Enduring the unending mysteries of island life requires roughly six seasons worth of diligent concentration, copious patience, and bushels of island fare. Today’s Groupon gets you $30 worth of Polynesian palate-pleasers and retro cocktails at Trader Vic’s in Scottsdale for $15. Bring your best beachcombers to find these tasty treasures guarded by savage island dogs and buried in the side of the renowned Hotel Valley Ho.

Trader Vic’s—home of the original Mai Tai—features a robust drink menu with classic tiki cocktails and rummy summer sippers. Try Scottsdale’s own Cactus Bloom, a blend of tequila, Pisco brandy, fruit juices, and prickle-pear syrup that’s sure to satisfy parched patio-dwellers ($8.50). For chewable options, Trader Vic’s Polynesian cuisine blends flavors such as fruit chutney, peanut, ginger, soy, oyster, plum, and hoisin in its tasty appetizers and slow-roasted entrees. A Chinese wood-fire oven slow-roasts dishes, such as maple-leaf duck and jumbo sea scallops wrapped in applewood bacon, with smoke derived from pecan and oak woods ($27 each).

Bright colors and patterns pop against bamboo furniture and exposed-stone walls in Trader Vic’s lush and vibrant dining room. From bright red ceiling beams to the patio fire pit, this island paradise is as colorful and exciting as its menu offerings, which will liven your senses and send you off into the dark night to sharpen your island survival senses.

Reviews

The Phoenix New Times awarded Trader Vic’s Best Vintage Drink Menu and Best Pupu Platter, and named the Hotel Valley Ho Best Place to Pretend You’re a Member of the Rat Pack. Kudzu users give Trader Vic’s four stars and TripAdvisors give it 3.5 owl eyes: > * Every town has its signature tiki place, and Trader Vic’s is consistently great food and service. The flaming drinks were a hoot, and the hotel next door has the coolest decor in Scottsdale. – KelVick, Kudzu > * The food is exquisite and the atmosphere is pure swank. While the decor pays homage to the brand’s traditional tiki roots, it does so without even a hint of kitsch. It would be impossible to feel stressed out in this escapist atmosphere, which offers treats for each of the senses. – jad3blu3, TripAdvisor > * I’ve been to a few Vic’s across the country, and this by far is the best one. Very cool atmosphere, live entertainment on the night I was there and REALLY GOOD food. While visiting with some friends we noticed amazing happy hour deals that we WILL return for. – DMoorman, TripAdvisor