Tiki Update III: Trader Vic's Relocates Inside Hilton, New Lounge Opens May 3
Monday, April 30, 2007

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For those of you lamenting your last Trader Vic's mai tai or the fact that you never had one, rejoice: Official word from the Beverly Hilton explains that Trader Vic's will relocate to the pool level, accessible through the hotel.

The new Trader Vic’s Lounge will be located next to the new Circa 55 restaurant and the Aqua Star pool area. The menu will feature Trader Vic’s signature drinks including the world-famous Mai Tai, invented by Victor “Trader Vic” Bergeron, the Scorpion Bowl and appetizer plates that are ideal for sharing with friends.

Ahhh...a bowlful of alcohol. Only two straws, please! The press release continues...

“We are pleased that the popularity of Trader Vic’s continues to grow around the globe, ” said Robert Davies, President and CEO of Trader Vic’s. “Our loyal patrons and hotel guests can be assured that while the atmosphere may be more casual, our new Beverly Hills offering will continue to reflect the finest of our company’s island-style service and culinary quality.”

By "more casual" he must mean smaller and less, um, tiki. Sure, some of the decor will be moved over, but it's still basically a renovated lounge filled with Trader Vic's memorabilia. Nonetheless, the new lounge will reopen on May 3. If you're not familiar with the pool level at the Hilton, the shortlived as C55 lounge is tucked into a corner to the right of the spa entrance, to the left of Circa 55 doorway leading to the pool. It's not a very large space, but it does have floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the pool. We're told GM Chai Rojana will still be running the show, and many of the bartenders will move to the new digs. Upside: The move will only take three days. Downside: Losing the separate entrance to Vic's, losing Vic's itself, and having to self-park in that crazy parking garage or hit the hotel valet. And if/when there's an event at the Hilton---pretty much always---getting to the tiki lounge will be downright aggravating. Still, the loss of the original 52-year-old institution doesn't taste as sour anymore. · Update Trader Vic's Officially Closed [~ELA~] · Breaking: Trader Vic's Closed? [~ELA~]

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