Tiki originated from the Caribbean, and that’s what I was craving to see when I got there. When I came there last year for the pool party organized by Tobi Bakare I didn’t get the time to explore. Tiki cultures is a bar, lounge and event center that is always popping and almost never free. Even when we got there that day, the place was reserved for an event that evening.
TIKI CULTURES walk way is one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever seen in the city of Abuja. Instead of having a normal shade, they used a lot of umbrellas with different colors hanging at the roof top, making it really colorful and breath taking. They have tables and chairs out under the umbrellas for people who want fresh air instead of air condition.
The thing I love most about the passage is the wooden swinging chair hanging at the end of the wall. It’s so relaxing that you wouldn’t want to get up. We told the very friendly manager on duty we were sightseeing and he quickly told us to go ahead and explore. We walked into the restaurant with hopes high to see Tiki. I was so excited I almost didn’t see the Tiki mugs at front table. The waiter told us the mugs are strictly for cocktails. Cool stuff.
The restaurant is also like a mini art museum and I’m a sucker for art. Decorated all-round with different drawings and paintings; still and live, from Tiki to African culture mostly for sale. At the VIP lounge I saw this huge painting of Tiki hanging on the wall. I was so excited I almost screamed Tiki! from the bottom of my stomach but I had to keep my cool. I was truly satisfied after seeing the painting, I even got goose bumps.
The VIP lounge is pretty private, hidden with a huge black curtain separating it from the main area. There are no chairs in the VIP lounge, just couches and a round glass and glass windows to the main road. To gain access to the VIP you will need to order food and drinks for at least 100 thousand naira. Pretty standard.
In the main restaurant there are different magazines on the table at the edge of the window waiting for you to pick them up and read while waiting to be served. What better place to have a pool party than on the roof top when the hot sun is hitting you hard. That’s why the legendary pool is Located at the roof top. Climbing up the stairs to the roof top, you’d be greeted by another swinging chair and different art works on each pillar making the place more beautiful.
Like most of the places I visited that day, I didn’t order anything but I went through their menu and it was pretty standard and the prices were reasonable. I will definitely go back to Tiki Cultures another time to explore their menu.
By Samuel Igho
