Smoke Tiki Lounge

It’s now time for the second episode of «Old Archie vs. Young Archie.»
Old Archie: Wow. Smoke Tiki Lounge closed? It’s about time.
Young Archie: How can you say that? STL was an awesome drinking and dancing venue. It’s at least 3 to 4 stars.
Old Archie: STL? Awesome? More like awful. It’s a 1 to 2 star joint. I am not surprised it shut down. It was inevitable.
Young Archie: I am. It had the best layout, right? Don’t you remember the long lines to get into this place?
Old Archie: Sure, it had a great layout. It had a nice inner bar area and a great patio outside. But in the end, this place was just pure potential. San Jose bar owners needs to learn that when it comes your drinking venue, you are only as good as the people that frequent your venue.
Young Archie: Oh, come on old man. The crowd wasn’t that bad.
Old Archie: Yes, it was. After a while, the crazy crowd of dancing dipsomaniacs that frequented this facility became more and more, in the most diplomatic of terms, racially monochromatic. The lack of racial diversity was disappointing. And please do not call me «Old Man» and lump me in with «The Situation» from Jersey Shore.
Young Archie: I have no f***kin’ idea what you’re talking about. And quit using big words, you f***kin’ show off.
Old Archie: One day you’ll realize that cussing less often and using polysyllabic words more often will make you much more attractive to women. Use you brains, kid. The ladies love it.
Young Archie: Whatever, old man. I am doing well for myself. I have plenty of fine ladies on my cell phone, ready and willing to party. Check it out.
Old Archie: Oh. Em. Gee. I remember that old crappy Samsung flip phone. One day you’ll step your game up, in more ways than one.
Young Archie: This phone is rad. It has cool ring tones and this snake game that is pretty fun. Speaking of game, my game is charming girls all over. I did some major damage at the Smoke Tiki Lounge. Remember?
Old Archie: One day kid, you’ll realize that two fives don’t exactly make a ten.
Young Archie: Whatever. In the end, the more the merrier. But really, tens are just too hard to impress.
Old Archie: With that lack of confidence, you’ll never pull a ten.
Young Archie: True. But I can’t find them.
Old Archie: One day, you will find one. She will have red hair and green eyes.
Young Archie: Yeah? And where will she be?
Old Archie: Not at STL since tens do not hang out there. Ever.
Young Archie: Damn. You have a point. I guess this place wasn’t that great after all.
Old Archie: Yep. Once the alcohol wears off, you realize that when it comes to STL, you are in a male dominated war zone, with plenty of land mines and grenades to worry about it.
Young Archie: Okay. I think I’m following you here.
Old Archie: Speaking of following, why don’t you follow me to a salon and let’s do something about that gelled up faux hawk of yours.
Young Archie: No way. I am not getting pretty boy emo bangs.
Old Archie: In a year or two your time, every caveman in a glittery t-​shirt will copy your hair style. You’ll need to separate yourself from the pack. Plus, some chicks love running their fingers through long, natural hair.
Young Archie: And some chicks like eating fried Twinkies for fun.
Old Archie: Funny. I still say stuff like that.
Young Archie: Nice. It’s good to hear I don’t become totally boring when I get older.
Old Archie: You don’t. You become more awesome than you already are.
Young Archie: Thanks. I love you, Archie.
Old Archie: I love you too, Archie.

I went here a couple of times in the past during my «smoking» days. Bleckh! You won’t be able to breathe here coz of the cigarette smoke (or cigars and whatever else). Live band not totally bad, but I think it would sound better enclosed, but then everybody will drop dead from suffocation. LOL I’m not going to say I’m glad they closed, but all I can say is that I’m glad about the decrease of places that allowed smoking. Quitting smoking is not bad; it is the best decision ever!

*nightlife*
I used to love this place. 5 years ago I would’ve given them 4 stars. The staff was always friendly, there was no dress code, no cover charge, and no shady people.
Slowly, this place started getting more and more popular. Drinks started getting more expensive. A dress code was enforced. Cover charges were in effect. Shadier and shadier people started coming into the mix.
This place was changing before my very eyes. I couldn’t believe it. Fights started breaking out almost every week. On one occasion somebody threw a bottle and it whizzed past my head with such force it almost popped my ear drum. On another, a bottle was smashed over somebody’s head and the pieces got all over me. There was blood all over my hands. But luckily it wasn’t mine. It belonged to the guy who had to be rushed to the ER.
Needless to say, it’s been a long time since I’ve been back to this place. It may be different now, I really wouldn’t know. Hopefully the management shaped up and figured something out. It’s going to take a lot for me to come back to this place.

Dammit! Another one bites the dust in SJ.
I had been skeptical of this place as it got a lot of talk about it being a hip-​hop club packed with ghetto tweens. It was SO not the way I read people describe it. The food was good (the poke rocked), the drinks were fine and best of all an out door patio with a bar where you could smoke cigars. What’s not to like? The crowd was the typical SJSU bar crowd, so no big deal there. Hell, I wish Smoke had been around when I was one of those drunken students. It would have saved me from many a loathsome night at Toons.
I don’t know whether it was because of the whole Greyhound Bus Station thing (the reason the Caravan went teets-​up), but it’s a damn shame.
Who’s next?

I used to come to smoke all the time for happy hour. Best poke around.
Currently sitting out in the patio area and have two observations.
#1 the server/​waitress Mandy seems completely put out when performing her job. There are only four party tables, so waiting a half hour for a beer is sorta ridiculous.
#2 I understand smoke is under new management and so changes need to be made. That said, new manager Travis listened attentively to our to our concerns and took immediate action.

A cool bar that was the perfect spot for our unofficial SJ Jazz Fest Afterparty.
Located just a block away from the SJ Jazz Fest Salsa stage, Smoke is a short walk to a non-​cover bar lacking the «snob» feel of some spots in downtown San Jose.
The drinks were mixed well. The price was about right.
The night we were there a houseband was rocking the night away with tunes from a wide source.
However, you need to be aware that Smoke’s outside bar/​lounge happens to be located in the bus parking lot of the San Jose Greyhound station.
This means, on occassion, you will a nose full of diesel fumes as one of those big Greyhound buses revves up. But hopefully you’ll be too drunk to notice. lol

Why haven’t I written an update for this yet… it might have something to do with the following weeks of hell that I can only now remember this night…
dun dun dun
Rolling through here with ODB, Naders, Sparrow, Thater, Pchan, and D-​nyce. Got there right after dinner and began to imbibe the numerous libations that the talented mixologist behind the bar continuously made us. After much posturing the stakes got higher and higher when one of our number, a mixologist in her own right decided to question the other’s potency. The alcoholic milk shakes were being made and crazy things being done with cherries. It was a good time that night.
Fortunately soon enough the birthday girl showed up and joined in the fun. And fortunately for her she arrived int he nick of time to avoid the cover charge to get in. I forgot that they charge after a certain time.
Many drinks, cocktails, beers, and shots later the girls were dancing and the beats were pounding and the place filled out with other revelers soon enough.
Sheila, Louie, and Cobbler rolled through later that night to join in the fun. And that’s all I remember really.
XD

If you are 25 and older… you will feel old ;)
Definitely the college crowd here. This place isn’t horrible… I was with good friends so that made it better. Parking isn’t bad especially since San Pedro Square parking is a block away. Free to get in before 10 (or 11 if you are on the guest list).
Bartenders and DJ were friendly. I ordered a rum and Coke and for $ 7 it was huge.
I didn’t think this place was thuggish or ghetto (at least it wasn’t last night). Guys weren’t creepy either so that was a plus!
I still felt old…=P

Nadia L, Peggy C, Ali T.
Donna Y, oh-​oh, eh!!!
I’ve had a little bit too much, much
All of the people start to rush, start to rush by
A dizzy twisted dance, can’t find my drink, oh man (Cobber L)
Where are my keys? I lost my phone, phone (John Michael)
What’s going on on the floor? (Here comes Sarah)
I love this record baby but I can’t see straight anymore
Keep it cool, what’s the name of this club?
I can’t remember but it’s alright, a-​alright (Mikey U)
Just dance, gonna be okay, da da doo-​doo-​mmm
Just dance, spin that record babe, da da doo-​doo-​mmm
Just dance, gonna be okay, d-​d-​d-​dance
Dance, dance, just, j-​j-​just dance (Jackie D)
=========================
— Five stars for that Baskin Robbin Kalua drink from the bartender.
— Free to get in before 10:00PM.
— Park at the Market St. garage for $ 3.00 then walk over two blocks.
— Minus two stars. The crowd gets very thuggish after 11:00PM. And muffin tops come out at night. * shivers *

I came here on a Saturday night.
My favorite part about this place is how inexpensive drinks are before 11 PM. I can’t remember the specific list of drinks and prices, but I THINK Sex on the Beach and Long Island Iced Teas were only $ 5, and cosmopolitans and similar drinks were $ 3. Great deal for it being past happy hour. There’s also no cover charge, which is only a small $ 5 anyway, for anyone arriving before 10 PM.
Oh I just looked at my pictures and realized I took a photo of the drink specials. Score!
I didn’t try any food, but I plan to in the future.
I tried a Long Island, Sex on the Beach, a couple Jäger bombs, and some other pretty strong drink that was served in a huge margarita glass. All were pretty good except for Sex on the Beach — but that was my fault because I didn’t know it had mango. (I despise mango.)
The décor is, of course, tiki themed. It’s fun and laid-​back. The music is also rockin’ with some fairly talented DJs.
There’s a main outside area and a main inside area — both with their own bars. It’s really «chill», as another reviewer said.
It was also fun because one of the female bartenders got up on the bar and started dancing. It was awesome.
The only downside I found was the messy bathroom and semi-​oldies in a lot of the crowd. But there are worse things.
I’ll be back.

Okay, so when I used to frequent the Smoke Tiki, it was really nice. The food was good, and the bartenders competent. Last night, however, I was sorely disappointed on all fronts.
First, the bartender couldn’t tell us the difference between the two different drinks on the menu which looked identical according to the ingredients. She forgot to put our food request into the kitchen until 10 mins later when she asked if we decided, and when the food did arrive it wasn’t as good as I remembered it.
The mac’n cheese is good, but somehow I remember it being cheesier. The spare ribs were really fatty, and very little meat. The chicken quesadilla was good though, which made up for it. But I sat at the bar counter and could look into the garnish tray. The oranges looked dried and withered. The pinapple like it had been there for days. My friends drink wasn’t very good, and the bartender had to look at the menu before she could start pouring.
On another note: they took the Ahi poke off the menu, and the sliders. The happy hour menu is a lot shorter than before, and I didn’t really think it was worth the money. Without drink specials, I think I’ll pass on the Smoke Tiki from now on.

The music was bumpin and I wished I had some friends to bust some moves with yesterday night for the short time I was there.
It was my friend’s promoter company’s event so I got to be in the special side line and got in for free. thank you friends. I wouldn’t of wanted to stay in line for ages because of the maximum capacity that they reached all night long.
I was surprised it was very packed inside. and it’s making me thinkk. I should go back there soon sometime!

They charged us 5 bucks at the door when the place was still empty and their drinks were weak. The music was aite but there was some questionable song selection as well.
For a place that’s sort of out of the way and not that great there really shouldn’t be cover and the drinks should be better. They could really do alot more with the patio but either way, it’s pretty meh

So this is where all of Daly City goes to on a thursday/​friday! Whenever I want to tap into my inner hip hop Filipino and I’m too lazy to drive to Serramonte, I walk right over to Smoke Tiki Lounge. Something about a room full of thick blond highlights, plastic hoop earrings, Vans, and bright turquoise MAC makeup makes me feel at ease. Sure the guys are shorter than me but at least it’s easy for me to find my friends if we separate. The music is alright, it really depends on who’s throwing the event. The drinks are the same price as any other bar in downtown San Jose.
The truth is, I have to take atleast 5 shots before I have fun here. Don’t get too sloppy though, you might see everyone and their mama.
+2 stars because it was the very first bar I went to upon turning 21 and I had fun throwing my bday party here. Not sure if bottle service is still the same as two years ago, but I remember that it was pretty cheap and they let everyone that I invited in without waiting in line (even though I was already inside). Tiki, thank you for corrupting me.

I’m not sure when it all began, but ever since MikenTribe/​dfined/​whoever has been promoting Thursday nights, Tiki has become a much more fun place to hang out at. The first time I came here (note my older review), I remember that they played a lot weird music that you wouldn’t want to dance or drink too.
However, the music is much better here. And lately, it’s always packed and everyone’s having a good time. If you’re looking for the full on clubbing scene, this may not be your place. but it’s a fun place to have a few drinks, hang out, and then there is a small dancing area inside.

I was with a group here after a birthday dinner on a Friday night. It wasn’t that crowded. Bar wasn’t crowded. Vodka Tonic was decent. Well it was early around 9 or so. It got somewhat crowded after that. We proceeded outside and noticed a couple of dudes smoking when there was a big sign that signs NO SMOKING!!!
Definitely a lot more guys that girls as usual. Ladies room has three stalls but my friend said two was out of order and the one that was working was nasty-​dirty. But which restroom in a club isn’t right? Fun is fun wherever you are!!!

A nice little restaurant place where they serve Hawaiian food there. The food is pretty good. At night this place turns into a club seen where there is a dance floor. There is also an outside area as well, where people can hang out.
I know that the manager is very nice, he works at the bar. The waitresses are not as nice. But if you are looking for decent food, they do have pretty good food and cocktails. You should come a bit early. Late in the evening it gets crowded really fast and will be hard to dance. There is also a parking lot really close by so you can park there for $ 2. People have warn me not to park by the Greyhound place because you get towed. So be careful when you go there and park in the lot if you can’t find parking.

I like this place because it’s more chill. No need to really dress up. $ 5 cover. Small dancefloor. Atmosphere is a mix crowd. Music is played repeatedly. Drinks are a bit watered down. Smoke/​Patio area is a bit closed off (not enough air to breathe). If you’re asian/filipino…best nights are Thursdays which is really a good night. It’s always packed and crackin’.
Here’s the HAPPY HOUR INFO:
When: Mondays-​Fridays, 4pm-​7pm
$ 2.95 Food Menu:
Prawn quesadilla
Smoked chicken quesadilla
Aki poke
Brisket buddies
Hawaiian nachos
Etc.
Does not include happy hour drinks unless noted! Check on their website!

1 star for the corny «wannabe hawaiian tropics» theme. It was kinda corny but cute.
1 more star for the cheap ass happy hour menu. What can I say? I’m Asian! If you’re gonna offer 2.99 ahi poke, I’m SOOO going to be all over it.
1 more star for the big fat portions! A lot of places offer «Happy Hour food» and it comes out as a measly little wing or a sliver of carbs. Hah. Not this please… You’ll walk out oozing out of your muffin tops.
1 more star for the bartender. He’s cool. We got specialty drinks with top shelf alky that he hooked up and rang up as well drinks.
Not quite 5 stars since the area is kinda shady. I don’t like hobos looking at me and giving me the evil eye thinking that I can afford to drink and eat after work while they sleep on the street and panhandle to get money for a decent meal.

(10/​28/​2007; Update)
Tiki is more and more becoming one of my preferred haunts, if/​when I go downtown. The vibe is primarilly what I like; its welcoming, affordable, the staff is friendly, the customers are there to eat/​drink/​chat/​revel. It still becomes kind of a scene in the evenings, but its not overly clubby; there’s always a place/​area where a conversation can be had without screaming into each other’s ear. The music here is consistently okay with some moment’s of brilliance.
The place still has good/​decent food, reasonable drink prices and awesome staff/​bartenders. The place still has an unbalanced guy-​to-​girl ratio at night (as does everything in San Jose…). But the atmosphere here has been more appealing than other places I’ve been to lately.
— — — — — — — — — — — — —
(08÷29÷2007)
–3-​Stars–
Like most other clubs/​spots in downtown San Jose, Tiki started off with a good vibe, a diverse (ethnic/​lifestyle/​economic) mix of people, and an unhyped chic. Then? Every hypebeast and their lemmings ruined the place with gaudiness and forced-​cool.
Tiki is passable during Happy Hour, with a decent menu of fun $ 3 appetizers (TriTip Sliders, Ahi Poke, Sticky Ribs, Mac&Cheese). As well, the bartenders have always been good to me (though I know a couple of them from their other gigs), and drink prices are in-​line with what you’d expect elsewhere (i.e. $ 28 for 4 Jack-​n-​Cokes).
Also, catching some of the local flavor Bands and whatnot at Tiki is usually very entertaining, though less frenetic because its fairly underattended.
Club hours leave a lot to be desired. There is a definite imbalance here, of guys-​to-​girls, that a lot of my female friends find unpleasant, downright creepy… simply «ewwww». Moving the dance area to the back of the patio helped alleviate the crowding in the bar area, but I wonder how what they’ll do when the weather gets a bit more chilly.