La Kiva is just about the most bizarre place I've ever encountered. It's a funky bar and restaurant built into a cave-like void in Terlingua Creek, just north of the ghost town of Terlingua. On a typical night, more folks arrive on horseback than in cars.
The massive cartoon-like door set off-kilter and at a downward angle into the ground is propped open to reveal stairs down into the ground.
Old-fashioned swinging bar doors admit one into the main bar and dining room area, where you will be cheerily greeted by a host.
Live music is played almost every night except for Thursday, usually local artists, but some potently famous folks have graced the stage here. The place is dark, funky, and dungeon-like, with bones cemented to the walls to form fantastical skeletons of animals that never existed.
The tables and chairs are of massive hewn logs from some forest way up north.
In spring and summer, outside seating is possible on the patio overlooking the desert creek canyon, surrounding a big stage where larger events are held.
There is a kooky special room that looks more cave-like than anything in the place, then entrance to which is only 5 feet high. I still haven't figured out what they use it for.
The drinks are stiff and cheap, with toe-curling margaritas for $3.50 and beers for $2. They've got a few things on tap.
The chef for La Kiva is an "expat" from up north somewhere, and puts on a great Southwestern menu with some funky twists like "Chicken Fried Ribeye." The barbeque is great here, too.
Want to spend a Christmas you'll never forget? Christmas Eve dinner is lavish and gourmet, for only $15.
You'll share the bar with ranchers whose families have lived in the region for generations. Stock brokers and CEOs who grew weary of corporate life and moved to Terlingua to escape. Hippies, young and old, drawn to the region's character.
Go to La Kiva. It has been named one of the top 20 most unique bars in America by some big magazine. It's hanging on their wall. You'll understand why when you get there.