Pagan Idol, a Tiki Oasis From Future Bars Guys, Sneakily Opens in the FiDi

In typical Future Bars fashion, the prolific cocktail crew opened their newest bar, Pagan Idol, with a dramatic (and tropical) flourish. The group, whose other properties include Bourbon and Branch, Tradition and more, announced the opening of the seriously detailed tiki oasis via social media, shortly before opening their doors Wednesday night.

The bar itself is just around the corner from Rickhouse (also owned by Future Bars), offering two distinct tiki rooms. The front room is reminiscent of a ship's cabin, adorned with large aquariums full of tropical fish and ornate blown-glass sconces shaped like krakens, while portholes on the wall show actual video of sunsets on the horizon. Up a few steps is another bar in a larger room, filled with private tiki huts and a volcano that intermittently erupts, spewing smoke into the room. The huts feature handcarved posts from tiki master Al Evans, and artist Ivan Mora, who also crafted the lighting fixtures and volcano. Don't forget to look up, as the ceiling is covered in twinkling fiber optic lights, depicting the night sky.

And the team behind the bar is just as committed, including two transplants from tiki institution Tonga Room, and managers Daniel Parks (Trader Vic's in Emeryville) and Hawaiian native Justin D'Olier (Tupper & Reed). Drinks are classic tiki, though with Future Bar upgrades. Expect drinks like the Witch Doctor, featuring rhum martinique, Jamaican rum, grapefruit, lime, passionfruit, spices, egg white and ancient curse, served in a ceramic idol. There's also a selection of large format drinks like the flaming Fassionala Gold, that's chock full of rum and designed to serve 4-5 drinkers. Luckily the menu features helpful illustrations of each drink, allowing less discerning boozehounds to choose their beverages based on shape (think skull mug vs hurricane glass).

Pagan Idol is now open Monday-Friday from 4:00 p.m.- 2:00 a.m. and Saturday from 6:00 p.m.- 2:00 a.m.

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