Escape to the tiki bar

Picture this: a pristine beach somewhere in the Pacific Ocean with slender palm trees blowing in the not-too-windy wind, and there’s an empty lounge chair reserved just for you.

You lay down. Relax. There’s no turkey to baste or small child to shush. Just you. And the lapping waves. And the kind soul who hands you a cocktail, little umbrella perched on the edge.

OK, you probably can’t find that exact situation a quick hop away from wherever your holiday gatherings are held, but you can find that cocktail. Tiki culture is in the throes of a revival. What began in 1933 via Don’s Beachcomber in Hollywood grew into a full-blown fad through the ’40s and ’50s. Trader Vic’s became a global phenomenon. With Polynesian decor, tiki provided the potent combination of exoticism, escapism and a stiff drink.

Here in Sacramento, tiki drinks are trending once again. Ignore the chilly weather forecast and order that frozen, frothy piña colada anyway. Here are three of the best places to get that tiki fix right now.

Vacation in a bar

The Jungle Bird

Walking into the Jungle Bird feels like entering another time zone, where everyone is all smiles and the coconut shrimp actually tastes like coconut. It’s also the best place in town to get a classic, Trader Vic’s-era cocktail. The wares are festive, the garnishes attractive and the flavors are more booze-forward than you might expect. Try the painkiller ($10) for a more adult, boozy version of a piña colada, repping the time-tested trifecta of coconut, pineapple and rum. 2516 J Street, www.facebook.com/junglebird916.

Frozen deliciousness

Sail Inn Grotto & Bar

While more nautical-themed than tiki, Sail Inn still stocks its menu with tropical favorites, including a zombie, piña colada and mai tai. And since it’s owned by the same guys behind Shady Lady Saloon, you know these drinks are legit and not just drenched in sugar. The early favorite, the lava flow ($11), layers frozen piña colada and strawberry daiquiri into a blissful, much-needed getaway. 1522 Jefferson Boulevard in West Sacramento, http://sailinngrotto.com.

A creative spin

Hawks Public House

Surprised? Bartenders craft creative, balanced, food-friendly cocktails at Hawks Public House on a regular basis, but through the end of November, there’s also a small tiki addendum to the menu. These are decidedly nontraditional takes on tiki, incorporating tropical flavors in inventive ways without opaquely relying on rum and fruit juice. Prime example: Green Walker from 76 ($14), which gets its color from matcha tea and its unusual hint of the islands from pineapple shrub and mulled pear rum. 1525 Alhambra Boulevard, www.hawkspublichouse.com.

Check the Related Stories box above for SN&R’s additional tips for surviving the holiday season.