The Lost Outpost Pop-Up Tiki Bar
The Legendary Axe
Westland, Mich.
Animatronic birds, secret menus and an abandoned expedition site in the South Pacific? Westland’s The Legendary Axe bar is going all in for its latest themed pop-up “The Lost Outpost,” an immersive tiki bar running until Aug. 31.
The bar is owned by Legendary Entertainment & Experiences and Bailey Design & Entertainment, creators of the site’s adjacent Hush Haunted Attraction. It was inspired by “Indiana Jones,” classic tiki culture and 1930s pulp adventures.
A visit to The Lost Outpost begins with a backstory: “Many moons ago” the Legendary Expedition Co. mysteriously vanished in the South Pacific after establishing a basecamp in pursuit of a cursed volcanic temple rumored to hold unspeakable power. Now that “lost outpost” has been found, ready for visitors to explore while enjoying tropical spirits and tiki-themed food.
Your first step into the main bar surrounds you in a jungle. Tropical greenery hangs from the ceiling, along with ropes, fish nets, lanterns and a canoe. The sounds of birds, rain and music fill the air, interrupted by an occasional “thunderstorm” that makes the lights flicker. Polynesian masks, wooden crates, ranger hats, shrunken heads, luggage, canteens, and expedition maps fill the walls, shelves and every nook and cranny. Every so often, a charming chorus of animatronic birds comes to life to banter and sing.
That is the basic set-up to the bar. Further exploration reveals more surprises. Toward the back left, two semi-private “secret suites” face the bar’s staple axe- throwing rooms. The Explorer’s Suite and The Treasure Suite are cozy, separated rooms with leather couches, wooden tables, ambient TVs and their own unique collections of objects like masks, skulls, books, games, and maps. On the other side of the axe-throwing room, The Captain’s Quarters offers a small darts area with cozy seating and its own collection of treasures.
These rooms are meant for parties of up to 15 and can be rented for between 1.5-2 hours. But more than just a gathering space, these rooms offer a secret menu accessible only by solving puzzles and finding clues based on nearby objects.
To the right side of the main bar is The Courtyard, a darker space that continues the story. As they walk past a stone-carved face, visitors can check out the airplane wreckage – complete with a remarkably well-preserved pilot – and the eerie temple ruins on their way to the bathrooms (which sadly don’t continue the tiki décor).
The adventure concludes outside. A back patio surrounds a 20-foot volcano that erupts throughout the night with a show of fog and lights. It is surrounded by fire pits, tiki torches, picnic tables, thatch umbrellas and a random hanging caged corpse, which I assume is a remnant of or an ode to the adjacent haunted house.
Appropriately, the menu features sugary fruity drinks full of tropical flavors like coconut and pineapple served with dramatic presentation. Their showier options include a pineapple drink served inside a whole pineapple and set on fire and Old Fashioneds served glowing inside a treasure chest. Others feature a more subtle finish with a pineapple or flower garnish.
The tropical flavors carry over to the food menu, which includes a selection of tacos, pizzas, fries, giant pretzels and other snacks featuring a generous amount of pineapple, sweet chili sauce and Spam.
The food and drinks are good, but the highlight of the experience is the atmosphere. I am personally not a big bar patron or drinker, but I always appreciate a good story and a good show, which The Lost Outpost delivered. Every detail from the backstory to the décor to the sounds is well thought out. I appreciate the range of activities offered and opportunities for engagement. The Lost Outpost is more than a bar – it’s an experience and fun one for anyone looking for something a little more “adventurous” for their next night out.
