STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -TOTTENVILLE - The owner of Tiki Island, John Petrozza, had heard the term "Sunday Funday" thrown around so often that he figured it was time make it so.
He and business partner Tomer Vardi put an exclamation point on weekends at the outdoor, shore-themed venue on Ellis Street in Tottenville and are now hosting a Sunday Funday of their own.
Late afternoon this past Sunday, several young women clad in tight, revealing dresses and bikinis walked a makeshift catwalk as part of a contest for dozens of Tiki Island visitors. It' part of an effort to brand the relatively new Staten Island site with its own distinct character.
It should come as no surprise that it was, indeed, a hit.
The venue packed in more than 100 people, most of whom said they were surprised to hear a bikini contest was in the cards that day. But no one was complaining.
"Thumbs up!" said Freddy Dimino of Tottenville, who said Tiki Island reminds him of the Jersey Shore. "I love it. It's got a great atmosphere."
He and other visitors said the crowd is varied. Those in attendance ranged from 21 to about 60.
'GOOD IDEA'
"It's a good idea," said Annadale resident Brian S., who downed a couple of drinks and some fried calamari and French fries with his pals before the show started. "I can't see how it's not."
The South Shore resident was impressed with the venue, adding that there aren't many outdoors spots in a borough that's an island unto itself.
The summer, Jersey Shore-styled bar boasts plenty of space, a volleyball area, DJ, tables, food and drink service, and, now once a week, a show unlike any other in the borough.
The catwalk, located across from the big tiki bar, allows all to watch the parade. Several judges, including three randomly chosen from the crowd, sit a couple of feet from the stage.
Eight young women first wore sexy dresses and individually were called to the catwalk to strut their stuff. Moments later, they returned in bikinis. Some drew hollers from the crowd; all were applauded. A few attendees snapped photos during the event.
Local band Screaming Broccoli performed afterward.
Panzone organic vodka was one of the bikini contest's sponsors. Joe Lucci, brand ambassador and Eltingville resident, said Tiki Island's atmosphere will keep folks on Staten Island.
"The more you can do to show everyone else (what you have), the more it makes sense to support local business," said Lucci.
Anna Bizzarro of Brooklyn was one of the dozens at Tiki Island on Sunday.
'FIRST TIME'"It's my first time. Better than expected. I thought it would be dead with everyone at the shore," she said, adding that the bikini contest concept was cool. "You don't expect it on Staten Island. It makes (the venue) more popular."
Francesca Hrdina described the atmosphere as awesome. Ms. Hrdina, of Tottenville, often visits the Jersey Shore and said Tiki Island holds its own as a spot that can draw Staten Islanders during the summer.
She said she'd been looking forward to attending.
Diane and Sheri Sabella, both of Annadale, said they enjoyed their visit, adding the crowd was diverse and the atmosphere near the water was welcoming.
"It's the nicest outdoor place on the Island," said Diane Sabella, adding they wanted to check out the bikini contest for a few laughs.
Contestants were chosen by two show organizers, Evgenia Kina and Natalia Gomez via modeling companies and other websites, they said.
The goal was to have a variety of young woman: Spanish, Italian, Russian, black, tall, short, and so on, Ms. Gomez noted.
REWARDS
Each participant received $150. First- and second-place winners were awarded $500 and $250, respectively, and were entered into a final competition scheduled for Sept. 15. The final winner takes home $2,500.
During the summer, the Ellis Street venue has drawn up to 2,000 people on some weekend nights, said Petrozza. Some previous Sundays have included bikini shows, but nothing as organized as last weekend's.
"So far, it's been a big hit," said Petrozza, noting that the Sunday Funday theme has enabled folks to "start early" and finish having fun early because everyone's back to work Monday.
Since opening, the place has received an overwhelmingly positive reception, said the owner.
Vardi said before the contest began, employees asked customers for their feedback on the concept. He wanted to make sure it was accepted. If it wasn't, Vardi said the bar would discontinue it.
He noted that since Tiki Island opened, some nearby residents have complained about the loud DJ music. In response, management has repositioned the speakers and built a soundproof box to house them. Upon arriving Sunday, this reporter couldn't hear the sound until getting within a few feet of the bar.
"We want people to think they're on vacation. We want people in Staten Island to not spend their money in New Jersey and we want the people in Jersey to spend their money in New York," said Petrozza.
Francesca Hrdina described the atmosphere as awesome. Ms. Hrdina, of Tottenville, often visits the Jersey Shore and said Tiki Island holds its own as a spot that can draw Staten Islanders during the summer.
She said she'd been looking forward to attending.
Diane and Sheri Sabella, both of Annadale, said they enjoyed their visit, adding the crowd was diverse and the atmosphere near the water was welcoming.
"It's the nicest outdoor place on the Island," said Diane Sabella, adding they wanted to check out the bikini contest for a few laughs.
Contestants were chosen by two show organizers, Evgenia Kina and Natalia Gomez via modeling companies and other websites, they said.
The goal was to have a variety of young woman: Spanish, Italian, Russian, black, tall, short, and so on, Ms. Gomez noted.
REWARDS
Each participant received $150. First- and second-place winners were awarded $500 and $250, respectively, and were entered into a final competition scheduled for Sept. 15. The final winner takes home $2,500.
During the summer, the Ellis Street venue has drawn up to 2,000 people on some weekend nights, said Petrozza. Some previous Sundays have included bikini shows, but nothing as organized as last weekend's.
"So far, it's been a big hit," said Petrozza, noting that the Sunday Funday theme has enabled folks to "start early" and finish having fun early because everyone's back to work Monday.
Since opening, the place has received an overwhelmingly positive reception, said the owner.
Vardi said before the contest began, employees asked customers for their feedback on the concept. He wanted to make sure it was accepted. If it wasn't, Vardi said the bar would discontinue it.
He noted that since Tiki Island opened, some nearby residents have complained about the loud DJ music. In response, management has repositioned the speakers and built a soundproof box to house them. Upon arriving Sunday, this reporter couldn't hear the sound until getting within a few feet of the bar.
"We want people to think they're on vacation. We want people in Staten Island to not spend their money in New Jersey and we want the people in Jersey to spend their money in New York," said Petrozza.
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