Downtown LA newsflash: The Doheny is about to get a whole lot busier. The once exclusive (pricey) members-only drinking club is opening its doors a little wider, and inviting the rum-lovers of the world to come in. It is keeping the members-only concept, only now the annual fee is an accessible $20, and it will transform the way Angelenos think of Tiki cocktails.

John Coltharp formerly the whiskey aficionado of Seven Grand, got the rum bug and was itching to get a specialty bar up-and-running. Cedd Moses, a principal in the 213 Downtown LA group (Seven Grand, Las Perlas, Golden Gopher, among others) saw an opportunity to breathe new life into his jewel box bar, while jumping on a hot trend. Joel Black, formerly the head mixologist at Comme Ca is bar manager. And - a wonderful surprise - NYC star bartender Allan Katz (who followed his Californian lady-love to La La Land) is also shaking & stirring killer tiki drinks at Cana.

When you hear “tiki,” you may be thinking bucketfuls of CoCo Lopez and grenadine. However, the guys at Cana beg to differ. Katz explains, “Tiki … was the last time (in American mixology) that blending something wholly new became important… these aren’t just sweet drinks… its all about balance, just like any other good cocktail bar.”

Of course, you can also expect the usual classic rum-based favorites such as daiquiris and mojitos (like the one pictured here in vintage glassware from BarKeeper.)

Do you prefer to skip the cocktails and sip an exotic rum? There are over 140 small-batch rums from far flung locales around the world – just reading the menu is a lesson in geography! Cana will also feature live music, free rum tastings and for the first 30 days, the $20 membership fee will be donated to Haitian earthquake relief efforts.

WATCH THIS VIDEO for a sneak peek inside Cana, and learn what’s in a drink I particularly enjoyed called “Three Dots and a Dash.” Cheers!