“Escape to the Islands” is the motto of Trader Vic’s Pacific Rim–themed restaurants, including one of the only two Trader Vic’s left in the US at the downtown Atlanta Hilton. Thursdays are Tiki Night at the perfectly vintage Mai-Tai Lounge and a slew of bands rotate through their calendar, often playing past midnight to a great crowd of locals, tourists and business travelers (all happy to revel in the tiki spirit).
Sip on an original Mai-Tai or any number of pineapple and rum-laden drinks. Trader Vic’s invented the Mai-Tai in 1944 and has never changed the recipe of 17year old Jamaican Rum, fresh lime juice, rock candy syrup, orange curacao and French Orgeat served specifically over “cracked” ice.
Oh yes, you’ll want to snap many a pic in the thatched, blowfish encumbered ceiling. Much of the décor is original and/or antiques from Trader Vic’s global collection (and if you order dinner, it will magically arrive on a Gilligan’s Island teacart). Have another tiki drink and watch what happens next!
