CORAL CLUB: I Got Lei’d For A Dollar…And Left With A Smile!

Tiki Kon is fast approaching. Having never been to any tiki event or convention before, this one in nearby Portland, OR looks to be a great way to finally check one out. Plans have been made, hotel rooms booked, and things coordinated among my friends. I hope it will be a swell time. However, I figured that when we get there, the Portland tiki bars (The Alibi and Hale Pale) will be jam packed. An alternative would be the tiki spots across the river in Vancouver, WA. Wahi Hana has already proven to be big on size and even bigger on hospitality. What about the other bar, The Coral Club? Would it be worth dragging my friends on a 20-30 minute trip across the river? There was only one way to find out… And off I went to investigate.

I arrived at The Coral Club right after opening on a Friday night. I was the first one there and the crew was still making last-minute preparations for the evening ahead. That was fine with me. It gave me a moment to look around.

The Coral Club is beautiful. It is a smaller bar (which is why reservations are required on the weekends), but I generally prefer those more intimate settings when it comes to tiki time. There are no booths, which was a smart move as booths would have made the place appear even smaller than it is. The seating that is there is in the midst of simple, yet effective, tiki décor. The front wall of the seating area features a huge “window” overlooking a stunning tropical setting. There are the traditional bamboo mat-covered walls, but there’s an interesting use of faux rock and artificial greenery utilized as wall coverings as well.

The lighting really adds to the immersiveness of the place. The deep reds along the back wall contrast the blues at the bar nicely, with variously colored accent lighting here and there. There is a cluster of disco balls in the center of the main seating area, adding an interesting twist to the traditional tiki décor while also reflecting the lights surrounding them. In addition, I noticed a nice selection of tiki lamps dangling around the bar. It’s comfortably swanky place.

I started my evening off with a classic Mai Tai. Any tiki bar worth its salt should be able to serve up this classic cocktail competently — and Coral Club did not disappoint. It was a delightful and tasty blend of rums, orgeat, curaçao, and demerara, all so precisely balanced.

With it, I decided to have dinner. I enjoyed the Fried Rice with chicken entrée. There was a savory jumble of carrots, celery, onion, red pepper mixed in and all of it topped with a fried egg.

A few other patrons came in as I sat there, each being seated away from the bar. It was still early in the evening and the pace was still relatively slow. That gave me a chance to chat with the staff.

There were three rather amiable people on duty that night. Lyric was the hostess, while Jeremy and Conner worked behind the bar. I told them how well done I thought the place was and I asked about its history. I was surprised to learn that The Coral Club had opened just last November, mere weeks before Wahi Hana debuted.

It was time for a second drink. I couldn’t help but order a Lava Flow (I’m a sucker for those.), despite trying to watch me diet. But, hello? I traveled miles to get there. I deserved it. And, like the Mai Tai, it did not disappoint.

The Lava Flow was a creamy, yummy mix of rums, banana liqueur, pineapple, and cream of coconut. Ooo. It’s more like a dessert than a cocktail.

About this time, I needed to use the bathroom. I went in, did my thing, and…  As I was leaving (Gasp!), I was propositioned! There, in one corner of the alcove that houses the bathrooms, is a machine. According to the signage on it, I could “get lei’d” for only a dollar! Not since my visit to Dead Man’s Isle in Astoria, OR where I encountered the cool Munktki tiki mug vending machine was I so delighted to find a similar machine. Fortunately, I had a dollar on me. (Quarters only, kids!) Yowza!

Not long after my chance encounter, I was back at the bar…and needing another drink. I opted for a Missionary’s Downfall. The combination of rum, peach liqueur, honey, lime, pineapple, and mint was a frothy delight…and the perfect choice to cap off the evening.

While I sipped, I inquired about tiki mugs. Did The Coral Club have a signature mug? Some generic mugs were available—none of which were labeled “Coral Club.” I passed. Then Lyric said she thought they still had one of the mugs left that they had opened with. A little searching here and there revealed one last mug. Sold!

Before calling it a night, I decided to hit the bathroom once more. (I was out of quarters—so get your mind out of the gutter. SHOCKING!) This time as I was leaving, instead of being distracted by the vending machine, I noticed a small sign. The Coral Club was going to start offering brunch on Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. starting April 8. That was the next day! I knew where I’d be the next morning.

And there I was. I was the first customer to arrive. I wasn’t sure how much word-of-mouth had spread about the bar’s weekend brunch, but I was thrilled to be able to partake of it.

This time, instead of Lyric, Jeremy, or Conner, I had Emma helping me. She is the bar manager. I had seen her briefly the night before. She had noticed me, too – and said so.

For brunch, I ordered the two Egg Breakfast. It came with rice or potatoes and your choice of linguica or Spam.

I also started off with a Bloody Mar…er, Bloody Caesar, the bar’s take on a Bloody Mary. I had seen someone (the owner?) bringing in these cute pig mugs the night before, saying they’d be for the drinks at brunch. How could I not try one? The drink (vodka and house clamato mix) had a nice kick (pickled red chili juice).

Once I was done, yet not wanting to leave, I had one more drink. This one was Coral Club’s own cool concoction, Breakfast of Champions. It’s made of rums, pineapple, and blueberries, and was mixed with banana- and cereal-infused oat milk. Oh my stars! It really was like a Saturday morning from my youth—only for grownups!

My mission to The Coral Club had been successful. While I had hoped to take my friends for Sunday brunch that weekend of Tiki Kon, Coral Club will be closed that day (probably for Tiki Kon’s very limited bar tour). However, my friend Gillian snagged us a reservation the Thursday before the Kon. Awesome!

While it may not have all of the bells and whistles of Hale Pale or Wahi Hana, or the old school classic vibes of The Alibi, The Coral Club has a nice, quiet, tiki elegance about it. I am so looking forward to my return visit.

Cheers!

The Coral Club
106 E. Evergreen Blvd.
Vancouver, WA 98660
(360) 989-5725
https://coralclubvancouver.com/