Los Angeles Tropical Landmark
Tiki-Ti: The Family-Run Legend of Hollywood’s Golden Age Tiki
Los Angeles, California, United States
By the Wicked Cool Places editors · Published · Updated
Why it’s cool
This tiny Sunset Boulevard institution has been family-run since 1961, serving secret tropical recipes perfected by Ray Buhen, the legendary bartender who mixed drinks for Hollywood’s greatest icons.
A massive portrait of Ray Buhen greets every guest who squeezes into the intimate, wood-paneled interior of this Sunset Boulevard staple. For over sixty years, this tiny outpost has served as a portal to a bygone era of Polynesian pop culture, maintaining a level of authenticity that newer establishments can only attempt to replicate.
It is a place where the air is thick with the scent of fruit juices and secret syrups, and the walls are covered in decades of tropical ephemera. Those who appreciate unique beverages might also enjoy visiting Galco's Soda Pop Stop.
Why It Stands Out
The story of Tiki-Ti is inextricably linked to the golden age of Hollywood. Founder Ray Buhen was a master of his craft long before he opened his own doors in 1961.
He famously slung drinks for stars like Clark Gable, John Wayne, and Bette Davis. Many such icons of the silver screen are now memorialized at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery.
One of the bar's most enduring legends involves Ray’s time at "Christian’s Hut," a bar Gable bankrolled on Catalina Island during the filming of *Mutiny on the Bounty*. When Ray eventually looked to open a bartending school in a former violin shop, his father-in-law insisted he open a bar instead.
What truly sets this spot apart is its commitment to family legacy. To this day, the bar is entirely family-owned and operated, with only members of the Buhen lineage behind the stick.
They guard the original recipes closely, passing them down through three generations. If you visit on a Wednesday night at 8:30 PM, you can witness a heartfelt tradition: a toast to the "Master Ninja" himself, Ray Buhen, honoring the man who turned a small shop on Sunset into a world-renowned destination for tropical drink enthusiasts.
Before You Go
Located in Los Feliz near the intersection of Sunset Boulevard and Fountain Avenue, the bar is famously small and can fill up quickly. The neighborhood is also home to the historic Ennis House.
It remains a strictly cash-only establishment, so come prepared. Many of the drinks on the menu are the exact same concoctions Ray served when the doors first opened in the early sixties.
Questions worth answering
What's the story behind the people behind the bar?
The Buhen family has run this spot since 1961. You won't find any outside hires here; only direct descendants of the founder mix the drinks.
Is there a specific time to visit for the full experience?
Show up on a Wednesday at 8:30 PM. That's when the room stops for a toast to the original owner, Ray Buhen.
What should I have ready before I walk in?
The space is tiny and fills up fast, so don't bring a crowd. It's also cash only, so leave the credit cards at home.
How did this place get its start?
The building used to be a violin shop before it became a bar. We used the original source as a starting point and built our own editorial from there.
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