A Dream of Paradise

In 1933, Don the Beachcomber famously said, “If you can’t get to paradise, I’ll bring it to you.” This was the beginning of a vision that would evolve into something special. The lure of the South Pacific, with its vibrant music, unique food, intricate carved decor, and exotic cocktails, captivated many. Tiki bars across the country became an escape—a place where people could leave their worries behind, no plane tickets required.

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Our Tiki Journey

We, too, were enchanted by the magic of tiki bars. Over the years, we traveled to experience the distinct flavors, sights, and sensations of these tropical havens. The culture, the vibrant cocktails in colorful glasses, and the atmosphere of escape deeply inspired us. This passion grew into a dream of opening our own tiki bar—a dream that became a reality in the fall of 2019.

Bringing Kahala Koa to Life

For nine months, our journey took us across the country, collecting furniture, fixtures, and artifacts to create our very own vintage-inspired tiki bar. We scoured hidden treasures and unique finds that would help bring Kahala Koa to life. Alongside hours of construction and hard work, this was a true labor of love.

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Our Beautiful, Vintage Collection

Today, Kahala Koa stands as a testament to the beauty of vintage tiki culture. The space is filled with an extensive collection of mostly vintage pieces, each with its own history. We are incredibly grateful to the talented individuals who helped make our vision a reality:

Dave Hansen of Lake Tiki Woodcrafts, who carved the stunning mask that graces our bar.

Big Toe - Tom Laura, honor to display an original painting that was featured on the cover of Exotica Moderne Magazine.

Leroy Schmaltz at Oceanic Arts, who, even in his 80s, created breathtaking lighting that adds the perfect touch to our space.

We also want to thank our friends, family, and all the wonderful people we met along the way. Without their support, our journey would not have been the success it is.

Featured Local Artists
Kymm Sang and Dave Kryz, who have created art work to help bring our collection to life.

VIPs

KYMM! BANG

KYMM! BANG is a Chicago based Tiki artist and very well know in the Tiki culture. You will find her work at Kahala Koa including several custom designed glasswhere. Her work is prevelant at Tiki Bars around the country including: UnderTow, Phoenix; Tonga Hut, Los Angeles; Max’s South Seas Hideaway, Grand Rapids, MI; Inferno Room, Indianapolis; Hala Kahiki, River Grove, IL; Tiki Underground, Hudson, OH; Hidden Idol, Denver; Fong's Pizza, Des Moines; Swizzle, Dallas; 4 Kahunas, Arlington, TX; Huli Huli, Powell, OH, Hidden Harbor, Pittsburg, PA; Tiki Tiki Bang Bang, Cincinnati.

David Krys

David Krys is a Chicago based artist who has created many custom elements for our Tiki Bar.

CRAZY AL TIKI

Al Evens is a well-known Tiki artist based in Southern California, primarily recognized for his intricate wood carvings and sculptures, often called "Crazy Al Tikis"; he is considered a prominent figure in the modern Tiki revival movement and is the owner of "Tikimania". He has visited Kahal Koa and we display some of his art work.

TIKI RAY

Ray Wyland lives in Seattle, WA. And is a well know Tiki blogger.

He talks about Tiki culture, Tiki drinks, and doing Tiki bar reviews. Really, I’ll be covering pretty much anything dealing with embracing the Tiki lifestyle. Tiki Ray reviewed Kahala Koa 9/23/2023.

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Our Customer Love Us!

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"The pizza was great. The drinks were boozy. The decor was on point. What's not to like?"

"KAHALA KOA is the Chicago area’s REAL “must-see” tiki bar."

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Welcome to Our Ohana Vintage Collection

At Kahala Koa, we welcome you, our Ohana (family), to join us in our tropical escape. With beautiful decor, Polynesian-inspired appetizers, and exotic cocktails crafted with fresh juices, homemade syrups, and the finest rums, we invite you to indulge in a truly unique experience. Our little oasis is here for you to unwind, enjoy, and feel transported to paradise.