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.

On this episode we are drinking The Diane. Click on this AI generated image to get the recipe and the story. It’s a perfect summer libation with actual “nutrition”.

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.

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. :(

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 ;)

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. What if there was a tiki centric football podcast? Would you listen?If Starshine and Kalani could no longer be in the same room together, would ZTL still go on?Does Pumpkin really care at all?Those are some of the things we explore on this reunion episode. In addition to some Mai Tai’s and listener mail. We hope you enjoy having all four hosts back together

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.

We are BACK! Its been a busy and odd few months. Haven’t posted a podcast in a few months. Neighbor Nichole is back in the lounge with Sunshine for a holiday rum cocktail, some ideas on gift giving for your boozed up friends. And more. Listening to the Blue Hawaiians Christmas album and feeling cozy with friends. Listen!

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.

Sunshine and Pumpkin hopped onto the bar stools for this episode on a warm June afternoon. When Pumpkin is in the lounge we have blends drinks. Sunshine does NOT have many of these blended cocktails in his recipe book so turning to classic drink recipes is always a good idea. Missionaries Downfall from the Total Tiki app by Beachbum Berry. Conversation on this episode includes: Super hero movies just need to stop, Golden Tiki Las Vegas has new food items and great new decor, memories of the first ZTL podcasts, dead raccoons in the ceiling of our old apartment, a tiki bar t-shirt club giveaway and more.

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.

Have we made it? Is 2020 about to end? Will it be replaced with something better? There really is no way to tell. So mix yourself a cocktail and listen to us pontificate the potential future for all of us. Sunshine is drinking a Mai Tai made with Ten To One dark Caribbean rum and Facundo Neo silver rum. Kalani is enjoying a right proper Painkiller made with Pussers Navy rum. Pumpkin….well, iced tea.

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.

4 Friends, 1 Tiki Bar, Many Cocktails, must be the Holidays.  Plenty of exotic holiday tunes to set the mood. 

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

Just for Curtis and Kevin,..write up coming later. Sunshine is pickled.

Podcast Re Post: This episode is originally from February 2015. After returning from his travels, Campari Kraken is blessing the Zen Tiki Lounge with his drunken presence. Kalani, Sunshine and a few special guests sip Pisco Sours, enjoy the music of South America and ask Campari Kraken to help answer the most burning questions on our minds. Join us for this trip...

This is a Re-Post from 9/1/2013. Infamous tiki bar psychic Campari Kraken returns to the Zen Tiki Lounge for another engaging endeavor at mind reading and fortune telling. And as usual, things go horribly wrong. Sunshine and Kalani make the best of things including sipping a Campari Kraken cocktail and inventing new Gods to explain things we don't understand.

This is a repost from 2013: Not so world famous tiki bar psychic Campari Kraken makes his third appearance in the Zen Tiki Lounge. While sipping passion fruit and pineapple mojitos, Kalani, Sunshine and Campari Kraken tell the fortunes and futures of podcast listeners just like you. Also a few party planning tips and updates on upcoming Spring/Summer 2013 tiki events in Southern California.

Sunshine and Starshine are visited by mystical tiki bar psychic Campari Kraken who delivers less than accurate predictions of the future.  Thank goodness for the cocktails, ample exotic tunes and crafty banter.

Campari Kraken is the totally unknown tiki bar psychic. He joins us this week from his mysterious dimly lit corner of the bar to answer questions from our very own podcast listeners. Sunshine and Starshine sip cocktails, dish about art, stolen glaciers and the peril of the worlds corals.