A New Addition to the Tiki Room: Pearl Divers Oyster Bar
After five years of running the Tiki Room, Martin Armendariz Jr. and his wife, Noelle Coley, are expanding their business with a new venture called Pearl Divers Oyster Bar. Located just next door at 115 S. Durango St., this oyster bar serves as a complementary spot for customers of both businesses. The name is inspired by a popular cocktail found in tiki bars, capturing the essence of an escapist atmosphere that originated in the 1930s.
Armendariz and his wife have both been involved in the hospitality industry for many years. Armendariz was the chef at Aurellia’s Bottle Shop & Brewhouse when it first opened and played a key role in making avocado fries a local favorite. He has also worked at Black Bird and operated a food truck. His wife founded Pur Cold Pressed Juice, which she sold in 2020.
The idea for the oyster bar came from their travels along the East and West coasts. “It’s similar to how tiki bars started. We enjoy visiting tiki bars when we’re out of town, and we also love oyster bars. We look for fresh oysters in fun coastal cities,” Armendariz explained.
Despite El Paso being a desert city, Armendariz believes it can support a thriving oyster bar. The oysters, available in varieties like Kumiai, Gold Rush, and Pink Moon, arrive alive and are shucked on-site. “There’s no reward without risk, so as an entrepreneur, you have to take risks. If cities like Phoenix, Dallas, Denver, Austin, or Kansas City can have proper oyster bars, why not El Paso?” he said.
Pearl Divers has been open for a few weeks and is already attracting visitors through social media and tourists staying downtown. Customers often mention that they haven’t felt comfortable eating oysters in El Paso for years, but they find the experience here refreshing. “It’s all about good sourcing, research, and logistics,” Armendariz noted. The oysters come from various locations, including Prince Edward Island in Canada and Baja California.
The bar features a long counter where guests can watch Armendariz shuck the oysters, as well as tables that can be reserved for groups. The menu includes a variety of options, such as $5 oyster shots, raw oysters in their half shells with a house Clamato mix, and the Rockefeller, which features oysters topped with spinach, bacon, and breadcrumbs. The Rockefellers are three oysters for $15, and each person should order their own since they are too delicious to share.
Other menu highlights include New England clam chowder, lobster rolls, shrimp cocktails, and tuna carpaccio. Having two related businesses seems to be a successful strategy. “One of the most surprising things is that people come in here not knowing about the Tiki Room until they go to the restroom,” Armendariz said. The restrooms connect the two spaces via a fun, tropical-themed hallway.
The Tiki Room offers its own charm with rounded booths, a large totem head as decor, and hanging lights. For a fun night out, start with dinner and drinks at Pearl Divers Oyster Bar, then move to the Tiki Room for more drinks, tropical music, and conversation.
Hours and More Information
Pearl Divers Oyster Bar is open from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday, and closed on Mondays. The Tiki Room operates from 5 p.m. to midnight Wednesday through Sunday, and is closed on Monday and Tuesday.
For more information or to reach out, contact María Cortés González at 915-546-6150, [email protected], or follow her on Bluesky and TikTok.
