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All you Need to Know to Open a Tiki Bar | Daniel Parks

Join Sid and Doc Parks as they discuss what goes behind creating a successful Tiki bar

About Daniel “Doc” Parks

Daniel “Doc” Parks got his start as the Tasting Room Manager at Orfila Vineyards in the San Pasqual Valley in North County San Diego. He moved to the Bay Area in 2011 to bartend at the Trader Vic’s Flagship Restaurant in Emeryville, CA. He was able to hone his cocktail making skills at the renowned polynesian-themed restaurant, and then spent time bartending in the San Francisco Fine Dining scene. In 2013, he joined the Future Bars group as the Bar Manager of Local Edition, a subterranean cocktail bar in the basement of the historic Hearst Building.

In 2016, Doc opened Pagan Idol, the group’s first Tiki Bar. He led the team responsible for concepting the bar's design and aesthetic, created the opening beverage program and cultivated their exceptional bar staff. Since its opening, Pagan Idol has fast gained global notoriety among the Tiki community and Rum enthusiasts alike. Two years later, with Doc again at the helm, the group opened their second Tiki Bar, Zombie Village. In addition to concepting the bar’s overall design and creating the beverage program, he also assembled a powerhouse of acclaimed tiki artists and award winning sound designers to create custom pieces and a tailormade soundtrack for the bar. As a result, Zombie Village is an astonishing feast for the senses!