Podcast

A dimly lit tiki bar that lives in your head. Each and every podcast we bring you a new exotic cocktail followed by plenty of tiki talk, exotica tunes and whatever else your loyal hosts Sunshine, Pumpkin and Starshine care to dispense. Politics, religion and current events are all free game. This podcast is not for the kiddies, so remember to get a sitter before tuning in. Mahalo.

Aloha, welcome to our LIVE recording at the Bamboo Club in Long Beach. The ZTL crew was looking forward to this podcast for many weeks and when it finally happened, we were ready to drink! That said, below are some of our favorite drinks from the Bamboo Club. From left to right: Zombie, Fog Cutter, Daiquiris, and the Mai Tai. Every drink we sipped was presented perfectly despite the bar not actually opening for a few hours. The Zombie was Sunshines first drink of the day at 9am and was perfectly balanced with the Zombie kick we expect from a drink named after the undead. We cannot recommend enough that you drink your way through the menu at Bamboo Club at your soonest convenience and don’t forget to bring a DD or get a LYFT.

On this episode we met up with Bamboo Ben, his son Blake, Dustin Rodriguez and Marty Lush. We couldn’t ask for a better group of people to discuss the creation of the Bamboo Club from concept to reality and what it feels like just a few years later. Can you believe that Marty and never been here before? He doesn’t get out much ;)

Sunshine, Starshine and Kalani sat down with Dustin Rodriguez who manages the Bamboo Club as well as directs their drink program. Our first time meeting Dustin we noticed he takes a lot of pride talking about the bar and all it has to offer. Dustin has been around since day one and even for the creating of Long Beach’s premiere dimly lit libation sanctuary.

During our conversation we learned that Dustin along with Bamboo Ben and the proprietors of The Bamboo Club worked hand in hand to create an authentic looking and feeling tropical escape. You do smell the thatch when you walk in. Your eyes need time to adjust to the dark and cool venue. You will likely notice hints of citrus juice and sweet aromas when you step up to the bar. Dustin shared that every drink is made by hand without batching ahead. Its hard to hand mix in a busy bar but they make it happen at The Bamboo Club. In addition to the excellent drinks, there is a full menu of tiki/polynesian style food that helps guard your blood alcohol from sneaking up on you.

The Bamboo Club also hosts events every weekend and has live entertainment almost 365 days a year. Dustin let us know they are testing a drag brunch and the ZTL crew is hoping that it really takes off so we can make that a regular weekend stop for us.

There is so much more to hear from our interview with Dustin. Listen to the full podcast to get all the insights, some laughs and inebriated banter.

Sunshine was a bit of a fan boy interviewing Bamboo Ben and his Blake. Following both of these guys on social is a trip into the creation of tiki bars across the country. You really never know where they will pop up with their nail guns and blow torches. We just didn’t have enough time to interview a true Grand Poobah of tiki so we may have more Bamboo Ben coming at you in the future.

Where and when can you see Ben and his works for sale? Don’t miss the Hardcore Tiki Marketplace the first Saturday of each month and the Bamboo Club.

We asked Ben and Son which of their most recent projects we should visit first. Two spots were recommended and are perfect for those of us who live in Southern California. STOWAWAY Tiki Bar in Tustin, CA was just completely redone by Ben and is now a true tiki destination. Kapu Bar in Petaluma is just north fo the Bay Area and worth a visit. Both locations serve great tiki drinks and food. ZTL gives an extra thumbs up to any tiki bar that graces us with Polynesian style tidbits and larger meals.

What does Bamboo Ben drink after a long day of building tiki bars? Coconut water and Hawaiian vodka. Lime is optional. We tried it, not bad at all. And, low calorie.

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Oh Marty! How much fun did we have getting together at The Bamboo Club? It would be hard to believe that any ZTL fans don’t already listen to another great podcast by Marty Lush, aka Mark Riddle. Marty was also at the bar with us and we really couldn’t be in better company. If you aren’t listening to the Quiet Village podcast were absolutely demand that you do so right now!

Not just a podcaster, Marty is a musician who has been entertaining people since before Sunshine graduated high school. ;) Most recently Marty (Mark Riddle) released his first solo exotica album, Lahaina Sunset. The album is available on vinyl and digital formats and you can grab a copy on his sit. Digitiki.com On the two previous episodes of ZTL we played several tracks from the new album and have been spinning it in the Zen Tiki Lounge for weeks. Lahaina Sunset sets the perfect mood for pool time, cocktails in dimly lit tiki bars and just about anywhere you want to escape the world.