How to Get into Lucky Tiki, WeHo’s Hidden-Gem Cocktail Speakeasy

Resy: How many seats are in the house?

David Ray: Just 44, so it’s fairly tiny.

How many seats are bookable on Resy versus walk-ins?

34 are bookable on Resy. And we have two tables we play with that are unbookable. I never know when the owners are going to want to come in and bring friends, so we need some flexibility.

When do reservations go live on Resy?

30 days prior to the desired date at midnight. 

How quickly do primetime weekend reservations get snatched up?

A month ago, it was absolutely the same day. Now you might land a decent time 30 days out, but it’s not guaranteed. People tend to just pounce on reservations. Even when there’s a cancellation, you have to book within five minutes to even have a shot. 

How long is your Notify list?

We have about 200 people on that list on the weekends, slightly less during the week.  

When is a guest most likely to get a Notify alert? 

It would most likely be Tuesday afternoons to Wednesday morning — that’s when I go in and move stuff around. 

What is your most popular time? Are there certain days where there’s a better chance to get a prime-time reservation?

So 7 or 7:30 p.m. are the most popular times for sure. I try to tell people that the best time to book is 9:30 p.m. If you book around then, you’re almost guaranteed a table for two hours or more. We do 90-minute time limits for small parties, and for parties of four, we have two-hour blocks. If you book at 9:30-9:45 p.m., then you get a little extra time since we close at midnight. Wednesdays are easier for weekdays and Sundays are the best days for walk-ins if you’re trying to get a weekend night reservation.

Is the full menu available at the bar?

Yes! So we actually partnered up with Tail o’ the Pup downstairs and when you come in, the whole menu is available from there (and some specials, like hot dogs topped with grilled pineapple). There is also a secret tiki menu that has more Polynesian-style food like orange chicken, crab rangoon, et cetera. We have a bar with seven seats there and we can potentially make it eight if we have a stool on the end. 

Are there any other tricks to getting seated? (What if we DM you?)

For the people I like, I tell them to follow me and DM me. Or, you can email [email protected] as well. If you reach out to me Monday or Tuesday, there’s an 80% chance I can get you in. If you wait until the day-of, the chances drop to “very hard.” Another hot tip is that we do actually take walk-ins, so it’s not reservations-only, technically speaking.

Since it’s such a small restaurant, what is the maximum party size you can book?

Through Resy, I think it’s eight people. If you email us 30 days ahead, we can fit in up to 12.  

In your opinion, what’s the best seat in the house? 

It’s not bookable but we have table 40, which we call the Mob Booth. We use it for large parties, if there’s a party of four to six, we will naturally move people there. It’s the only booth, and it’s the only low-top in the house and the only island table. I always prefer the bar though, personally. 

Can guests request specific tables?

They can but it’s difficult to accommodate. It’s a little easier if they want to move from a bar seat to a table. You can try to request the booth but owners get first priority. We try to accommodate everyone but we just can’t always promise it. 

If I were here on a date or with a friend, how would you suggest ordering for two people?

I recommend two people each get two different cocktails; they’re all very different and have different displays. I like The Ghost of Jim Morrison, which is made with rum and a blackberry shrub, we light rosemary on fire with it upon serving (as a sort of saging ritual). It’s very immersive without being too immersive. When I want something more spirit-forward, I get The Lucky Tiki Old Fashioned (which is served out of an applewood smoked treasure chest). We make our own vanilla Demerara syrup for it, so that it’s not overly sweet. 

How often does the menu change?

We’re planning on doing a menu extension that will happen in the next few months. We’re redesigning the whole menu, so it’s going to be more of a book format. We want to add four or five more cocktails (we have 16 right now). Once we expand it, we’ll change out some of the drinks every three to six months. 

If it’s someone’s first time at Lucky Tiki, what should they definitely order?

If it’s your first time, order an Elvis in Hawaii as your second drink. And whatever you want for your first. The list of ingredients doesn’t sound particularly good but then it’s balanced and the presentation is cool. It’s peanut butter whiskey, crème de banane, and cabernet float served with bruléed bananas on top (a nod to the ingredients in an Elvis sandwich). It’s served with a figurine of The King himself.

It’s Saturday night at 8 p.m. at Lucky Tiki. Can you set the scene?

As you ascend the stairs, you’re mentally transitioning from visiting a busy L.A. hot dog stand and then suddenly, you’re just on vacation. You’ll hear traditional tiki bar music, it’s going to be dimly lit and the vibe will totally transport you. The music will be loud and the bar will be fun and lively. You’ll hear bells ringing and some people yelling (whenever someone orders a Captain’s Inner Circle cocktail, the staff rings a bell). People are going to be toasting. It’s hard not to have fun here.

What do you love about working here?

It’s one of the most fun environments I’ve ever worked in. It’s kind of one big party. We call it “The Casino” because time doesn’t really exist until your reservation is up.

Kelly Dobkin is an L.A.-based writer/editor and former New Yorker. She has contributed to Bon Appétit, Grub Street, Michelin, Here Magazine, and is a former editor at Thrillist, Zagat, and Eater. Follow her on Instagram. Follow Resy, too.