For someone with the nom de plume “Beachbum,” Jeff Berry sure has been busy lately. Not content with the award-winning Beachbum Berry’s Latitude 29 in New Orleans, the author-turned-barkeep expanded his Tiki cocktail empire with the annual Sippin’ Santa pop-up that topped more than 50 locations worldwide during the 2024 winter season.
Now, one of the pioneers of the 21st century revival of classic tropical cocktails has teamed up with Omni Hotels & Resorts for a new summer concept that will feature delicious drinks in themed bars dubbed Tiki Social, stretching from New York City to San Diego. Starting Memorial Day weekend and running through Labor Day, this “Tiki-inspired cocktail experience” will include six drinks (and two mocktails) created by Berry in partnership with Omni’s bar team and available exclusively at 11 hotel properties.
“Tiki has always been about transporting people, if only for a moment, to someplace sunny, breezy, and far from the everyday,” Berry said in a joint announcement with the Dallas-based chain. “Working with Omni Hotels & Resorts on Tiki Social let us bring that sense of fun to all kinds of spaces, whether you’re lounging at a resort or ducking into a city bar after work. These drinks were designed to make every sip feel like a mini vacation.”
This getaway will include such signature cocktails as The Coconutty Islander (served in a fresh coconut), Totem’s Kiss, and The Bitter Birdie. To complete the experience, the hotels will transform indoor and outdoor bar spaces into “vibrant tropical escapes” with extended evening hours every Friday and Saturday. Tiki Social will be open to both Omni guests and the public.
The 11 locations announced in the May 15 press release include three in Texas, three in California, two in Florida, plus one each in Georgia, New York and Minnesota. Here’s the list with links to official sites: