Entry No. 38 — the Colorado Springs file — filed under: speakeasy
Shrunken Head Tiki Bar
“the kind of place that shouldn't exist here, which is exactly why you need to go”
Colorado Springs' first and only tiki bar hides underground on Tejon Street — you enter through an unmarked door squeezed between Oskar Blues and Bell Brothers Brewing, then descend by stairs or elevator into a subterranean jungle escape. The decor swings between whimsy and macabre: literal swings serve as barstools at the center bar, human-skull props are embedded in the divider walls, and a fog-machine fountain bubbles in the middle of it all. Handmade tiki mugs by Manitou Springs artist Mark Wong line the shelves alongside elaborate anti-classic cocktails served cold and strong. Self-described as the "first and only tiki bar in Colorado Springs," it's the kind of place that shouldn't exist here, which is exactly why you need to go.
The story
Colorado Springs isn't where you'd expect to find mid-century Polynesian escapism, but co-owners Audriana Crane and Joe Campana opened Shrunken Head in 2022 after taking inspiration from iconic Las Vegas tiki haunts like Golden Tiki and Frankie's Tiki Room. They tucked the entrance into a narrow Tejon Street doorway squeezed between two downtown breweries, dropping drinkers straight into a subterranean basement dressed like a dense tropical hideout.
Instead of traditional bar stools, the central bar features wooden swings hanging beneath palm fronds and retro lights, while divider walls hold human skull props set directly into the plaster. In the middle of the room, a bubbling fog-machine fountain acts as a wishing pool—you throw in spare change, and the bar directs those donations to rotating global philanthropic charities.
The drinks bypass sugary resort mixes for potent anti-classic tiki cocktails poured into heavy ceramic vessels, including custom mugs sculpted right down the road by Manitou Springs artist Mark Wong. The whole operation works because it commits to the bit: you step off a chilly Rocky Mountain sidewalk, head downstairs, and lose all sense of elevation and time.
What it's like
Look for the single unmarked door wedged between Oskar Blues and Bell Brothers Brewing, then descend by stairs or elevator into a dim, fog-scented cavern. Aim for opening time on a weeknight if you want to land one of the bar swings without fighting a crowd; otherwise, sink into one of the high-backed privacy booths. The cocktails arrive cold, strong, and wrapped in theatrical ceramic, while the center fountain hums quietly under soft low lighting that keeps the rest of downtown completely invisible.
The move: Show up at opening on a weeknight, let your date find the unmarked door between the two breweries, descend into the tropical underworld, and order matching tiki drinks in ceramic skull mugs while you sit on bar swings.
📍 Before you go The trick is finding the door — it's a single unmarked entrance on N Tejon Street wedged between Oskar Blues and Bell Brothers Brewing, in the heart of walkable downtown Colorado Springs. Once inside, head down: there's an elevator as well as stairs, so it's reachable if steps are an issue. This is a 21-and-up bar, so it's an evening-and-night affair, busiest on weekends; a weeknight or early arrival gets you the swing barstools and a quieter room. Park at a downtown garage or grab metered street parking and walk in. Since you're already on the city's main bar-and-restaurant strip, pair it with dinner downtown or a beer next door at one of the flanking breweries. Hours shift seasonally, so check ahead.
- 📍 Downtown Colorado Springs
- 💸 $$
- ⚡ Up for anything
- 🌗 Indoors
Where: 114 N Tejon St, Suite 10, Colorado Springs, CO 80903
Hours: Added 2026-06-09 — confirm current hours before you go.
Pair it with
- The Rabbit Hole — Keep the subterranean energy going by walking down into a former city morgue for gothic Alice-in-Wonderland dining and flaming drinks.
- District Eleven — Trade underground tropical fog for a secret back-alley vault speakeasy hidden behind a downtown taco shop.
- Novis Mortem Collective (classes by The Terrorium Shop) — Match the macabre skull props in the tiki bar dividers with a hands-on taxidermy or oddities workshop right on Tejon Street.
- Supernova Bar and Arcade — Follow up rum cocktails with retro pinball and classic arcade cabinets just two blocks down the street.
Good to know
How do I find the entrance to Shrunken Head?
Look for a single unmarked door on North Tejon Street wedged directly between Oskar Blues Grill & Brew and Bell Brothers Brewing. Once inside, take the stairs or the elevator down to the basement suite.
What seating options are available inside?
The central bar features swinging rope seats, while the surrounding room offers high-backed privacy booths and standard lounge tables.
Is Shrunken Head accessible if I can't take stairs?
Yes. While it is located in a subterranean space, an elevator runs from the street-level entrance directly down to the bar.
Is there an age limit or food menu?
It is strictly a 21-and-up venue. The focus is on craft cocktails, though basic bar snacks are available and you can eat before or after at the surrounding downtown restaurants.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: Official site · Yelp · gazette.com · tikicentral.com · mytiki.life
last checked: 2026-06-09