A journalist and Florida resident for more than 40 years, Jim "Hurricane" Hayward shares his obsession with Polynesian Pop and other retro styles on his blog, The Atomic Grog. Jim's roots in mid-century and retro culture go back to his childhood in the 1960s, when he tagged along with his parents to Tiki restaurants and his father's custom car shows. His experience in newspaper journalism and more than 20 years as an independent concert promoter have given him a front-row seat in the South Florida scene since the 1970s. He promoted hundreds of rock, punk, and indie concerts under the Slammie Productions banner since the early 1990s. A graduate of the University of Florida's College of Journalism and Communications in 1983, Jim was a longtime editor and web producer for The Palm Beach Post before his retirement in 2022. He earned his nickname by virtue of both his dangerous exotic drinks and his longtime position overseeing tropical weather coverage in his stormy home state. Jim now spends his time mixing cocktails, attending events and writing stories for this blog, which launched in 2011. The Atomic Grog extensively covers events, music, art, cocktails, and culture with a retro slant.
In what amounts to a very expensive but insightful research-and-development project, the owners of the Don the Beachcomber brand have decided not to reopen the namesake restaurant and bar in Madeira Beach, which launched with great fanfare in February but was severely damaged by dual hurricanes that slammed Florida’s Gulf Coast in September and October.
Takeaways from this story
• Don the Beachcomber in Madeira Beach will be replaced by the Tiki Docks concept. [MORE]
• Brand owner 23 Restaurant Services is accelerating the rollout of Gantt Reserve Collection bars. [MORE]
• A flagship Don the Beachcomber is still on track for Central Florida. [MORE]
• Author plans more Donn Beach books after biography is released. [MORE]
• New custom mugs available in online store. [MORE] Bonus cocktail recipe:Tribute to Marie King’s The Seminole Heights
“There’s no reason to be concerned about the health of the brand moving forward, or whether or not we’re going to opening any more restaurants,” creative director Justin Peterson told a crowd of concerned Tikiphiles at the Inuhele weekender in Atlanta on Jan. 25. “Every project we had in the pipeline is still going forward. On top of that, we have stuff we can’t even talk about today, exciting stuff that is going to blow your mind when we get around to it.”
Peterson and beverage director Marie King broke the news on behalf of parent company 23 Restaurant Services, which added the legendary Tiki concept to its portfolio of a half-dozen brands in 2022. After dispensing with the Madeira Beach update – which Peterson admitted was “a total bummer” – the pair spent the remainder of their 45-minute seminar getting us up to speed on the company’s more positive advancements related to Tiki’s founding father, Donn Beach, aka Don the Beachcomber.
This includes an aggressive rollout of more small cocktail-focused bars in the Gantt Reserve Collection, an umbrella grouping of speakeasies that pay homage to Beach’s given name (Ernest Raymond Gantt). The first, Morgan’s Cove, made its debut in downtown Tampa in July. The next location may open in Plantation, west of Fort Lauderdale, in early 2026. All will have unique names and theming related to their location. Past coverage:Don the Beachcomber launches Morgan’s Cove speakeasy in Tampa
The loss of the Madeira Beach restaurant, which will be replaced by the company’s more streamlined and tropical-themed Tiki Docks, will mean that the company will be without a branded Don the Beachcomber restaurant until what promises to be a spectacular new venue opens in Hamlin, just north of Walt Disney World, in 2026. From all accounts, it will be worth the wait. In the meantime, the pair spoke of keeping the brand in the public eye with pop-up appearances and an impressive array of merchandise.
Don the Beachcomber biographer Tim “Swanky” Glazner (left) joined creative director Justin Peterson and beverage director Marie King for a presentation on the state of the brand at Inuhele in Atlanta. (Photo by Hurricane Hayward / Jan. 25, 2025)
Author Tim “Swanky” Glazner, whose long-awaited biography (Searching for Don the Beachcomber) is on track for a fall 2025 release, joined his friends to talk about the book and reassure the Inuhele attendees that Beach’s legacy remains in good hands. “I believe they’re going to do a great job,” Glazner said of not only King and Peterson, but the entire 23 Restaurant Services team.
The presentation was perhaps the most information-packed and definitely produced the most breaking news from the entire event. Inuhele celebrated its sixth gathering of the tribe at a new venue (the Omni hotel) in downtown Atlanta with three days of symposiums, a Tiki marketplace, live entertainment, cocktail and rum tastings, room parties, and much more. A highlight was a luau and live music at another historic Tiki venue, the vintage Trader Vic’s that dates back to 1976. Related coverage:Inuhele, Atlanta grow together into a Tiki powerhouse
Following is a detailed breakdown on what we learned from Peterson, King and Glazner during the symposium. Please note that there are no set dates for any of the upcoming projects, just estimated dates as detailed below. Peterson wanted to make clear that these can change on a daily basis. So temper your expectations, but know that progress is being made.
From humble beginnings, Inuhele: Atlanta’s Tiki Weekend has risen to become one of the must-visit events of the year for tikiphiles, an alternative to the many summer events and an eclectic mix of modern and vintage art, music and culture. The sixth annual weekender returns Jan 24-26 at the downtown Omni hotel, with Saturday night’s luau and live music at the historic Trader Vic’s nearby.
Advance sales end Wednesday (Jan. 15) at 11:59 p.m., so don’t miss out. Weekend passes, priced at $225, may be available at the event if any remain. Day passes won’t be sold. Save $50 in advance when you order a standard pass ($175) online, which includes entry to the vendor hall; panels all weekend; live contests, bands and shows; live demos; the Big Uke Jam, Caftan Strut, Swizzle Swap, and more. Already sold out is the VIP pass, which includes entry to Thursday’s welcome party, early entry to the vending hall, a ticket to the Saturday night luau, a VIP swag bag, plus other VIP events.
What started as a bus tour of the city’s vibrant home Tiki bars in 2018 has evolved into a full-blown convention-style event in a city known for its pop-culture conventions. Like many of those fan-centric gatherings, Inuhele puts guests and VIPs into the same immersive fishbowl together. Like other Tiki conventions, the atmosphere is based on a shared love of Polyesian Pop art and culture.
The annual Swizzle Swap, as seen in 2023, is a staple at Inuhele. (Photo by Hurricane Hayward)
Inuhele has relocated to the Omni after one year at the Marriott Century Center and the past four years at the Atlanta Sheraton Downtown. Located in the heart of the Centennial Park District (built for the 1996 Olympics), the hotel is also adjacent to State Farm Arena and the Georgia World Congress Center. In addition to skyline views, guests can enjoy many nearby attractions (World of Coca Cola, Georgia Aquarium, Center for Civil and Human Rights, Center for Puppetry Arts). The pet-friendly hotel also boasts a heated pool, fitness center, plus three restaurants.
It’s just 1.3 miles to the Hilton Atlanta and its famous subterranean Trader Vic’s, est. 1976. One of the last remaining restaurants built during the lifetime of company founder Victor Bergeron, the vintage space is notable for its decor and artwork, which remain relatively unchanged after nearly 50 years.
• Venerable Trader Vic’s brand marks 90 years with a return to its roots
The Frigidaires from Atlanta will perform Saturday night at Trader Vic’s. (Official photo)
Check out our interview below with Jonathan Chaffin, who founded Inuhele with his wife, Allison. Together, they also run Horror In Clay, producing horror-themed Tiki mugs, barware, art, and accessories. The couple likes to keep the event very much a family-run passion project, and it shows. Their self-funded FlipKat Productions depends on ticket sales to pay for the event, along with a growing list of sponsors.
Event sponsors for 2025 include Trader Vic’s, Don the Beachcomber; The Bamboo Room Tiki Bar; Tiki Underground; The Luau Lads and Lark’s Head Rum; Spiribam (Chairman’s Reserve, Rhum J.M, Clement Rhum); Tandauy Rum; Bacardi (Bacardi Ocho, Santa Teresa 1796, Havana Club); Hilton Head Distillery; BG Reynolds Cocktail Syrups; Tip Top Cocktails, Fresca Mixed; Cerveza Pacifico beer; Natalie’s Orchid Island Juice Co.; Black Lagoon Coffee; and Uke Republic.
LIVE COVERAGE: Don the Beachcomber news, plus photos and video on social media
Paradise Reimagined: Deep Inside the Mai-Kai RestorationNEW
Attendees at Inuhele 2025 in Atlanta enjoyed an exclusive look at the reimagination and revival of the historic restaurant during a special multimedia presentation featuring photos, video and inside tips. Check out slideshow highlights, plus two walk-through videos with creative director “Typhoon Tommy” Allsmiller. DEEP DIVE:The renovation and reopening of the Mai-Kai
Annual retrospectives always include some bittersweet news alongside the happy achievements, and 2024 was no different. We sadly said farewell to some legends as well as a few beloved watering holes. But there was much to celebrate as new Tiki establishments opened and events were launched. The good certainly overshadowed the bad at the top of the list. Three major storylines dominated the year in Tiki, and we’re happy to report that 2025 promises to be even better for three iconic names that are poised for their biggest years in recent history. Related:The Year in Tiki 2024: A look back at the top events in photos, video Bonus cocktail recipe:The Dirty Banana by Mike “Jetsetter” Jones
1. (TIE) CLASSIC TIKI REBORN: The Mai-Kai reopens after $20M restoration, Don the Beachcomber brand resurrected in Florida
It was impossible to choose one of these two highly significant events as the top story of the year, so we’re declaring it a tie. The importance of both cannot be understated. When all is said and done, this may qualify as the top story of the decade. Imagine a future without the Mai-Kai, and Don the Beachcomber just a figure in books and movies.
In mid-2021, we were still mired in the pandemic, the Mai-Kai had been closed for nearly a year and had yet to find new owners, and we had no clue that the historic Don the Beachcomber name had been acquired by a little-known restaurant group from Tampa.
By September of that year, the Mai-Kai was sold two a new ownership group, becoming the No. 2 story of the year. In 2022, the historic South Florida restaurant was in the midst of a multi-year, multimillion-dollar reimagination that grabbed the No. 5 slot. By 2023, Don the Beachcomber grabbed headlines (and the No. 2 top story) with an ambitious announcement of a revival of the brand by 23 Restaurant Services. The massive Mai-Kai renovation efforts, which we documented in great detail, was No. 4.
Don the Beachcomber in Madeira Beach was the first location to open as part of a planned national rollout of the iconic brand. (Photos by Hurricane Hayward)
Which brings us to 2024, when both stories deservedly bolted to the top slot. Don the Beachcomber made news first, opening its first new restaurant Feb. 23 in Madeira Beach on Florida’s southern Gulf Coast. The full-service restaurant, located on the ground floor of the Cambria Hotel just blocks from the beach, was designed by Daniel “Tiki Diablo” Gallardo and a crew of artists and craftspeople. The cocktails are in the highly capable hands of beverage director Marie King.
• Previous coverage:Don the Beachcomber grand opening in Florida is a smashing success
In April, the team behind the ambitious brand re-launch took the stage at Tiki-a-Go-Go in Orlando to offer a sneak preview of new locations planned for Florida, plus a new “brand within a brand” called the Gantt Reserve Collection from Don the Beachcomber. These smaller, speakeasy-style venues will allow the company to more swiftly expand. While the next large restaurant – a flagship location just north of Disney World in Central Florida – isn’t expected until at least 2025, the company was able to turn the key on its first cocktail-centric bar just three months later.
• Previous coverage:Don the Beachcomber announces new bar concept, upcoming locations in Florida
Morgan’s Cove in Tampa is the first Gantt Reserve Collection bar from Don the Beachcomber. (Photos by Hurricane Hayward)
Morgan’s Cove, featuring a whimsical seafaring design executed perfectly by Gallardo and his team, swung open its secret door on July 18 on downtown Tampa’s Morgan Street. The city’s long history of pirate lore makes the theme a perfect fit. King rose to the challenge with a menu of elevated classic cocktails and unique takes on Donn Beach’s vision.
• Previous coverage:Don the Beachcomber launches Morgan’s Cove speakeasy in Tampa
All that momentum came to a crashing halt in September. Hurricane Helene slammed the Gulf Coast, causing extensive damage to many homes and businesses, including Don the Beachcomber in Madeira Beach. The restaurant unfortunately fell victim to a perfect storm of unfortunate circumcstances. It was announced in January that it would not be reopening, but would be transformed into the sister concept, Tiki Docks.
That doesn’t mean the Don the Beachcomber brand is slowing its expansion. It’s just a temporary step back. Many new venues are coming soon, as we learned at Inuhele 2025:
Meanwhile on Florida’s southeast coast just north of Fort Lauderdale, work was progressing on the Mai-Kai, built in 1956 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2014. It closed in late October 2020 after a roof collapse took out the 1970s-era kitchen and revealed an aging structure in need of a lot of TLC. And, it turns out, even more money and time than projected. Luckily, the new ownership group led by historic preservationist Bill Fuller of Miami’s Barlington Group has deep pockets and even more patience.
Far from your typical restaurant restoration, this project demanded a high level of expertise. Creative director “Typhoon Tommy” Allsmiller rose to the challenge, joined by a team of artists and longtime manager Kern Mattei. The excitement level started to build in June, when guests of The Hukilau received exclusive tours of some of the newly restored areas, including the Molokai Bar and showroom.
• Previous coverage:Inside the Molokai Bar and tour of the Mai-Kai restoration
The Mai-Kai showroom comes back to life during the grand reopening on Nov. 21. (Photo by Hurricane Hayward)
With a fall reopening in sight, hiring began in August, including performers for a rebooted version of the Polynesian Islander Revue, the oldest continually-running authentic South Seas stage show in the United States (including Hawaii). In September, Cory Starr (formerly of Tiki Tatsu-Ya in Austin and Three Dots and a Dash in Chicago) was named beverage director, overseeing one of Tiki’s most storied bar programs.
• Previous coverage:Mai-Kai welcomes Cory Starr as new chief mixologist
Even the parking lot received a creative makeover. Designed by the architects at Orlando’s Perry-Becker Design, whose resume includes Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, the arrival experience became totally immersive with new waterfalls, lush foliage and a simulated volcanic caldera. The old porte-cochère was reimagined into the Bora Bora Bar with outdoor seating and another layer of story-telling for guests to enjoy.
The Mai-Kai’s outdoor Tiki garden reopened for the 68th anniversary on Dec. 28. (Photo by Hurricane Hayward)
The Mai-Kai has been open every day since regular service began Nov. 26, including a 68th anniversary celebration on Dec. 28. The building and grounds look fantastic, but the $20 million project is far from complete. The expansive Tiki garden reopened for the anniversary, and several rear dining rooms are still being renovated. Allsmiller has more tricks up his sleeve as his work continues in 2025, but don’t hesitate to make a pilgrimage to Tiki’s mecca, a Polynesian paradise that defied the odds and returned bigger and better than ever in 2024.
EXCLUSIVE:Mai-Kai Restoration & Reopening Guide
Check out all past news, photos, video and deep details on the refurbishment and resurrection of the Polynesian palace.
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2. THE DONN OF TIKI: Fans flock to premieres, boost film’s profile
The godfather of Tiki, Don the Beachcomber (aka Donn Beach), finally got his due in 2024 with the long-awaited public debut of The Donn of Tiki on the film festival circuit in April. By the end of the year, it had made the rounds at more than a half-dozen events and garnered numerous awards. In September, Kickstarter contributors were able to screen the movie at home.
Save these dates now and make plans for a full year of major events across the world of Tiki culture. We’ll also keep you posted on many worldwide gatherings for fans of rum, lowbrow and mid-century modern art, surf and rockabilly music, plus some Disney events and anything of general interest to the Tiki community.
For the first time since 2019, guests once again gathered for a full night of signature Mai-Kai cocktails, food and entertainment to celebrate the restaurant’s grand opening on Dec. 28, 1956. Closed since October 2020, the historic South Florida landmark reopened in November 2024 after a $20 million restoration and reimagination.
Hundreds of fans enjoyed happy hour from 3 to 7 p.m. in the vintage Molokai Bar and the new Bora Bora Bar outdoors under the porte-cochère. There were three dinner show seatings for the Polynesian Islander Revue at 4, 7 and 10 p.m. as the celebration continued all night. NEW:2024 anniversary, New Year’s Eve photos & video
The Mai-Kai, which is still in the final stages of the multi-year renovation project launched in 2022, held an anniversary party in the parking lot in 2020 after a catastrophic roof collapse over the kitchen shut down service indoors two months earlier. The popular restaurant persevered, securing new ownership and a creative team that is taking great care to meticulously restore every square inch of the 26,000-square-foot space.
In addition, ambitious new features have been added to the exterior, including a themed entryway that immediately whisks guests into an exotic tropical paradise. Opening to guests for sneak previews on Nov. 15, the Mai-Kai held its ceremonial grand reopening Nov. 21 and return of the signature dinner shows Nov. 22.
The Mai-Kai shortly after its Dec. 28, 1956, opening in a reimagined vintage postcard image. This 4-by-6-inch card, suitable for framing, is among the 15 Mai-Kai Classics postcards available in the restaurant gift shop. (Official photo)
With an emphasis on the important activity in recent years, here’s a look back at some key dates and events over the course of the Mai-Kai’s long history:
Dec. 28, 1956 – Young and ambitious Chicago brothers Bob and Jack Thornton fulfill their dream by opening a Polynesian restaurant on a sleepy stretch of Federal Highway in Oakland Park, bordering Fort Lauderdale in South Florida. It cost $350,000 to create, reportedly the most expensive restaurant built that year. They name it Mai-Kai, which means “the best” in Hawaiian. The futuristic A-frame design is the work of acclaimed architect Charles F. McKirahan Sr. The restaurant seats 225 guests in five dining rooms and the Surfboard Bar. Key members of the team include manager Bob Van Dorpe, mixologist Mariano Licudine and chef Kenny Lee, who all come from the Don the Beachcomber location in Chicago and bring a rich institutional knowledge of the pioneering Polynesian restaurant concept.
1957 – In its first year, the Mai-Kai earns more than $1 million, making it one of the most successful restaurants of its time.
The allure of the Mystery Girl is part of the mystique of the Mystery Drink. Myrna Weber (left) was a Playboy playmate of the month in August 1958.
1958 – The original Molokai Bar is built on the north side of the main building, creating a new lounge for the crowds arriving for dinner. Two iconic features are added: Sarong-clad serving girls and the Mystery Drink served by the Mystery Girl.
There’s nothing more ubiquitous during the Christmas season than a traditional eggnog, whether its a non-alcoholic version for the whole family or a boozy variation featuring whiskey, rum and/or brandy. It’s hard to mess up this holiday standard if you know what you’re doing, so we saw no need to weigh in with a unique recipe of our own. Until now.
Jeff “Beachbum” Berry serves up a tasty nog at Sippin’ Santa. (Official photo)
Over the past decade or so, we’ve tasted some excellent examples of modern nogs at the annual Miracle and Sippin’ Santa pop-up bars. In general, the craft cocktail revival has raised the bar on this formerly cringey classic that was more often served out of a carton.
Esteemed author and barkeep Jeffrey Morgenthaler is widely credited with championing eggnog with a craft cocktail slant, leading to a plethora of modern recipes. The recent explosion of local Christmas pop-ups that followed in Miracle’s wake has made the options even more plentiful.
But even in its most elevated form, eggnog is not typically a showcase for bold and aggressive rums. Kevin Crossman’s Ultimate Egg Nog is solid, but it splits the base with bourbon. Inspired by Derek Cole’s Tiki Eggnog, updated this year on his Make and Drink channel on YouTube, I sought to lean into the Tiki spices but also bring to the table the most flavor-packed (and potent) rum(s) in a classic eggnog format.
Hamilton Beachbum Berry’s Navy Grog Blend (114 proof) and Planteray Mister Fogg Navy Rum (111.4 proof) are robust and flavorful mixing rums. (Official photos)
The result is the Atomic Navy Nog, featuring not one but two Navy-style rums that have been calling my name since their release. Both Beachbum Berry’s Navy Grog Blend from Hamilton Rum and Mister Fogg Navy Rum from Planteray are outstanding mixing rums that deserve a lot more use beyond the namesake Navy Grog.
You could easily use one bottle or the other in this recipe if that’s all you have, but the 50/50 blend is surprisingly not too muddled or muted. In the Don the Beachcomber tradition, two rums are indeed better than one, even if they already are complex three- and four-country blends. To complete the link back to Donn Beach, I tried to employ some of his other favorite ingredients (cinnamon syrup, Gardenia Mix) to give the nog some depth of flavor beyond the rum.
The result, I hope, is a spicy and rummy eggnog that retains its classic form but gives rum and Tiki aficionados an extra special treat.
This year has been significant for the Tiki and Polynesian Pop scene in the Sunshine State for both its ups and downs. Luckily, the high points have been more plentiful than the lows with 2024 marked by the arrival of the first new Don the Beachcomber restaurant in decades, the debut of the Tiki-a-Go-Go event, and the triumphant return of the Mai-Kai.
The calm before the storms: The Don the Beachcomber crew, including Justin Peterson (left) and Marie King (right), at Tiki-a-Go-Go in Orlando in April 2024. (Photo by Hurricane Hayward)
But in true Tiki fashion, there’s always a little bittersweet that goes into any potent cocktail. In this historic year, that meant a tumultuous hurricane season that wreaked havoc on the Gulf Coast, leading to the closing of Don the Beachcomber in Madeira Beach, and heavy damage elsewhere.
But resilience is a hallmark of the southernmost mainland state, and we’re happy to report that this year’s hurricane season did not deliver a knockout punch. To the contrary, many of those affected by the storms have emerged stronger than ever, poised for an even more memorable 2025.
The 2024 Atlantic hurricane season was an extremely active and devastating one, reportedly the second-costliest on record with more than $220 billion in damage. Three hurricanes made landfall in Florida: Debby (Aug. 5), Helene (Sept. 26), and Milton (Oct. 9). The category 1 Debby brought heavy rain, flooding and widespread power outages to Florida’s Big Bend, but it was just a hint at what was still to come.
Three hurricanes made landfall in Florida in 2024.
The category 4 Helene caused widespread damage from the Gulf Coast to North Carolina. It was the deadliest hurricane to affect the continental U.S. since Katrina in 2005, with more than 150 deaths. In Florida, the storm cut a path of destruction from Naples and Fort Myers through Sarasota, Tampa and all the way to Tallahassee.
The category 3 Milton brought significant damage with a destructive storm surge resulting in many homes and businesses damaged. Milton’s impact still lingers with debris clean-ups across Central Florida and residents near bodies of water still dealing with flooding, according to Orlando’s WESH 2.
Hurricanes Helene and Milton both severely impacted Florida’s Gulf Coast and beyond.
Our deepest condolences to everyone impacted by this year’s calamitous tropical weather, especially those who lost loved ones. This story is intended as snapshot of how several of Florida’s most high-profile Tiki establishments were impacted and how they pulled through in a time of crisis.
As my story in the current issue of Exotica Moderne shows, we’re all looking forward to a fresh start in 2025 as we build a bigger and better Tiki community. Check our Tiki Times guide for the latest event announcements and follow our continuing coverage on the blog all year.
This is part 1 in a series exploring the new cocktail and food menus at the historic Mai-Kai in South Florida, est. 1956. The restaurant reopened in November 2024 after four years and a $20 million restoration project that’s still ongoing. First, we’ll take a look at the menu design and esthetics. In future stories, we’ll examine the drinks and the food in depth.
The Mai-Kai’s Tonga dining room offers not only a prime view of the showroom stage and the Polynesian Islander Revue, but also a display case containing traditional cannibal carvings that have been used to promote the restaurant since its 1956 opening. (Photos by Hurricane Hayward / Nov. 22, 2024)
Since the Mai-Kai celebrated its grand reopening in mid-November, fans flocking back to 3599 N. Federal Highway in Oakland Park have been dazzled by the renovation and reimagination of the 67-year-old Tiki temple. This includes a painstaking rehabilitation of the Molokai Bar, the massive showroom under the vintage 40-foot A-frame, as well as all the surrounding dining rooms and other guest areas.
But there are a few new additions to this throwback experience that may have escaped notice, right under the noses of many guests. The food and drink menus now boast a retro look and feel that dates all the way back to the early days of the Mai-Kai. Let’s take a closer look at menus, their links to the past, and some news on what’s coming next.
The cocktail menu: Welcome back to paradise, 1950s style
The Mai-Kai’s updated menu features 54 cocktails, including 38 classic rum drinks and 12 new creations by head mixologist Cory Starr. Click for larger view. (Photo by Hurricane Hayward, November 2024)
It’s easy to be swept away to paradise when you open the Mai-Kai’s new cocktail menu and gaze upon more than 50 tropical drinks, many of them classics that have been frozen in time since 1956. But after you place your order for one of those delicious drinks crafted by beverage director Cory Starr and his expansive team of bartenders, take a gander at the menu’s design and artwork.
The cover art and tri-fold format is nearly identical the original 1956-57 menu, which included 43 cocktails ranging in price from 90 cents for Oh So Deadly to $2 for the signature Barrel O’ Rum. Both of those drinks are still on the menu, along with 28 others from that initial grand opening. The prices many have changed, but the recipes remain nearly identical, one of the unique features of the legendary bar.
The Mai-Kai replicated the menu design in great detail, from the distinctive logo to the familiar artwork of three cannibal tiki carvings. The wood grain and folding panels are meant to simulate the Mai-Kai’s original front doors. We don’t have a copy of the original menu, but images posted online during an eBay sale show virtually the same cover and inside layout from 1957:
The Mai-Kai’s new 2024 cocktail menu was designed to look very much like this original menu from 1956-57, including the same cover and vintage-style images.
The old tri-fold menu style was gone by the end of the 1970s, replaced by a bi-fold menu that remained in place (in varying sizes) until the 2020 closing. [See the 2018-2019 menu] Another classic feature is back on the new menu with a return to having the individual cocktails depicted by representational artwork.
The original artwork was replaced by photos in a 2014 menu overhaul. This was a major change from the original style used during the first 57 years of menus. But the old look is back, thanks to California artist Eric October.
Mai-Kai managing partner Bill Fuller reached out to October after seeing his botanical cocktail prints for sale online. The longtime Mai-Kai fan was hired to create the custom images using watercolor in the same style used on the original mid-century menus. Some of the cocktails have also been turned into T-shirts featuring the same artwork.
Mai-Kai manager Kern Mattei (right) meets Eric October at Tiki Oasis in San Diego, where the artist was selling his distinctive botanical cocktail prints. (Photos by Hurricane Hayward, August 2023)
These images include more than just the signature mild, medium and strong rum drinks – plus the four non-alcoholic options. October also depicted the 12 new creations by Starr that fill out he 54-drink menu and offer alternatives for fans of other spirits (bourbon, tequila, et al.).
It’s hard to imagine more interest in a restaurant reopening than the hoopla surrounding the return of the historic Mai-Kai after its $20 million rejuvenation in November 2024. More than three years in the making, the restoration and reimagination not only returned the 68-year-old Polynesian palace to its vintage 1970s-era look, it also created an entirely new experience outside and around the grounds. Just as important, it created a solid infrastructure that will ensure its survival for generations to come.
When you cross the rumbling wooden bridge to enter the Mai-Kai, you’re immediately redirected onto what looks like a red clay road in a South Seas paradise filled with lush tropical foliage and dozens of tiki torches. As you exit, look for the new carvings by South Florida artist Tom Fowner, based on the signature “cannibal trio” that has appeared on Mai-Kai signs and menus since 1956. “Mahalo a hui hou” means “thank you and until we meet again.” (Photos by Hurricane Hayward / Nov. 15 and Nov. 20, 2024)
The following FAQ was created for the Friends of the Mai-Kai group on Facebook, which includes more than 23,000 members and continues to grow. Due to the overwhelming response, we wanted to provide the most official information we can find, along with our own tips and advice. MaiKai.com:Check out the officicial FAQ here
If you’re looking for more extensive coverage, including photos and video, just check the AtomicGrog.com homepage and our page dedicated to the Mai-Kai restoration and reopening. There you’ll find news and info going all the way back to the temporary closing in late 2020, along with lots of features in the works.
This page will be updated in tandem with Facebook, containing the latest helpful info for anyone planning a visit to the Mai-Kai. Feel free to follow either, or both. As always, go to MaiKai.com for the most official info and sign up for the email list to receive the latest news. If you have any other questions, join us in the Facebook group or post a question in the comments below.
The outdoor Bora Bora Bar is a new feature added during the Mai-Kai’s $20 million restoration project. (Photo by Hurricane Hayward, February 2025)
A highly immersive Polynesian-themed restaurant, dinner show and tropical bar that reopened in November 2024 following a four-year closing, refurbishment and reimagination estimated to cost more than $20 million. Located in Oakland Park, adjacent to Fort Lauderdale, in Broward County on Florida’s southeast coast. Established in 1956, the Mai-Kai is both a local and national historic landmark. The address is 3599 N. Federal Highway on the west side between Commercial and Oakland Park boulevards. [Google map]
• For more on the history, check out this page at MaiKai.com.
• Go to MaiKaiHistory.com for deep dives and order the book Mai-Kai: History and Mystery of the Iconic Tiki Restaurant by Tim “Swanky” Glazner.
• The Atomic Grog features detailed information on the historic cocktails.
WHEN IS THE MAI-KAI OPEN?
The bars and restaurant, including the dinner show, is open seven days a week from 4 p.m. Monday-Friday, 3 p.m. on Saturday, and 1 p.m. on Sunday.
HOW DO I GET OFFICIAL UPDATES?
Sign up for the email list at MaiKai.com and follow the official social media pages on Facebook and Instagram.
Seating for the Mai-Kai’s long-running Polynesian dinner show includes prime seats in the New Guinea Room (left foreground) and the Hawaii Room (left top). To the rear of the showroom (right), the elevated Tonga Room offers sweeping views. (Photos by Hurricane Hayward / Nov. 22, 2024)
DO I NEED RESERVATIONS?
You can reserve seats for the daily dinner shows (up to 45 days in advance) via the booking engine at MaiKai.com. The reservation system asks you to choose from three three pricing tiers and select your seats (exact location not guaranteed). If you can’t find seats on a particular date and time, try a different party size or a different time/date. Before you make a payment, you can alert the Mai-Kai to any dietary restrictions or special occasions. IMPORTANT: If anyone in your party has special mobility needs (wheelchair, etc.), please add to the reservation notes. Reservations open up occasionally, so please make sure to check back! Groups larger than eight should contact the Mai-Kai to make arrangements via the form on the website.
• Click here or the image below to see the seating chart
Walk-ups may be accommodated, space permitting. Inquire at the front desk upon arrival. There is also plenty of seating available in the bars and Lanai dining area in the outdoor gardens, no reservations needed.
