Press
Voted “Best Bar” 2006, 2007, 2008, and 2009 by Maui Time Weekly readers.
REVIEWS
IN THE NEWS
Maui News, Feb 11, 2010
“A host of new menu items are tempting diners at South Shore Tiki Lounge in Kihei. ..” Click here for the story.
Maui Time Weekly, October 2009
“Awesome pizza… arguably the focal point to Kihei’s famed Barmuda Triangle.” Click here for the story.
Maui Time Weekly, July 2009
Voted BEST BAR for the fourth straight year. Sarah Stern wins Best Female Bartender. Runner up nods for Jake Morris, Best Male Bartender and Best Place to Dance.
Maui Weekly, June 5, 2009
Trisha Smith writes, “Whether it’s the charismatic staff, health- and local-conscious fare, its owners’ commitment to the community or the fire-breathing humanoid along the bamboo wall, the South Shore Tiki Lounge mixes all the right ingredients in their recipe for success.”
Maui Time Weekly, Ono Kine Grinds
Kate Bradshaw writes, “While many of us would be happy just to sit in the shade huddled over our small vats of jungle juice, it’s good to know there is at least one place that recognizes the importance of community—and more importantly makes some tasty grub.”
Maui Menus, April/May 2009
“Multiple bars make the Kihei Kalama Village, locally dubbed “the Triangle,” a bustling center of activity every night of the week, with multiple late-night venues. Besides a popular sports bar and Irish pub, there’s the South Shore Tiki Lounge, which has a cozy dance floor that fills up every night from 10pm until closing. ”
Art & Culture Maui, May/June 2009
Art & Culture on Maui May/June 2009 issue published an article entitled “Reinvisioning Tiki.” Covering the history of the Tiki subculture, the piece also touched on the South Shore Tiki Lounge and the new artwork that adorns its walls. Pick up a copy of Art & Culture on Maui or click here to view in their schnazzy online page flipper. The article starts on page 14.
BLOWING SMOKE . . . The tiki’s eyes glow red and smoke spews from its open, sharp-toothed mouth. At night, it lights up the bar scene, as people sip tiki drinks and DJs spin dance tunes. Earlier in the day, the South Shore Tiki Lounge in Kihei is getting raves for its healthful menu, with items such as Tahitian ceviche, vegan chili and fresh Maui fish sandwiches with coconut-almond rice. “We took this place over in December and we’re trying to clean it up and put our stamp on it,” says owner Mikhail Tassi. “We strive to buy local and use only the finest and the freshest ingredients.” Mikhail’s wife, Alma Tassi, agrees. “Our bread products are made with wheat and malted barley flour. They contain no dairy and are cholesterol free. Pizzas are crafted from scratch and sauces are made from fresh Roma tomatoes and fresh herbs and spices.” – Carla Tracy, Dining Editor
Maui Time Weekly, Thursday April 23 : Places to Get a Good Burger Alternative
The Lounge has an excellent trio of meatless options that our vegan staffer mentions with a loving lilt to her voice: the veggie hot dog (pictured), vegetarian chili and, naturally, veggie burger. All of the above are great mid-bender options for those nights when you’ve been swallowed up by the Triangle and need something besides rum in your belly but don’t want to be weighed down by meat. (Note: It’s not veggie, but the “Mother Clucker” chicken sandwich deserves mention for the name alone.)
Maui No Ka Oi Magazine, May/June 2009
South Shore Tiki Lounge awarded silver ‘Aipono Award for Best Bar.
Maui No Ka Oi Magazine, March/April 2009
Hot Spot: You’d expect the torches, and maybe even the fiery-eyed tiki spewing smoke from its gaping mouth. But it’s the health-conscious bar food that really excites. Those watching their cholesterol will applaud Chef Danny Paquette’s trans-fat-free friend goodies, like the rice-flour calamari on the Tiki Pupu Platter. The grilled sausage sandwiches can pack a spicy punch, so keep the light-as-a-feather french fries close at hand. Gourmet pizza (whole and by the slice), burgers, salads, and several vegetarian menu items round out the menu. With Happy Hour daily, DJs siz nights a week, and a hip, picnic style atmosphere, it’s easy to see why this place has been a South Shore institution since 2002. –Heidi Poole, Maui No Ka Oi Magazine
Maui Weekly, March 19-25, 2009
Voted Best Kama’aina Deal in South Maui by readers of Maui Weekly!
Hair of the dog – Best places to imbibe a morning-after blood Mary
South Shore Tiki Lounge, Kihei
This is a choice spot for those desiring a little sunshine while reversing the symptoms of zombieism. The bloody Mary here is certainly incongruous with this place’s retro-tropical motif, especially since it’s served in the same tiki fishbowl glass as the rum and pineapple concoctions for which the Tiki Lounge is known. It’s kind of like reading Heart of Darkness in a blizzard, in a good way.
-Maui Time Weekly
Take Five – Places to eat mid-bender
South Shore Tiki Lounge, Kihei
I’ve mentioned this place a few times in this space, usually because of their booze. But my admiration extends beyond the Lounge’s ability to get me toasted, the oxygen bar, or even the kama’aina deals. You see, they have vegan chilidogs. And, like, nine different types of ketchup. This is one of a few establishments where I’ve actually been able sit at the bar and order food I, given my dietary restrictions, can eat.
-Maui Time Weekly
Maui Time Weekly “Best of Maui 2008″
Best Bar, Winner
South Shore Tiki Lounge
Nestled in the heart of Kihei’s fabled Bar-muda Triangle, this place is the quintessential island boozer’s haven; a landslide victory for the retro-tropical set. Yet there is more to the place than blowfish lanterns and killer punchbowl Mai-tais. The surprisingly-not-too-sweet lychee-watermelon martini gets my vote, tasty and intoxicating. They also serve great housemade pizza, salads, and sausage sandwiches. The place gets pretty packed on weekends, and there is either live music or a DJ spinning out tunes every night. Bonus: their kama aina deal scores those of us who live here half off on food and drink from 11am to 4pm. Every single day.
Best Male Bartender, Winner
Renie Hamayelian, South Shore Tiki Lounge
I should probably disclose right now that I’ve had a major crush on Renie for about four years, but I promise I had nothing to do with the vote count. In fact, I’m pretty sure that hundreds, no thousands of Maui women have had the hots for Renie over the years. Alcohol does that to you. Scratch that, alcohol and a highly intelligent bartender who’s literate, articulate, rides a motorcycle, plays some pretty good poker and can pour a Guinness like a god does that to you. I have heard that there is a Mrs. Renie and I’d like to send out a congratulations on landing the best guy on the island, er, Best Male Bartender. I’ve heard that you totally deserve each other and hope that you’ll live happily ever after. Damn it, where’s my beer?!
Best Dishwasher EDIT PICK, Winner
Scott Kilmer, South Shore Tiki Lounge
What can I say, except the man knows how to clean a glass. Many a night I have watched this bartender stand behind the South Shore Tiki Lounge bar, loading and unloading the dishwasher, trying to understand the nuances of his trade. Never have I seen him break a glass! Not one! I have no idea how he does his job, but he does it with élan and a professionalism that is seldom seen on this island.
Orange and Black Drinks
Tequila sunrise
Not exactly a Halloween drink, I know, but at least the coloring is right. I had a run-in with one of these on a recent, ill-advised Sunday morning trip to the bar. The orange that characterizes the tequila sunrise possesses a glowing quality, which I believe to be due in part to grenadine. Or maybe magic. I must say I’m more of a Bloody Mary type when a Saturday night defies my concept of linear time by stretching straight on through to Sunday morning. But if you’re going to go super-sweet, why not add insult to injury with one of these?
- Maui Time Weekly
Take Five – Places that have a lot of Unusual Stuff on the Walls
South Shore Tiki Lounge
Actually, the Tiki Lounge really only has one thing on the wall—a massive tiki head with eyes that light up bright red and a small generator that breathes smoke from the gaping mouth. Scary? Not really. Kitschy? Absolutely. But it’s also kind of cool.
-Maui Time Weekly
