Best Neighborhoods for eating

Best Bar food San Diego


San Diego is now home to a world-class tiki bar

By Troy Johnson | Photography by Robert Benson

False Idol may only be 1, 000 square-feet, but it’s a big deal. It marks the fifth bar for America’s first man of tiki, Martin Cate—a partnership with San Diego’s premier cocktail group, Consortium Holdings. Cate owns and operates Smuggler’s Cove in San Francisco, considered by many the best tiki bar in America.

Guests step through a walk-in cooler in Craft & Commerce, and emerge into False Idol. The space is a throwback to the golden era of tiki, before canned juice and corporate chains ruined the movement. There are vibrant pieces from tiki artists Bosko Hrnjak and Ignacio “Notch” Gonzalez. There are false idols everywhere. The ceiling is covered in glass buoy balls. Maori-style wall carvings. Petrified puffer fish. The whole place is exploding with tiki paraphernalia.

As for the drinks? Cate reportedly has the largest collection of rare rums, and he’s showcasing some of his favorites at False Idol. He and CH beverage director Anthony Schmidt worked with CH designer, Dane Danner, to create custom-designed tiki mugs for their tropical drinks, including a Trader Vic Mai Tai and Eastern Sour. They’re also paying tribute to San Diego’s once-thriving tiki scene, excavating recipes from the former Luau Room and Barefoot Bar.

675 W. Beech St., Little Italy.

San Diego restaurant rumors, openings, & coming-soons in March



Share this article





Related Posts


Best Cafe in San Diego
Best Cafe in San Diego
Best bars in San Diego
Best bars in San Diego

Latest Posts
San Diego Little Italy Best Restaurants
San Diego Little…
(Photo: Dinner in little Italy, San Diego…
Restaurants on Shelter Island San Diego CA
Restaurants on…
Save Reply 10. Re: Shelter Island Restaurants…
San Diego Restaurants Gaslamp
San Diego Restaurants…
I don t care if you claim you don t like…
Restaurants Near Ocean Beach San Diego
Restaurants Near…
Every Wednesday 4-8pm in summer (4-7pm…
Dog friendly Restaurants San Diego
Dog friendly…
We know your pup would much rather be…
Search
Featured posts
  • Seafood San Diego Restaurants
  • Best Cafe in San Diego
  • Best bars in San Diego
  • Best bars in San Diego CA
  • Star Bar San Diego
  • Best bars Gaslamp San Diego
  • Syrah Bar San Diego
  • El Dorado Bar San Diego
  • Bars in Downtown San Diego
Copyright © 2023 l www.matsugawasushi.com. All rights reserved.