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Puka Bar, Long Beach, CA (bar) |
GiantRobotTiki
Tiki Centralite
Joined: Apr 24, 2004
Posts: 69
From: Van Nuys, Ca. (Lake Balboa to the snobs)
|  Posted: 2010-03-11 8:05 pm Permalink
Went to the Puka Bar about a week ago for the 1st time. Nice place! People were friendly. Bar-tender was VERY cool and kept coming back to talk with us. Really enjoyed my 1st experience there. I would highly recommend this place to anyone thats looking for a Poly-pop watering hole in Long Beach.
Interesting side note. My girl told me that all the bars in the local vicinity used to be watering holes for the long shore men in the 40's during the war. So I guess a lot of the bars on that street and neighboring streets have been bars for quite some time.
Anywho....just my 2 cents.
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King Bushwich the 33rd
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Jan 10, 2005
Posts: 933
From: Ling Cod Beach, CA 90803
| Posted: 2011-03-18 2:17 pm Permalink
Ownership change at the Puka Bar
Press Telegram: Tim Grobaty Column-Puka Bar
Possible change to Puka Bar itself? It may become a bikini bar? Stay tuned
_________________
->>King Bushwich 33rd on Hulu.com<<-
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JOHN-O
Grand Member (first year) 
Joined: May 16, 2008
Posts: 2457
From: Dogtown, USA
| Posted: 2011-03-18 3:02 pm Permalink
Nice !! There's a long standing tradition for T&A in the Tiki bar...
That's the reason for Tiki Bob's smile. 
(Credit Swanky for the pics. I poached them from his website.)
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congawa
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Aug 11, 2008
Posts: 340
From: Long Beach, CA
| Posted: 2011-03-25 09:21 am Permalink
Here's a status update on the Puka Bar that was posted on their former Facebook page (now called "Tiki Drinki") this morning. I'm omitting the name of the poster because I don't know what their connection is or isn't--I think it might be one of the former DJs:
"At this point the bikini aspect is not a for sure. Our guess is the new owners will have trouble vis a vis the entertainment license regarding this. They've already done a lot of renovation. Jacked up the bar and moved it out and back in the room. Knocked out some walls, new flooring, etc. Major cash injection!! And, it's no longer "you guys" as in Larry. Completely new ownership and staff. Retaining the name and decor only. Not gonna do live music as far as we've heard. One of the new owners was a manager at MaiTai Bar at the Pike, so they have bar experience."
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bigtikidude
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Aug 10, 2004
Posts: 8258
From: Anaheim,Ca.
| Posted: 2011-03-25 1:50 pm Permalink
Hmmmmmmmmm?
too bad,
just as the really cool shows were starting to happen there.
oh well....
Jeff(btd)
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Swangulo Tikis
Tiki Centralite
Joined: Feb 24, 2008
Posts: 50
From: Redondo Beach, CA
| Posted: 2011-04-11 8:51 pm Permalink
We were here a while back to see one of my husband's bands play, and I wasn't overly impressed. It had some cool elements, but the drinks weren't great, for the most part, and we found a huge gaudy plastic "Party City" tiki mask in there.
The mai tai was the most disgusting one I've ever had. Really syrupy and sweet, and when I told the bartender that it was really syrupy, far too sweet, and tasted "off," she insisted that this is the way they are made. Ha! I don't believe in arguing with idiots, so I switched to beer. Might have to give it another try sometime, now that it's changed hands - maybe the drinks will improve.
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johnnievelour
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Mar 25, 2002
Posts: 444
From: LongBeach
| Posted: 2011-05-19 3:35 pm Permalink
I just drove by the location and their new signage is up. It's called Sandbar Bar and Lounge.
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Jason Wickedly
Grand Member (4 years) 
Joined: Jan 01, 2008
Posts: 701
From: LBCTIKI
| Posted: 2011-06-03 08:13 am Permalink
Here's a "Help Wanted" ad for new staff...
Servers & Bartenders Wanted – Long Beach
SANDbar long Beach
Bar & Lounge
Looking for Bartenders and Servers.
MUST BE 21 YEARS OF AGE TO APPLY!!!
1 YEAR bartender or server experience necessary!
Bikini Bar and Lounge : island theme atmosphere
Uniform:
1. Bikini top with jean shorts (day)
2. Bikini top with tank top (bar logo) with black shorts (night)
Venue will be featuring high profile DJs and Bands Weekly!
FULL Bar! State of the Art Audio and Visual Systems!
Be part of the Newest and Hottest Bar & Lounge in LongBeach!
3 Stage Hiring Process:
1st – Send 1 page resume with a head and full body shot
2nd – Fill out application in Person
3rd – 1 on 1 five minute interview
Grand Opening to be on March 12th (tentative)
New hires START DATE: March 1st (tentative)
Send 1 page resume with a head shot and full body to XXXXXXXXX
Time to change the Puka Bar's status to "DEFUNCT", I'm thinking?
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Bora Boris
Mr. Unreasonable
Joined: Mar 25, 2005
Posts: 2401
From: Boogie Wonderland
| Posted: 2011-06-03 09:17 am Permalink
Okay, it's changed.
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Iscah
Tiki Centralite
Joined: Jun 03, 2011
Posts: 61
From: Quiet Village Tiki Lounge, MD
| Posted: 2011-06-03 10:00 am Permalink
Oh, that sucks. I remember going here after my thesis defense. Although, maybe I should apply for a job. I am trying to get back to California.
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1961surf
Grand Member (3 years) 
Joined: May 03, 2007
Posts: 1894
From: Newport Beach, Ca .
| Posted: 2011-08-17 08:16 am Permalink
I heard thru the grapevine ....the Puka bar is no longer a Tiki bar and has turned
into a strip club.Is there any validity to this ? Has anyone been there lately ?
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1961surf
Grand Member (3 years)
Joined: May 03, 2007
Posts: 1894
From: Newport Beach, Ca .
| Posted: 2011-08-17 08:21 am Permalink
After searching the internet , the Puka Bar is definitely closed !This may be old news
to some TC peeps !
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