PKNY Tiki Bar

Lower East Side, New York –

Patrons looking for a kitschy antidote to a humdrum day should head to PKNY, a classic, fun-loving tiki bar offering expertly crafted tropical cocktails and a mellow attitude.

Roughly the same dimensions as a subway car, the tiny windowless space nonetheless conveys a clean and breezy island vibe, helped along by the sleek bamboo bar and the images of topless Polynesian girls featured under its glass countertop.

Plenty of tiki masks complete the look, with a dash of urban flavor provided by the skull and crossbones logo and random graffiti.

A whir of blenders mixes with classic rock tunes as a diverse crowd of neighborhood regulars, young professionals, and the occasional hipsters claim their barstools and peruse the menu of original PKNY creations like Inglorious Suffering Bastards and Scorpions.

Though small groups of barhopping friends and cocktail aficionados may prefer to squeeze into the simple red booths to discuss flavor profiles, the real action is at the bar, where the chatty bartenders – part showmen, part expert mixologists – make their audience of outgoing regulars and newcomers alike feel at ease with their lively banter and helpful suggestions for navigating the impressive cocktail menu.

Though the staff and patrons may have left their Hawaiian shirts at home, PKNY’s beachy vibe and sunny attitude are enough to create an upbeat, relaxing escape for those who need to get away from it all.