If a trip to Hawaii is out of your price range, check out Drift, the next-best thing.

The restaurant and tiki bar — which opened in early December — offers a Hawaiian atmosphere with tall torches and plants decorating its surroundings. Lava rock candles are lit on the tables, providing an intimate dining experience.

A small cove-shaped fireplace adds a romantic touch, while trance music plays in the background and two televisions display a surfing special, adding to Drift’s islandlike setting.

There’s even a large aquarium in the middle of the bar and an outdoor patio that faces 75th Street.

"There’s such a great atmosphere here," says Jacque Metcalf, 34, of Scottsdale. "I really like the ambience. It’s easy to relax."

"It’s different from most places in Scottsdale," adds Carlos Bornacelli, 36, of Scottsdale. "It’s a beautiful place."

The bar’s menu adds to the colorful scenery and island mood with entrees including mahi mahi ($17), chicken soba bowl ($11) and portobello and vegetable grill ($13).

The drink menu is even tastier, with fruity alcoholic beverages with names such as the rumbatini (rum, peach schnapps, champagne and passion fruit), evil bastard (Whalers Vanilla, Bacardi 151, lemonade, orange juice, passion fruit and Trader Vic Orgeat Syrup) and Big Chief (brandy, gin, light rum and orange juice).

Although it’s a great place to kick back, don’t mistake Drift for the type of bar to hit when you want to rage. It appears to be designed more as a date spot or a place to catch up with friends when you want to actually hear what they are saying.

"Drift is pretty fun, but it’s a place I’d go to get the party started," says Ryan Matthews, 23, of Tempe. "You start out drinking there and then get wild somewhere else."

Drift

Where: 4341 N. 75th St., Scottsdale
When: Dinner 5 to 11 p.m. daily, bar open until 1 a.m.
How much: $3-$4.50 drafts
Happy hour: 5 to 7 p.m. daily, $2 Bud Lights, $15 Pele’s Eruption, $4 daiquiris and Tabatinis, $3 Bacardi mojitos and Cuba libras, $3 spring rolls and pot stickers, $5 spare ribs, crab dip and beef, chicken or shrimp spears, $15 pu pu platter
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