Despite being on the coast, Naples’ tiki bar scene is surprisingly sparse. Not just a place with palm trees and drinks, but somewhere immersive, where the cocktails arrive in ornate mugs, and the atmosphere completely transports you.
Do you know the difference between a chickee bar and a tiki bar? Traditional tiki bars trace their roots to the 1930s and 1940s, emphasizing escapism through immersive theming, elaborate garnishes, and a curated atmosphere inspired by Polynesian pop culture. By contrast, what some call “chickee bars” are more casual, open-air spaces with thatched roofs that trace their roots to the traditional structures of the Seminole Tribe of Florida.
Cheeky Tiki falls somewhere in between. While it doesn’t fully replicate the over-the-top immersion of historic tiki institutions, it delivers enough of the vibe to satisfy most patrons looking for a fun, tropical night out. Opened in September in East Naples, in the former space of a Naples Tiki Bar, it has a firm “Old Florida, Key West” identity, with crushed shell ground cover, palm-frond umbrellas, and an open-air layout designed for hanging out.
The bar is backed by experienced operators, including co-owner Christopher Lee, whose résumé includes years at the Ritz-Carlton Beach Resort and leadership roles in several well-known Naples hospitality ventures. That experience shows in the execution: a full liquor bar, a strong cocktail program, and a space built for social nights with games like shuffleboard, darts, and pool alongside live music on weekends.
The food is another differentiator. Rather than Polynesian-inspired fare, the menu is firmly Southern and made from scratch, featuring gator bites, frog legs, crab cakes, and a popular grouper sandwich, along with slow-roasted ribs and casual bar staples. They serve regional comfort done well, and feature a generous happy hour menu.
Cheeky Tiki isn’t a traditional tiki bar in the strictest sense, but it’s an immersive step above the usual Chickee bars nearby. As a lively, well-executed neighborhood spot with tropical flair, it fills a gap Naples didn’t realize it needed, something fun, social and (just a little) cheeky.
Cheeky Tiki
Website: https://www.cheekytikinaples.com
Location: 11498 Tamiami Trail E, Naples
Hours: Daily 11:30 AM–9:30 PM (until 10 PM Fri–Sat)
Happy Hour: 2:30–5:30 PM
Originally published in
The Naples Florida Review.
Read the full edition here.