Updated Nov. 4, 2024 NOTE:This blog post will feature continually updated information from official sources at the historic Mai-Kai restaurant in South Florida. It will also include in-depth coverage and photos from journalist Jim “Hurricane” Hayward, along with information gathered from other reliable sources. Bookmark and return for the most accurate and complete guide to the opening of the Tiki landmark, est. 1956.
NEW: The Mai-Kai announces reservations and reopening coming ‘very soon’
Four years and five days after the October 2020 closing due to a catastrophic kitchen roof collapse, The Mai-Kai made a long-awaited announcement on social media Oct. 30, 2024, that indicates the reopening of the historic restaurant is right around the corner. The statement reads:
We are excited to welcome you back to MAI-KAI! Please continue to check here for updates as we prepare to announce reservation information and open our doors very soon.
The statement appeared on both the official Facebook and Instagram pages. It was immediately met with a huge response. Within an hour, the Facebook post received 750 responses, 70 comments, and 75 shares. The Instagram image garnered 1,300 likes and 70 comments.
Interest has been high following media reports last week that mentioned a November reopening date. While the new statement made no reference to a particular date, it likely sets the stage for such an announcement. All indications point to a target date some time in November. In addition to monitoring social media for further announcements, guests can sign up for the email list at MaiKai.com to be alerted when reservations are available.
The revered cocktail program at The Mai-Kai is in experienced and enthusiastic hands as the historic restaurant prepares for its grand reopening in November. The new beverage director and head bartender is Cory Starr, most recently general manager and beverage director at the acclaimed Tiki Tatsu-Ya in Austin, and before that a key member of the team at Three Dots and a Dash in Chicago.
While Starr is used to creating unique offerings at his previous gigs, he’s equally excited about the challenge that lies ahead. “I feel a great responsibility for maintaining the standards of the past,” he said in an interview with The Atomic Grog just after his arrival.
Starr worked at Tiki Tatsu-Ya from 2019 until September 2023, creating the cocktail program from the ground-up before the spectacularly immersive restaurant opened in September 2021. Prior to that, he bartended at the Spirited Award-winning Three Dots and a Dash from 2015 to 2019, often joining beverage director Kevin Beary at events across the country.
The Arizona native cut his teeth as a tropical bartender at the Four Seasons Resort Hualalai on Hawaii’s Kona Coast from 2011 to 2015. Starr was also invited to compete twice (2018 and 2019) in the prestigious Don the Beachcomber Mai Tai Festival at the Royal Kona Resort (finishing second and third). His time in Hawaii cemented is love for Tiki culture and launched him on a trajectory that has taken him to one of the most legendary Polynesian restaurants of the mid-20th century.
At 40, Starr brings to The Mai-Kai a youthful energy, but also vast experience with high-level and high-volume cocktail programs. This will all serve him well in re-establishing the storied bar program begun by Don the Beachcomber alum Mariano Licudine in 1956. Most of the restaurant’s historic cocktails remain the same as they were when the “Houdini of the Liquids” retired in 1979.
“Stepping into this role is unlike anything I have done before,” Starr said. “While Tiki cocktails have so much history tied to them already, The Mai Kai drinks are legendary and my job here is more preserving history and bridging the gap from The Mai Kai that we all adore to the new era of The Mai Kai.”
As November approaches and most of the country starts to buckle down for the winter, South Florida’s thoughts turn to … RUM, of course. More specifically, the Miami Rum Festival in Coral Gables, which celebrates the world’s most diverse spirit with three days of seminars and tasting events that target everyone from newbies to high-end enthusiasts, to industry professionals.
But the Miami Rum Renaissance Festival is the grand daddy of them all in the hottest of the rum hotbeds, launched in 2009 by longtime rum collectors and enthusiasts Robin and Robert Burr, author of Rob’s Rum Guide. This year’s gathering will be fifth at the historic Coral Gables Woman’s Club and the 15th overall.
“South Florida is the number one rum market in the world and its only fitting that we present Miami Rum Fest as the best rum tasting program in the United States once a year in this location,” Robert Burr is quoted as saying. “Its also a chance for the international rum community to come together, from the islands of the Caribbean and the Americas to Europe, Asia, Australia, Africa and beyond.”
The participating brands are carefully curated by the Burrs, reflecting both their interests in the global variety but also boutique and local producers who may not yet be major players. The website lists 68 different brands, and you can expect most to bring multiple expressions of their rum to the grand tasting, set for 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 10. If you buy a VIP ticket, you get early entry at 12:30.
If you want to dive deeper into the history and techniques used to create today’s finest rums, be sure to check out the seminars on Saturday, Nov. 9, at the Marriott. One ticket allows you access to all three, including Tiki Evolution: The Historic Rums and Iconic Cocktails of The Mai-Kai, which I’ll have the pleasure of presenting along with Kern Mattei and Cory Starr, the longtime manager and new beverage director at the Fort Lauderdale restaurant (est. 1956).
While I’ve attended and covered the festival for the blog nearly every year (see links below), this will be The Atomic Grog’s first seminar and our first time participating since the memorable Zombie Jamboree cocktail competition hosted by Jeff “Beachbum” Berry in 2011. We hope to see you there!
Following is a rundown on what you can expect at the 2024 festival.
UPDATED: Saturday’s seminars
The Miami Rum Festival has always offered a wide array of seminars and expert master classes for its participants. In recent years, these educational opportunities have been held on the event’s first day at the Marriott Courtyard Coral Gables, less than a mile from the tasting venue at the Coral Gables Woman’s Club.
That’s not to say the seminars don’t involve tasting rums. To the contrary, many of the intimate events have featured numerous samples of rare and exclusive spirits. The all-inclusive ticket ($79) also includes food and refreshments served during the breaks between seminars. Seating is limited, so advance reservations are encouraged. Get your seminar ticket now.
The epic and arduous adventure to restore and reopen South Florida’s historic Mai-Kai restaurant is nearing its thrilling conclusion. And like many great adventure stories, it has fans on the edge of their seats and chomping at the bit to fast-forward to the finale.
Happily, the end of this South Seas tale is just the beginning. When the beloved Polynesian palace reopens this fall after more than $15 million was poured into a highly detailed and spectacularly imagined renovation project, a new adventure will begin. One that the new owners of the 67-year-old property just outside Fort Lauderdale believe will transport guests for generations to come.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The Atomic Grog has agreed with Mai-Kai ownership and management to keep our reporting of details and photos to a minimum as excitement builds toward the grand reopening this fall. Be assured, there is a lot of amazing work being done during this homestretch. For our patience, we will all be rewarded by a spectacular sight when all is revealed in the coming weeks.
With the four-year anniversary of the October 2020 closing looming, all hands are on deck to meet the mandate of the fall reopening touted on the official website, MaiKai.com. We urge you to monitor the site for updates and sign up for the email list to be notified when reservations are available. You can also look for news on the official social media pages on Facebook and Instagram.
In a sign that the finish line is near, the architects leading the project said in a social media post that the firm is “eagerly awaiting the grand reopening.” According to Kravit Architectural Associates of Boca Raton: “The perfect blend of Polynesian charm and modern sophistication is almost here. From the iconic entrance to the revamped Molokai Bar, every detail has been meticulously restored to honor its rich history while introducing a fresh, welcoming atmosphere.”
An immense amount of work was completed in September, including the hiring of staff and beginning of training inside the newly built kitchen and back-of-house bars. The old kitchen, which dates back to the early 1970s when that structure was added to the rear of the vintage 1956 A-frame and guest areas, was lost when a massive storm and malfunctioning sprinkler system led to an extensive collapse of the flat roof.
Clearly visible signs of a looming reopening of The Mai-Kai have emerged as the beloved South Florida Polynesian restaurant nears the four-year mark of its closing due to severe roof damage. Dozens of workers and heavy equipment can be seen toiling daily on the massive project to reimagine the entryway and parking lot. Meanwhile, “now hiring” ads appeared on social media for the first time during August.
The outdoor work across the 2.7-acre property was the highlight of the month. It’s the final major project to be completed as part of a $15 million restoration led by preservationist Bill Fuller and his new ownership group. Miami-based Barlington Group also owns Little Havana’s equally historic Ball & Chain, which first opened in 1935.
Opened in 1956 by brothers Bob and Jack Thornton, The Mai-Kai was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2014. The family and key employees remain involved in the operation, which will be run by another company co-founded by Fuller, Mad Room Hospitality.
Another visible confirmation of the expected fall reopening can be seen on the updated official MaiKai.com website, which touts the “grand reopening” in the fall and includes a link to sign up to be notified when reservations are available.
This story will cover the highlights of August, including photos of the progress both in front and behind the property. The outdoor areas were redesigned by landscape architecture and thematic design firm Perry-Becker Design. The Orlando-based architects are responsible for many high-profile projects at resorts, theme parks and zoos, including Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
There was much excitement when “now hiring” ads appeared on The Mai-Kai’s social media accounts on Aug. 20 after months of inactivity. The posts were hailed as the light at the end of the tunnel. Or, more appropriately, the flaming fire-knife dancer at the end of the tsunami.
The four separate images, posted on the official Instagram and Facebook pages, include an email address to send resumes for potential bartenders, line cooks, performers and Molokai Girls. The requirements for performers in the Polynesian Islander Revue (dancers, musicians and master of ceremonies) are very specific, so be sure to check that ad before applying.
The start of the hiring process is no doubt a good sign. Typically, new restaurants begin staffing around six to eight weeks before opening. That would put a potential Mai-Kai reopening date squarely in the mid- to late October timeframe, which lines up with previous estimates.
In the wake of a headline-grabbing sneak preview of the immaculately restored interior in June, South Florida’s historic Mai-Kai restaurant finally kicked off an ambitious reimagination of its sprawling 2.7-acre property in July.
“There’s a lot of digging out there,” manager Kern Mattei said in July as work moved along at a rapid pace just outside the doors.
The continuing efforts restoring the guest areas and rebuilding the back-of-house remain free from prying eyes. But the spectacular transformation of the entryway, porte-cochère, and parking lot is on full display to passersby on Federal Highway in Fort Lauderdale. The busy thoroughfare borders the small city of Oakland Park, which recently gave the green light to the final design projects that will turn the somewhat utilitarian driveway into an elaborately themed environment worthy of any theme park.
The project is under the direction of Perry-Becker Design, an Orlando-based landscape architecture and thematic design firm. Perry-Becker’s credits include the recent and ongoing renovations of Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, as well as other immersive projects at major theme parks, zoos, and resorts across the country. On the ground, specialists from BrightView Landscape Development and COST of Wisconsin bring decades of expertise. The site plan was developed by architectural designers Kravit Architectural Associates of Boca Raton.
It will be a fitting conclusion to the revival of the 67-year-old historic landmark, which became necessary after a roof collapse following an October 2020 storm destroyed the kitchen and shut down the restaurant indefinitely. In September 2021, the founding Thornton family sold a majority interest to Miami’s Barlington Group, led by historic preservationist Bill Fuller. Now, nearly three years and more than $15 million later, Fuller is pushing for a much-anticipated reopening this fall.
Here’s a recap of where everything stands as of early August, including work done throughout June and July.
JUNE: Kitchen and back-of-house become top priority
As guests saw firsthand during the special tours held in early June, the Molokai Bar, showroom and dining rooms surrounding the massive 40-foot main A-frame are now in great shape, thanks to the intricate work by creative director “Typhoon Tommy” Allsmiller and his crew over the past 18 months. Some of the rear dining areas still need some touching up to get them back to 100%, but the main focus over the past two months has been the new 25-foot-long back service bar, staff locker rooms, and a new special needs restroom.
Imagine the Olympics without a closing ceremony. The Super Bowl without a halftime show. The equivalent in the Tiki world is The Hukilau without The Mai-Kai, which has been the unfortunate “new normal” amid the historic South Florida restaurant’s ongoing restoration project in the wake of its closing in late 2020 due to a severe back-of-house roof collapse.
For 17 years, the elaborately themed Polynesian palace was the centerpiece of the annual gathering of Tiki enthusiasts from around the world. It hosted a spectacular main event that filled the entire 600-capacity venue to the brim with Hukilau attendees for two performances of the Polynesian Islander Revue in the main dining rooms, plus bands such as Los Straitjackets and Tikiyaki Orchestra performing all night in the Molokai Bar and Tahiti dining room. Related:The Mai-Kai through the eyes of The Hukilau villagers (2021)
There were also annual pre- and post-event parties, memorable symposiums, movie screenings, and lots more. Even when there was nothing scheduled, you couldn’t keep The Hukilau passholders, affectionately known as “villagers,” away from The Mai-Kai during its popular nightly happy hour in the bar.
For many villagers, the Molokai Bar is the space they remember the most, which made this year’s event even more special. Following a cocktail party held outside under the porte-cochère during the first post-pandemic Hukilau in September 2021, there have been no opportunities for guests to visit amid the massive reimagination of the 2.7-acre property in Oakland Park.
In 2024, the timing was right. Hukilau organizer Richard Oneslager (part of the investment team backing the $15 million in renovations) made good on his promise that villagers would return to The Mai-Kai this year. Multi-day passholders were given access to exclusive tours on June 7 that allowed them to get a peek inside many of the finished spaces, starting in the beloved Molokai. A full reopening is expected in late summer to early fall.
Large busses transported around 50 villagers at a time from The Hukilau headquarters at the oceanfront Beachcomber Resort in Pompano Beach. Throughout the day, four groups made the 5-mile pilgrimage, meaning several hundred got the chance to look behind the curtain and meet the manager and two of the creatives deeply immersed in the project.
The tours were led by 30-year general manager Kern Mattei, creative director “Typhoon Tommy” Allsmiller, artist Scott “Flounder” Scheidly, and this writer (Hurricane Hayward of The Atomic Grog). The groups were organized by another 30-year veteran, Mai-Kai sales and marketing director Pia Dahlquist, who was handling the planning and logistics for The Hukilau
Our previous story covered the highlights of the experience enjoyed by the villagers, which included complimentary cocktails and a rare chance to pick up Mai-Kai merchandise. In this story, we’ll go into more detail on exactly what we saw during the tours, along with additional exclusive photos of the Molokai Bar.
What villagers didn’t see was all the work that went into the preparations before they arrived. During the week before the Friday event, The Mai-Kai renovation crew (which also includes artist Tom Fowner) was joined by Hukilau volunteers who helped them get the tour sites cleaned up and looking shipshape.
Speaking of ships, when it came time to restore some of the scale models that adorn the Molokai Bar, Allsmiller turned to an expert close to home. His dad, Rich Allsmiller, briefly joined the crew to lend his expertise as a world-class model builder. (In April, the Allsmiller boys discussed this topic in a presentation on the iconic Nautilus from the film 20,000 Leagues Under the Seaat Tiki-a-Go-Go.)
Mattei and his team also had to plan the tour logistics well in advance, coordinating with Dahlquist. They came up with a flawless plan that allowed each of the four busloads to have roughly 2 hours at the restaurant, including smaller 20-minute guided tours.
There was a lot to see, and the villagers were eager to do as much as possible. Here’s an overview of what each busload experienced.
You know the summer event season is underway when The Hukilau blows through South Florida in early June, serving up a whirlwind weekend of live music, expert symposiums, pool parties, vendors, and cocktails crafted by notable bartenders from around the world. As a bonus this year, hundreds of Hukilau passholders were invited to attend an event inside freshly renovated spaces of the historic Mai-Kai restaurant for the first time in five years. RELATED:The Hukilau 2024 live coverage, photos and video from social media
The Hukilau 2024 – June 6-9 at the Beachcomber Resort & Club in Pompano Beach. Featuring live music (Messer Chups, Surfer Joe, L’Exotighost, Slowey and the Boats, Lords of Atlantis, The Intoxicators, The Disasternauts, The Mermers, Skinny Jimmy Stingray), symposiums and classes (Jeff “Beachbum” Berry, Ian “Rum Ambassador” Burrell, David Wondrich, Matt Pietrek, Daniele Dalla Pola, Spike Marble, Marie King, Lucky Munro), 20+ guest cocktail bars, pool parties, Tiki Treasures Bazaar, plus more.
• The Hukilau on social media: Instagram | Facebook page and group
The location is also hard to beat. While South Florida’s heat and humidity can be stifling at this time of year, the location of a boutique hotel directly on the Atlantic Ocean with its gentle breezes and beachfront access makes up for that. The Hukilau takes over the entire 140-room Beachcomber Resort for three nights and parts of four days, meaning the immersion in a tropical paradise is complete. Attendees spill over into other beachfront hotels, and classes were also held this year in a nearby event space.
After more than 20 years (this was the 21st live event in South Florida and 22nd overall), event attendees (known as “villagers”) know what to expect with the weather. Sporadic showers are welcome to cool things off, but this year was even hotter than usual, averaging around 90 in the day and 78 in the evening. Many activities are held outdoors, which can be a challenge.
But the resort’s pools and shaded areas, not to mention all the cool beverages, gave guests ample ways to beat the heat. Other than an early Saturday storm, the event was free of rain and nobody seemed to mind the challenges Mother Nature presented. Like Tiki itself, the event was the perfect escape from the daily grind.
As detailed in our full preview in March, the lineup of bands performing this year had an unprecedented global flair. Surf and exotica groups dominated, and musicians hailing from Russia, Spain, Italy and around the United States made the trek to perform on the main poolside stage as well as several other spots around the Beachcomber property.
The performances lived up to the hype and anticipation with all the bands delivering top-notch sets, from the Mermers on Thursday night to the Saturday night headlining hijinx of The Disasternauts. Saturday’s early afternoon rain slowed the momentum but couldn’t stop the party. Slowey and the Boats shifted to an evening set under the courtyard tent, where they also played Friday night to give the bungalow parties a perfect laid-back soundtrack. They also performed poolside on Friday afternoon.
Messer Chups, L’Exotighost and Lords of Atlantis all played The Hukilau for the first time, while Surfer Joe made his second appearance. They peformed on the main stage both Friday and Saturday, allowing villagers more opportunity to catch these rare treats. Hukilau stalwarts The Intoxicators also played twice, headlining Thursday night under the South Tiki Hut and returning for a blistering afternoon set poolside on Saturday. And don’t forget local guitar slinger Skinny Jimmy Stingray, who kicked off Saturday’s party on the main stage.
Below you’ll find photos of all the bands presented in chronological order. We also captured six of the nine bands on video. You can watch the full song clips below, or click here and bookmark our Hukilau 2024 playlist on YouTube for future enjoyment.
Returning to The Hukilau seven years after their 2017 debut, The Mermers bought tons of talent and creativity to their set of instrumental alternative surf and exotica. The foursome from Gainesville, Fla., has two albums to its credit and performs extensively across the region.
Hailing from Madrid, Spain, L’Exotighost brought a new spin on classic exotica to The Hukilau with a distinctive style that employed guitar, drums and bass ukulele, plus vibraphone, theremin and other exotic sounds. The four-piece band’s poolside sets Friday and Saturday featured songs from its latest album, Kamongo (2022), available on Hi-Tide Recordings.
For the 22nd time, Tiki enthusiasts known as “villagers” enjoyed a long weekend full of surf and exotica music, expert symposiums, artists and vendors, world-class cocktails, and much more. The oceanfront location in South Florida was the perfect setting for the revelry. More on YouTube:Live videos of six of the performing bands More Hukillau 2024 highlights: The Atomic Grog’s photos, video and memories
The Hukilau 2024 – June 6-9 at the Beachcomber Resort & Club in Pompano Beach. Featuring live music (Messer Chups, Surfer Joe, L’Exotighost, Slowey and the Boats, Lords of Atlantis, The Intoxicators, The Disasternauts, The Mermers, Skinny Jimmy Stingray), symposiums and classes (Jeff “Beachbum” Berry, Ian “Rum Ambassador” Burrell, David Wondrich, Matt Pietrek, Daniele Dalla Pola, Spike Marble, Marie King, Lucky Munro), 20+ guest cocktail bars, pool parties, Tiki Treasures Bazaar, plus more.
* The Hukilau on social media: Instagram | Facebook page and group
As The Mai-Kai prepares for an invasion of Hukilau villagers this week, the expansive restoration project continues to engulf the 2.7-acre historic property. Passholders treated to special tours will see several of the fully restored indoor guest areas, but the massive parking lot project remains in low gear until all the permits are in place.
Since our last update at the end of April, several projects have advanced while others await a green light to take flight. The new kitchen, bar and back-of-house areas continue to come to life while creative director “Typhoon Tommy” Allsmiller and his team add their finishing touches. They also continue to restore, replicate and reimagine many other areas across the property.
The Hukilau offers guided tours of The Mai-Kai
Multi-day passholders attending the long-running Tiki weekender will get exclusive guided tours of The Mai-Kai on Friday, June 7. [See previous coverage] They will be escorted in small groups, allowing for a unique glimpse into the day-to-day operations of the renovation crew.
Upon arrival, tour attendees will receive a restoration update as they gather in The Molokai bar for a cocktail. They will then break into smaller groups for a behind-the-scenes sneak peek at some of the restored dining rooms and reimagined back-of-house areas.
There will be a strict “no photos” policy inside The Mai-Kai. The owners and staff request that guests respect their desire to be the ones to reveal their finished work. The creative director suggests the proper mindset: “Just take it in with your eyes, and know that you’ve seen something that nobody else has seen.” The tours will be given by Allsmiller, artist Scott “Flounder” Scheidly, manager Kern Mattei, and yours truly. I hope to see you there!
Operating under these same photo guidelines, we visited the restaurant in late May to get an update on the $15 million project that kicked off in early 2022 following the partnership between the founding Thornton family and a new ownership team led by historic preservationist Bill Fuller of Barlington Group. The sale was necessary after a catastrophic back-of-house roof collapse in October 2020 that destroyed the 1970s-era kitchen in the 67-year-old facility.
We got an update on the new kitchen and bar from Mattei, the longtime manager, plus news from Allsmiller on his projects. Photos of the outdoor area also show some slow progress on prep work for the ambitious reimagination of the entry experience and parking lot.