Kaona, The Hidden Tiki Room

"Miami doesn't have a great tiki scene, but Kaona Room is a classic tiki experience done well. Inside the dim space it’s all palm fronds and bamboo. Bartenders shake flammable spices onto cocktails as fake thunder plays through the speakers. Drinks are strong (and tasty). Plus, there’s sometimes live music. This is a great spot to mix up date night drinks, or for whenever you feel like wearing a floral shirt and drinking rum. They take reservations too." - ryan pfeffer, virginia otazo, mariana trabanino

"This tiki bar functions more like a restaurant. You can make a reservation, everyone inside is sitting down, and a server will come over to take your drink order. That means no standing for hours and screaming “Mai Tai!” over some poor stranger’s head. Instead, you can hang in a dark room and relax while sipping very strong tiki drinks. They are so strong, in fact, that you’ll probably only have one or two. Which is convenient since you've been trying to find economically efficient ways to drink since your friend made you that spreadsheet that tracks your expenses." - ryan pfeffer

"Kaona Room is a speakeasy attached to its older sibling, Esotico. And while Esotico is a more mainstream interpretation of a tiki bar that occasionally plays loud pop songs, Kaona Room is more of a classic tiki experience. Inside the dim space it’s all palm fronds and bamboo. Bartenders shake flammable spices onto cocktails as fake thunder plays through the speakers. Drinks are strong (and tasty). The whole experience makes you feel like you're in the hull of an old wooden ship—as a proper tiki bar should. Plus, there’s sometimes live music that makes the place feel a bit more romantic. This is a great spot to mix up date night drinks, or for whenever you feel like wearing a floral shirt and drinking rum." - Ryan Pfeffer