<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" version="2.0"><channel><title><![CDATA[My Site]]></title><description><![CDATA[Lost Routes Tiki]]></description><link>https://ampersandproduction.wixsite.com/lostroutestiki/blog</link><generator>RSS for Node</generator><lastBuildDate>Tue, 21 Jul 2026 14:14:03 GMT</lastBuildDate><atom:link href="https://ampersandproduction.wixsite.com/lostroutestiki/blog-feed.xml" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml"/><item><title><![CDATA[Why Your Tiki Bartender Remembers Every Recipe (And How You Can Too)]]></title><description><![CDATA[You’re sitting at a dark, bamboo-clad bar. The air is thick with the scent of spent lime hulls and freshly grated nutmeg. Across the mahogany, the bartender is a blur of motion. He grabs three different bottles of rum, a bottle of homemade cinnamon syrup, and a tin of fresh grapefruit juice. He doesn’t glance at a book. He doesn’t check a cheat sheet. Within seconds, a perfectly balanced Navy Grog is placed before you. For many of us in our 40s and 50s who have spent a decade or two...]]></description><link>https://ampersandproduction.wixsite.com/lostroutestiki/post/why-your-tiki-bartender-remembers-every-recipe-and-how-you-can-too</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a5926efcb28250fe83b6349</guid><pubDate>Thu, 16 Jul 2026 18:46:07 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/https://cdn.marblism.com/Oq7lc1X2B8u.webp/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Bongo Ben</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Tapa Cloth 101: How This Island Tradition Became a Tiki Bar Essential]]></title><description><![CDATA[If you’ve ever sat in a dim, bamboo-lined booth with a Mai Tai in hand, you’ve likely felt the gaze of a tiki mask or the rustle of a thatch roof. But look closer at the walls. Behind the carved wood and the fishing nets, there’s often a textured, earthy fabric covered in bold, geometric patterns. That, my friends, is Tapa cloth, the literal and metaphorical fabric of the South Pacific. In the world of tiki culture, Tapa is much more than just "tropical wallpaper." It’s a craft that’s...]]></description><link>https://ampersandproduction.wixsite.com/lostroutestiki/post/tapa-cloth-101-how-this-island-tradition-became-a-tiki-bar-essential</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a398de8fa54cc84484b397c</guid><pubDate>Mon, 22 Jun 2026 19:32:56 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/https://cdn.marblism.com/4OSsHdP3YH9.webp/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Bongo Ben</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[The Bourbon Lover’s Guide to Premium Aged Rum]]></title><description><![CDATA[If you’re a whiskey drinker: specifically one who lives and breathes for that high-proof, charred-oak, vanilla-drenched profile of a great Kentucky bourbon: you’ve likely spent years looking at the rum shelf with a healthy dose of skepticism. For many, "rum" conjures up memories of sugary, neon-colored beach drinks, or perhaps that plastic-handle bottle of "Captain" someone brought to a college party. It’s a spirit often associated with sweetness, mixers, and hangovers. But there is a secret...]]></description><link>https://ampersandproduction.wixsite.com/lostroutestiki/post/the-bourbon-lover-s-guide-to-premium-aged-rum</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a0f346c3f38f601fd93061c</guid><pubDate>Thu, 21 May 2026 16:35:56 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/https://cdn.marblism.com/hHhaou0mCoF.webp/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Bongo Ben</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Curating the Paradise: Organic Mug Displays and the Art of the Tiki Shelf]]></title><description><![CDATA[Building a tiki collection is a journey. It starts with one humble souvenir from a vacation or a thrifted mid-century find, and before you know it, your kitchen cabinets are overflowing with ceramic pineapples, Moai, and hula girls. But there is a distinct difference between "storing" a collection and "curating" a paradise. In the world of Lost Routes Tiki, we believe your home bar should feel like a hidden gem: a roadside discovery tucked away from the modern world. To achieve that, you need...]]></description><link>https://ampersandproduction.wixsite.com/lostroutestiki/post/curating-the-paradise-organic-mug-displays-and-the-art-of-the-tiki-shelf</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a00f3629b0abb41c545d981</guid><pubDate>Sun, 10 May 2026 21:06:42 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/https://cdn.marblism.com/gbKGZsicwXz.webp/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Bongo Ben</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Three Hearts, One Spirit: A Deep Dive into Johnny Depp’s New Rum]]></title><description><![CDATA[If you’ve been hanging around the tiki scene for more than five minutes, you know that the "celebrity spirit" trend is usually something we greet with a healthy dose of skepticism. We’ve seen the endless parade of celebrity tequilas and gins that look great on a shelf but taste like a chemistry project. So, when news started swirling about Johnny Depp launching his own rum, the collective eyebrow of the tiki community definitely went up. But here’s the thing: Johnny isn’t just some guy who...]]></description><link>https://ampersandproduction.wixsite.com/lostroutestiki/post/three-hearts-one-spirit-a-deep-dive-into-johnny-depp-s-new-rum</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69eb943b68a38bf40d10f817</guid><pubDate>Fri, 24 Apr 2026 16:03:07 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/https://cdn.marblism.com/ns9u3awdnwB.webp/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Bongo Ben</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[The Artifact Hunt: 5 Pro Tips for Sourcing Authentic Tiki Treasures]]></title><description><![CDATA[There is a specific kind of adrenaline that hits when you’re standing in a dusty corner of a Midwest antique mall, the air smelling of old paper and cedar, and you spot it: the unmistakable silhouette of a mid-century Witco carving or a rare Otagiri mug tucked behind a stack of floral dinnerware. For those of us in the world of Lost Routes Tiki, the "hunt" isn't just about decorating a room; it’s about world-building. It’s about finding those pieces that have a story to tell: items that carry...]]></description><link>https://ampersandproduction.wixsite.com/lostroutestiki/post/the-artifact-hunt-5-pro-tips-for-sourcing-authentic-tiki-treasures</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69e8ea18d06bed7d1a9e32ad</guid><pubDate>Wed, 22 Apr 2026 15:32:40 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/https://cdn.marblism.com/z0fzIr599Te.webp/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Bongo Ben</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Beyond the Tiki Mug]]></title><description><![CDATA[Let’s be honest: we all love the mugs. We’ve all spent way too much money on limited-edition ceramics, spent hours scouring eBay for vintage Orchids of Hawaii pieces, and dedicated far too much shelf space to glazed idols that stare back at us with judgmental, unblinking eyes. But if you think a tiki bar is defined solely by the vessel your drink comes in, you’re missing the forest for the (plastic) palm trees. At Lost Routes Tiki, we live for the details that happen above  the rim of the...]]></description><link>https://ampersandproduction.wixsite.com/lostroutestiki/post/beyond-the-tiki-mug</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69e2c8f843fd38a1bb70828d</guid><pubDate>Fri, 17 Apr 2026 23:57:45 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/https://cdn.marblism.com/WfnwgiZbchB.webp/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Bongo Ben</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[The High-Ester Road: Navigating Jamaica’s Best Distillery Tours]]></title><description><![CDATA[If you’ve ever sat at a dim tiki bar, staring down the straw of a Mai Tai that tasted like a tropical lightning strike, you’ve probably experienced the "funk." In the world of rum, that funk: a complex, overripe, wildly aromatic profile: is the calling card of Jamaica. It’s the result of high-ester counts, wild fermentation, and centuries of tradition that haven’t bowed to modern industrial efficiency. For tiki fans chasing the perfect bottle, Jamaica isn't just a vacation spot; it’s a...]]></description><link>https://ampersandproduction.wixsite.com/lostroutestiki/post/the-high-ester-road-navigating-jamaica-s-best-distillery-tours</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69d940dc46e8409f60b16f90</guid><pubDate>Fri, 10 Apr 2026 18:26:36 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/https://cdn.marblism.com/0-GCZO1Pr7i.webp/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Bongo Ben</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[The Art of the Wrong Turn: Why You Can Trust Us to Lead You Somewhere Great]]></title><description><![CDATA[If you’ve spent any time following Lost Routes Tiki, you know our name isn’t just a catchy bit of branding. It’s a philosophy. In a world where GPS tells us exactly how many seconds we are away from our destination, and Yelp filters out anything with a "weird" vibe, we believe that the best parts of life happen when you take the wrong turn. Think about your favorite travel memory. Was it the perfectly timed boarding of a flight? Probably not. It was likely that time you got lost in a seaside...]]></description><link>https://ampersandproduction.wixsite.com/lostroutestiki/post/the-art-of-the-wrong-turn-why-you-can-trust-us-to-lead-you-somewhere-great</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69d5446af1e9d95ab5e7b0ec</guid><pubDate>Tue, 07 Apr 2026 17:52:42 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/https://cdn.marblism.com/5ZfJlYXkE1n.webp/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Bongo Ben</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Permits &#38; Predictions: Inside the Technical Overhaul of the Enchanted Tiki Bar]]></title><description><![CDATA[If you’ve tried to snag a walk-up reservation at the Disneyland Hotel recently, you already know the tragic news: the heavy wooden doors of Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar are currently bolted shut. Since March 2, 2026, the world’s most famous watering hole has been under wraps for a massive refurbishment. While some fans are content to sip a Shrunken Zombie Head on the patio or retreat to Tangaroa Terrace, we at Lost Routes Tiki have been doing what we do best: digging through the technical...]]></description><link>https://ampersandproduction.wixsite.com/lostroutestiki/post/permits-predictions-inside-the-technical-overhaul-of-the-enchanted-tiki-bar</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69d18601cc46c6bc6b9ff708</guid><pubDate>Sat, 04 Apr 2026 21:43:30 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/https://cdn.marblism.com/xbmvZ6NzD1w.webp/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Bongo Ben</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Lost Routes: Why Your Tropical Escape Starts Here]]></title><description><![CDATA[Let’s be honest for a second. You’re likely reading this because you’ve reached that point in life where the standard "happy hour" at a chain restaurant just doesn’t cut it anymore. You’ve probably got a closet full of Reyn Spooner shirts, a growing collection of ceramic mugs that look like angry deities, and a deep-seated desire to find a place where the lighting is low, the music is exotica, and the rum is actually overproof. Welcome to Lost Routes Tiki. If you’re looking for a generic...]]></description><link>https://ampersandproduction.wixsite.com/lostroutestiki/post/lost-routes-why-your-tropical-escape-starts-here</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69ce96f6f7044e6cf7a8e002</guid><pubDate>Thu, 02 Apr 2026 16:19:02 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/https://cdn.marblism.com/rfwpHKFGAOz.webp/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Bongo Ben</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[The Rum Runner's Guide: 5 Essential Bottles for Your Home Tropical Escape]]></title><description><![CDATA[You’ve done it. You’ve cleared out the corner of the basement, wrestled with bamboo fencing that gave you more splinters than a beaver in a lumber yard, and finally installed that dimmable lighting rig that turns your suburban home into a 1950s island portal. The atmosphere is thick, the exotica music is playing softly in the background, and the pufferfish lamp is casting the perfect glow. But then you look at your liquor cabinet. If all you’ve got is a dusty bottle of spiced rum from three...]]></description><link>https://ampersandproduction.wixsite.com/lostroutestiki/post/the-rum-runner-s-guide-5-essential-bottles-for-your-home-tropical-escape</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69c4c22f60f0b8e1134ca15f</guid><pubDate>Thu, 26 Mar 2026 05:20:47 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/https://cdn.marblism.com/u6hD9TJTTyy.webp/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Bongo Ben</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Mixing Tiki with Confidence: The Golden Ratio of Unforgettable Cocktails]]></title><description><![CDATA[Walking into a hidden gem tiki bar: one of those dimly lit, mom-and-pop spots tucked away in a strip mall or behind an unmarked door: is an experience for the senses. You’re greeted by the smell of spent lime shells, the warmth of sandalwood incense, and the rhythmic sound of a pebble ice machine working overtime. But the real magic happens when that drink lands in front of you. It’s complex, layered, and perfectly balanced. For many home enthusiasts or burgeoning influencers, trying to...]]></description><link>https://ampersandproduction.wixsite.com/lostroutestiki/post/mixing-tiki-with-confidence-the-golden-ratio-of-unforgettable-cocktails</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69bd6896cf14a7a450c911ec</guid><pubDate>Fri, 20 Mar 2026 15:32:38 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/https://cdn.marblism.com/FGhr4BdaN7y.webp/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Bongo Ben</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Liquid Gold: What Makes a Mai Tai Cost as Much as a Flight?]]></title><description><![CDATA[If you walked into a tiki bar and saw a cocktail on the menu priced at $70, you’d probably do a double-take. If you saw one priced at $800, you’d likely assume it was a typo: or perhaps a very expensive joke. But in the world of high-end tiki, these aren't typos. They are invitations to drink history. Recently, our IG post about the "Most Expensive Mai Tai" blew up. It seems everyone has an opinion on whether a drink can actually be worth the price of a round-trip ticket to Maui. To the...]]></description><link>https://ampersandproduction.wixsite.com/lostroutestiki/post/liquid-gold-what-makes-a-mai-tai-cost-as-much-as-a-flight</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69bd6830f20a14d18812718e</guid><pubDate>Fri, 20 Mar 2026 15:30:56 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/https://cdn.marblism.com/rz_BV0xJGft.webp/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Bongo Ben</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Tiki Bar Lighting Part 3: Essential Fixtures &#38; The Art of Layering]]></title><description><![CDATA[Welcome back, tiki travelers! If you've been following along with Parts 1 and 2 of this series, you've already learned how to set the mood with low-light magic and  you’ve got the technical “hacks” in your pocket (LED weirdness, gels, ND filters, dimming fixes, the whole deal). Now it’s time for the fun part: taking that vibe + those fixes and applying them to the fixtures that make tiki lighting feel real . This post is the Grand Finale—where your tiki bar transforms from "a room with some...]]></description><link>https://ampersandproduction.wixsite.com/lostroutestiki/post/tiki-bar-lighting-part-3-essential-fixtures-the-art-of-layering</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69b30d57ecfce39c49aa7c36</guid><pubDate>Thu, 12 Mar 2026 19:00:41 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/https://cdn.marblism.com/mGqWFTZ4wF9.webp/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Bongo Ben</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Tiki Bar Lighting Part 2: Solving the LED Dilemma with Pro Tricks]]></title><description><![CDATA[Welcome back, tiki travelers! In Part 1 of this series , we talked about the “Low and Slow” philosophy: start dark, build warmth gradually, and let shadows and mystery do the heavy lifting. We also teased the weird downside a lot of folks run into when they try to dial LEDs down into that cozy zone—those “LED headaches” (eye strain, flicker fatigue, and on-camera banding). Here's the thing: LEDs are everywhere. They're energy-efficient, they last forever, and they come in every color...]]></description><link>https://ampersandproduction.wixsite.com/lostroutestiki/post/tiki-bar-lighting-part-2-solving-the-led-dilemma-with-pro-tricks</link><guid isPermaLink="false">697b92824c1c36a19b781253</guid><pubDate>Thu, 29 Jan 2026 17:01:54 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/https://cdn.marblism.com/FPOp2OEAQYM.webp/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Bongo Ben</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Tiki Bar Lighting Part 1: Mastering the Mood]]></title><description><![CDATA[Welcome to Part 1 of our three-part series on tiki bar lighting. Whether you're building out a backyard paradise or just trying to level up your home bar game, this series is going to walk you through everything you need to know about creating that perfect tiki atmosphere.  Why Lighting Is the Unsung Hero of Tiki  Let's be real for a second. You can have the most incredible tiki mugs, the best rum collection on your block, and bamboo that would make a panda weep with joy. But if your lighting...]]></description><link>https://ampersandproduction.wixsite.com/lostroutestiki/post/tiki-bar-lighting-part-1-mastering-the-mood-1</link><guid isPermaLink="false">697a848cc1bd63f263fd8bc4</guid><pubDate>Wed, 28 Jan 2026 21:50:05 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/https://cdn.marblism.com/aoOKTArCggb.webp/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Bongo Ben</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Rum Curious Summit: Everything You Need to Know]]></title><description><![CDATA[If you've ever stood at a tiki bar, staring at the rum menu like it's written in ancient hieroglyphics, wondering what separates an agricole from an aged Jamaican, this event was literally made for you. The Rum Curious Summit 2026  is rolling into San Diego on February 21st, and whether you're a seasoned rum nerd or someone who's convinced they "don't like rum," this is your golden ticket to change everything you thought you knew about the spirit. Let's break down exactly what to expect, how...]]></description><link>https://ampersandproduction.wixsite.com/lostroutestiki/post/rum-curious-summit-everything-you-need-to-know</link><guid isPermaLink="false">696eb6a9397a441be1bd93a6</guid><pubDate>Mon, 19 Jan 2026 22:56:41 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/https://cdn.marblism.com/-nMM2IazrWy.webp/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Bongo Ben</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Are Traditional Tiki Bars Cultural Appropriation? Here's What Experts Are Saying]]></title><description><![CDATA[Walk into any tiki bar today and you're immediately transported to a world of carved wooden idols, bamboo furnishings, and tropical drinks served in ceramic mugs shaped like ancient gods. But behind the Instagram-worthy aesthetics lies a question that's been brewing in the tiki community: Are we celebrating culture or appropriating it? The answer, according to experts, isn't as simple as a mai tai recipe. It's a complex cocktail of history, intention, and ongoing evolution that deserves a...]]></description><link>https://ampersandproduction.wixsite.com/lostroutestiki/post/are-traditional-tiki-bars-cultural-appropriation-here-39-s-what-experts-are-saying</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6969713a3e23fce293709f2e</guid><pubDate>Thu, 15 Jan 2026 22:59:06 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/https://cdn.marblism.com/PFkL8Bpp1si.webp/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Bongo Ben</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spotlight on Tiki Tony: How One Artist Redefined Modern Tiki Style]]></title><description><![CDATA[If you've been hanging around tiki bars, scrolling through collector forums, or attending Polynesian pop events in the last decade, you've probably encountered the work of Tiki Tony. This California-based artist has quietly become one of the most recognizable names in modern tiki culture, and his journey from teenage carver to industry influencer is exactly the kind of story that makes this community so damn special.  Artwork &#38; video courtesy of Tiki Tony (@tikitonyart).  Artwork courtesy of...]]></description><link>https://ampersandproduction.wixsite.com/lostroutestiki/post/spotlight-on-tiki-tony-how-one-artist-redefined-modern-tiki-style</link><guid isPermaLink="false">696527e9f5f6771556746b1b</guid><pubDate>Mon, 12 Jan 2026 16:57:13 GMT</pubDate><dc:creator>Bongo Ben</dc:creator></item></channel></rss>