Entertaining conversations with artists, musicians, entertainers, historians and more in the tiki, cocktail, island, surf, lowbrow and alternative sub-cultures! Listen to our archive at desertoasisroom.com
Episodes
Wednesday Sep 27, 2023
Wednesday Sep 27, 2023
Today we welcome our friend David Badgerow for a return visit Inside the Desert Oasis Room, and with a cameo by his partner Jess! David is the host and producer of the fun and always entertaining "Cocktail Fridays" channel on YouTube so on this episode, we naturally chat about all things rum and cocktails!
To follow our adventures, subscribe to our YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/polynesianpop
For exclusive content subscribe to our Patreon at http://www.patreon.com/polynesianpop
Thursday Aug 10, 2023
Thursday Aug 10, 2023
On this episode we chat with Justin Peterson, Art Director of 23 Restaurants. Recorded on location from Tiki Oasis in San Diego, we sit down with Justin to recap our sold out Don the Beachcomber panel for those that couldn't attend. Get all the details of the upcoming Don the Beachcomber brand of restaurants from its upcoming locations to its future plans!
To follow our adventures, subscribe to our YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/polynesianpop
For exclusive content subscribe to our Patreon at http://www.patreon.com/polynesianpop
Thursday Jul 06, 2023
Thursday Jul 06, 2023
On this episode we chat with Kent Thompson! Kent has influenced and created cocktails for some of the best spots in the LA area, including Tasting Kitchen, Grain, Here's Looking at You and currently runs the bar program at Isla in Santa Monica. And joining us for this session is our old friend Boris Hamilton, a fan-favorite of the show and our first ever guest on the podcast!
To follow our adventures, subscribe to our YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/polynesianpop
For exclusive content subscribe to our Patreon at http://www.patreon.com/polynesianpop
Monday Apr 24, 2023
Monday Apr 24, 2023
On this episode we are joined by Ken & Heather Pleasant. Heather is the granddaughter of the famous furniture manufacturer William Westenhaver of Witco fame and Ken, her husband, was trained by Wil himself and has been manufacturing and restoring furniture and art in that same style for the last 2 decades. We chat about all things Witco, including the history, legacy and future of the business and even give you tips on how to authenticate that Witco piece you stumble upon!
To follow our adventures, subscribe to our YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/polynesianpop
For exclusive content subscribe to our Patreon at http://www.patreon.com/polynesianpop
Monday Apr 03, 2023
Monday Apr 03, 2023
Today we join our friends Brandon & Kim Grilc, owners of The Kazan Room, Kobe Japan's first and only tiki bar! Hear what brought them from Portland, Oregon to Kobe, Japan and what it took to open their bar, what the cocktail scene is like, the differences in culture, palates and ingredients, and where you can see and possibly sample more from the Kazan Room right here in the United States!
To follow our adventures, subscribe to our YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/polynesianpop
For exclusive content subscribe to our Patreon at http://www.patreon.com/polynesianpop
Saturday Mar 04, 2023
Saturday Mar 04, 2023
On this episode we chat with Marie King! Join us as we learn about her ecclectic background, her start as a hostess at Jolly Roger to the moment where she almost left hospitality altogether to join the medical industry and the full circle story to her becoming the new Director of Beverage for the upcoming launch of the iconic, Don the Beachcomber brand and their new chain of restaurants!
To follow our adventures, subscribe to our YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/polynesianpop
For exclusive content subscribe to our Patreon at http://www.patreon.com/polynesianpop
Thursday Feb 09, 2023
Thursday Feb 09, 2023
Today we welcome the boys from Don Papa Rum- Tomas De Los Reyes and Ben Rojo! Tomas is a bartender, artist and DJ, and one of the founders of Jeepney in New York City. And also from New York comes Ben Rojo, mixologist extraordinaire and founder of Black Emperor Bar. Both, extremely talented cocktailians both, instrumental in the current Filipino food movement and both, representing the iconic Filipino rum brand Don Papa!
To follow our adventures, subscribe to our YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/polynesianpop
For exclusive content subscribe to our Patreon at http://www.patreon.com/polynesianpop
Tuesday Jan 31, 2023
Tuesday Jan 31, 2023
Today we are joined by burlesque performers, Miss Spent Youth and Veronica Voss! Learn about the history of burlesque, their backgrouunds in burlesque, and get details on their upcoming Hollywood Burlesque Festival, coming March 17, 18 and 19 in Hollywood, California!
To follow our adventures, subscribe to our YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/polynesianpop
For exclusive content subscribe to our Patreon at http://www.patreon.com/polynesianpop
Thursday Dec 29, 2022
Thursday Dec 29, 2022
It's ladies night inside the Desert Oasis Room as we are joined by Addie Alonzo from Bamboo Club and Crystal Mendoza from Roxanne's and The Exhibition Room! On this episode we chat about their dynamic backgrounds in mixology, their creative processes, their approach to competitive bartending, share travel stories and more!
To follow our adventures, subscribe to our YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/polynesianpop
For exclusive content subscribe to our Patreon at http://www.patreon.com/polynesianpop
Sunday Dec 11, 2022
Sunday Dec 11, 2022
Today we chat with bartender mixologist Sonny Esponda! Sonny is the winner of the first ever Tropical Shakedown cocktail competition which earned him a trip to this year's Tiki Oasis. On this episode we chat on all topics cocktails, mixology, the hospitality and service industry and more!
Watch the cocktail tutorial we recorded here:
https://youtu.be/CVCwwPCJvok
To follow our adventures, subscribe to our YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/polynesianpop
For exclusive content subscribe to our Patreon at http://www.patreon.com/polynesianpop
Thursday Nov 17, 2022
Thursday Nov 17, 2022
Today we chat with Evan Reiner! Evan is the owner and founder of Droogies Ultra Dog, manufacturers of Southern California's newest gourmet hot dogs! As a 3rd generation butcher, Evan is a master at delicious meat blends and combinations. We chat about the art of the butcher and the nuances of this profession as well as industry secrets in the underground food scene, unscrupulous restaurant practices and more!
To follow our adventures, subscribe to our YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/polynesianpop
For exclusive content subscribe to our Patreon at http://www.patreon.com/polynesianpop
Sunday Nov 06, 2022
Sunday Nov 06, 2022
On this episode we chat with our friends Los Pakalolos! Los Pakalolos is a surf music band from right here in the inland empire that have just released their new album Lolo-a-Gogo! Hear about how they started during the pandemic, their song writing process, musical influences and more!
To follow our adventures, subscribe to our YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/polynesianpop
For exclusive content subscribe to our Patreon at http://www.patreon.com/polynesianpop
Friday Aug 12, 2022
Friday Aug 12, 2022
Today we come to you live from Frogtown Brewery, and chat with our friend Noa Laporga. Noa, along with his partner Angelina, are the founders of Skull & Crown Trading Company on the island of Oahu. They also produce and run the largest event in all of Hawaii, known as Haunted Plantation. Learn about what it took to open Skull & Crown and hear stories about Haunted Plantation and what we are partnering on for a mainland event coming this Halloween season!
To follow our adventures, subscribe to our YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/polynesianpop
For exclusive content subscribe to our Patreon at http://www.patreon.com/polynesianpop
Thursday Apr 21, 2022
Thursday Apr 21, 2022
Today we chat with Stefan Immke, Executive Producer of Squeezed Up - Tales of Polynesian Pop and Kustom Kulture! Squeezed Up documents an unforgettable road trip across Southern California, combining Hot Rodding, Polynesian Pop, Tiki Culture, and Kustom Kulture! On this episode, Stefan talks about traditional hot-rodding, rattlesnake breeding, tiki in Europe and more!
On social media: @stefan_immke @squeezedupmovie
On the Web: http://www.squeezed-up.com
To follow our adventures, subscribe to our YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/polynesianpop
For exclusive content subscribe to our Patreon at http://www.patreon.com/polynesianpop
Thursday Apr 07, 2022
Thursday Apr 07, 2022
Today we chat with Sam Schwall, founding member of the Hawaiian musical trio, The Deep Sea Divers! Hear about Sam's start in Tiki, how he formed his band, his musical influences and, listen to tracks from their live performance at the legendary Mai Kai!
To follow our adventures, subscribe to our YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/polynesianpop
For exclusive content subscribe to our Patreon at http://www.patreon.com/polynesianpop
Thursday Mar 17, 2022
Thursday Mar 17, 2022
Today we chat with our friends Alex Lamb and Gustavo Rojas! You might know Alex as co-director of the upcoming documentary film, "The Donn of Tiki," a biographical story of the life of Donn Beach aka Don the Beachcomber. And joining us is our friend Gustavo, partner of our favorite brewery in LA, Frogtown Brewery! On this episode we chat about the origins of Frogtown Brewery, our recent Don the Beachcomber inspired beer collaboration, how we approached and made the beer and what's in store for the big release event when it's debuted to the beer & tiki community, including information on our tie-in with the Oceanic Arts farewell events!
To follow our adventures, subscribe to our YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/polynesianpop
For exclusive content subscribe to our Patreon at http://www.patreon.com/polynesianpop
Monday Feb 14, 2022
Monday Feb 14, 2022
On this episode we chat with actor, comedian Joe Corzo! You might know Joe from Acceleration, Burning Little Lies, Antidote or NCIS, or maybe you've caught one of his stand up comedy acts. Joe talks to us about his journey from Northern California to Southern California to pursue his dream of making it in Hollywood, how he survived production droughts during the pandemic and his cheat code to success!
To follow our adventures, subscribe to our YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/polynesianpop
For exclusive content subscribe to our Patreon at http://www.patreon.com/polynesianpop
Monday Dec 27, 2021
Monday Dec 27, 2021
Today we chat with the crew from Trademark Brewing! Owner and founder Sterling Steffen and brewers Valerie Adee and Danny Jimenez join us to chat about the origins of Trademark Brewing, their backgrounds in beer and hospitality, what goes into the creation and production of their products and the inside scoop on how we collaborated on the Mango Smash beer we just recently launched together!
On social media: @trademarkbrewing @trademarkbrew
On the web: http://www.trademarkbrewing.com
To follow our adventures, subscribe to our YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/polynesianpop
To listen to our archive, go to: http://polynesianpop.podbean.com
Saturday Dec 18, 2021
Saturday Dec 18, 2021
Today we are joined by Ed Hamilton! Ed is an author, importer and world reknowned authority on the spirit of rum. He's also the founder of the Ministry of Rum and the Hamilton brand of fine rums, made in distilleries all over the Caribbean. Learn about how he went from being a mechanical engineer making actuators for airplanes to becoming one of the world's foremost experts on island spirits, his collaboration with Jeff Berry, the Florida Rum Society and more! This episodes starts with Ed's symposium from this months Orange County USBG Tiki Night at Tiki Farm and from there we transition to a personal one-on-one where Ed gives us a deep dive on rum, his thoughts on the future of rum and what's in store for his Hamilton brand of products in 2022!
Follow Ed Hamilton on Instagram at @edrumguy
On the Web: www.ministryofrum.com
Learn about his products at: www.caribbean-spirits.com
Ed Hamilton's Ti Punch
The juice of 1 cut lime edge (not wedge)
1/4 bar spoon syrup Petite Canne Martinique Sugar Cane Syrup
1.5 oz 100 Proof Neisson Rhum Agricole Blanc
Lightly swizzle with ice
To follow our adventures, subscribe to our YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/polynesianpop
To listen to our archive, go to: http://polynesianpop.podbean.com
Tuesday Nov 30, 2021
Tuesday Nov 30, 2021
On this episode we chat with Ross the "Tiki Boss" Aliotti about our "Mount Rushmores!" What do we mean by Mount Rushmore? It's our Top 4 lists, basically Top 3 + 1 extra! Find out what our Mount Rushmore is in horror movies, cocktails, food choices, comedians and more!
To follow our adventures, subscribe to our YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/polynesianpop
To listen to our archive, go to: http://polynesianpop.podbean.com
Monday Oct 18, 2021
Monday Oct 18, 2021
For episode 200 we come to you LIVE from Tiki Caliente in Palm Springs, California to chat with our dear friend Sylvia Flores! Sylvia is a California native who found her way to Honolulu, Hawaii and tells us about her eclectic background, her transition from the mainland to the islands, and as a burlesque dancer, talks about her alter ego "Chichironiz" and what took her down the path of pursuing the classic art of burlesque performance!
To follow our adventures, subscribe to our YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/polynesianpop
To listen to our archive, go to: http://polynesianpop.podbean.com
Tuesday Sep 21, 2021
Tuesday Sep 21, 2021
Today we chat with Esteban Ricardo De Luna! Esteban is a former chef, craft cocktail bartender and mixologist, and the newest face behind the bar at the World Famous Tiki-Ti in Los Angeles, California! Learn about Esteban's background and how he found his way to making Ray's Mistakes, Uga Boogas, Puka Punches and more!
To follow our adventures, subscribe to our YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/polynesianpop
To listen to our archive, go to: http://polynesianpop.podbean.com
Tuesday Aug 17, 2021
Tuesday Aug 17, 2021
Today we chat with Adam Demerath! Adam is a premier craft cocktail bartender and mixologist from New York City! On this episode, we chat about his upbringing right here in the Inland Empire of Southern California, his background in theater, how he found his way to New York and learn about his philosophies on craft cocktailing and mixology!
To follow our adventures, subscribe to our YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/polynesianpop
To listen to our archive, go to: http://polynesianpop.podbean.com
Tuesday Aug 10, 2021
Tuesday Aug 10, 2021
Today we chat with Greg Bansuelo, bartender at the world famous Tiki-Ti! Greg comes from a long line of mixologists, including his uncle Lou Cruz, owner of The Outrigger as well as his father John "JB" Bansuelo, who bartended alongside Ray Buhen at all the old school polynesian bars like the China Trader, Seven Seas and the Luau. Learn what life was like for these old school Filipino bartenders and what was contained in their personal recipe books, the coveted "black books!" Joining us on this session are our friends Boris Hamilton and Alex Lamb from the upcoming documentary, The Donn of Tiki!
To follow our adventures, subscribe to our YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/polynesianpop
To listen to our archive, go to: http://polynesianpop.podbean.com
Monday Jul 12, 2021
Monday Jul 12, 2021
Join the Kontigo Collective, Gregorio, Anna, Trader Sampson, Phoenix Ablaze and myself, chat about the history and contributions of Harry Yee from the Hawaiian Village! Harry Yee was a pioneer in tropical cocktails including the creation of the Blue Hawaii, Tapa Punch, Tropical Itch and Hawaiian Eye. And, he was the first bartender to garnish cocktails with umbrellas, lanterns and orchids!
To follow our adventures, subscribe to our YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/polynesianpop
To listen to our archive, go to: http://polynesianpop.podbean.com
Tuesday Jun 29, 2021
Tuesday Jun 29, 2021
Today we chat with Chris and Lis Summers! Chris and Lis are recent former residents of the Hawaiian island of Oahu. How many of you have dreamt of picking up your current life and moving it to Hawaii? Well, Chris and Lis did just that when they left California for a new life in Hawaii. After a couple years living as island locals, they're back in California and in this episode, they tell us all about the ups, downs and everything in between (including the Covid pandemic) from this life changing experience!
To watch the video we made for our YouTube channel, click here:
https://youtu.be/mUBTNvzjIyI
Friday Jun 04, 2021
Friday Jun 04, 2021
On this episode we make our way down to San Diego, California to chat with Dottie Deville and Matt Koken, owners of the legendary Til Two Club! Hear the story about how they landed this legendary San Diego landmark, what they've learned about it's history since they've acquired it, what's in store for it's future and if you enjoy some good ghost stories, find out who's haunting the bar!
To watch the video we made for our YouTube channel, click here:
https://youtu.be/-NY5027YzK0
To follow our adventures, subscribe to our YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/polynesianpop
To listen to our archive, go to: http://polynesianpop.podbean.com
Tuesday May 25, 2021
Tuesday May 25, 2021
Today we chat with Garret Richard! Garret is a craft cocktail bartender and mixologist who is on the forefront of the modern day craft cocktail movement. Hear about Garret's background, how he went from radio production to mixology, his philosophy on cocktailing and learn some useful tips on how to make your cocktails better!
To watch the video we made for our YouTube channel, click here:
https://youtu.be/QFQVQxbOkrM
To follow our adventures, subscribe to our YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/polynesianpop
To listen to our archive, go to: http://polynesianpop.podbean.com
This episode is sponsored by Tiki Bar T-Shirt Club, Steadfast Pomade, Tiki-Ti and Skull & Crown Trading Co. Stop by their FB and IG pages and give them a like!
Tuesday May 18, 2021
Tuesday May 18, 2021
Today we chat with Alex Lamb and Max Well from Surf Monkey Films about their latest project The Donn of Tiki, a documentary about the Godfather of Tiki, Donn Beach aka Don the Beachcomber! Learn about their backgrounds, how they decided to create a documentary about Donn Beach, what they've learned along the way and what the future of their project holds. And exclusive to this podcast, Alex and Max share an audio recording of Donn Beach himself! Hear him tell a funny story about one of his good friends, Marlene Dietrich!
On the web: http://www.thedonnoftiki.com
Social Media: @thedonnoftiki
Support their Kickstarter here:
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/thedonnoftiki/the-donn-of-tiki
Watch a preview of The Donn of Tiki documentary here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fEbAUDou1Ls&t=61s
Watch us compare Donn's QB Cooler to Vic's Mai Tai here:
https://youtu.be/5uOGKJPjyco
To follow our adventures, subscribe to our YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/polynesianpop
To listen to our archive, go to: http://polynesianpop.podbean.com
This episode is sponsored by Tiki Bar T-Shirt Club, Steadfast Pomade, Tiki-Ti and Skull & Crown Trading Co. Stop by their FB and IG pages and give them a like!
Tuesday May 04, 2021
Tuesday May 04, 2021
Our adventure from Tiki Oasis continues at the Hotel Valley Ho in Scottsdale, Arizona as we welcome lowbrow and tiki artist Odd Rodney. On this episode, recorded from the grounds of Arizona Tiki Oasis, we chat with Rodney about his lowbrow background, his philosophy in art, what inspires him creatively and so much more!
To follow our adventures, subscribe to our YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/polynesianpop
To listen to our archive, go to: http://polynesianpop.podbean.com
This episode is sponsored by Tiki Bar T-Shirt Club, Steadfast Pomade and Tiki-Ti. Stop by their FB and IG pages and give them a like!
Tuesday Apr 27, 2021
Tuesday Apr 27, 2021
Join us from the Hotel Valley Ho in Scottsdale, Arizona from the Tiki AZ booth at Tiki Oasis! On this episode we chat with our friends Ross "Tiki Boss" Aliotti, Tom "Big Toe" Laura, the one and only Fabio and from the island of Maui, the talented mug makers, Scott "Tikipop" Taylor and Rob "Tikirob" Hawes!
Watch our field trip outing video here: https://youtu.be/OL9DHihCa38
To follow our adventures, subscribe to our YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/polynesianpop
To listen to our archive, go to: http://polynesianpop.podbean.com
This episode is sponsored by Tiki Bar T-Shirt Club, Steadfast Pomade and Tiki-Ti. Stop by their FB and IG pages and give them a like!
Tuesday Mar 30, 2021
Tuesday Mar 30, 2021
Today we are joined by the boys from the Tiki-Ti! Bartender and co-owner Mike Buhen Jr and bartender Greg Bansuelo stop by the Desert Oasis Room to mix drinks, make cocktail videos and record this episode of the podcast. As a long time patron and regular of the Tiki-Ti, I hit the guys with questions that most others have never asked before to bring you uncommonly known facts and tidbits from their colorful backgrounds. For example, did you know that Ray Buhen's wife is the reason the Tiki-Ti opened in the first place? She is also the reason they stopped serving beer decades ago! And did you know that Greg's father was one of the old school Filipino mixologists that worked alongside Ray at all the same iconic tiki and tropical themed bars like The Luau, The China Trader, The Seven Seas and more! And if you'd like to make sure you don't miss any of the cocktail tutorials they recorded with us Inside the Desert Oasis Room, subscribe to our YouTube channel now at youtube.com/polynesianpop
Watch the cocktail tutorials we made with Mike and Greg at our YouTube channel. We'll be loading them up one at a time over the next couple of weeks. Subscribe to the channel now so you don't miss any of them! https://www.youtube.com/polynesianpop
This episode is sponsored by Tiki Bar T-Shirt Club, Steadfast Pomade, Tiki-Ti and Skull & Crown Trading Co. Stop by their FB and IG pages and give them a like!
Wednesday Mar 24, 2021
Wednesday Mar 24, 2021
Today we chat with the Gentlemen of Leisure! The artist McBiff, Rick Miller and Dan Watson! On this belated St Paddy's episode, we chat about our respective roots, the history and legacy every person leaves for future generations, and other thought provoking, emotionally stimulating topics!
To follow our adventures, subscribe to our YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/polynesianpop
To listen to our archive, go to http://polynesianpop.podbean.com
This episode is sponsored by Tiki Bar T-Shirt Club, Steadfast Pomade, Tiki-Ti and Skull & Crown Trading Co. Stop by their FB and IG pages and give them a like!
Tuesday Feb 09, 2021
Tuesday Feb 09, 2021
Today we chat with David Badgerow! David is an animator, mixologist and Drooling Bastard who dropped by the Desert Oasis Room to do a video swapcast with us for our respective YouTube channels and while he was here, we decided to turn the mics on and record the session you are about to hear now!
To watch the video we, click here:
https://youtu.be/CqDT6bsNwoM
To follow our adventures, subscribe to our YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/polynesianpop
To listen to our archive, go to http://polynesianpop.podbean.com
This episode is sponsored by Tiki Bar T-Shirt Club, Steadfast Pomade, Tiki-Ti and Skull & Crown Trading Co. Stop by their FB and IG pages and give them a like!
Tuesday Jan 19, 2021
Tuesday Jan 19, 2021
On this first episode of 2021 we go back in time to this exact week 4 years ago when we chatted with Bob Van Oosting and Leroy Schmaltz, founders of the world famous Oceanic Arts in Whittier, California. Considering that Covid has affected so many small businesses over the past year, I thought I'd reload this episode to not only give them a boost but to also revisit their amazing journey to becoming the world's premier supplier and builder of some of the most legendary tropical, nautical and island inspired themed builds from yesteryear!
Social Media: @oceanicarts56
On the Web: www.oceanicarts.net
Thursday Dec 10, 2020
Thursday Dec 10, 2020
On this episode we chat with Randy Tarlow, founder of Liquid Alchemist, makers of premium cocktail products! Learn about Randy's path from bartending in Europe and Australia to founding and operating his very own brand of premium craft cocktail syrups. And, joining us with a cameo is Liquid Alchemist's very own Captain Pineapples, alter ego of hospitality veteran Robbie Gregg!
Social Media: @liquidalchemist
On the Web: www.liquid-alchemist.com
This episode is sponsored by Tiki Bar T-Shirt Club, Steadfast Pomade, Tiki-Ti and Skull & Crown Trading Co. Stop by their FB and IG pages and give them a like!