One Last Trip on THE SINKING SHIP

It only just opened a short while back–and I have only recently just visited it for the first time. But recently, I made a return visit–and I think it will probably be the last time I ever set sail on the Sinking Ship, as I am soon to move to Washington — and a return trip to Bakersfield, while possible, seems highly unlikely.

Yes, it was only my farewell voyage — but at least I had my favorite crew on board. Bernard, “Spongie”/Jorge, and Benny were slinging the drinks with precision, crafting cocktails that were just right.

I was with my friend, Erich. He had never been, of course, and was eager to check the place out. Unfortunately, the upstairs bar, Tiki-Ko, was still closed for refurbishment. I really like that little place, but sadly wouldn’t be able to visit it again either.

Erich and I only had time for one drink. It had to be a quick farewell. We had spent the day visiting places and still had several more to go before we got home.

While Spongie was making our drinks, I got a chance to talk to Benny. Benny had been the very first bartender to great me on my very first trip to Tiki-Ko. He had been amazing and had really set the tone of that whole experience which had been very positive. I’m glad he was there on my last visit.

I explained to Benny that I was moving and that I was on my farewell cruise on The Sinking Ship. He asked when I was moving and suggested that I could still come back, possibly when Tiko-Ko was operational again, before my end of October move. There just isn’t time for that, with all I have to get ready to do beforehand.

We got our drinks (I think we were sipping Chief Lapu Lapus. I don’t remember now…) and took a seat. The place wasn’t nearly as crowded as it had been on my first visit—so I was able really take in the work Tiki Diablo had done on the place and to get some better (?) photos. (I suck as a photographer…)

And then it was time to go. Benny was surprised we were only staying for the one drink. (Gasp! Do I have a reputation of imbibing more? SHOCKING!) I told him goodbye once more. He really is a great bartender. He came around the side of the bar, shook my hand, and gave me a hug. How nice.

It was a little strange going to a tiki bar, knowing you’d never be back. The Sinking Ship wasn’t like visiting a bar in Rome or London or even some random place in Oregon. The Sinking Ship is part of Tiki-Ko. Although it was two hours away, it was the closest tiki bar around–and I felt comfortable there. And as I ascended the steps of The Sinking Ship for the world outside, got into my car, and left Bakersfield behind, how could I not feel a bit sad? Sure, there’ll be other tiki bars–many, many of them, hopefully–but they won’t have that same, comfortable, feel-at-home feel that Tiki-Ko and The Sinking Ship had for me. But, that’s life. It’s time for me to hoist my anchor and set sail for new tiki adventures…

The Sinking Ship
1927 K Street
Bakersfield, CA 93301
(661) 493-0006
Email: info@tiki-ko.com
Website: https://www.tiki-ko.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tikikobakersfield/?hl=en
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tikikobakersfield/?rf=457278721135822