Adrift Tiki Bar on South Broadway expertly blends over-the-top tropical vibes with really good food and cocktails. Yes the menu features tiki drinks, but these versions are balanced and boozy, making it feel like you landed in paradise where island gods are found in the cup. Then, take a glance up at the pufferfish lights, hula girl paintings, and large wooden sculptures and immerse yourself in the staycation completely.
Best part, during the weekly Escape Hour classic cocktails are discounted and you can fill up on island food specials as well. And, if the usual happy hour times are hard to hit, go on Tiki Tuesday, where the deals remain the whole day long.
The Food
A lot of the food on the Adrift menu wouldn’t be out of place at a traditional Hawaiian restaurant, though there are some nods to other tropical cultures here and there. For example, Poke Nachos served with tuna and wonton chips, and the Lettuce Wrap Boards with gochujang smoked pork belly, jerk chicken, or crispy tofu.
Off the happy hour menu there’s an array of small dishes to nibble on. For only $3 (usually $6), the traditional Hawaiian Mac Salad with elbow noodles, mayo, shredded carrots, and onion should absolutely be on the table. Refresh each bite with the $3 Cucumber Salad (usually $6), which comes spiced in an Asian marinade and garnished with black sesame seeds and crispy pork floss.
Adrift also makes one of the best SPAM Musubi in town, and for $4 you can get two pieces during Escape Hour (usually $7). Pair that with perfect battered and seasoned Volcano Fries ($6, usually $9), which come with a chili aioli. The Coconut Shrimp is another old school island dish, and during happy hour you can get five for $9 (appetizer plate normally runs $15). For those looking for something a little on the healthy side, the Edamame Hummus is a light sharable plate for $8 (normally $15), and comes with crispy wonton chips.
The Drinks
Compared to other cocktail bars in the same area, Adrift’s normal menu leans toward the less expensive side considering the booze levels. During Escape Hour this becomes even more apparent with $12 Singapore Slings (usually $17) and the $13 Adrift Mai Tai (usually $17). Summertime calls for an icy cocktail too, and the Frozen Chi Chi is a coconut-creamy option for $10. You can enhance it by adding peanut butter whiskey and/or chocolate Selvarey for $2 each, or a macadamia nut liqueur for $3.
If the high-proof rum drinks feel too heavy for a first sip, go for the special Red Stripe Jamaican Lager with an ounce of rum for $7. There’s also zero-proof happy hour options including the P.O.G. with passionfruit, orange, and guava for $7, and the N/A Painkiller for $10. The only thing lacking from the daytime Escape Hour menu is Adrift’s iconic punch bowls, but after a few $13 Painkiller cocktails, you won’t miss it.
The Details
Adrift hosts Escape Hour Wednesday through Thursday from 5 to 7 p.m., and on Friday from 4 to 6 p.m. You can enjoy the same deals all day on Tiki Tuesday. The restaurant also just launched a late night Escape Hour on Friday and Saturday, 9:30 p.m. to last call. The kitchen is closed at that point, so it’s only drinks. However, unlike the daytime happy hour menu, the night version has some punch bowls listed and more cocktail options. 218 S. Broadway, Denver, adriftbar.com
