Twisted Tiki: Downtown Santa Ana’s Hidden Bar Oasis

​Downtown Santa Ana is home to many unique bars which bring crowds of people during the weekends. The Twisted Tiki opened at McFadden Public Market back in May of this year and has quickly gained a massive following. Their island vibes and deliciously crafted drinks make this the perfect place to escape the at times hectic weekend environment. 

 Mana is the visionary behind the Twisted Tiki. A native Hawaiian, Mana was determined to bring a little piece of paradise to Orange County. “I want it to feel like you are back home with me in Hawaii. I want the vibe to be chill and relaxed.”

Once you enter the bar you are instantly transported to another place. The venue is very intimate with ukulele music playing in the background and a live stream of a Hawaiian beach playing on the TV making it the perfect atmosphere to sit back, relax, and enjoy a drink. 

​The Purple Polynesian Sunset is one of Twisted Tiki’s signature cocktails and their number one bestseller. Mana named it after the purple sunsets of the Hawaiian Islands. If you come at the right time you can see it for yourself on their live stream. This purple pina colada is a smooth and creamy cocktail that is garnished with a made-to-order caramelized pineapple slice. There is a reason why this drink is their best seller, it is simply delicious. 

​The Lua Punch is another one of the Twisted Tiki’s signature cocktails. This drink has Malibu Run, Captain Morgan dark rum, and a mix of tropical juices and bitters. The Lua punch can be purchased as a single cocktail or served in a half shell for two-four people to share. 

The Twisted Tiki created fun names for all their signature drinks like the humuhumunukunukuapua'a, a tequila based drink named after the state fish of Hawaii. The King Kamehameha pays homage to the great first ruler of the Kingdom of Hawaii. The drink is made with ghost pepper syrup and packs a powerful punch. 

​Twisted Tiki is also serving the classics like Mai Tais, Daiquiris, and Painkillers. When it comes to crafting cocktails, Mana strives to create well-balanced drinks that everyone can enjoy. His philosophy on cocktails works. The ingredients of the beverages are perfect blends of alcohol, spices, and tropical flavors, leaving you satisfied and wanting more. 

To ensure that everyone gets a chance to visit paradise the Twisted Tiki has a time limit of 1 hour per visit. This policy is played out only when there is a wait. Coming in on a weekday will probably guarantee you some more time in this tropical oasis. 

Mana is already planning on expanding the Twisted Tiki to an outdoor lounge. His concept is to have outdoor seating where customers can take their drinks and feel like they are in someones backyard in Hawaii. 

Mana credits the success of the Tiki bar to having a menu of well balanced and delicious drinks that are made by amazing people. The Twisted Tiki is open Tuesday - Thursday from 5 pm - 10 pm and Friday - Saturday from 5 pm - 1 pm. 

Make it a hop: Enjoy a downtown tropical trist by starting at Twisted Tiki, then sailing over to Vacation Bar, Mix Mix Kitchen & Bar and Irenia for a full trek of tropical high-end drinks.

Article by Jennifer Morones 
Photos provided by Twisted Tiki, Jennifer Morones and Arlene Viveros