We’re not sure what’s cooler: being a member of the X-Men, or being a member of LUPEC (Ladies United for the Preservation of Endangered Cocktails). The badass bartenders who belong to the Boston chapter of this national organization have mad skills and huge hearts, and their fall fundraiser was one of this year’s most hotly-anticipated events for Boston’s cocktail-loving crowd. This year, the Ladies transformed the Villa Victoria Center for the Arts into a Havana-style club for their “50s Hawaiian”-themed Tiki Bash, complete with huge fake palm trees and tiny tropical drinks. (Check out LUPEC’s history of the Mai-Tai here). We think any excuse to break out our “Joan Dresses” and/or fedoras is a welcome one—and by the looks of our fellow attendees, who brought some serious sartorial game on this particular Saturday night despite the monsoon raging outside, we are not alone.

–Ryan Weaver

Island Creek Oysters spiced up their trusty rowboat full o’ ice with some cocktail umbrellas.

Tiki enthusiasts packed both levels of the Villa Victoria Center for the Arts.

Some of LUPEC’s finest (wo)manned the upstairs bar.

Serving up Painkillers, Ken-Tikis, Mai Tais and more.

Sparkles McTitsy & Tallulah Starlight of Thru the Keyhole steamed up the joint with burlesque performances throughout the night.

Tons of feathers, sequins, tassels… also: ballons, gorilla suit.

So Uke Springsteen’s tiki take on The Boss may not have been entirely appropriate for the retro theme… but when is a man named Uke Springsteen really ever appropriate?

And now a mixology lesson from the experts. The more you know…

It wouldn’t be tiki without a little hula. The Hula Aloha dancers capped off the night with a performance…

…And then gave a little lesson. The dancing was a lot less structured thereafter.