Toronto's Forgotten Tiki Past

Part 3: Trader Vic's (Hotel Toronto)

Trader Vic Bergeron was late to Toronto's Tiki scene just squeaking into Toronto's Golden Tiki Age in 1975 when he opened a Trader Vic's inside the newly built Hotel Toronto at 145 Richmond Street W.Toronto, Ontario
Though last to the TO scene His was the longest surviving Tiki Bar lasting from 1975-1993. For awhile it was the talk of the town playing host to many Athletes and Showbiz personalities inluding Anne Murray who booked her annual Christmas parties there for 15 consecutive years.
The Hotels' parent company operated by United Airlines which ran the company from 1970 to 1987, changing the hotel's name to the Toronto Westin in 1980. In 1987 it became the Hilton Harbour Castle and today it's simple known as the Toronto Hilton. Had it lasted a few more years it would have made it to the great Tiki revival of the late 1990's but sadly it faded away with little fanfare as Tiki itself had and now replaced by a Ruth's Chris Steak House.
Source: Globe and Mail, March 8, 1978: On dreary winter nights, when the scent of sunny islands is the only promise of springtime, this Polynesian hideaway is the ideal refuge. Those whose spirits aren’t raised by bamboo alone can relax in the arms of a giant rattan chair, and let the soft lights and silky Hawaiian music wash over them while sipping the fragrant—and fresh—fruit concoctions for which Trader’s is justifiably famous throughout the world. (A word of warning—the velvet hand of the bartenders with pineapple, mango, coconut and lime gentles liquor to a lethal whisper, but it packs more punch than navy grog.) – Toronto Calendar, in its 3/5 star rating of Trader Vic’s, December 1978..
(Pictured below are the Ads, Hotel, Ads, Articles, Today sourced from Jamie Bradburn's Tales of Toronto) 

Toronto's Forgotten Tiki Past

Part 2: Doc's Place (Town & Country)
 
Located at Gould and Mutual streets in the Westminster Hotel in the Heart of Downtown Toronto from about 1949 to 1981 was an all you can eat Buffet style restaurant called the Town & Country which had for shining instant sometime in the early 1960's it's own bonafide Tiki Bar called Doc's Place. I couldn't find much info regarding the Tiki Bar aside from some collectable Mugs which in itself says plenty for them since as everyone knows one of the true signs of a Tiki Bar is having one's own Mug(s) for consumption of one's own Tiki libations! or as a Diner's keepsakea sort of memento of their visit. Well  Doc's Place had at least 4 different styles (pictured below) of Tiki Mug but possibly more ranging from ceramic Cobra's Fang, Voodoo Grog, Pineapple to a Wooden Zombie highball so it doesn't take much imagination to figure out what kind of Tiki drinks were being served to Dave Keon and company after they had whipped  Le Glorieux a Stone's throw away at Maple Leaf Gardens on a Saturday Hockey Night in Canada. I Would love to hear any and all comments.
(Pictured below are the Westminster Hotel, Ads, Cobra's Fang, Pinapple, Bamboo highball, Voodoo Grog, postcard, Today)

 

Huell Howser Visits Oceanic Arts | KCET

The late great Huel Howser takes us through a tour of Robert Van Oosting and LeRoy Schmaltz's crucible of all things Tiki: Oceanic Arts
(Rest in Peace Huel Howser & LeRoy Earl Schmaltz)