Excalibur is leaning into fantasy in a new way with the debut of The Tiki Bar, a tropical hideaway tucked just off the casino floor. Inspired by the property’s long-whispered dragon lore — specifically the mythical creature “Murphy,” said to slumber beneath the castle — the new venue aims to offer something different from the typical Strip lounge: a full-on escape.
That idea is central to the concept, according to Excalibur’s team. More than just another themed bar, The Tiki Bar is designed as a place where guests can step away from the casino energy and settle into something more relaxed, immersive and just a little playful.
“It’s a getaway… an escape for our guests to get off the casino floor and be in a great adventure here,” Excalibur’s Senior Beverage Manager Barbara Valle told the Food and Loathing podcast.
Inside, that escape is built through layers of detail. Guests enter through a thatched portal into a lounge filled with carved wood, tropical fabrics and glowing tiki accents. A three-sided bar anchors the room, while a stage framed by lava rock and “magma” textures sets the tone for nightly entertainment. The design leans heavily into classic tiki aesthetics, but with a Vegas twist — part island fantasy, part theatrical set piece.
Unlike many tiki bars, this one adds live music, with bands performing on weekend nights. It’s a deliberate choice meant to elevate the experience beyond décor and drinks.
“We offer a vibe. Kick back, enjoy a drink and some conversation, some late-night energy with our bands,” Valle said.
The drink program follows a similar philosophy: familiar at its core, but with room to play. The menu features 15 specialty cocktails, including traditional rum-based offerings alongside variations that incorporate vodka and tequila. Shareable drinks, flaming presentations, and over-the-top glassware all lean into tiki tradition, while a frozen pineapple whip — a nod to a theme-park favorite — offers a lighter, dessert-style option.
Signature beverages include the Whip Tai, a tropical mix of rum, orgeat and pineapple whip, and a large-format Blue Hawaiian designed for groups. There’s also a three-drink tasting flight for those looking to sample a range of flavors in one sitting.
Notably, the bar is focused entirely on beverages — there’s no food menu — reinforcing its identity as a place to drop in, unwind and stay awhile rather than a full dining destination.
The Tiki Bar also represents something of a first for MGM Resorts, marking the company’s initial foray into a dedicated tiki concept in Las Vegas. For a property like Excalibur — long known for its medieval theme — the addition feels like a natural extension of its storytelling DNA, just filtered through a different lens.
Whether or not guests ever catch a glimpse of Murphy the dragon remains to be seen. But for now, the spirit of that legend lives on in a space built for rum drinks, live music and a brief escape from reality — no drawbridge required.
You can hear the full interview with Barbara Valle on the February 13, 2026, episode of Food and Loathing.
