I’m Moving To Florida! (+20 Years)

Flashback Friday!  It’s now 25 years since I moved to Florida!

Have You Had Your Tiki Today?

As of today, February 5, I have lived in Florida for twenty years.

I braved a solo five day moving truck trip through a freakish Mississippi ice storm and a final leg across the panhandle that seemed extraordinarily long, arriving in Flagler Beach in the early evening.   It was a cold, blustery Saturday but it felt like paradise after the -46 wind chill I left 5 days earlier in southern Missouri.

I didn’t come with much.  A 10′ moving van filled with some of my parents’ things they had left with me when they came to Florida a few years before, lots of books, clothes, and some heirloom furnishings.  I had sold most of my furniture, electronics, and even my car to finance the trip.    I had just turned 24 and was coming off a three year “tour of duty” as a juvenile corrections officer.

With one of my…

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Holiday Drinks for Island Time Radio

A trio of year end cocktails, as featured on tonight’s Island Time Radio Show.

Tiki Says: Designate a driver before you go out!

Hot Buttered Mocha
1 1/2 oz butterscotch schnapps
1 pkg instant hot cocoa
hot coffee
Combine all ingredients in a coffee mug. Top with whipped cream, if desired.

Mele Kalikimaka
2 oz gin
1/2 oz triple sec
1/2 oz pineapple juice
Stir with cracked ice ans strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with a pineapple chunk, a little paper parasol, and ride the trade winds to happy hula-days!!

Happy Ending
1 1/2 oz Absolut® Mandrin
1 oz cranberry Juice
club soda to balance
Combine over ice, using equal parts juice and soda.

Thanksgiving Cocktails for Island Time Radio

Apple Cider Mule

1 1/2 oz vodka

1/2 lime juiced

equal parts hard apple cider and ginger beer

Mix in your favorite glass with crushed ice.

Cranberry Margarita

1 1/2 oz tequila

3/4 oz triple sec or cointreau

1/2 lime juiced

cranberry juice to balance

Pour over ice in a salt rimmed glass (optional). Garnish with limes, or cranberries, or both!

Daytona News Journal Best Around Awards (I Need Your Votes!)

I want you to want me!!!!

The Daytona Beach News Journal is holding their annual “Best Around Contest” voting from today until July 29th and I am here to ask for your votes and endorse a few of my peers.    Please take a few minutes to help local businesses.

I’m asking you to join me in voting for these businesses.   

 

• Best Cigar Lounge: The Humidor Cigar Bar & Lounge
• Best Beer Selection: The Humidor Cigar Bar & Lounge
• Best Bar & Lounge:  The Humidor Cigar Bar & Lounge
• Best Event Planner: Fun Coast Bartending
• Best Local  Tourist Attraction:  TikiTender

 

 

• Best Live Entertainment:  European Village
• Best Concert Venue:  European Village
• Best Place For A Date:  European Village
• Best Local Festival:  Palm Coast Sunday Farmer’s & Artisans Market
• Best Customer Service:  Office Divvy
• Best DJ Service:  Pyramid Disc Jockeys
• Best Music School:  Mason Music
• Best Pet Shop:  The Bark Spot

 

Go here for the ballot http://news-journal.secondstreetapp.com/l/The-Flagler-Palm-Coast-NewsTribune-Readers-Choice

 

 

 

Party Punches For Phlocking Of The Phaithful

If you’re headed to Put In Bay for the 22nd Annual Phlocking of The Phaithful (or just wish you were) get prepared ahead of time with these  one gallon punch recipes!

Citron My Face
One 750 ml bottle Absolut Citron
One Liter bottle sour mix
One 2 Liter bottle of 7-Up

Build in a gallon jug, then pour over ice.  Be sure to give it a little shake before pouring.

Put In Punch
Half of a 750 ml bottle of Captain Morgan
Half of a 750 ml bottle of Malibu
8 oz vanilla vodka
Pineapple & Cranberry Juice
7-Up (Optional)

In a gallon jug,  combine the liquors and balance with equal parts juices.    Store until ready.   Pour over ice in your favorite party cup.  Add a little 7-Up to make it fizzy, if desired.

 

 

A Little Bit About Steelhead Double IPA

Steelhead Double IPA comes to us from Mad River Brewing  in Humboldt County, California.   Malty, hoppy and robust, Double IPA is dry hopped with Amarillo hops for a fresh piney and citrus flavor and aroma. Aggressively hopped, but perfectly balanced.  This is one of those weird IPAs that I (a stout drinker) have great appreciation for.   At 8.6% ABV and 95 IBU, this brew is not for the faint of palate.   The balance is what makes it great, in my opinion.

I featured this beer as part of Craft Beer Week  last year at The Humidor Cigar Bar & Lounge in Palm Coast.

Today (Wednesday) only, I am running this beer on special for $2.50.  That’s PBR price, people.  A perfect opportunity to try something new!

 

 

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It all started with a stranger walking up to the bar and asking “Aren’t you that TikiTender guy from Myspace?”

 

 

 

 

Promote Your Bar & Restaurant via Facebook

Facebook For Restaurants.  Are you doing it wrong?

Leap year has given us an extra Monday morning in February! I strongly urge you to use this extra day to learn more about Facebook for Restaurants. Fantastic mustaches recommended but not mandatory. PS Even though this class is directed toward restaurants & bars, any business owner can benefit. Click below to RSVP.

http://www.officedivvy.com/class/facebook-for-biz-breakfast/

Learning Opportunity in Palm Coast: Facebook For Restaurants

Flagler County Area restaurant, cafe, bar owners or managers who want to move the needle in 2016 with their social media communities should attend this workshop.

In this one-hour workshop, you will learn:

• Practical ways to keep your content fresh
• Concepts and tools for problem solving low-traffic nights
• A 2-minute thing you can do for your facebook page that’ll set your business apart
• Making your specials seen outside of your network
• Amplifying post and page-reach using your inner circle
• Measurement (Metrics/Analytics unpacked) so you can track
• Email addresses collected on facebook with a purpose
• Making sure page info is correct including your operating hours
• Picture-taking that elevates your brand and your team

When: Monday, February 8th, 2016
Time: 3:00PM-4:15PM
Location: 20 Airport Rd, Suite B
Price: $79.00*

Your instructors, Mark Woods & Ky Ekinci,  have combined 40 years experience in restaurants & hospitality.  

 

Click for more information and to reserve your seat.   

Come To Your Tiki Love Daddy (News from TikiTender)

This is what’s happening with me the next few weeks.

February 2 – How To Automate Social Media Workshop

I will be leading a workshop on social media automation over at Office Divvy’s CoWork location.

Participants will learn what a “bad share” looks like and learn tips and tricks on how to keep your social media content fresh – without being chained to a device – and how to post over multiple platforms without that robot-feeling.   Click for more info and to RSVP.

 

February 8 – Facebook For Restaurants

Learn how to elevate your Facebook business page, specific to restaurant, cafe, eatery establishments — guaranteed, when you attend this class!   I know a thing or two about restaurants and social media.

I will be leading this class with Ky Ekinci.   Don’t miss it.

February 11 – Responsible Vendor Training for Bartenders & Servers (TiPS On-Premise)

Join me as I teach bartenders and servers the legal & ethical ramifications of serving alcohol.   Learn strategies to prevent over-intoxication and underage drinking.  Make yourself a better bartender and make yourself more appealing to potential employers.

For more info, click here.  Cost is $55 per student.

February 21 – European Village 10 Year Anniversary Celebration

The Humidor will be participating in this all day celebration.  Kicking off at noon with a farmer’s market and kid-friendly games, the party will go all night long with fireworks at 9pm.    I hope you will stop by.  I will be giving away two boxes of Flagler Cigar Company cigars during the day!

 

 

Christmas…Ike Style

A Christmas story with a familiar face behind the bar.

blindoggbooks

‘Tis the season…right?

I guess that depends on who you ask.

As you know – Ike is not the sappy, emotional type, so how do you think he handles the onslaught of forced sentimentality every December?

It probably won’t surprise you…but let’s find out.

Don’t Call Me Carol

“So, tell me, why don’t you like Christmas?” Tiki asked as he handed Ike a bottle of Budweiser.

“No offense, Tiki,” Ike said, “but you’re a bartender at The Golden Lion…not a shrink.”

Tiki held his hands up, palms out. “Sorry. Just making conversation.”

“I don’t come here to chat.”

Tiki decided to try his conversational skills on the bikini-clad blonde at the end of the bar. Ike turned his attention to his beer.

He closed his eyes and saw Dodger. The ten-year-old memory hadn’t faded at all.

Dodger sat against the cave wall and dug into his MRE. Ike stood at…

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