How much do people care about Florida Tiki and its past, present and future? That’s what I hoped to find out at Orlando’s Tiki-a-Go-Go in late March, when I was scheduled to host a multimedia presentation along with dozens of other distinguished experts in their fields. I hoped that a broad, sweeping approach to the topic would resonate with attendees of the third annual weekender, which attracts Tikiphiles from not just the Sunshine State but all over the country.
Event preview: Tiki-a-Go-Go 2026 seminar to explore the past, present and future of Florida Tiki
Boy, was I right. It turns out people care a lot about Florida Tiki. The seminar, titled “Florida Tiki: The Good, the Bad and the Future of Polynesian Pop in the Sunshine State,” attracted an overflow crowd to the 100-seat presentation room at the Caribe Royale Resort at 11:30 a.m. on Sunday, March 29.
Direct links to more below
• Order a printed copy of Florida Tiki: The Encyclopedia of Polynesian Pop in the Sunshine State.
• Find out who won the balloting at Tiki-a-Go-Go as today’s top Tiki location in Florida.
• See an online version of the presentation “Florida Tiki: The Good, the Bad and the Future of Polynesian Pop in the Sunshine State.”
It was the final event at the resort after three days of more than 30 symposiums and classes, dozens of guest cocktail bars and bartenders, live music (Los Straitjackets, The Neanderthals, et al.), artists and vendors, room parties, and more. But many apparently saved their energy for Sunday, and I’m flattered and honored at the turnout, which included people standing in the rear and spilling into the hallway.
I had done presentations on the final day of events before, so I knew that guest travel plans can limit potential attendees. Also, I was bumping right up against my friends Tommy and Kari Allsmiller’s Magical Tiki Meet Up at Walt Disney World that afternoon. We later caught up with everyone at the Polynesian Village Resort, and it appears that event’s turnout was just as strong, boosted by enthusiastic Tiki and Disney fans from California.
As it happens, I was probably better off in that late time slot than sandwiched into the middle of the event alongside such luminaries as Shag, Sven Kirsten and Tim “Swanky” Glazner, who all filled the larger 200-seat rooms to capacity. Kudos to the event organizers for not only bringing together such an elite lineup, but deftly putting together a schedule that allowed everyone numerous entertaining and educational opportunities alongside the stellar drinks, music, and marketplace.
Social media recap: Photos and video from Tiki-a-Go-Go
Florida Tiki encyclopedia available by mail
My research on Florida Tiki history led me down a rabbit hole that revealed more than 150 locations from the 1930s to today. Knowing that I couldn’t possibly mention them all in the presentation, I decided to compile and print a special handbook (designed by Mrs. Hurricane, aka Susan Hayward) that lists them all. The result is the first edition of Florida Tiki: The Encyclopedia of Polynesian Pop in the Sunshine State, an 8 1/2-by-11 booklet featuring a color cover and 24 total pages.
Thanks to researcher and writer “Tiki Tom” Duncan helping me flesh out more information than was available online, we dug up a dozen previously unknown venues. Tom and Tim “Swanky” Glazner also provided vintage images that were used in both the booklet and presentation.
The booklet breaks Florida Tiki down into three separate time periods: The Golden Era (1930s-1970s), the Dark Days and Early Revival (1980-2009), and the Current Era (2010 through today). Within each era are listings arranged chronologically within many different categories, including theme parks, roadside attractions, motels and resorts, apartments and condos, restaurants, bars, and retail locations. This running order gives you a good idea of how Florida Tiki evolved over time.
In addition, most listings include information on opening and closing dates, a short description and (in the case of many of the closed venues) details on what became of the site over time. Check out some sample pages below.
Expecting a little more than 50 people to attend, we printed 60 copies for Tiki-a-Go-Go. (Mahalo to the Mai-Kai for sponsoring the first printing.) Many of the couples in attendance graciously agreed to share one copy, but we still didn’t have enough to go around. Because of this – and the overwhelming interest – we’re printing more of the first edition and offering them online at cost ($5 printing, $2 shipping).
HOW TO ORDER: Send $7 via Venmo to Slammie Productions (Venmo.com/slammieproductions) and include your name and mailing address. Sorry, we can mail only within the United States at this price. Email [email protected] if you have any questions.
We’re already compiling updates for a second edition, so be sure to grab this initial printing while they last. Mahalo to those who have tipped us off to locations we missed, both new and old. If you have anything to contribute (including images), or additional info on anything listed in the booklet, shoot us an email at [email protected].
Mai-Kai voted top Tiki location in Florida
To make the Tiki-a-Go-Go seminar more interactive, and also get an idea of what current venues people like the best, we circulated a ballot of the “Sweet 16” current Florida bars and restaurants. In a play on March Madness, we asked guests to pick their favorite three. To make it even more fun, the returned ballots were entered into a drawing for a Florida Tiki-themed prize.
When Christie “Tiki Kiliki” White (The Tapa Room / Magic City Tiki Weekend) announced that she was re-releasing the vintage Florida glassware she designed in 2009 for The Hukilau, I knew we had to make that the prize. Mahalo to Christie for donating two of these great double old fashioned glasses from her Good Finds booth at Tiki-a-Go-Go. All of the venues featured on the glasses were included in the booklet and seminar.
We received 73 ballots and tallied the results, announcing the top three at the end of the seminar. (Mahalo Susan for the quick work!). Not surprisingly, the Mai-Kai was a landslide winner, selected in the top three on 65 of the total ballots. Below is a more detailed breakdown of the “Elite Eight” vote-getters, based on a tired system of 3 points for first, 2 points for second and 1 for third.
Florida Tiki March Madness voting at Tiki-a-Go-Go 2026
1 – Mai-Kai (Fort Lauderdale)
2 – Permanent Vacation (Maitland)
3 – Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto (Orlando)
4 – Aku Aku (Orlando)
5 – Suffering Bastard (Sanford)
6 – The Honu (Dunedin)
7 – Morgan’s Cove (Tampa)
8 – Bahi Hut (Sarasota)
The Mai-Kai won by a wide margin, but several other rankings were close. Miami’s Kaona Room just missed making the Top 8. It’s worth noting that eight of the 16 locations were at Tiki-a-Go-Go serving cocktails. Another had a booth in the marketplace. Most of the rest were within a short drive for guests to check out before and after the event.
With more bars and restaurants opening soon, it’s a great time to be a Florida Tiki fan and have this many quality options available across the state.
EVENT PREVIEW: Tiki-a-Go-Go 2026 seminar to explore the past, present and future of Florida Tiki
A new presentation will trace the history of 150 Tiki locations, from the 1930s to today, plus preview what’s still to come. Event to include rare photos and video, plus an exclusive 24-page booklet.
Florida Tiki slideshow from Tiki-a-Go-Go
We were thrilled to see every seat filled, and many more Tiki-a-Go-Go attendees standing in the back, for our March 29 presentation, “Florida Tiki: The Good, the Bad and the Future of Polynesian Pop in the Sunshine State.” The support and interest in this topic will likely lead to not only future editions of the printed encyclopedia (see above), but also similar seminars in the future, along with other possible projects.
Unfortunately, due to the configuration of the room and the AV equipment, not everyone had a clear view of the screen. I promised to make it available online for everyone to see, so below you’ll find images of all the seminar slides along with extensive notes that I used in my talk. There are also lots of links to previous coverage, official sites and historical archives if you’d like to explore Florida Tiki history further.
Note that a few of the images that I agreed to reveal only in the live presentation have been blurred below. They’ll be restored as soon as they’re OK’d for wider release. Also, the 1961 home movie clips of the Mai-Kai and the South Pacific, recently unearthed by Mai-Kai historian and author Tim “Swanky” Glazner, will remain a secret special bonus seen only by live attendees. Keep an eye out for future Florida Tiki seminars and you might get a chance to see them again. Click or tap on the slides for larger images.
↑ Aloha and welcome! First, some brief background on me, Jim “Hurricane” Hayward. I was exposed to Tiki as a young boy in the northeast in the 1960s and tasted by first pupu platter at a young age at one of New York City’s vintage Polynesian restaurants. My grandparents retired to Florida, and I got my first taste of Disney World in 1972. That’s me standing on West Center Street in the Magic Kingdom. That area was later engulfed by an expansion of the Emporium, though East Center Street still exists.
We moved to Florida in 1975, and I went to high school in Palm Beach County. Journalism was my passion, and I received my degree from the University of Florida in 1983. I spent four decades in the newspaper business as an editor, most with The Palm Beach Post. I was always fascinated with 20th century pop culture, especially the 1950s through the era that I grew up in. By the time Susan and I were married in 2010 and moved within 30 minutes of the Mai-Kai, I was fully immersed in the Tiki revival. The Atomic Grog blog, now in its 16th year, was a natural progression and has become my main focus since retiring in late 2022, along with presenatations such is this.
When I proposed the title of this seminar, I wasn’t sure where my research would lead me. But it ended up being much more than just a cursory look at the good and bad elements of Florida Tiki. It became a very deep dive that is better reflected with a new title …
↑ We all know the Mai-Kai in Fort Lauderdale, of course. That’s Dirty Birds in Cocoa Beach in the top middle, representing the present. What’s that future location at the bottom? Stay tuned to find out.
Jump ahead: Golden era | Early revival | Current era | Future
↑ To any out-of-state guests, I warn you to not get too excited when you see the plethora of “tiki bars” advertised in Florida. As identified by James Teitelbaum in his seminal book, Tiki Road Trip, “tiki” can mean something entirely different when it applies to bars and restaurants that adorn waterfront locales, not just in Florida but the entire East Coast. Essentially beach bars with thatched “tiki huts,” these often divey establishments typically make no attempt to adhere to Polynesian Pop aesthetics.
As a lover of vintage Polynesian Pop, this always bugged me. As I discovered, many of these buildings are actually authentic structures that have their own history. “Chickee huts” are traditional in the culture of the Seminole tribe, which has been building them for generations. They even had a hand in building out the Mai-Kai in 1956, so this style of roofing has long been used in commercial Tiki establishments. But more often than not, these are not Tiki as we know it.
Kudos to the Cove Inn (Naples) for using the correct terminology in naming their poolside Chickee Bar. My attempts as an editor to get writers to differentiate between chickee and tiki were unsuccessful. Most of these “Tiki in name only” bars are not worth our time, but there are a few diamonds in this rough. So it pays to do your research before you visit. Some, like Tiki Docks, have improved to the point where we’ve listed them among the state’s 150 Tiki sites. In some of these borderline cases, It remains very subjective, so use your own judgement.
As for the bars that are definitely TINO, you’ll find that they vary widely based on their location and other factors. Following is a short list, grouped into various categories that I identified. Feel free to create your own …
↑ Florida’s TINO bars come in many shapes and forms. If you spend enough time in the state, you’ll start to recognize them. Here are 10 subgenres I’ve been able to identify. There may be even more. But you know them when you see them.
↑ Tiki style peaked in South Florida in the 1960s with soaring A-frames popping up everywhere. Like the rest of the country, mid-century style had a lot to do with this trend in Florida.
↑ So how did we get from THIS … to THIS?
↑ And how did we rise above THIS to create THIS, and THIS?
↑ What is Florida Tiki? We’ll try to answer that and other questions. The first thing to know is that Tiki in Florida covers a wide array of venues.
We just released the first edition of Florida Tiki: The Encyclopedia of Polynesian Pop in the Sunshine State, which attempts to cover all of the brick-and-mortar locations of Tiki in Florida from the 1930s to today. Please use this as a handy guide and also feel free to submit anything we may have missed. It’s almost impossible to track down every location in a state so big. Someone on Facebook already shared a mobile home park we missed: Hawaiian Village in Bradenton.
How to order: Copies of first edition available now
I would argue that next to California, our state contains the largest collection of Polynesian Pop venues anywhere, both current and historic. And perhaps the most eclectic anywhere. Let’s dive in …
↑ All of these are still open. The Wakulla photo is from 2016, after it lost its original theming. The Mai Kai condos have nothing to do with the restaurant, but are still notable. While not nearly as old as his brethren in Rapa Nui, Old Joe is a classic in his own right.
↑ These are also all still open. Besides the Mai-Kai and The Rusty Pelican, there’s one more restaurant that opened during this era (the Tiki bar at the Conch House restaurant in St. Petersburg, 1976). Tradewinds, while not totally Tiki, is the oldest tropical themed lounge still open. Polynesian Putter is a throwback to the roadside attraction days.
↑ Putting all of these listings in chronological order gives us some interesting insights. These are the earliest known restaurants and bars with a Polynesian-theme, though it’s hard to know which came first. The Pelican didn’t pick up it’s Tiki theming until a little later. Monte Prosser’s was infamous for blatantly stealing Don the Beachcomber’s concept for the 1939 World’s Fair, so this location probably came right after that. Tahiti Bar was reportedly a front for the Mob, another feature apparently lifted from Donn Beach (as you’ll discover in Swanky’s new book, Searching for Don the Beachcomber).
↑ Here are two that have survived the test of time and are widely recognized as the oldest vintage Tiki bars still open. They were built to last, surviving generations of change. Both have been restored but kept most of their original theming. The Wreck Bar (inside the B Ocean Resort, formerly the Yankee Clipper) still features mermaid shows, though no longer starring MeduSirena Marina.
↑ This is sad to see. Some artifacts remain, but most of the original Polynesian and bamboo theming has been lost over time. At least it kept the name and is still operating as a bar.
↑ On a much brighter note, the mighty Molokai Bar is better than ever, thanks to creative director “Typhoon Tommy” Allsmiller. While restoring the 1970s-era Mutiny on the Bounty theming in 2023, he uncovered some of the original woodwork from the 1958 version of the lounge. Tommy kept a bit of this history in his restoration, viewable on an upper beam near the Molokai Maiden (See photo).
↑ Speaking of the Mai-Kai: If you lived in Dade or Broward County in the ’60s and early ’70s, you were in for a treat. You could catch dinner shows at all three of these great restaurants that all opened within a year of each other. The Polynesian Room (like the Wreck Bar, located inside the Yankee Clipper hotel), is notable for its great dinner show featuring many iconic performers (including Nani Maka, who also worked at the Mai-Kai). Be sure to check out the Friends of the Yankee Clipper Polynesian Room group on Facebook, which is run by Larry Hines, son of band leader George Hines. Larry also often posts vintage photos in the Friends of the Mai-Kai group.
↑ Here’s a vintage photo of the Luau from the early 1960s, shared by Mrs. Hurricane. That’s her mom and dad on the right with friends enjoying cocktails. Susan has memories of going there with her parents when they lived in Miami.
↑ These two came along a few years later. They didn’t feature stage shows, but they were just as ambitious with their theming and design. Including the Luau, Polynesian Room and Mai-Kai, these five co-existed between 1959 and 1974. Forget Haight-Ashbury, I would have wanted to hang out in South Florida in the 1960s. Just 45 miles separated Pompano Beach from Miami Beach. This cluster of iconic Tiki venues is rivaled perhaps only by Los Angeles.
↑ Now let’s look at the huge number of resorts and hotels (many of them on the state’s pristine beaches), which ultimately separates Florida from the rest of the country. Interestingly, the two oldest are both called Castaways, though they were very different. The lowrise motel in Sanibel came first. Probably because it’s not on prime oceanfront real estate, some of the buildings survived for more than 70 years. Most of the decor was removed the 1980s, and what became known as Castaways Cottages on Sanibel Island was damaged beyond repair by Hurricane Ian in 2022 and most of it demolished. I did, however, find a recent photo of the original bungalow still standing. It’s a piece of Florida Tiki history that should be preserved. The Castaways on Miami Beach was a whole different animal, featuring space-age design and the shipwreck-themed Wreck Bar (which pre-dated the Yankee Clipper’s Wreck Bar by four years).
↑ Variations on Tahiti and Hawaii seemed to be the most popular name for Polynesian-themed resorts in the 1950s. Tahitian Inn still exists, though much of its theming has been toned down. Carvings by Florida’s Jeff Chouinard were installed in the 2010s and are still there. Hopefully the current renovations will not involve removing them. That would be bad mana.
↑ These are two of the more ambitious resorts of the ’60s, though totally different in design. The sprawling Hawaiian Village featured supper clubs, a cocktail lounge, and a putting green. The site is now serving a completely different purpose as a Honda dealership. The towering Hilton Inn featured the Luau Room and revolving Bali Hi Lounge. The tower remains as part of the Bellwether Beach Resort, currently closed for restorations.
↑ Here’s a 1960s resort (and restaurant) with a better outcome. Frances Langford and her husband opened their dream Outrigger Resort on the Treasure Coast. The restaurant building still stands as The Dolphin Bar & Shrimp House, which honors its past. I suppose there could be a worse fate. Like a Honda dealership. Or this next one …
↑ This one is a little personal. I documented this place’s demise on Tiki Central for around five years after I found it being discussed by author Sven Kirsten and some others. He later featured the Palm Beach Hawaiian in his Tiki Pop book. It’s the perfect example of how a small mid-century resort cannot survive on prime oceanfront real estate. It’s a miracle it lasted as long as it did. I couldn’t bear to return after it was torn down, but I went back recently to document what’s there now for this seminar. I took the photo at top right from across State Road A1A. But the real appeal of the site is the oceanfront views, which explain the multimillion-dollar price tag on some of the condos.
↑ Here’s a different example of the “bad” in the title of this seminar. Apparently the hurricane did potential guests a favor when it disabled the Makai Motel, also known over the years as Makai by the Sea, Makai Beach Lodge and The Makai Beach Resort. At least according to Yelp reviewers. “Worst ever” is not a phrase to be taken lightly. The design looks fairly intact, though any potential new owners will probably need to change the name again for obvious PR reasons.
↑ Daytona is lucky to have several hotels that have survived better than Hawaiian Village, the Palm Beach Hawaiian and even the Makai.
↑ Tiki Gardens is in a class by itself, listed as an attraction due to its sprawling 12-acre grounds featuring everything from lounges and a signature restaurant (Trader Frank’s), to vast native wildlife trails and fishing from its waterfront location. Jon Bortles presented an informative seminar at Tiki-a-Go-Go on Trader Frank Byar and his ambitious vision, which amazingly lasted 24 years.
• Tiki Gardens group on Facebook
↑ There were a few notable storefront locations from the golden era. If you’ve read Swanky’s book, Mai-Kai: History and Mystery of the Iconic Tiki Restaurant, you’ll know Pualani Mossman Avon as the dynamic creator of the restaurant’s gift shop. She came to the mainland from Hawaii, where she was famous for her distinctive hula dancing in the 1930s. She also operated her own shop for five years. Barefoot Trader was a national chain of island goods.
Wayne Coombs was a towering presence on the Florida Tiki scene for decades, carving like a madman out of his shop that he later turned into a gallery for his artwork. His fingerprints (and tikis) are all over the state from the 1970s onward. He sadly passed away in 2012 at the height of his career.
↑ Polynesian restaurants continued to thrive in the tourist market of the 1960s and ’70s. Moon Islander was specifically built to feature views of Cape Kennedy. Julian’s lasted longer than most, but sadly is gone, replaced by a T-shirt shop.
↑ Here’s a look at the decline in restaurant openings, which continued into the ’70s before a devastating drop in the ’80s and ’90s. Maori Village with its spectacular carved doors (also adorning the menu) was also featured in Tiki Pop. The site is now an empty lot in a bad part of town. The Hut, on the other hand, was built in the 5.2-acre Peace Tropical Gardens, so the building has been able to survive. It’s now the Rum Bucket Bar & Grill.
↑ Tiki resorts peaked in the ’60s with the Disney World opening coming at the end of this era. The Polynesian Village was famously a pet project of Walt Disney himself. The original design of longhouses surrounding the Great Ceremonial House was perfect. We can argue if the addition of the bungalows and Island Tower take away from that original feel, but it remains the state’s flagship Tiki resort, likely never to be topped. There is a storyline advanced by Disney about the tower adhering to one of the prototypes that wasn’t used in 1971 (see inset above).
↑ Moving along to apartments and condos, all five from the golden era are all still open, but in various states of adherence to their theme. I recently visited Hawaiian Gardens, a former apartment complex that’s now a condo retirement community. I had a hard time finding anything remaining from the golden days. The entry sign is now modern (see before and after photos), and I found no sign of Tiki decor, though I may have spotted a few masks around the pool. Right next door, I discovered Tahiti Gardens, which has apparently escaped notice during decades of urban archaeology. And for good reason. There are no signs of any vintage elements, beyond the basic structure of the buildings. It won’t make our list.
↑ There is one rare exception to the trend of white-washing old Tiki residences. Seemingly embracing its theme and perhaps boosted by an appearance in Tiki Pop, Polynesian Gardens still sports a treasure trove of Witco carvings and wall art in common areas. The three photos on the left were taken recently. I’m happy to have helped discover and document this throwback condo community on TIki Central in 2009. Christie “Tiki Kiliki” White subsequently led several expeditions, where I tagged along with Sven Kirsten and his better half, Naomi Alper, who apparently enjoyed the spectacular bowling alley. This unique feature was closed during the last group trip in 2016, and when I revisited recently, I sadly discovered that the bowling alley had been replaced by a gym.
That’s nothing compared to the 1980s and 1990s, when it was really bleak. To steal an allegory from Sven’s seminars:
↑ That’s when things went dark.
↑ There weren’t a whole lot of new Tiki venues in Florida for three decades, that’s why we overlap the “dark days” with the early revival. The only survivors from this era are a miniature golf course and roadside carving shack in the Keys.
↑ Meanwhile, something much cooler was happening in Southern California. We learned all about Kevin and Jody and their 1996 exhibit in Anaheim at Tiki-a-Go-Go during a seminar co-hosted by Sven. Here they all are in the early days of scene, when Otto Von Stroheim launched Tiki News and featured artists like Shag in his early art shows. The rest is history. But it took a while for this movement to trickle all the way down here.
↑ It took some mass media, or at least underground mass media, to get the rest of the country on board. We all devoured The Book of Tiki, signed up for Tiki Central and subscribed to Tiki Magazine as the Tiki universe united through books, magazines and the Internet.
↑ This led to a rediscovery of the previous generation of artists. In Florida, that meant Wayne Coombs and Benzart.
↑ After Bosko revived the art, Holden Westland’s Tiki Farm helped bring the mug back to a wider audience. The retro art craze reached the Southeast, where artist Derek Yaniger was an early adapter. He and Florida artists including the Vitales and Flounder all ended up designing Tiki Farm mugs and establishing their unique art careers.
↑ Sven coined the term “urban archaeology,” and we used Tiki Central and books such as Tiki Road Trip to discover and document classic locations. Jeff “Beachbum” Berry launched a Tiki cocktail revolution with his books, which led me and many others to the Mai-Kai for the vintage cocktails that had not changed in decades. That’s the iconic Zombie photo of the Bum for Sippin’ Safari by Jonpaul Balak, who talked about this and other photos he took in a seminar at Tiki-a-Go-Go. This was all fuel that helped reignite the Tiki flame in Florida in the 2010s.
↑ Very much ahead of its time, the Jetsetter Lounge in sleepy Lake Worth was a hub of the Tiki revival scene. It was more mid-century modern than Tiki (though it did feature an outdoor garden with large prefab tikis), but it catered to the lowbrow and retro-minded clientele like no other venue. The Disasternauts played their first gig here and it’s also where I was introduced to Tiki Kiliki and The Hukilau, Tiki Farm mugs, Shag art, you name it. And it definitely influenced what was soon to come. Mike Jones would be pleased that he had an impact after all.
↑ After the prolonged dark days of 30 years with little or no new Tiki bars or venues of any kind, we accelerated out of the gate in the 2010s, then exploded in the 2020s. In true Florida fashion, we have had some experimental new concepts that tried to push the envelope of what Tiki can be. This became a recurring theme in the revival.
↑ We also got a new theme park that took advantage of Florida’s tropical environment. Plus the arrival of a new Polynesian dinner show and the expansion of an old classic. Polynesian Fire started in 2018 in the Hawaiian Inn, then moved to a stand-alone location in 2022. An Orlando location opened in 2023, moving to a new location in 2025. Established in 1935, the Jungle Queen is touted as Florida’s longest running tourist attraction. A Samoan fire dancer has been part of the show since after World War II, but more recently they added a full Polynesian dinner show featuring Drums of Polynesia.
↑ The modern era of Florida Tiki bars began in Orlando with Aku Aku and Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto more than a decade ago. Both are still going strong and were part of Tiki-a-Go-Go this year, Aku Aku in the marketplace and Trader Sam’s as site of the post-park activities during the Magical Tiki Meet Up.
↑ Just a year later we got The Honu, which just celebrated its 10th anniversary. And in 2019, Typhoon Tommy brought back traditional Tiki decor to the build-out of Suffering Bastard in Sanford. Be sure to check out the original location before it closes April 30. Two of these, Trader Sam’s and Suffering Bastard, were takes on the speakeasy concept, which became a major recurring theme.
↑ It was sad to see these two venues close, but they were great while they lasted and a labor of love by both Tommy Tam in Jacksonville and Daniele Dalla Pola in Miami. The Secret Tiki Temple was another speakeasy, while Dalla Pola created a secret bar within Esotico. Happily, Kaona Room is still going strong. Sources tell me that we may not have seen the last of the Secret Tiki Temple.
↑ The fan base for Tiki this century drove more than the creation of bars and restaurants. Lodging and retail that cater to our specific aesthetic happily have come back.
↑ In the wake of the COVID pandemic, a whole new wave of Tiki bars and restaurants opened and are all still thriving. Two of these are speakeasies inside existing venues.
↑ We also enjoyed the return of the iconic brand started by Donn Beach in the 1930s under the care of 23 Restaurant Services and the great team that had a major presence at Tiki-a-Go-Go this year. The revival was bittersweet, however, as we lost both the original location in Madeira Beach to hurricane damage and designer Danny “Tiki Diablo” Gallardo to cancer. Morgan’s Cove is now serving as the mothership until new locations can open.
↑ Speakeasies aren’t the only way the hospitality industry has had to adjust to current trends, not just economic but also guest demand. Florida-style outdoor Tiki bars are still very popular, much more so than traditional Tiki. We’ve seen some of these generic concepts add either traditional Tiki cocktails or decor, or both.
↑ There seems to be no slowing down the speakeasy trend. Here are some that opened in just the past three years, not all featuring full-blown Tiki decor but all very immersive. And several are also very much into the Tiki scene. Mahalo to Bar Hana and Red Lei Lounge for joining us at Tiki-a-Go-Go. Note that Roka Hula in Orlando is a speakeasy while the Delray location is a full restaurant.
In the past month, we also discovered the Boca Tiki Island Lounge, so it’s not on the list yet. It opened in late 2025 and recently hired an all-star mixologist, former Mai-Kai bar manager Michael DeMahy. They’re starting slow but have a lot to work with. If you look beyond the streetside “Key West style” bar that attracts the usual locals and tourists, you’ll find Michael inside at a tropical bar with some Polynesian and island theming. Then, behind a secret door, you’ll discover “The Dark Tiki,” a reservation-only space that would be perfect for a Goth Tiki Club meetup.
↑ Let’s sum up the current era and examine where were are today, with 56 locations remaining from the 150 that opened since the 1930s. You can clearly see how the recovery from the dark days came slow and steady, which will hopefully make for a more enduring future than a boom and bust.
↑ If you look at a different set of numbers, however, we’re quickly approaching the golden days in total number of locations. I counted venues concurrently open each decade, not just new openings. If you factor in all of the legacy hotels and everything else above, we’re closing in on the total number reached in the 1970s with the decade barely half over. We just need 15 more to hit the heights of the 1960s.
↑ I also want to mention the unprecedented number of artists and home bars also boosting the revival. They’re pushing the level of detail and quality to new heights, which has an important influence on the entire scene. Mahalo to Tiki Tom-Tom for spotlighting all of the home bars in his book, Polynesiacs. We’re looking forward to his new book on artists.
↑ Finally, let’s look at the future. What new venues are around the corner, both in the short term and long term? In a way, we need to study history and trends to accurately predict the future. Three major trends I hope to see continue are restoration, revival and reinvention. The old venues like the Mai-Kai should continue to be restored to their former glory. Don the Beachcomber will move forward with fewer speed bumps. And new concepts like Dirty Birds and Typhoon Tommy’s vision for the full-blown Suffering Bastard location in Orlando will push the envelope of what Florida Tiki can be.
↑ Thanks to Tommy, we have some exclusive renderings (currently redacted for the blog) of his plans for the new Suffering Bastard, which should open in the first quarter of next year in the Mills 50 area of Orlando. The inside looks similar to the current layout, but the authentic exterior is something we haven’t seen on a new Florida Tiki bar in many years. The thatched roof is not yet approved, but Tommy is hopeful.
↑ The big question with the Don the Beachcomber expansion is: What’s going on with Hamlin? It’s definitely not canceled, but it’s moving very slowly. The developer is still preparing the site, so no work can begin. We’re told there are hold-ups that involve other sites in the area, including a park and mini golf. But will this be a DTB location? The company website lists both DTB and Tiki Docks as coming soon. Which is probably true. The current plans call for a Tiki Docks with a Don the Beachcomber speakeasy inside.
↑ Here’s a recent Google Earth view that shows the undeveloped site, including the adjacent Pop Stroke. The red pin is Ford’s Garage, also owned by 23 Restaurant Services. A story in the Orlando media revealed that Tiki Docks will be the overall concept with a speakeasy inside that pays tribute to Don the Beachcomber. I’m told it will be roughly the same size as Morgan’s Cove, though a different design. Regarding the venue change, we’re told it’s a combination of factors, including market demand, and what Hamlin and the investors want. The latest potential date is “sometime in 2027.” Once dirt starts moving, we’ll have a better estimate.
↑ In the meantime, the DTB brand is not slowing down. Above are some updates from creative director Justin Peterson.
↑ Hula Kai, a “contemporary Tiki bar,” is under construction on the 17th Street Causeway near Pier 66 and the old Yankee Clipper in Fort Lauderdale. Owned by the same restaurant group that runs the Quarterdeck chain, it’s indicative of a more accessible version of Florida Tiki that still has some reverence for the past. Rodney Ray of HeadHunter Props and Fabrication is spearheading the interior design, and he hopes to include work by contemporary Tiki artists. It will feature three floors: A large ground floor area, a second floor dining area (including hut-like booths and another bar), plus an open-air rooftop bar on the third floor with views of downtown and the cruise ships at Port Everglades. This area will cater to the more accessible “Florida Tiki” style, providing something for different tastes. This style of venue appears to be a compromise and (like Dirty Birds and others) appeals to a wider audience.
I also expect to see more speakeasies and Tiki-adjacent restaurant concepts, which have proven to be successful. Not on our list yet is the recent expansion of Maya SpeakTiki from its original Orlando location to Sarasota and Pembroke Pines. The restaurant group behind Bar Hana has also announced a second location coming soon to St. Petersburg.
However, what I’m really hoping for is a full-blown, highly immersive Tiki bar, even on a small scale. Something like False Idol (San Diego) or The Inferno Room (Indianapolis) would be great. That would take a commitment to the concept and the right location. Will it happen? Only time will tell.
↑ Thanks to everyone at Tiki-a-Go-Go! I’ll see you at the Mai-Kai. Reminder to email suggestions and photos for the second edition to [email protected].
Credits: Many of the current and recent photos were taken by The Atomic Grog or gleaned from blog archives and official online sources. Many historic photos and images were borrowed from both the MyTiki.life and TikiCentral.com websites, plus research by Tim “Swanky” Glazner and Tom Duncan, along with other sources.
Thanks again to everyone who helped out in the production of the slideshow and the Florida Tiki encyclopedia, especially Susan (Mrs. Hurricane), and those who assisted at Tiki-a-Go-Go, especially “Tiki John” Atkins and Christie “Tiki Kiliki” White. Look for her classic Florida and California glassware.
Mahalo to Tiki-a-Go-Go for making it all happen and bringing everyone together! See you next year.
MORE TIKI-A-GO-GO COVERAGE
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Check out our handy guide featuring all the basics you need to know to plan your next trip to the Polynesian palace.
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Learn how to get those classic shots on your next trip to the historic South Florida restaurant. We take you on an adventure via new and vintage photos, plus video from Spike’s Breezeway to document the top locations inside and outside.
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