The Hollywood classic dive bar that was Jimbo’s Sandbar has gone from rugged local spot to casual chic through a makeover that culminated in a new name and a new style. Welcome Tiki Tiki
Jimbo’s Sandbar was known as a local party place with live music on weekends. 4 years ago in 2017, Sun Sentinel named Jimbo’s “The Best Bar with Live Music.” A few years prior, Gloria and Emilio Estefan came to watch their daughter Emily play drums with her band the Grove Dogz.
The Serafini family bought Jimbo’s Sandbar in August 2019. They are also the owners of the elegant GG’s Waterfront Bar and Grill, which also sits on the Intracoastal, but closer to Hollywood Boulevard. The new Tiki Tiki is farther north, closer to the Dania Beach Pier and the entrance to Dr. Von D. Mizell-Eula Johnson State Park (Formerly John U Lloyd State Park).
“It was a dive bar, but in the best sense,” says Alex Serafini, “I would say it was a great dive bar. You would go there and have a few shots, get a beer and maybe a burger and people loved it. But now we’ve turned it into a proper restaurant. And we take that extra step to talk to you about our specials, talk you through the cocktails you might order.”
The location is a big draw, one that the family couldn’t resist, according to Alex’s father, Dan Serafini. “You come in and you come around the corner and you see the water and you get a sense of, ‘I’ve arrived. I’m here. And this is really calming and relaxing,’ ” he says. “Jimbo’s was there for 20 years. We joke that Jimbo retired and sold the restaurant to his little sister, Tiki Tiki.”
Dan says Jimbo’s focused more “on the bar side of of things. We see it as a fresh coastal restaurant that serves great food and we put more focus on the dining room.”
Chef Gerry Gnassi was brought in from Barton G restaurant in Miami Beach to run the restaurant. The new dishes on the menu are designed to be easy to share and to showcase the Florida seafood.
“Everything is made from scratch, even the sauces and dressings,” said Dan. “It’s chef driven. He comes up with these ideas and I said to him, ‘Man, do you stay up all night thinking of these things?’ He has a flair, that’s for sure.”
Keeping prices reasonable
An average lunch would be about $15-$20 and dinner $25-$30 per person. They do have daily specials which vary from dollar oysters to lobster boils.
The bar program, is using fresh ingredients with classic tropical “umbrella drinks” such as rum runners, mojitos and margaritas.
“People still want those classic things, but with our fresh twist on it,” Alex explains. “Now we’re making our own syrups and juices. I just want good bartenders, not mixologists. We’re not trying to reinvent anything. We’re trying to give the best version of a classic that you’ve ever had — not too sweet, just balanced and perfect.”
The craft cocktails such as the Mangrove Margarita and the Mai Tai Martini are $12, while the seasonal drinks can be between $10 – $12. Daily happy hour specials run from $3.50 domestic beer to $8 hand crafted cocktails and many other deals.
Tiki Tiki is located at 6200 N. Ocean Dr., Hollywood.
Hours are:
11 a.m.-10 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays
11 a.m.-11 p.m. Fridays
10 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturdays
10 a.m.-10 p.m. Sundays.
Happy hour is 3:30-6:30 p.m. Mondays-Fridays.
For more information, call 954-927-9560 or go to LetsTikiTiki.com.