Owen Thomson and Friends to Open New Tiki Bar on U Street

More tiki drinks are coming to D.C. Washington Post Express reports a new tiki bar to be named Archipelago is opening by the end of the year.

It will be located at 1201 U St. in the space formerly occupied by The Islander, a Caribbean restaurant that closed this summer. Expect an over the top, kitschy decor complete with bamboo, thatch and tiki idols.

The group of friends behind the project includes Owen Thomson and friends Joseph Ambrose, Ben Wiley and Noah Broaddus. Thomson's background includes stints bartending at Cafe Saint-Ex, Bar Pilar and Rose’s Luxury. He and Ambrose also co-own artisanal ice company Favourite Ice.

D.C.'s bars have shown more interest in tiki drinks lately, though dedicated tiki bars are hard to come by here.