THE GODS MUST BE CRAZY

Laugh if you must, but the Valley has as fine a collection of bars and saloons as can be found in the entire city. Myself, I'm partial to the Chimney Sweep in Sherman Oaks, but it's tear-in-the-beer time for flaming adult beverage lovers, as the totally bitchen Lucky Tiki is closing shop in Mission Hills after Sunday, September 24. Rumor is the joint's moving to a more happening locale in North Hollywood -- you know, the "NoHo Arts District," the region that's been promising to be the next cool neighborhood for the past decade without ever really delivering. (Well, there is a Dairy Queen on Lankershim, and that's pretty cool.)

It's too bad. Tiki bars were lagging out here compared to the more conventional variety -- The Tonga Hut just didn't cut it. Tucked into a weird mini mall on Devonshire just west of Sepulveda, the Lucky Tiki was a beauty on the inside, with incredible attention to detail. Though light on the Martin Denny, it was nevertheless a jungle cruise with booze. Hate to admit it, but Mission Hills may be the kiss of death to anything cool. And I had such high hopes when it opened, which you can read about right here. I raise a glass to you, Smokey. May you rise again.