The Year in Tiki 2020: Recap the top virtual and in-person events

This past year was unlike any other. As the deadly coronavirus pandemic swept the world, events were postponed and canceled while the hospitality and entertainment industries suffered economic disaster. New and rescheduled events became fundraisers and calls to action to help struggling businesses. As social gatherings moved online to a virtual format, so did many events and a new lineup of symposiums and learning experiences. The Atomic Grog documented many of these happenings and participated in a few over the past tumultuous 12 months. The Tiki Times continues to follow the top events of interest to retro-minded enthusiasts of Tiki, mid-century modern, surf and rockabilly music, rum and spirits, plus more. Below you’ll find the cream of the crop of 2020 events, along with artwork and links to official sites. Under many events, you’ll also find images and videos from social media plus links to news articles. We hope everyone remains healthy and safe as we find out what 2021 has to offer.
UPDATES: Support Tiki bars online – Buy merch, contribute to fundraisers
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THE TIKI TIMES: 2020 EVENTS RECAP

Jan. 3-5 – The Rhythm Collision Weekend #7 in Riverside, Calif.

Jan. 11 – Tiki Central 20th Anniversary Celebration at Forbidden Island in Alameda, Tonga Hut in Los Angeles, Frankie’s Tiki Room in Las Vegas, and Tiki Cat in Kansas City.

Jan. 12 – The Original Tiki Market Place 8th Anniversary in Garden Grove, Calif.

Jan 19-20 – Exotica VIII in The Raines Law Room at the William Hotel in New York City.

Jan. 25 – Central Florida Rum and Food Experience in Lakeland.

Jan 25 – Winter Surf Fest in Huntington Beach, Calif.

Feb. 7-8 – Miami Rum Congress in Miami Beach.

Miami Rum Congress 2020 Day 2: Jeff “Beachbum” Berry semjnarcovering the life of Joe Scialom, creator of the Suffering Bastard.#beachbumberry #miamirumcongress #sufferingbastard #drinkmorerum #drinkwell #rumisfun #rumtime #rumfamily #rumlove #tikidrinks #tikicocktails pic.twitter.com/R5FI2itdHb

— The Rum Trader (@therumtrader) February 9, 2020

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We were lucky to attend two seminars by the legendary Jeff Berry whilst in Miami for the #miamirumcongress . . The first one was at the main event and was about Joe Scialom, the inventor of the Suffering Bastard and other notable tropical drinks. The second seminar hosted today at Esotico Miami was titled The Many Faces of the Planters Punch. Jeff is such great historian and presenter, both seminars were awesome! These subjects are covered in detail in Jeff’s Potions of the Caribbean book, a must read! . #tiki #tikicocktails tikiaf #rum #rumcocktails #miamiistheshitbro #esoticomiami #voodooshanty

A post shared by Voodoo Shanty (@voodooshanty) on Feb 10, 2020 at 6:01pm PST

Feb. 21 – Taste of Aloha and Art of Tiki Cocktail Showdown at the South Beach Wine & Food Festival in Miami Beach.
* Press coverage: Burger Bash and Art of Tiki’s big winners
* Past Atomic Grog coverage

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Congratulations to the team at @barspanglish for their big WIN ????at the Art of Tiki Cocktail Showdown presented by @bacardi Rums and @patron Tequila! #SOBEWFF

A post shared by #SOBEWFF (@sobewffest) on Feb 22, 2020 at 4:01pm PST

Feb. 13-23 – Modernism Week in Palm Springs, Calif.
* Press coverage: Mad for Midcentury

Feb. 21-23 – Hi-Tide Winter Holiday: Pittsburgh.

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@thesurfrajettes at Hi-Tide Winter Holiday: Pittsburgh! ????? Photo by @hsuleol #hitidewinterholiday

A post shared by Hi-Tide Recordings (@hitiderecordings) on Feb 26, 2020 at 7:22am PST

Feb. 22-23 – Polynesian Cultural Festival in Oakland Park, Fla.

Feb. 27 – Tiki Night at The Adventurers’ Club of Los Angeles

Feb 29-March 1 – Jamaica Rum Festival in Kingston.
* Press coverage: Bartlett promises to build on Jamaica Rum Festival

March 1 – Adventureland Day at Disneyland in Anaheim, Calif.
* Photos: Adventureland Day rises again at Disneyland

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Adventureland Day 2020 is underway! Onward, adventures! • • #adventurelandday #tiki #tikibar #tradersams #disneyland #disney #tikitony #design #barware #glassware #maitai #tropical #adventureland #waltdisneyworld #dlr #wdw #tikiroom #mickeymouse #mickey #disneybound #disneystyle #cosplay #disneycosplay #mermaid #hititskip #indianajones

A post shared by AdventureLand Day (@adventurelandday) on Mar 1, 2020 at 10:28am PST

March 6-8 – Inuhele: Atlanta’s Tiki Weekend.

March 7 – Puerto Rico National Rum Festival in San Juan.

March 8 – Adventureland Day at the Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World, Orlando.
* Photos: Magic Kingdom goes khaki for 3rd annual Adventureland Day

April 28 – The Trader Brandon Transmissions hosted by Brandon Kleyla on his Instagram page.
Recap: The Atomic Grog joins The Trader Brandon Transmissions
Watch the live interview, see Hurricane Hayward mix up the new Barrel O’ Rum tribute, see the recipe.

* The Trader Brandon Transmissions on YouTube: See more past shows

June 1-7: A week of virtual events honoring The Hukilau

Online events pay homage to the canceled Tiki weekender with educational symposiums, a special virtual event at The Mai-Kai, plus more.

June 18-21 – Ohana: Luau At The Lake online fundraiser

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The Fraternal Order of Moai Foundation @the_moai is a charitable organization which funds the conservation and protection of the fragile cultural heritage of Easter Island and other Polynesian islands. I sponsor one of their major fundraising events every year: Ohana: Luau at the Lake. ? ?This year the event was cancelled due to the pandemic, so the group held an online fundraiser, “Covhana: Luau in Place.” They sent me this awesome trophy for sponsoring the event. Thank you, Fraternal Order of Moai! Carving by @zombieoasis ? ?#fraternalorderofmoai #ohanaluauatthelake #luauatthelake @princess_pupule ?

A post shared by Josh Agle (@theartistshag) on Sep 1, 2020 at 11:49am PDT

SO MANY MAHALOS to everyone who donated to our #OhanaLuau Rally Up Fundraiser for COVHANA, benefitting the Easter Island Foundation!!! We raised almost $45,000, which will be a great help to the people of Easter Island! You are AMAZING!!!! ?????????? pic.twitter.com/ojLrh47Ul6

— Luau at the Lake (@LuauAtTheLake) June 29, 2020

July 19 – Lowbrow Aloha art show and sale at Hala Kahiki in Chicago.

July 25 – Big Kahuna Bash at Grumpy’s Bar & Grill in Roseville, Minn.

Aug. 1 – HardCore Tiki MarketPlace at The Bamboo Club in Long Beach, Calif.

Aug. 12-16 – Tiki Oasis Takeover at Paradise Point in San Diego, Calif.

Sept. 12 – The Original Tiki Market Place End of Summer Bash in Garden Grove, Calif.

Sept. 21-24 – Tales of the Cocktail and Spirted Awards virtual events

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Best American Bar Team!!! Wow, felicidades to all Cafe La Trova’s Cantineros!! So proud. Thanks to Tales of the Cocktails Spirited Awards 2020. #totc2020

A post shared by Julio Cabrera (@juliopapadoble) on Sep 21, 2020 at 8:06am PDT

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??2020 ???????????????? ????????????® SELECT WINNERS Announced!?? Join us as we gather digitally and celebrate globally. Link in bio to read who’s be recognized and be sure to add ?????????? ?? ?????????? ???????? ???????????????? ???????????? ???????????????? ??????-???????? hosted by Ian Burrell and Lynnette Marrero ON SEPTEMBER 24 at 3 PM CST to your #totc2020 schedule now to catch the 2020 winner acceptance speeches. The 14th Annual Spirited Awards Ceremony will take place immediately following starting at 4 PM CST. All content is FREE for registrants!

A post shared by Tales of the Cocktail (@tales_of_the_cocktail) on Sep 21, 2020 at 8:09am PDT

Sept. 22 – Tiki Trail Live on Zoom.
Recap: The Atomic Grog serves the Jet Pilot on Tiki Trail Live

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It was a pleasure to join @tikitrail Live on Tuesday to mix up our latest tribute to the deadly Jet Pilot from @the_maikai_restaurant. I hope everyone enjoyed pouring along! Check out links to resources discussed in the show, plus the full Jet Pilot story on TheAtomicGrog.com (links in the profile). Be sure to tune in next Tuesday for a pour-along with @thecraftedgrog and more special guests. Go to The Tiki Trail page for details. Okole maluna! #tikitrail #jetpilot #homebar #hometikibar #tiki #tikidrinks #tikidrink #tikicocktails #tikicocktail #maikai #maikairestaurant #molokaibar

A post shared by Hurricane Hayward (@theatomicgrog) on Sep 25, 2020 at 6:24pm PDT

Sept. 26 – Third Anniversary Celebration at Tiki Underground in Hudson, Ohio.

Oct. 15-21 – The UK RumFest in London.

Oct. 18 – Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar Festival.

Oct. 25 – Boos! Brews & Barbecue in Pittsburgh.

Oct. 30 – Hulaween Drive-In Movie at The Mai-Kai featuring a screening of Beast of Blood, costume contest and prizes, food and drink specials, plus more.

The Mai-Kai celebrates Hulaween 2020 with drive-in movie party after closing for renovations
The historic Polynesian restaurant transported revelers to a socially-distanced celebration like no other, including an appearance by Appleton Rum’s Joy Spence. FULL EVENT RECAP
Photos: Hulaweeen Drive-In Movie scene, costumes

Oct. 30-Nov. 1 – Hotel Valley Ho Tiki Weekend in Scottsdale, Ariz.

Nov. 10-15 – St Barth Rum Festival and Caribbean Rum Awards
* Martinique, Puerto Rico top winners at 2020 Caribbean Rum Awards in St Barth

Nov. 11-15 – Rums of Puerto Rico Pop-Up Tour

Dec. 1-7 – New York City Cocktail Expo featuring webinars and online cocktail classes, People’s Choice Best Cocktail Awards, plus tropical cocktail competition, TiKi “TO-GO” Down, featuring Fuchsia Tiki Bar.