets.

Who This Place Serves

Tiki B’s works best for groups looking to drink, sing karaoke, and have a social night out in Old Pasadena. The tiki aesthetic adds visual interest to what functions more as a contemporary basement bar. Locals use it as a reliable weekend spot rather than a destination tiki experience.

If you’re hunting for craft tiki cocktails, careful rum selection, and the authentic mid-century Polynesian pop aesthetic, head to a dedicated tiki bar elsewhere in LA. But if you want a fun basement hang with tropical decorations, late hours, and a party atmosphere where you can belt out karaoke with friends, Tiki B’s serves that purpose well enough. Just know what you’re walking into, and adjust expectations from “tiki bar” to “bar with tiki decor.”