Tiki without the Sand

My friend Karen told me about a bar that was highly rated as a fun tiki bar with a great atmosphere and deliciously crafted cocktails. As soon as she said tiki I was in. One of my favorite cocktails happens to be a Blue Hawaii, followed closely by a good strong mai tai. Being a Detroit east-sider, I expected we’d be heading somewhere around the edges of Lake Saint Clair. But no, Karen said this bar was on Vernor near Mexican town. I question the possibility of a tiki bar located in nowhere near water, how could this be? Our group of five decided we needed to check this out.

We visited on a Friday night arriving shortly after the 5 PM opening time. I knew I was right about the location, no boat docks anywhere around 4654 Vernor highway. We parked our car right out in front. There is a small sign above a plain black door identifying the mutiny bar. Once inside my eyes were opened wide to the tropical enchantment. From the fishnets to the multicolored lights hanging from the ceiling. Since it was early my group of five had our choice of seating. Of course, we picked the small table surrounded by rattan chairs which included two large grand queen chairs. Their own website describes the Mutiny Bar as a dive bar, and I smiled as I remembered the dive bar’s that I am myself frequented as a college student at the University of Hawaii in Honolulu in the 1970s. Karen said the decor reminded her of someone’s basement. Growing up in Detroit I certainly didn't know anyone with the basement this enchanting. Studying the menu I was sorry I was no longer that college student who might have been able to sample many of the drinks on the menu in one evening. These days I have my limits. I chose The Privateer, a 9$ combination of fruit juice and tequila for my first course. It was refreshing and a little tart. My next choice was the Blue Hawaii, which 3 of us enjoyed. Now I was feeling the palm trees swaying. We enjoyed the presentation of most drinks being served in different tropical vessels. Someone spent some time hunting these down.

Soon all the chairs at the bar and most of the tables were full. Mostly millennials, with some older folk mixed in as well. I understand they have karaoke some nights, we'll return to check that out.