A destination for
the Tiki-curious
Polynesian influence meets maritime folklore at new Astoria bar
BY PETER KORCHNAK
A new treasure awaits fans of the Tiki aes-
thetic. Step through the door of Dead Man’s
Isle in Astoria and find yourself in an oasis,
helmed by proprietors Annie Van Dyke and
Miles Nielsen.
“You become part of the story,” Nielsen
said, pointing to a portrait of a sailor on the
wall. “This captain got shipwrecked and he
used his ship to build this place.”
Nielsen and Van Dyke are setting a scene.
Dead Man’s Isle, named for Dead Man’s Cove
within Cape Disappointment State Park, draws
on both maritime and Tiki aesthetics, merging
Polynesian and American iconography.
Centering a dark interior beneath glass
floats hanging from the ceiling is a bar, assem-
bled from shadow boxes and old crates. “We
love entertaining and creating this type of
ambiance,” Van Dyke said.
More than just a neighborhood Tiki joint,
Dead Man’s Isle infuses a nautical flair, with
nods to “Gilligan’s Island,” “Swiss Family
Robinson,” and, inevitably, “The Goonies.”
“Our logo is a nod to One-Eyed Willy,”
See Page 7
Photos by Peter Korchnak
ABOVE: David Licitra, left, and Kristen Zisk stand behind the bar at Dead Man’s Isle in Astoria.
RIGHT: Annie Van Dyke, left, and Miles Nielsen, owners of Dead Man’s Isle in Astoria, exhibit the
volcano cocktail, a signature drink. ABOVE RIGHT: A candle features the logo of Dead Man’s Isle.
6 // COASTWEEKEND.COM
Dead Man’s Isle
1239 Duane Street, Astoria
Open from 4 to 10 p.m. on Thursdays,
4 to 11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays
and 4 to 10 p.m. on Sundays
www.deadmansisle.com