Tiki No

The Space

Tiki torches mark the corner entrance on Lankershim Boulevard, next to a stretch of auto body shops that makes the tropical interior feel like a portal to another place. Inside, bamboo covers nearly every surface. Large tiki carvings line the bar, their exaggerated faces watching over rows of rum bottles. Plastic blowfish lamps glow above the bar, and upholstered booths with individual thatched roofs create semi-private nooks that can squeeze six people when the place gets packed.

The lighting stays dim throughout the night, and the space holds maybe 50-60 people comfortably. A small outdoor patio offers smoking area seating with a fireplace, though the tropical theming doesn’t extend much beyond the doorway. Friday and Saturday nights see DJs spinning, while Sunday brings the karaoke crowd. The music can lean toward hip-hop more than traditional island sounds, giving the bar a divey, neighborhood feel despite the themed decor.

The Drinks

Bartenders work fast here, cranking out pre-batched piña coladas from a machine behind the bar during rushes. The classics hit their marks: Mai Tais with pineapple juice, Navy Grogs, and Zombies that pack the expected punch. But the house creations draw more attention. The Toasted Marshmallow arrives with overproof Jamaican rum, fluffed vodka, Licor 43, spices, and apple juice, topped with a flaming marshmallow that provides solid visual theater. The Coconut Mojito and Lychee Luau also show up frequently on tables.

Happy hour runs 5-7pm every night with drinks dropping to around $8. Regular prices land in the $10-12 range, reasonable for the area and the portion sizes. The back bar mixes premium bottles with standard-issue Captain Morgan and Kraken, showing the bar’s dual nature as both tiki destination and casual neighborhood spot. During busy weekend nights, expect some wait time even with the pre-batched drinks.

The Scene

Weeknights bring a relaxed crowd: couples on dates, small groups of friends, people stopping in for one or two drinks before heading home. Conversation flows easily in the booths. Sunday karaoke transforms the energy completely. By 9pm, singers line up for their turn while the room fills with regulars who know the bartenders by name and clearly treat this as their weekly ritual.

Thursday food trucks park outside starting at 5:30pm, solving the no-kitchen problem and drawing an after-work crowd. The bar welcomes outside food any night, and some people show up with takeout from nearby restaurants. Service generally runs friendly and attentive, though reviews mention occasional inconsistency when understaffed.

Making the Visit Work

Street parking only. Circling the block once or twice usually yields a spot within a couple blocks, but Friday and Saturday nights can require more patience. The Metro Red Line North Hollywood station sits about half a mile away, making rideshare or Metro both solid options.

The bar opens at 7pm most nights, 6pm on Friday and Saturday. Arriving during happy hour means catching the space before it fills and getting drinks at the lower price point. Sunday karaoke starts at 9pm and runs until close at 2am. Some visitors prefer earlier arrival for conversation; others come specifically for the karaoke energy.

The bathroom situation handles the crowd but can develop lines on packed nights. The outdoor patio stays cold in winter despite the fireplace. Merchandise like tiki mugs sometimes sells out and may not always be available for souvenir hunters.