Tiki Mana in Breckenridge, CO

Tiki Break in Breck

Don and I headed to Breckenridge last May.

We knew weather was going to be chilly, so I did a Google search... for Tiki Bars.

We figured we might need a tropical getaway if the weather got blustery.

It was a surprise to find Tiki Mana, in my search.

Finding It

Don and I arrived a few days before our kids joined us. We decided to locate the place early, so we could do some celebrating with the youngin's later. They love tiki adventures, too.

We walked over from our condo and found Tiki Mana, in the lower level of a hotel. The place wasn't open, but we could see some tropical decor through the windows. The patio faced the creek and looked pleasant in the sunshine. 

​Memorial Day Weekend Weather
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We hadn't exactly expected snow for our visit. By the time we were gathered with our kids and their spouses, we were ready for a warm escape, to a tropical environment.

Tuesday Tiki Time
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​We concluded the bar/restaurant was open on Tuesday afternoon. We headed over for Happy Hour, at 4.

The entrance by the creek was much more festive than entering through the hotel. There was a cute little gathering space, right inside the door.

Bright

We stepped into the main bar and dining area and I was surprised with the bright lighting. Usually my aged eyes go into shock, when I enter dimly lit, tiki bars.

On a chilly Tuesday at 4:00. I wasn't too surprised that we were the first. It gave me a chance to peek around and snap a few pics.

There were cozy booths and thatched roofs.  

There were bamboo walls and plants and windows. I'm not sure I've ever been to a tiki bar that had windows.

There were lots of Aloha Girls in the art and carved faces.

And carved Polynesian masks...

Our group of 6 could have fit into this sweet booth with seaside pillows.

But we decided to sit at the bar.

I sat near the corner and shared a little bar space with ​this carved figure.

A local man came after a while and chatted a bit, but he was pretty dull.

Our bartender was nice  and he wore a flowered shirt. But he seemed sleepy and our enthused little crowd didn't seem to wake him up.

Menus and Water
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You know you're visiting a high altitude Tiki Bar, when the bartender hands you big glasses of water with your menu. He did not give us the leis. 

I packed the leis, because I am always prepared with props, for dining or tiki adventures! Luckily the kids went along with my silliness. 

The Tiki Gang
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​Only two of us were willing to brave the cold and wear a tropical shirt, for our outing.

I failed to get close ups of our tiki cocktails. Besides the colors, they weren't really all that exciting to look at. I guess I had my hopes up, because we were sitting at the bar staring at some typical tiki cups. Oh well, we did enjoy our Mai Tais and Blue Hawaiians. We had a few toasts, while flurries blew outside. 

Food
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There were some decent appetizers on the Happy Hour menu. We had Tiki Poppers and Coconut Shrimp, Lava Edamame and Lava Wings, for $5 each. ​

Tiki Memories

Our tiki time was brief and then we were off, to other things. 

I'm glad we experienced a little of Mountain Tiki Experience, but mostly our fun was about being together. We will always remember that that we walked in wearing coats and took off our gloves to drink our cocktails.

Over the days, the weather got even worse, so it would have been nice to have returned for some more tropical warmth.  But we weren't inspired.

Mana Tiki just was not cozy enough. It needed better music and a happier bartender... which would have brought more customers and a better vibe. Maybe Breckenridge needs to stick to the mountain theme that it does so well.

​Hmm? A Yelp search says that Mana Tiki has closed. Not sure.