Paradise Grotto is a hidden tropical bar tucked away in the Entertainment District.

You'll enter from an unassuming lower level door marked with dried palm leaves one may typically find on a tiki hut, before entering into a dark and modern cave-like interior. At the back, you'll find a large patio that feels like an island getaway. 

It's a cocktail bar first and foremost, and the menu features drinks that arrive in large fishbowls called Large Formats. The Hot & Bothered ($45) was a mix of vodka, Aperol, fino, rosé prosecco, sweet lychee, raspberry, pomegranate, and basil — complete with curly straws. 

The Kiwi-Melon Spritz ($19), a modern take on the classic wine spritzer, is one of their more popular drinks. This one is an easy sip, using white rum, green chartreuse, prosecco, apple, kiwi, melon, black lemon, and fresh mint. 

My personal favourite was the Open Water ($17) which had a beautiful top layer of raspberry peychaud and clear Havana Club 3 as the base. Soda and a light clarified herb note keeps this from tasting too strong. 

3 Dots and a Dash ($19) is one of their classic tropical cocktails. Allspice, honey, orange, lime, and agricole rum get shaken and served with three cheeky preserved cherries (in reference to its name).

Let That Man-Go ($17) is fruity with a touch of floral, thanks to St. Germain elderflower liqueur. It's served with a large leaf, with mango, black tea, green cardamom, and cucumber taking centre stage.Hurricane ($17) is bound to be a crowd favourite, mixing white rum, nutty Flor de Caña, passionfruit, orange, and lime to create the ultimate island drink.

Dill or No Deal ($18) was the most interesting drink of the night. A large dill garnish added a strong aromatic note to Plantation 3 Star rum, white vermouth, port, and lemongrass.The menu also has a selection of appetizers meant to be shared. Overall, the offerings are in line with the tropical theme, with clear nods to Hawaii and Southeast Asia.Watermelon Salad ($11) is a refreshing platter of melon covered in mint, crispy nori bits, served on lime avocado dressing and jalapeno syrup. It's sweet and salty in the best ways.

Umami Slaw ($13) has julienned pineapple, avocado, crispy garlic, shallot, and a smattering of chillies and herbs. This would make for a good palette cleanser in between savoury dishes. 

The Island Veggie Burger ($16) is a solid option for vegetarians. The key here is the thick slice of grilled pineapple and citrus slaw that lie on top of a sweet potato patty. 

Order the crinkle-cut Paradise Fries ($14) to accompany your burger or just split them with friends. A drizzle of kewpie mayo and teriyaki sauce, furikake, scallion, and chilli come atop the basket of fries.

For mains, we tried the Huli-Huli Hen ($30), a chicken brined for 48-hours until it's soft and tender before being smothered in BBQ sauce. The dish comes with extra-sharp scissors to cut the bird into serving portions.

A great way to try a wide variety of the menu is the Pupu Platter ($69). A smoking plate comes with five appetizers: Baos, Kalua Pork Sliders, Crispy Karage, Coconut Shrimp, and Yaki Skewers.

Don't sleep on the Yaki Skewers ($15). They're cooked to a perfect medium rare and covered in a sweet teriyaki glaze. 

Continuing the tropical theme, the outdoor courtyard features low tables and rattan chairs, bamboo-lined walls, and a glittering disco ball admist the bustle of the city.

Live music on Thursdays and daily happy hour really take the experience to another level and make it a great spot for after-dinner drinks and eats.

Paradise Grotto is located at 270 Adelaide St W. Unit #101.