KSPC 88.7 FM hosts two shows for the cocktail minded. The Six Martini Lunch is on Thursdays from noon-2 and plays lounge, pop vocals, and exotica. Zach hosts a show Mondays from ten-noon that features lots of jazz crooners/pop vocalists.
La Conchita
"While traveling up to Santa Barbara on the 101, I caught a glimpse of a grass hut nestled in a what appeared to be a banana plantation in the small town of La Conchita (The little shell). I decided to investigate. What I found was one of the few, if not the only, organic banana plantations in California. What does that have to do with this mailing list you ask? Well, standing guard over this humble little produce stand stood not one but two magnificent carved tiki poles. The tikis stood about two stories high and were gazing out at the sun touching down in the blue pacific. Very cool! I was stoked to find a small slice of Polynesia in my own backyard (the bananas were good too.) If you are ever in that area check them out, you will be glad you did. They also have tasty selection of tropical fruits and plants for sale."
-- submitted by Chongolio>
Los Angeles
The Dresden Room
located at Vermont Ave in Los Feliz (close to the Greek Theatre): You can taste the ambiance. A must for any Lounge aficionado. Marty & Elayne put on a cheesy, yet classic Lounge act from Showtunes to Sinatra. This is the Place to Be...
The Derby
This famous spot, also located on the corner Vermont Ave and Los Feliz Blvd. has Live Swing music every night. The place gets jammed, so its not really a Barfly hangout, ok.
The Good Luck Bar
Located on Sunset Blvd. and Virgil Ave in Hollywood, this bar/lounge has the most creative and original decor. Red lighting emanating from the Chinese lanterns, comfortable sofas and chairs, a jukebox with real cool music and some of the best martinis and cocktails around make this place worth trying. A must for hipsters.
Tiki Ti
This tiny polynesian hut on Sunset Blvd and Virgil Ave. has been a true hangout for over 20 years. Actually this is one of the first polynesian style cocktail bars in Los Angeles. What more can be said? You must see the inside with all the tikis, volcanoes, and anything Hawaiian smashed into a tiny bar. The Atomic Lounge (Long Beach/Los Angeles)
KLON Jazz Radio 88.1 FM has a new lounge show from 11pm to 1am Friday nights. The Atomic Lounge is hosted by Sean Heitkemper and features swingin' big band, Sinatra, Basis, Quincy Jones, Dean Martin, SABPM, Martin Denny, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, Combustible Edison, Joey Altruda and more! Contact Sean at heitkemper@earthlink.net.
Encounter
Encounter at LAX (Los Angeles International Airport) features free djing nights every Thursday with John Godin and Friday with Senor Amor while soaking up the most space age ambiance since man landed on the moon. For info call 310/215-5151
Music For Nimrods
a weekly show heard on KPFK - Los Angeles - 90.7FM late, late Friday night, early, early Saturday morning from 3AM til 6AM. The show is a pulpy blend of trashy rock and roll from the 50's thru the 90's, Exotica, Lounge, Punk Rock, Easy Listening, Comedy Records and Sound Clips from old horror and hygiene films. Yes, it's a big ol' blender of pop culture, hosted by Dan the Board-Op...Check out the Music For Nimrods web page and visually absorb some of the flavor of the show...
Atomic Records
Can't recommend this place highly enough not because owner Steve is my friend and partner on Exoticon '95 but because he has tons of experience working at Rhino and Record Surplus and has tons of stock in this brand new store and the prices run from dirt cheap to very fair on collectible items.If you're in LA, drop by Atomic at 3818 west Magnolia Blvd., Burbank, CA 91505 (1 1/2 blocks west of Hollywood Way) or call (818) 848-7090
-- submitted by Otto Von Stroheim editor-in-chief of Tiki News
San Diego
Underbelly: San Diego Dive Bars
This is a resource for those of you who enjoy getting smashed in a bar that's older than your parents. Something about that particular dive bar smell, when the odors of cigarettes and cheap alcohol are so thoroughly embedded in the walls that Leona Helmsley couldn't get them clean.
San Francisco
Bruno's
on Mission Street near 20th ($3.00 cover). A swank ronovated old lounge in a "diverse" neighborhood - if you are scared you can valet park your car for a stiff fee in Bruno's beautiful parking lot! Every Sunday at Bruno's is Nakea Hawaiians, a Hawaiian band with an 81 year old slide guitarist. This is about as authentic an experience as one can get to being in an old Polynesian lounge/restaurant.
Cafe du Nord
2170 Market Street at Sanchez Street. Cover:$3
Chameleon
853 Valencia near 20th Street.
Hi Ball
San Francisco's hottest swing lounge. Once the home to the Jazz Workshop, the HiBall Lounge continues the tradition of great music and cocktails. The HiBall Lounge is located at 473 Broadway Street [between Kearny and Montgomery] in San Francisco, CA 94113. 415-39-SWING (415-397-9464)
Tonga Room
Weekdays 5:30 - 7:30 is happy hour. The Fairmont Hotel, 950 Mason Street (top of California St.). Monsoons every twenty minutes.
Santa Barbara
The Cocktail Hour
with Doghouse Reilly. Tuesdays from 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM. On KCSB 91.9 FM. Request line is (805) 893-2424.
Fraulein M
Sit back, relax pour yourself a nice drink. Place those fuzzy slippers on and prepare to lounge with your host Fraulein M Every Monday evening from 8:00-10:00pm. On KCSB 91.9 FM. Request line is (805) 893-2424.
The Madhouse Martini Lounge
is where the urbane sybarites swing. The coolest bar in town, the Madhouse Martini Lounge has an extensive and original Martini menu, and extra special cocktails and lounge music on Wednesday nights. Extremely decadent interior...gorgeous staff...many celebrity sightings...the only thing they don't have is an e-mail address. Madhouse Martini Lounge, 434 State Street (805)962.5516. Owner & Host: Duncan Westle Streetlight Records
Nothing over $12 with most used CDs in the $3-$6 range. Not an exhaustive selection of lounge and EZ, but convenient for those who can't travel regularly to Encinitas.
Sherman Oaks
The Ultra Lounge Store
24001 Riverside Drive, Sherman Oaks, CA 91423 818-783-2275