Zen Tiki Lounge

This podcast is a hot mess thanks for neighbor Julio and Kalani. Sunshine did all he could to edit out the worst of it.

Sunshine and Kalani are in the lounge to catch up on the last few weeks of worldwide drama and shenanigans. We review the Hula Hula room in Torrance, sip on a ZTL Mai Tai, share our upcoming Tiki Caliente room party plans and worry about the end of the world. Perfect conversation for a dimly lit tiki bar with friends.

Each year all of the ZTL hosts gather in the lounge for the annual holiday spectacular. Sunshine, Pumpkin, Starshine and Kalani are all here for some festive mirth and shenanigans. Sunshine mixes up the Coquito and a few of our favorite ZTL cocktails. We enjoy vegan snacks in honor of Pumpkin, Starshine reveals a dark secret and Kalani shares her chocolate balls.

On a recent voyage around the Caribbean, Sunshine, The Husband and a few friends put a few minutes aside to record a podcast at sea. Sunshine is joined by Emmy award winning news personality (he really is a personality) Jordan Hogan. Some of our best shows come from little prep and lots of tangents. This episode may be one of those. We discuss: cruising (the ship kind you perv), cocktails, social anxiety at parties, certainly no politics ;), meeting people onboard, how to win an Emmy and much more.

9north drinks and rumCirca CalienteFull details and pictures will be added shortly

Let's start with the cocktail. On this episode we are drinking ABBAstract, a concoction we developed using 9north Rum. We highly recommend you mix this up at home. 9north is become more available, especially in the SoCal area. You can order from Chips Liquor, and their shipping prices are pretty decent. Mentioned on this episode are two places the ladies like to get their retro clothing. Kalani and Nicole recommend Unique Vintage and Retro Ruthie. If you need that perfect dress for the weekend, try Unique Vintage. For customers aloha shirts and skirts…Retro Ruthie. Also on this episode, a new tune from Mr. Moai and the Tikiheads, featuring both Mark Riddle and Kane Manakoora of The Manakooras to bring you, "Tahitian Twilight."As of this posting, there are just a few dozen wristbands left for Circa Caliente. This is the biggest, smallest tiki event in Palm Springs and the place to be this October. Click the image and get your tiki bar t-shirt club…we love them and we wear them!

Sunshine and Pumpkin discuss candle tips part 2, why mojitos aren't so great, the demise of The Mirage Las Vegas, Rhumbar says good bye, Aloha to the volcano, and other shenanigans.

Sunshine, Kalani and Starshine here for this episode of ZTL podcast. Tiki Caliente room party details, 9 North rum, THC Mai This?, things to stick up your &%$#. And much more on this episode.

This is one of our rare episodes with all four hosts present. Sunshine is doing his best to wrangle the cats and still share some tiki news and updates on new bars and events. The ladies were actually on their “better” behavior. You will want to listen to the end to hear new music by Mr. Moai and the tiki heads.

During the recording of this, our 473rd episode, Pumpkin acted like she didn't know how we start the show. There is a way of doing things. We may not be very professional but we do have some “best practices”. After clearing up who says Aloha first we get right to the cocktail, our listener mail and some party planning and hosting tips. Thats pretty much the show. We stuck to the basics. Listen, drink, enjoy!

Starshine and Kalani and Pumpkin, Oh my! All the ladies are in the lounge for one of our rare all host podcasts. If you hear meowing cats its because Sunshine couldn't edit out all the cross talk. Sorry. Sunshine and the ladies have some catching up to do including: Summer tomato tastings from our gardens (it turns dirty say you may assume), what scent is your tiki bar (it also turns dirty), and what event was I ate when I was found passed out in a stairwell. Classic.

Two of your favorite ZTL hosts are in the lounge sharing stories of their separate summer vacations. Kalani headed to Hawaii for 17 days of escape while Sunshine was on an Alaskan cruise. We mix up Marooned, one of our most popular cocktails and give you our thoughts on place to see and do in Hawaii and Alaska.

On this episode we met up with Bamboo Ben, his son Blake, Dustin Rodriguez and Marty Lush. We couldn't ask for a better group of people to discuss the creation of the Bamboo Club from concept to reality and what it feels like just a few years later. Can you believe that Marty and never been here before? He doesn't get out much ;)

We had so much fun recording at Le Fern while at Tiki Caliente 14, we had to divide the podcast into two parts. Part 1 was dedicated to our host Rory Snyder and Marty Lush who just released his first solo exotica album, Lahiana Sunset. Part 2 includes interviews with podcast listeners and event attendees.

This episode of ZTL recorded at Tiki Caliente 14 will give you just a taste of all the fun you can have over a four day weekend filled with live music, over a dozen parties and lots of great food and cocktails. Special guests this time are Rory Snyder, host and creator of Tiki Caliente. Each year Rory pulls off an even more spectacular weekend that pictures don't do justice. We also have an interview with Mark Riddle aka Marty Lush who just released his first solo Exotica album, Lahana Sunset

April 1st is just another day. Though, there is one tradition we had never participated in. Practical jokes are always fun for someone but not always everyone. Well, we went for it with mostly positive “ha ha” results. On our previous episode the hosts of ZTL created a not so elaborate scheme to convince people that we had broken up due to a little tiki back stabbing. But not to worry, all is good with the four of us and this podcast is proof.

Why haven't we been podcast as much lately? Why haven't we been posting on social? Listen to this episode for some understanding of what's going on behind the microphone. :(

Kalani and Sunshine are in the lounge with several cocktails and some packet drinks to review. You may notice we decided this episode back before Valentine's Day. Well, we meant to get it posted sooner but that just didn't happen. You were sure to enjoy our comments about the noble mix packet drinks, they were surprisingly good.

Aloooooooooha! and welcome to the Zen Tiki Lounge. The bar is full this time. Sunshine, Kalani, Neighbor Julio and Neighbor Nicole are on board for a new cocktail, some shots and a new rum to taste. Plus, some great conversation about saving water, a Tiki Caliente update and what songs get you in the mood?

Audio file has been restored however the blog post is still being recovered. Please enjoy the audio and check back later for lots of pics from the event including the room parties.

Sunshine and Pumpkin hit the road and spend a night at the local casino. Lucky for them, Harrahs Southern California has a great craft called bar, Spiked. When two long time friends enjoy gambling, drinking and shenanigans its easy to have a good time.

Don't worry. Beings from other worlds have visited us and many of us have been probed without knowing, What you don't know, can't hurt? Or did it? Let's drink! New to the ZTL podcast is Ricky! He joins us for a wonderful conversation about sci fi, tiki events, adult shenanigans and lifes essential questions. Are tiki bars a universal phenononem? We think so.

Sunshine uncovered a dozen or so audio clips in his iPhone. Put then together while drinking a Mai Tai and this episode is what you get. Hope you enjoy.

LIVE from Tiki Caliente 13. Sunshine, Starshine and Kalani powered through the four day weekend enjoying every moment. On day 1 we interviewed Rory Snyder the event host during the grand opening of his new bar Le Fern. Also interviewed is Bryan Azorsky of Tiki Bar T-Shirt Club. Its a loud interview with plenty of folks partying in the background. Enjoy!

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Neighbor Nichole joins us in the Zen Tiki Lounge for her third visit. Since she liked one of our previous cocktails so much we are again pouring Moog Over Rita. This take on a Rita is both sweet and savory with passion fruit and Chile vodka. Click the link above for the recipe and try this one for your self. Nichole is joining Sunshine to talk about a project that is a long time in the making. Anita Mai Tai will someday be Sunshines official drag persona. Anitas look is being worked on and Nichole is leading the effort to design a wig and makeup routine that will give Anita a signature look. Sunshine will bring the personality, of course. Follow Anita Mai Tai on Instagram to see the progress…its going to be slow BTW.

Alrighty. This podcast is just a quick little something to hold y'all over till the Ladies of the Lounge are back behind the bar. Sunshine is solo this episode with a few quick topics and some listener feedback. MORE notes coming soon…got a party to go to. JUST LISTEN

Turn the lights down, put on the exotica and mix up the Akashi Guava Sour. This new drink by Sunshine Tiki was inspired by our growing love of Gin. 135º East Dry Gin is a lovely herbal dry gin that mixes very well in a cocktail. All four hosts enjoyed sipping this while recording this episode of ZTL podcast.

Sunshine and Kalani here in the lounge for two cocktails and a LOT of listener mail. We have some serious catching up to do with our fans after taking so many weeks off. Conversation includes: Gotta Go Flamingo, Kate's Lazy Desert, Hi Time wine cellar, pre bottled mai tai, home pickling and Sunshines very odd late night dreams.

The last new podcast from the ZTL crew was March 15 2021. Apparently we all needed three months off. As all of your hosts started to either return to work or get ready for workplaces that are reopening to the public, things got a little crazy. This episode was almost a little emotional to record. Sunshine and Kalani are behind the mic with a fantastic new gin cocktail and no scripted talking points at all. Kalani does not like gin but she did enjoy Auntie PuPu's Butterfly.

Welcoming new friends to the podcast has been a little more difficult since March of 2020. Keeping things close to home is one way to stay safe and keep the show on the road. Neighbor Nichole joins us for the first time behind the microphone. Conversation on this podcast includes: aged rum vs. Añejo, added colors and “natural” flavors in your spirits, visiting Cuba, Tasting grapefruit and coconut liquors and lots more

Welcome to the lounge. Sunshine is solo at the bar this time. While the Ladies are off doing what they, Sunshine wanted to send out a podcast that answers a few questions. Top of mind has been a flurry of interest in what rum we prefer with our classic lime daiquiri. Pictured to right are some of (not all by any means) favorite spirits to enjoy in the quintessential drink.

The lights are dim, the exotica is playing and Starshine and Sunshine are craving another cocktail that uses egg whites. This podcast is known to be a place you can come to find out more of the great things going on in the tiki world. Such are the regular videos from Spike of the Hula Girls. Mentioned on the show is a site we used to visit all the team. Critiki had been a fun reproduce for finding tiki bars around the world. Although the site is no longer updated it is still a trove of history for the tiki community.

This trip into the Zen Tiki Lounge is nothing more than a nice conversation with great drinks and exotica. Sunshine mixed up a little something tropical with kombucha, rum and fresh juice. Les Baxter is playing throughout the show.

Its 2021 and things are looking so much different than 2020. OK, not really. Reason enough to visit our dimly lit tiki bar for drinks, exotica tunes and conversation. Sunshine is sharing over a dozen of his favorite Arthur Lyman songs including his all time favorite Dahil Sayo. Conversation includes: pandemic survival, what to do outside the house without risking your life, moments of Zen, how to enjoy alcohol based on ABV percentage, ugly food close ups and missed and forgotten listener correspondence.

Screwing takes a little longer than just popping it off. And, Starshine would rather screw it than pop it off. These are just two inebriated quotes from this episode of everyones favorite dimly lit tiki bar. Join Sunshine and Starshine for our first episode of 2021. Our theme this time is South America. Bossa Nova and Pisco Sours set the mood for some conversation about 2020 listener statistics, a new naughty kids show from Denmark, Sunshines favorite new bar toy and much more.

What a difference a pandemic makes when recording our annual holiday spectacular. In previous years we have invited podcast listeners, friends and family. We have some great music for you on this episode. The Urban Surf Kings and Jill Martini and the Shrunken Heads have recorded some classics in their unique styles.

Its no secret that the Covid pandemic continues to blaze around the globe. In an abundance of caution (aren’t we all sick of hearing that phrase) we continue to record the podcast via Zoom on most occasions so that we can remain safe in our little bubbles. The first two segments of the show were a failed attempt to try ASMR on our audience. If you follow the kids on tiktok or instagram no doubt you have heard of the popularity of this relaxing and cult like phenomenon.

Muahahahahaa! Its our favorite time of year here in the Zen Tiki Lounge. Starshine, Pumpkin and Sunshine put on some wigs, grabbed a cocktail and turned on the ol’ ZOOM. Our newest Halloween time cocktail is Ashes, Ashes, We All Fall Down. Listen to the show for our hopes and dreams of the Halloween season. The end of the episode includes 4 of Sunshines favorite darker exotica tunes to set the proper mood for. your dimly lit dungeon. Cheers and Mahalo

Podcast roll call. Sunshine, yes. Starshine, yes. Kalani, yes. Pumpkin, not present. Sunshine and the Lady Hobos (listen for those details) are cooped up inside via ZOOM to avoid both a pandemic and 90 plus degree temps. Good thing we always start off with a cool libation. This episode we enjoy Three Legged Flamingo.

Long time listens of the podcast know that all Sunshine does to arrange our next recording is send a text message to the Ladies of the lounge. Whoever answers, joins me on the podcast. Every now and then all three Ladies are available and its time to “wrangle the cats” which is our way of saying using creative editing to reduce the overlapping conversations and laughter. On this episode we showcase some local products including SoCal Rum and Simply Gala syrups, both used in a new cocktail the SoCal Hibiscus Flower.

Sunshine Tiki in the lounge this episode. That means you get lots of music and less banter. Its been a few weeks since we posted a show and now that all four hosts are back to working regularly we are trying to get back into our bi weekly schedule. Your music is a classic vinyl album from Henry Mancini that Sunshine has been enjoying often in the Zen Tiki Lounge. Enjoy the full LP with just a little lounge news. AND, be sure to listen to the entire episode to see if you have a chance to get a shirt from our friends at Tiki Bar T-Shirt Club.

In a first of firsts all present hosts of the podcast are sober and completely coherent. Every now and then one of the Ladies of the Lounge will abstain simply because they are being responsible and may need to operate a vehicle. But Sunshine is always at home and rarely has to worry about the dangers of driving under the influence. Don’t worry. We still have a good time and have plenty to talk about including some local rum and syrups to help craft our next cocktails.

On a warm, sunny and clear Tuesday in May the crew of the Zen Tiki Lounge hit the road to Palm Springs. We had a few goals. Break into the Reef, serve ourselves some cocktails and stick our feet in the pool. As you listen to this episode you will realize we accomplished all we set out to do and found time for shenanigans.

During the pandemic many of us been staying home as much as possible. On a very brief trip to the pharmacy Sunshine got in his car and for whatever reason the iPhone decided to play episode 240 of the podcast. This was back in February of 2012 and involved guest hostess Krista and the fourth low calorie cocktail in a series we did. So, Sunshine was thinking that since he gets requests all year long for ways to drop the sugar and calorie content in drinks that this was a perfect opportunity to put all four of those episodes into one.