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The Island at Ellis

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A Pop-Up Polynesian Bar Makes Tiki Dreams Come True at Ellis Island’s The Front Yard

Order a Painkiller, crispy pork belly bites, and coconut shrimp and let your eyes wander to explore the decor

The tiki-inspired lounge area at the Island at Ellis
| Louiie Victa

Diners who head up to the second floor of The Front Yard at Ellis Island experience a one-month-only tiki bar filled with Polynesian decor, tropical bites, and rum-filled drinks. The restaurant converts into The Island at Ellis through July 4, sponsored by Bacardi.

The entire upstairs went through a decor change with tiki-themed curtains, alligator boats with flowers hanging from the ceiling, skulls on chandeliers, beach balls wrapped in rope, and more everywhere.

“We wanted to really deck out the space as much as possible,” says Christina Ellis, the director of marketing for Ellis Island. “We have been having so much fun decorating The Front Yard, just for holidays.”

In the bar area, Ellis brought up two two blackjack tables and four slot machines. “This is our first time having gaming up here from the four slots to blackjack tables. And we have some tiki felts on those,” she says, noting this marks the first time the venue had gaming upstairs.

The bar area, replete with tiki figurines, features a seating area with a mid-century modern couch and high-top tables for hanging out. Diners can order coconut shrimp, a flatbread with grilled pineapple, teriyaki chicken sandwich, tiki wings with sweet chili sauce, or crispy pork belly bites to set the Polynesian vibe for the night.

An overhead view of food
The Polynesian-inspired food at the Island at Ellis
Louiie Victa

One of the more interesting decorations brings a 16-foot marlin that Ellis’s dad caught in Hawaii in 1990 hanging over the staircase. “The whole town’s waiting because it was this record breaking fish,” she says of night he caught the 950-pound marlin.

In the dining room, a cute display of hula dancers decorates one nook and two little running fountains anchor the other end. Live entertainment and tiki music playing round out the experience. For those who want a tiki-themed cocktail, the bar has a Painkiller, Mermaid’s Hangover with spiced rum, Scorpion Punch with jalapeño syrup, a strawberry lemongrass spritz, and more going for $14, all served in tiki-appropriate glassware.

Four cocktails with hula dancer
Clockwise from top left: the strawberry lemongrass spritz, Mermaid’s Hangover, Painkiller, and Peach Paradise at the Island at Ellis
Louiie Victa

The tiki bar will be open Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. to midnight; Mondays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 4 to 10 p.m.; and Tuesdays through Thursdays from 4 to 10pm. Reservations are available through OpenTable.

The Island at Ellis
The bar at the Island at Ellis
Louiie Victa
The Island at Ellis
The lounge at the Island at Ellis
Louiie Victa
The Island at Ellis
The dining room at the Island at Ellis
Louiie Victa
The Island at Ellis
A display of hula dancers at the Island at Ellis
Louiie Victa
The Island at Ellis
The marlin hanging over the stairs at the Island at Ellis
Louiie Victa
The Island at Ellis
Slot machines next to the bar
Louiie Victa
The Island at Ellis
The entrance at the Island at Ellis
Louiie Victa

A Tiki Bar Filled With Polynesian Vibes and Drinks Pops Up for a Month at Ellis Island in June [ELV]

All Coverage of The Front Yard [ELV]

The Front Yard

4178 Koval Lane, , NV 89109 (702) 733-8901 Visit Website

Ellis Island

4178 Koval Ln, Las Vegas, NV 89109 (702) 733-8901 Visit Website
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