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LATEST NEWS & EVENTS

PHOTOS & VIDEO: Don the Beachcomber launches Morgan's Cove speakeasy in Tampa NEW
PHOTOS & VIDEO: Don the Beachcomber launches Morgan's Cove speakeasy in Tampa
The revival of the iconic brand has entered a new chapter with the opening of the first Gantt Reserve Collection bar. Check out our sneak peek, including an exclusive look at the menu.
>>> COMPREHENSIVE PREVIEW AND REVIEW
In-depth coverage: Speakeasy celebrates city's pirate past
LIVE REVIEW: The experience | The cocktails | The menu
Previous coverage: Don the Beachcomber announces new bar concept, three upcoming locations in Florida

EXCLUSIVE PHOTOS: Inside the Molokai Bar and tour of The Mai-Kai restoration
Exclusive photos: Inside the Molokai Bar and tour of The Mai-Kai restoration
Guests of The Hukilau got a rare look at the renovated and reimagined areas of the historic restaurant in June 2024.
>>> NEW PHOTOS AND RECAP OF THE TOURS
Related coverage: More photos of the sneak preview during The Hukilau
Story archive: Full coverage of The Mai-Kai refurbishment

The Hukilau highlights: Photos and memories from 2024 Tiki weekender in South Florida NEW
The Hukilau highlights: Photos and memories from 2024 Tiki weekender in South Florida
Check out The Atomic Grog's deep dive into all the fun at the Beachcomber Resort and sneak peek at The Mai-Kai, including our favorite moments from throughout the four-day Tiki weekender.
>>> PHOTOS, VIDEO & COMPREHENSIVE RECAP
Direct links: The music | Presentations & classes (Beachbum Berry & David Wondrich | Matt Pietrek | Will Anders)
Photos: Exclusive tours of The Mai-Kai | More Hukilau photos
* Bars & cocktails | Bonus recipes: Tropical Messiah | Once A Villager
More on Spotify: Playlist of performing bands

The Hukilau 2024: Live coverage, photos and video from social media
The Hukilau 2024: Live coverage, photos and video from social media
For the 22nd time, Tiki enthusiasts enjoyed a long weekend full of surf and exotica music, expert symposiums, artists and vendors, world-class cocktails, and much more.
>>> SEE VIDEO, PHOTOS FROM SOCIAL MEDIA
Direct links: Pool party & bands | Symposiums & cocktails | Bungalow parties | Miscellaneous fun | Mai-Kai tours | Hangover party
More on YouTube: Live videos of six of the performing bands

The Tiki Times: Exclusive events guide UPDATED
The Tiki Times events calendar
Check the calendar for all of the major happenings around the world, from Tiki weekenders to rum festivals to marketplaces and music fests.
>>> PREVIEW ALL THE 2024 EVENTS | Past event photos, video

SEE BELOW: More 2024 news and events

SPECIAL FEATURE

The Mai-Kai Restoration Guide
The Mai-Kai Restoration Guide
Check out news, photos, video and details on the refurbishment and reopening of South Florida's Polynesian Palace.
>>> COVERAGE FROM THE ATOMIC GROG

NEW & UPDATED RECIPES

UPDATED: The classic Demerara Float rises again ... and again
The Mai-Kai's Demerara Float history, recipes
Check out the latest updates to our review of The Mai-Kai's Demerara Float, plus complete back-story of this classic.
NEW VIDEO: Demerara Float on Make and Drink
>>> HISTORY, RECIPES AND MORE
Okole Maluna Society: The Mai-Kai Cocktail Guide | 100+ Mai-Kai recipes

Mai-Kai cocktail review: The quest for the elusive Moonkist Coconut UPDATED
Mai-Kai cocktail review: The quest for the elusive Moonkist Coconut
The intriguing back story of a Mariano Licudine classic from the original 1956 menu, inspired by a 1930s era drink by Don the Beachcomber that pre-dated the Pina Colada by decades.
>>> Full story and review
Deep links: Our Moonkist Coconut review | Ancestor recipes NEW | The back story NEW | Official Mai-Kai recipe
Postscript: Moonkist Coconut on Make and Drink (video)

Mai-Kai cocktail review: The Rum Barrel is the Rodney Dangerfield of tropical drinks
Mai-Kai cocktail review: The Rum Barrel is the Rodney Dangerfield of tropical drinks
Maybe this iconic drink is finally getting some respect. "This is the most iconic Rum Barrel ...mainly because it's just delicious. It has everything you really want in a Rum Barrel," proclaims the Make or Drink channel on YouTube.
NEW VIDEO: Rum Barrel tribute recipe on Make and Drink
>>> Our complete Barrel O' Rum story featuring news, updates and history
Deep links: Barrel O' Rum review | Ancestor recipe NEW | Official recipe
Tribute recipe | New Mai-Kai rum coming soon
* Christmas Barrel review and tribute | The Rum Barrel on social media

Mai-Kai cocktail review: Double your pleasure with the exotic and delicious Zula #1 (and #2)
Mai-Kai cocktail review: Double your pleasure with the exotic and delicious Zula #1 (and #2)
Take a deep dive into the history of a vintage cocktail from Mariano Licudine's 1956 menu. This Don the Beachcomber classic is still being reimagined by craft bartenders today.
>>> See the full story, from the 1930s to 2024
Direct links: Our Zula reviews | Ancestor recipe | Tribute recipes
NEW VIDEO: Zula vs. Penang Afrididi vs. Penang Punch on Make and Drink

COCKTAIL GUIDES

Okole Maluna Society: The Mai-Kai Cocktail Guide
Okole Maluna Society: The Mai-Kai Cocktail Guide
Hurricane Hayward reviews and rates the historic restaurant's current and past tropical drinks, plus reveals a treasure trove of ancestor and exclusive tribute recipes.
>>> A DEEP DIVE INTO THE COCKTAILS OF THE MAI-KAI
>>> List of all 100+ recipes

Atomic Grog Cocktail Recipes, A through Z
Atomic Grog Cocktail Recipes, A through Z
A comprehensive list of every recipe we've posted on the site since 2011.
>>> COMPLETE LIST OF 250+ DRINKS

MORE 2024 NEWS & REVIEWS

The Mai-Kai restoration work expands, sneak previews offered at The Hukilau (May 2024 update)
The Mai-Kai restoration work expands, sneak previews offered at The Hukilau (May 2024 update)
The $15 million project continues to engulf the 2.7-acre historic property as event passholders are treated to special tours of fully restored indoor guest areas.
>>> EVENT PREVIEW, EXTENSIVE UPDATES AND PHOTOS
Story archive: Full coverage of The Mai-Kai refurbishment

The Hukilau 2024 preview & flashback: Inside (and outside) The Mai-Kai with Tiki carver Will Anders
The Hukilau 2024 preview & flashback: Inside (and outside) The Mai-Kai with Tiki carver Will Anders
The South Florida artist shares his experiences creating authentic Polynesian art - both large and small - during a presentation at the annual Tiki weekender on Pompano Beach.
>>> EVENT PREVIEW, BACK STORY AND PHOTOS OF WILL ANDERS' WORK
AUDIO & PHOTOS: Walking tour with Will Anders, Kern Mattei, Hurricane Hayward in 2018

The Hukilau 2024 preview: Symposiums, vendors and more announced for 22nd Tiki weekender June 6-9
The Hukilau 2024 preview: Symposiums, vendors and more announced for 22nd Tiki weekender
The East Coast's longest-running Polynesian Pop weekender features an all-star lineup of musical, mixological and scholarly talent for its annual gathering in South Florida.

EXCLUSIVE: The Mai-Kai reveals new images, plans for restoration at Orlando event, continues $15M project (April 2024 update)
The Mai-Kai reveals new images, plans for restoration at Orlando event, continues $15M project (April 2024 update)
Full coverage of the panel discussion at Tiki-a-Go-Go, including new photos and renderings of plans for the reimagination of the entry experience at the historic restaurant.
>>> INSIDE PEEK PLUS ALL THE LATEST NEWS
Tiki-a-Go-Go: Panel discussion overview | New kitchen, bar details | Artists showcase their work
Landscape architect's plans | Pop-up cocktails
Latest news: April refurbishment updates
Story archive: Full coverage of The Mai-Kai refurbishment

Don the Beachcomber announces new bar concept, three upcoming locations in Florida
Don the Beachcomber announces new bar concept, three upcoming locations in Florida
Everything you need to know about the expansion of the iconic restaurant brand, including a full recap and photos from Tiki-a-Go-Go in Orlando, plus new renderings and info on the new sites.
>>> LATEST INFORMATION, PHOTOS, MORE
In-depth coverage
* Full coverage of Tiki-a-Go-Go presentation
* Renderings, plans for Orlando restaurant revealed
* Gantt Reserve Collection bars introduced
* Upcoming South Florida location uncovered
* The Donn of Tiki makes a splash at Florida Film Festival
* Donn Beach biography expected next spring
Previous coverage: Don the Beachcomber grand opening in Florida is a smashing success

The first Tiki-a-Go-Go is a retro roadtrip through mid-century culture, appreciation
Photos, video: The first Tiki-a-Go-Go is a retro roadtrip through mid-century culture, appreciation
The April 5-7 event was a trip back in time, taking guests on a rollicking ride through mid-century Florida theme parks, Tiki bars, and other retro touchstones.
>>> PHOTOS, VIDEO FROM SOCIAL MEDIA
Event preview: Tiki-a-Go-Go looks to the past for a fresh take on the modern weekender

Mai-Kai kitchen and bar take shape as team heads to Tiki-a-Go-Go (March 2024 update)
Mai-Kai kitchen and bar take shape as team heads to Tiki-a-Go-Go event (March 2024 update)
New equipment is now being installed in the rebuilt back-of-house at the historic South Florida restaurant. More info, cocktails to be shared at Orlando event April 5-6.

The Hukilau 2024 attracts bands, bars and VIPs from around the globe, returns to The Mai-Kai
The Hukilau 2024 attracts bands, bars and VIPs from around the globe, returns to The Mai-Kai
Check out the lineup of headlining bands, special guest presenters and 18 guest bars attending the 22nd Tiki weekender in South Florida.

Beyond Esotico Miami: Kaona Room and Daniele Dalla Pola's cocktail and rum adventures
Beyond Esotico Miami: Kaona Room and Daniele Dalla Pola's cocktail and rum adventures
After closing his flagship Miami bar, the Italian master mixologist is hitting the road while the Kaona Room keeps his cocktails flowing. He reveals his plans to return, along with several other new projects in the works.
>>> FULL COVERAGE, PHOTOS AND VIDEO
* The Kaona Room keeps torch burning
* Photos, video: Esotico Miami memories
Cocktail recipe: Esotico Rum Cup

Mai-Kai update (February 2024): Exterior reimagination up next as $15 million Mai-Kai project plows ahead
Mai-Kai update (February 2024): Exterior reimagination up next as $15 million Mai-Kai project plows ahead
The historic South Florida restaurant prepares for an ambitious transformation of its sprawling 2.7-acre grounds.

REVIEW: El Dorado's new High Ester Blend could be a mixologist's secret weapon
El Dorado's new High Ester Blend could be a mixologist's secret weapon
The first in a series of cask-strength releases is a fine premium sipper, but its true strength may be behind the bar.
>>> SEE OUR TAKE ON THE NEW RUM

Don the Beachcomber grand opening in Florida is a smashing success
Don the Beachcomber grand opening in Florida is a smashing success
If there were any doubts that the inaugural "next gen" restaurant and tropical bar would not live up to the high standards of its namesake, they were quickly put to rest during the launch in Madeira Beach.
>>> OPENING DAY PHOTOS, RECAP, MORE
In-depth coverage
>>> Menus and overview: Cocktails | Food
>>> Decor, music & more | Tips and guidance
>>> Bonus cocktail recipe: Doctor Funk

In year 5, Miami Rum Congress matures into more complex and accessible spirits event
In year 5, Miami Rum Congress matures into more complex and accessible spirits event
By moving to a major convention center on South Beach and expanding its scope, the event shows potential for an expanded audience.
Social media recap: Photos, coverage of Miami Rum Congress events
>>> Q&A with organizer Federico Hernandez

First new Don the Beachcomber location on track to open in early 2024
EXCLUSIVE: First new Don the Beachcomber location on track to open in early 2024
The restaurant in Madeira Beach on Florida's southwest Gulf Coast is in the final stages of construction and staff is being hired. Photos and video provide a peek inside the first of many new Don the Beachcomber locations.
>>> FULL COVERAGE OF THE REVIVAL OF THE ICONIC BRAND
* Renderings, mission statement revealed at Tiki Oasis
* Merchandise: Mugs, glassware, apparel, ephemera
* Bonus cocktail recipe: Sunakora

PAST COVERAGE

The Atomic Grog Archive
The Atomic Grog Archive

Check out the top stories and special features from the blog dating back to our 2011 launch.
Past stories by year: 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018
More archives: Take 5 interviews | More memorable stories

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