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Tampa Bay Times: Six Amazing, Unconventional Tiki Bars

Tampa Bay Times: Six Amazing, Unconventional Tiki Bars

Tiki bars come in all shapes, sizes and spirits. Some of them do, in fact, double as laid-back beach bars. Others sneak up and surprise you in sleek restaurants and trendy drinking districts.

Here are six of Tampa Bay's best and most unconventional spins on the traditional tiki bar.

St.Pete Foodies: Exotic Cocktails with a Splash of Tropical, Post Vietnam War at Saigon Blonde

St.Pete Foodies: Exotic Cocktails with a Splash of Tropical, Post Vietnam War at Saigon Blonde

Saigon Blonde is a one-of-a-kind lounge & cocktail bar that takes you to a different world. From their exotic cocktail menu, to their extraordinary post-Vietnam War themed decor, to their talented bartenders, they provide St. Pete with a fascinating experience. A night out for cocktails at Saigon Blonde is unlike any other in the area. Kevin, Lori and I had a great time sipping on these cocktails and we especially loved the presentation of each one!

Creative Loafing: Paper straws drive the sustainability efforts we're seeing at Tampa Bay bars

Creative Loafing: Paper straws drive the sustainability efforts we're seeing at Tampa Bay bars

Downtown St. Pete’s Saigon Blonde has incorporated a tropical aesthetic into its paper straw design. The replicas of bamboo culm complete the cocktails, including classic Mai Tais, guests enjoy while people-watching on Central Avenue.

Owner Peri Bandazian, a firm believer in the anti-plastic straw movement, launched Saigon Blonde last year with paper straws. And good thing, too, according to bartender Marisa Shaw. Based on the amount of straws the bar goes through on a monthly basis, Shaw says she couldn’t imagine using the plastic kind or how it would impact the environment, especially Florida beaches and sea life.