Polynesian Exotica Paradise (on Northeast Interstate?)
The Alibi has got you covered

By Sam Dodge Soule, pdxguide.com

When American servicemen returned from the Pacific theater after WWII, many had seen a lot of hell, as well as a bit of heaven.

GI's on much needed R&R often found themselves luxuriating in a balmy Polynesian bar culture where they were treated to fruity mixed drinks served by shapely native girls wearing little more than a grass skirts. On those too brief moments of respite, life seemed to be a resplendent parade of grass huts, bamboo rattan, and leering sculptures of angry island spirits known as Tiki.

After the horror of fighting the final Axis of Evil (the original) combatant baby-boomers romanticized their time spent in the South Seas by re-creating the bars State-side they had encountered while serving overseas. These exaggerated and romanticized perceptions of island culture became known as Tiki Lounges. In the late Forties, Tiki Lounges flourished across America. Today they are matter of exotic kitch, much sought after, and hard to find.

Denizens of gray Puddletown have known the comfort of hula girl murals, palm fronds and a strong drink with an umbrella in it for decades; in fact, people in the Hawaiian-shirt-know regard Portland's Alibi as one of the grandest Tiki Lounges existing today.

Originally established in the late 1800's as the Chat-n-Nibble, a lunch counter for horse and buggies travelers, a man by the name of Mr. Peterson later transformed the site into a small tavern called the Max Alibi, an establishment which would last until the late 1900's. In 1947, a new owner re-named the tavern The Alibi and transformed the popular drinking hole into a Polynesian themed paradise. To this day, as the Alibi has changed a hands, one stipulation has remained constant, the island decor must not be changed.

Outside, the barrage of neon, globe lights and bamboo accents on the facade of the Alibi is garish, glaring and, to say the least, astounding. The interior, though, is surprisingly sublime. One enters through a bamboo pod and steps into a red leather lounge complete with clamshell lights, ferns and fish filled aquariums. Blow fish, nets and a spare assortment of Tiki statues are also on hand. If the lounge is too crowded, which it often is, there is a larger less intimate space opens off the bar featuring a 70's era 3-D relief hula girl mural running the length of the North wall.

The menu at the Alibi is extensive, moderately priced and possesses an aim to please. Burgers, steak , fish and chicken are done up American, Polynesian and Cajun, nothing fancy, nothing gourmet. Where this place really excels is at their too-high priced Tropical drinks, a total of eighteen on the menu. If one really wants to transport him or herself into the magical tropical paradise, the feel of the Alibi (and the blaring classic rock on the in-house stereo irritatingly wars against) and a couple of Mai Tai' s are a sure ticket.

Of special note, Saturdays at midnight the Alibi graciously lays out a free fried chicken buffet for those sodden pleasure seekers with empty stomachs.

And on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday nights, the Alibi hosts some of the most audacious karaoke this town has to offer. Young and old alike, this setting makes everyone go wild on the mic. Remember, that's 18 tropical drink specialties on the menu...

As is the concept of Tiki itself, the menu of the Alibi exaggerates in the most pleasing of manners: The atmosphere is exotic, the service supreme, the drinks tantalizing, the food is Polynesian plus more, and it's oh so easy to stay -- or at least come back another day.

The Alibi: Cheesy? Sure. Historical? Absolutely. Drab? Not on your life, soldier.

The opinions expressed within are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of pdxguide.com or The Columbian Publishing Co.