Zombie Village in San Francisco carries the torch of a lost legend. First imagined in 1942 by Skipper Kent—yachtsman, showman, and master of tropical illusion, the original Zombie Village was a landmark of Oakland’s golden tiki age, just steps from Trader Vic’s. Though that fire-lit chapter ended in 1967, its spirit has been rekindled in this modern revival: a transportive rum den nestled in the Tenderloin.
Opened in 2019 by the creators of Pagan Idol, Zombie Village is more than a nod to the past, it’s a full-blown resurrection. The interior fuses South Pacific iconography with Caribbean soul, brought to life by a dream team of tiki artisans including Bamboo Ben, Bosko, Crazy Al, and Woody Miller. Every corner hums with hand-carved energy, glowing with color and shadow like a story told in torchlight.
Behind the bar, Doc Parks curates a menu that walks the line between homage and innovation. Classic cocktails from Skipper Kent’s own archives sit beside new creations, all crafted with layered tropical flavors and top-tier spirits. Zombie Village doesn’t just recreate a mid-century escape—it amplifies it, offering guests a place where history, hospitality, and high craft collide.