New mugs, who this? Bamboo Club—Long Beach’s tiki king for half a decade—has returned with its annual Tinsel Club tradition. And with it, continues Long Beach’s dedication to being the holiday bar Mecca of SoCal thanks to the igniting inspiration of Miracle at The Ordinarie.
The Bamboo Club’s holiday celebration reflects its love of the kitsch and tiki culture.
Bamboo Club’s holiday takeover is one that honors what tiki culture is all about: Americana during its peak 50s, and 60s eras—Polynesian pop with Norman Rockefeller gone rockabilly. It kicks it off with two new glasses, each available for purchase and designed by artist Ken Ruzic.
Holiday odes to Disneyland’s Haunted Mansion ride sit next to the bar’s growing tiki decor masqueraded as Santa and Christmas helpers. Greeting cards that look like holiday appropriated ads from the Nifty Fifties’ magazines. Plenty of lights—particularly the massive bulbs that prevailed in the country from the 50s well into the 80s—adorn the thatch hut roofing details.
Long Beach’s love of the holidays should continue to be harnessed by bars and restaurants alike.
Indeed heeding on The Ordinarie’s spirit (as do many bars across the city, from Baby Gee to Broken Spirits), it allows an over-the-top Christmas party to be welcomed in all parts of the city, which is something Long Beach should be aiming for when it comes to every holiday—but especially the holidays that surround this time of year.
Take a glance at this year’s onslaught of Halloween-themed cocktail menus alone. The Bamboo Club became the Treble Club. Port City went naughtical horror. The Social List honored some of Hollywood’s definitive monsters. The Stache bar stepped into the spooky season for the first time with its “Nightmare on 4th Street” menu.
Rather than being deterred by some false sense of oversaturation, businesses are owning Long Beach’s love of the holidays.
Bamboo Club’s holiday offerings are, of course, full of tiki-centric awesomeness.
Always a bit of citric character. A few classic stand-bys from previous Tinsel Club menus and a few entirely new concoctions. Essential with some spiced surprise—be it all-spice or cinnamon. Plenty of kitsch. Here are some of the Tinsel Club 2024 offerings from The Bamboo Club.
Gangsta Pearadise: Glenlivet Caribbean Reserve | Italicus Rosolio di Bergamotto | Pineapple | Orange | Lemon | Rosemary-pear syrup | Angostura bitters
In-Laws and Outlaws: Tropical fruitcake-inspired buttered rum | Choice of Rosaluna Mezcal or Starward Two-Fold Whiskey
Rudolph’s Flame: Gustoso Mexican Agricole Rum | Lo-Fi Gentian Amaro | Lime | Pineapple | Cinnamon-cranberry syrup | Soida water
Yukon Cornelius: 9North Carta Blanca White Rum | Creme de menthe | Pineapple | Coconut | Lemon
Not Your Papa’s Nog: 9North Especiado Spiced Rum | The Funk Pot-Still Rum | Lemon Hart Rum 151 | Orange | Coconut | Lemon | Ginger | All-spice | Angostura bitters
The Bamboo Club is located at 3522 Anaheim St. “Tinsel Club” will run through Jan. 1. For reservations, click here.
