A popular Jefferson City nightlife spot bid farewell to loyal customers this weekend.
Shrunken Head Tropic Lounge closed up the bar at 301 Ash St. for the last time Saturday, but its spirit will live on in its liquor catering business.
“We still love the place, and it breaks my heart to have to close the location,” owner Tiffany Hildebrand said.
Tiffany and Conrad Hildebrand bought Shrunken Head from founder Jonny VerPlanck in 2015 after he opened it in 2013. The tiki-themed bar on Jefferson City’ east end was known for its signature tropical — mostly rum-based — drinks.
While the bar’s customer base has dwindled over the past few years, Hildebrand said, Shrunken Head’s catering business has flourished, offering bar service at events throughout Mid-Missouri like weddings, corporate parties and concerts — including downtown Jefferson City’s Angiepalooza and The Millbottom’s Fourth of July party, for example.
“Instead of just closing down everything, we’re going to just close down the bar and focus on the catering,” she said.
For former customers who want to hold onto a piece of Shrunken Head, the bar’s one-of-a-kind Rivermaid tiki mugs, designed by Darick Maasen, are still available for sale on Shrunken Head’s website, shrunkenheadjcmo.com.
“Our mug was (Maasen’s) first time designing a tiki mug, and since then, he has been commissioned by several other tiki bars to design mugs for them,” Hildebrand said.
Hildebrand hopes people will remember the bar for its uniqueness.
“You never know — we’re going to keep our eyes open for another location possibly; it’s not out of the question,” she said.
More information about Shrunken Head’s catering is available on its website and Facebook page or by calling Hildebrand at 573-338-5455.
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