I’m Freaky for Tiki #16: R.I.P. Don the Beachcomber

It is with a heavy heart that I bid farewell to Don the Beachcomber in Huntington Beach. I only got to visit the place once--about four years ago. I always meant to go back and get better pictures (which is why I delayed writing about it for so long. My photos are pretty AWFUL. My delay in posting anything since its closure was due to my being unable--until now--to find those old bad photos). There were several occasions where I almost got there, but didn't. Another time, I thought. But that time never came--and now Don's is closed. Forever. Here then, bad as they are, are the photos taken that lone night at Don's...

The time I did get to go, I was with my friends Christa Polkinhorn, Eric Tallman and Trin Gibney.  They are all my friends, but this was their first time meeting each other--and my first time meeting Christa in the flesh (having been email pals for a few years prior). I was visiting the Los Angeles area with Trin along for the ride. I was bound and determined to visit Don's on that trip. Trin and I were staying near the airport. Christa lives in Santa Monica and Eric lives in Costa Mesa. Don's was a good central (well, maybe not for Christa) meeting point. I had been anxious to visit for years. (Special THANKS to Christa for the use of some additional photos she had taken that night.)

Another shot of the crew with me. Notice Eric's eyes are closed again (as in the photo above?) There is a shot or two of him with his eyes open...can you find them? Ha!

We started off with drinks in the bar. Fortunately we got there early enough to score a booth for the four of us. I was quickly enamored with the place. The liberal use of bamboo, palm frond thatch and coconut logs made me really feel as if I were on the set of some wild "Gilligan's Island" reboot. It was loud and fun and the drinks were ginormous.

The Rum Barrels Eric, Trin and I had were indeed large. Eric and Trin nursed theirs all evening long.

I believe Christa opted for a classic Mai Tai to start with.

But she clearly sampled many different drinks (all before dinner! SHOCKING!)

Cheers, Christa!

The waiting area of the main dining room also had me in a relaxed, tropical mood.

There wasn't anyone ahead of us, really, but we did have a bit of a wait to be seated.

I wish I had poked around a bit more and taken many more photos. I had heard there was a "secret hidden village"---which I really wanted to see. I did inquire about it, but was told that it was being used by a private party that evening. Darn it all.

The dining room was spacious and nicely detailed. I could have done without the Easter decor though. Who knew these would be the only photos I'd ever have of the place? For dinner, Trin enjoyed her burger and fruit cup.

Christa tried the ribs and coleslaw.

I don't recall what Eric had, but according to this (bad) shot of me, I seem to have had a chicken salad. 

Ah, yes...the drink menu.

Here is a photo of Eric (with his eyes closed--as usual) and I in front of an Easter decorated bamboo background.

 This fountain was just across the room from us.

Here is a shot of the fountain taken from our booth.

More of the dining room...

And here is some freaky tiki wall decor.

Another shot of Eric and I, but this time, Eric has his eyes open. Ha! I'll drink to that.

I did have the foresight to order myself a drink in an official Don the Beachcomber mug. Thank goodness I still have that.

All too soon it was time to leave...

I really wanted to get back to Don's for a second (and third and fourth and...) experience. Being there that night with so many friends--especially with it being the first night of really getting to know Christa--I'm afraid my observations about Don's were minimal. I just was not able to really get to know the place. It is unfortunate---but I am super glad I did get to go there at least once.

Don's closed on April 15th of this year---my birthday. On that day, I was sitting in a tiki bar (High Roller Tiki Lounge) in Solvang on a little vacation. Had I known Don's was closing, my butt would have been seated in a booth there instead. Drat the luck.

The website for Don the Beachcomber is still up and running. It says that they were forced to close by increasing rent demands but that they are looking for a location to possibly re-open some day. Let's hope it happens. I will go back---and this time I'll pay better attention and take better photos.

Aloha, Don's. I only just got to know ya....

CHEERS!

PS You can visit Don's The Beachcomber on Critiki by clicking HERE.