The Mai-Kai is rolling out the red carpet for The Hukilau this week as hundreds of revelers roll into South Florida for the 24th annual weekender that celebrates vintage and modern Tiki culture. Headquartered at the oceanfront Beachcomber Resort in nearby Pompano Beach, the June 3-7 event includes four days and nights at the historic restaurant. Jump to more below
• Special cocktail menu to include four retired classic
• Updated Atomic Grog cocktail rankings, history
Musicians and performers from the Mai-Kai’s Polynesian Islander Revue welcome guest bartenders to a special dinner in the restaurant’s Tahiti Room on Wednesday, June 3. (Photo by Hurricane Hayward)
The event’s “villagers,” some who travel from around the world to attend, will be treated to bands and guest pop-up bars, a brand new Mai-Kai dinner show, a special theatrical drum show, new food and cocktails (featuring a menu of lost classics), plus the exclusive Florida appearance of retro pop culture humorist Charles Phoenix. [See the full schedule below]
Meanwhile, executive chef Justin Sherrer and beverage director Cory Starr continue to upgrade the food and beverage programs. Updated menus (food and cocktails) were released earlier this year. For The Hukilau, Sherrer and Starr (who is also the restaurant’s general manager), have teamed up to release an exclusive event menu featuring four dishes and four cocktails available only June 4 through June 7. [Full preview below]
Since reopening in late 2024 following a $20 million restoration and reimagination, the historic Mai-Kai restaurant has reestablished itself as the “mothership” of the Tiki revival, not only in Florida but for fans around the world. Guests new and old are flocking back to experience the magic of the last remaining mid-century Polynesian supper club, est. 1956.
The Hukilau, the East Coast’s longest-running event celebrating Polynesian Pop culture, returns June 3-7 with an expansive schedule that includes three days and nights at the Mai-Kai as well as an immersive weekend at the oceanfront Beachcomber Resort in nearby Pompano Beach. The Mai-Kai will host the signature Friday night main event, plus a special presentation on Sunday with acclaimed pop culture humorist Charles Phoenix, called “the King of Retro” by the The New York Times.
This story will preview the “Floridaland” slideshow on the Mai-Kai’s showroom stage on June 7, when Phoenix will roast and toast the Florida tourist experience in the ’50s and ’60s. It will also include the latest info on other happenings at the Mai-Kai during The Hukilau, including a special tribute to the late artist Danny “Tiki Diablo” Gallardo.
South Florida’s Slip and the Spinouts play the Molokai Bar on May 22. They’ll be joined during The Hukilau on June 5 by The Intoxicators from Tallahassee. (Photos by Hurricane Hayward and the Mai-Kai / July 2025)
While attendees from near and far are expected for The Hukilau, locals will have many opportunities to enjoy a plethora of Mai-Kai events in the coming weeks. We’ll detail the full entertainment schedule, including live music in both the Molokai and Bora Bora bars.
Finally, we’ll whet your appetite with ratings and reviews of all the Mai-Kai’s appetizers on the current menu, which was updated in February. Do we pooh-pooh the Pupu Platter? Read the full story to find out.
The Hukilau features pool parties and live bands including The Disasternauts at the oceanfront Beachcomber Resort in Pompano Beach. (Official photos)
The Hukilau to feature special pop culture presentation at the Mai-Kai
The Mai-Kai has been closely associated with The Hukilau since 2003, when the fledgling Tiki weekender moved from Atlanta in its second year to be closer to the vintage restaurant. That kinship only grew over time, to the point that now the two are “joined at the hip,” as organizer Richard Oneslager said in our preview of this year’s event.
The event features four full days of Tiki cocktails, pool parties, live music, vendors, symposiums, and a total takeover of the oceanfront Beachcomber Resort & Club in Pompano Beach, 12 miles northeast of the Mai-Kai. When combined with outings to the beloved restaurant, the event becomes a unique tropical escape for guests. These “villagers” can choose from a variety of passes ranging at $199 for two days to $649 for the elite South Seas pass. Rooms at the resort start at $255 (plus fees) per night. For slightly more, you can get an ocean view.
Charles Phoenix last appeared at Mai-Kai during The Hukilau in 2008, the event’s sixth year in South Florida. (Photos: Tiki Central)
Just announced for Sunday (June 7) is a special presentation by Charles Phoenix, a retro pop culture expert known for his high-energy shows featuring a treasure trove of authentic photos he has culled from the archives of mid-century tourists. Scheduled for noon on the Mai-Kai’s main stage, “Floridaland” is sure to be a wild and wacky trip back to the 1950s and ’60s.
Expect a hilarious tour through the best (and worst) roadside attractions, tourist traps, motels and hotels, plus more. It’s the perfect way to wrap up a fun-filled weekend at the Mai-Kai and the Beachcomber. Priority seating for this 90-minute show is available now for South Seas passholders for just $25. Tickets for other passholders (and the general public) are also available.
The last time Phoenix appeared at The Hukilau was 18 years ago, at the 2008 event, when he also did a presentation on the showroom stage at the Mai-Kai. In addition to “Floridaland,” the Sunday festivities will include live music and likely a few pop-up bars. Enjoy the jazz standards, bossa nova, and Latin sounds of Jackie Colada all day in the Molokai Bar.
The Mai-Kai’s Polynesian Islander Revue will launch a new show during The Hukilau on June 5. (Marina Anderson / Mai-Kai photo)
The Mai-Kai was a special place for Gallardo and his wife, Stephanie Mehr. He made the restaurant’s carvings and artwork the subject of many Tiki mugs over the years. They also tried to attend and sell their wares at The Hukilau whenever they could, including last year. Mehr has been invited to attend the memorial event, which will also include a charity raffle of some of Gallardo’s last pendants he made for The Hukilau.
The historic carving by mid-century artist Barney West at the Mai-Kai in the 1960s and today. It was painstakingly restored in early 2026. (Photo by Hurricane Hayward / March 31, 2026)
Much care went into the $20 million restoration project during a four-year closing from late October 2020 until November 2024. The results were spectacular, but one major Mai-Kai icon still desperately needed some TLC as we entered 2026.
We’re happy to report that the vintage tiki by carver Barney West that has greeted guests along Federal Highway since the mid-1960s is now completely restored. It hasn’t looked this good in 30 years after decaying for decades, losing body parts like a zombie corpse.
Artist Tom Fowner speaks at the rededication ceremony for the vintage Tiki carving that he restored at the Mai-Kai. (Photos by “Tiki John” Atkins / March 31, 2026)
We can thank artist Tom Fowner, who did a massive rebuilding and sculpting job using foam and epoxy putty over several weeks. He then added a new paint job that pays tribute to the tiki’s original redwood finish, just in time for its dedication on March 31. “It’s not identical, but it’s close,” Fowner said.
We haven’t heard of any accidents on the busy highway, but it’s certain that many arriving guests are doing a double-take when they spot the 10-foot-tall carving, which now looks much as it did more than 60 years ago.
This story covers the restoration by the South Florida craftsman in great detail, including many photos taken before, during and after the work was done. The tiki is significant as one of the last remaining large carvings by West, whose works were installed around the United States during the heyday of Polynesian Pop.
The Mai-Kai gift shop is themed like an ornate trading post in Bangkok. The room adjacent to the rear gardens has a Chinese theme that matches its former use. (Photos by Hurricane Hayward / Feb. 10 and March 31, 2026)
Part of the nostalgia of the Mai-Kai is driven by the Mai-Kai Trading Company, the gift shop that offers guests unique souvenirs, Tiki mugs, artwork, jewelry, apparel, and lots more. This highly themed space behind the showroom recently received an overhaul, which we’ll explore below.
Along with continuing restoration efforts, the Mai-Kai also remains focused on its reimagination. The first phase of this work included a highly immersive new entry driveway, a spectacular fountain that simulates a volcanic caldera, and the perfectly imagined Bora Bora Bar under the refurbished porte-cochère. [See video]
The second phase is well under way with projects large and small. Some are hush-hush, but one major addition has been hard to ignore. This story will also include some news (plus photos) on the new guest space that can be seen rising up in the rear of the Mai-Kai.
Historic Tiki carving revived by South Florida artist
Barney West was a rugged artist who carved enormous icons from his shop, called Tiki Junction, in Sausalito, Calif.
For the past 62 years, the distinctive tiki carved by acclaimed artist Barney West has seen a lot from its perch on the northeast corner of the 2.7-acre Mai-Kai property, steps away from the neighboring furniture store.
The carving likely arrived at the Mai-Kai in early April 1964 with 10 other giant tikis created by West “ranging from one to six tons apiece,” according to an article in the Fort Lauderdale News. The story calls them “exact replicas and reproductions of the most dramatic statues found in the Polynesian and Melanesian islands.”
Since joining forces with the Mai-Kai in 2003 and becoming Florida’s original Tiki weekender, The Hukilau has overcome numerous changes and challenges. Host hotels have come and gone, and the historic Polynesian restaurant was unavailable for five years during a massive restoration project.
But like the Polynesian Pop revival that inspired it, The Hukilau has evolved and adapted, pointing to the future while still honoring the past. For the event’s 24th annual event June 3-7, organizers are looking forward to calm seas with a return to the Mai-Kai for the second straight year since its $20 million reimagination.
It will also be the sixth straight year The Hukilau is headquartered at the oceanfront Beachcomber Resort & Club in Pompano Beach, with its scenic oceanfront vistas unlike any other Tiki event. In announcing the countdown to this year’s reunion, organizer Richard Oneslager renewed his commitment to The Hukilau with a promise of “new bars and bands, the return of many longtime favorites, and of course, the world famous Mai-Kai.”
The Hukilau 2026 – June 3-7 at the Beachcomber Resort & Club in Pompano Beach and Mai-Kai restaurant in Oakland Park. Featuring live music, special guests, symposiums and classes, guest cocktail bars, pool parties, Tiki Treasures Bazaar, plus more.
• The Hukilau on social media: Instagram | Facebook page and group
The Mai-Kai showroom and Polynesian Islander Revue performance during The Hukilau 2025. (Photo by Hurricane Hayward)
The 2026 gathering will be The Hukilau’s 19th full live event at the Mai-Kai, but just the second since 2020. The restaurant, built in 1956, is “the emotional anchor” of The Hukilau, said Oneslager, who invested a large sum of his own money to support the restoration efforts. The two entities “have been attached at the hip for 25 years,” he added.
Inspired by the Mai-Kai, his work (and personal appearances) were always a highlight of the event. As a tribute to the beloved California artist, The Hukilau and the Mai-Kai will host a special memorial gathering as part of the traditional main event on Friday, June 5. The evening will include a charity auction of some rare editions of Danny’s pendants made for The Hukilau, plus a photographic tribute that will be shown before the nightly dinner shows.
Danny “Tiki Diablo” Gallardo and wife Stephanie Mehr in their booth in the Tiki Treasures Bazaar at The Hukilau 2025. At right is a pendant that was the last art piece Gallardo created for The Hukilau. (Photos by Jeanne-Vidrine, Pia Dahlquist)
“You couldn’t think of a more important, special, revered place to have a memorial service for Danny,” Oneslager said. More details on this portion of the event will be announced soon. The evening will include multiple performances of the Mai-Kai’s acclaimed Polynesian Islander Revue, the oldest continually-running authentic South Seas stage show in the United States (including Hawaii). Passholders will be able to make reservations for the tribute and the dinner shows that night directly through the Mai-Kai.
In a state built on tourism, there’s a remarkably broad history of Tiki culture spread across Florida’s history books. From spectacular resorts to roadside dives, the legacy is rich with diversity.
The 21st century revival brought a creative new wave of authentic Tiki that Floridians continue to ride today, from events to new bars and restaurants. Are we in the midst of a new golden era of Polynesian Pop, or is the best yet to come?
Tiki Gardens, a 12-acre tropical wonderland in Indian Rocks Beach, was a Florida’s flagship Tiki attraction for nearly 25 years.
The Florida Tiki seminar will take place at 11:30 a.m. Sunday, the final event of a whirlwind weekend that will conclude later that day with the annual Magical Tiki Meet Up at Disney World’s Magic Kingdom and Polynesian Village Resort.
Hayward has documented 150 Tiki locations, from the 1930s to today (including two that will be part of Sunday’s meet-up). This includes resorts and roadside attractions, bars and restaurants, hotels and resorts, apartments and condos, retail outlets, and more. The seminar will break these down not only by category, but also by eras covering nearly 90 years of history.
A 24-page booklet featuring a comprehensive list of every Tiki venue in Florida history will be distributed during the Tiki-a-Go-Go seminar on March 29.
Guests attending the seminar will get several special treats, including 1961 home video footage of several vintage locations that has never been seen before (thanks to Tim “Swanky” Glazner). The presentation will include new images and information on historic venues, plus the latest updates on future projects in the works.
As an added bonus, the first 50 attendees will receive a 24-page booklet that documents all of the past and current Tiki sites. This professionally designed encyclopedia is full of photos, descriptions and details on each location’s lifespan. Thanks to Glazner and researcher/writer “Tiki Tom” Duncan for their assistance, plus Susan Hayward (Mrs. Hurricane) for the design.
There will also be a raffle to win new glassware created by Christie “Tiki Kiliki” White (The Tapa Room / Magic City Tiki Weekend) featuring logos of vintage Florida venues. Before you head off to the Magical Tiki Meet Up, be sure to stop by for an enlightening look at the state’s under-appreciated Polynesian Pop history.
You could forgive the owners, management and staff of the Mai-Kai for taking a deep breath and resting on their laurels in early 2026 after a spectacular 2025, the first full year back in business after a four-year hiatus and $20 million restoration of the historic South Florida restaurant. Luckily for fans of the 69-year-old Polynesian palace, that’s not the case. Not by a long shot.
More than a year after reopening, the Mai-Kai’s lush landscaping is thriving. The signature cannibal carvings bid guests farewell. (Photos by Hurricane Hayward, February 2026)
Business is booming as the Mai-Kai remains laser-focused on improving the cocktails, food and entire guest experience. Last year ended with a bang, culminating with a memorable anniversary celebration featuring more than 20 past on-stage performers from the Mai-Kai Islanders. This came on the heels of an elaborate themed overlay and creative cocktail menu for the Christmas holidays.
• 2025 Mai-Kai recaps: Exclusive ongoing coverage | Bar and cocktail news
The new year brought a new selection of modern tropical drinks, plus some creative takes on old classics. Also in January, the Mai-Kai launched a weekly schedule of themed specials, including In the Biz Mondays, Tiki Tuesdays, Wahine Wednesdays, and Karaoke Night on Thursdays. Live bands continue to entertain Molokai Bar guests on Fridays, and more activities for kids are part of the early Sunday festivities (along with a monthly meet-up for classic car owners.)
Skinny Jimmy Stingray and his band perform in the Molokai on Feb. 27. They return to rock the bar on March 20. (Photos by Hurricane Hayward)
A new food menu was introduced in February, updated with a half-dozen new dishes from chef Justin Sherrer. The Mai-Kai hosted several high-profile events, starting with a Miami Rum Congress pre-party featuring multiple rum brands and special tastings. During the nationally acclaimed South Beach Wine & Food Festival, Sherrer participated in Miami while general manager and beverage director Cory Starr hosted a sold-out Tiki cocktail master class in the Bora Bora Bar.
Bartender Justin Rivera leads guests in creating cocktails during a master class hosted by the Mai-Kai as part of the South Beach Wine & Food Festival on Feb. 21. Students created their own garnish. (Photos by Hurricane Hayward)
This story will cover all of the above while also offering a preview of upcoming events, plus more. Stay tuned for stories on other major projects around the Mai-Kai property, including the restoration of a 60-year-old tiki icon and construction of a new event center and back-of-house facilities.
Following years of tumultuous news, it was somewhat of a relief to enjoy a year free from extreme upheaval or drama. Sure, 2025 was also devoid of blockbuster good news, but there’s something to be said for a calm normalcy, especially when it comes to Tiki. That’s not to say that nothing happened last year. There were plenty of headlines and stories that evolved over time. But unlike past years, no one or two stories rose above the rest.
If there were any common themes, the first would be a continued reverence for the past, a foundational element for the modern Tiki scene. The other that seems to be evolving is Tiki culture’s slow growth into new territory and addition of new fans. Whether it’s through film, new bars and events, or the continued influence of the torch-bearers, this natural evolution can’t be denied.
Rather than rank these stories by importance, like past years, we present the top seven stories in no particular order. All are significant and deserve equal recognition. Bonus cocktail recipe:A tribute to the Mai-Kai’s Christmas Barrel
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ALOHA NEW TIKI BARS: Openings continue in 2025
The proliferation of new Tiki and Tiki-adjacent bars every year should no longer be a big surprise. We’ve been documenting this trend in our top news stories every year since 2020, even in the grip of the COVID pandemic. That in and of itself makes it a big story in 2025, reflecting what should be recognized as a legitimate and permanent feature of the modern bar and restaurant industry, not just a trend or “craze.” What’s crazy is Tiki bars are often still not recognized on the same level as other craft cocktail bars. What’s clear, happily, is there appears to be no end in sight to the growth of new bars and restaurants.
Dirty Birds Tiki Bar & Grill in Cocoa Beach features authentic design and Tiki decor by “Typhoon Tommy” Allsmiller (right) and Scott “Flounder” Scheidly, who did much of the work on the Mai-Kai restoration. (Photos by Rob Ripley, Andrew Turner / October, November 2025)
If we missed any, please let us know and we’ll add them to the list. In 2026, be sure to support all local Tiki bars, new and established. The MyTiki.Life website offers a robust database of commercial bars.
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IN MEMORIUM: Remembering those we lost.
Unlike some past years, the losses suffered in 2025 were not as frequent or earth-shattering. But no matter how large or small, they do need to be recognized and remembered.
In April, Kapu Bar closed after two years in Petaluma, Calif. One online report says the building owner sold the property and the bar owners may relocate. … In May, The Sorrow Drowner in Wilmington, N.C., closed after three years of presenting a unique “Tiki-noir” bar experience in an immersive space decorated by “Trader Brandon” Kleyla, who also worked on Disney’s Enchanted Tiki bars on both coasts. The owners are reportedly planning a move to the west coast, so stay tuned. … Marama Room, closed abruptly at the end of May after opening in April in Huntington Beach, Calif. An Instagram post said the owners were “fervently working with potential investors and inquiring about new locations in the Huntington Beach/Orange County area.”
Marty Reyes (left) and Jen Ann Tonic with their crew from Swizzle at The Hukilau in June 2024. (Photo by Hurricane Hayward)
In July, Swizzle closed its Greenville Avenue location in Dallas after five years, but owners Marty Reyes and Jen Ann Tonic are keeping the brand alive with pop-ups and catering events. … The tropical bar and restaurant Laki Kane closed its Upper Street Islington location in London after seven years of operation to move into a “new chapter.” The venue went out with a bang, featuring a month of farewell events leading up to the Sept. 1 closing. The Laki Kane proprietors announced that this may be goodbye for now, but their “story isn’t over”. A small, temporary Laki Kane lounge opened in October in the Covent Garden restaurant in London and continues to operate in early 2026.
Get ready for an action-packed year in the world of Tiki culture with this preview of the many returning events. Check back for updates on the many weekenders and one-off gatherings for fans of rum, lowbrow and mid-century modern art, surf and rockabilly music, Disney, and most anything of interest to the Tiki community.
The Year in Tiki 2025: Recap the top events in photos, video
It was another banner year for Tiki and adjacent events in 2025 as the calendar continued to expand with new gatherings, large and small. Our full recap contains streaming video, plus social media photos and links to more coverage on many happenings around the world.
Make our calendar better
Feel free to share events via email or Facebook message (special events only, no regular band gigs or general bar promotions).
The Mai-Kai is honoring its cultural legacy on its 69th anniversary, inviting more than 20 past performers from the Polynesian Islander Revue to participate in a two-day event Dec. 27-28 at the South Florida restaurant. The national historic landmark opened its doors Dec. 28, 1956, adding an authentic dinner show in the early 1960s. Live coverage below:Photos, video of alumni anniversary weekend
• Saturday (Dec. 27) features alumni shows at 5:30 and 8:30 p.m. with a meet-and-greet from 7 to 8. • Sunday (Dec. 28) showcases a 69th anniversary show at 1, 4, and 7 p.m.
The stage show combines music (by the Mai-Kai Serenaders) and dance (by the Mai-Kai Islanders) into a flamboyant but culturally accurate tribute to the islands of the South Pacific, running up to three shows a night, seven days a week for the past six decades. After a four-year interruption when the Mai-Kai was closed for a $20 million restoration and reimagination, the revue remains the oldest continually-running authentic South Seas stage show in the United States (including Hawaii).
Since the Mai-Kai reopened in November 2024, the show has returned bigger and better than ever, featuring second and third-generation performers. The bond between the current and past has never been stronger, creating a familial atmosphere that opened the doors to this year’s unprecedented reunion.
Pasefika Iosia performs the fire knife dance at the Mai-Kai in 1975. He was also an accomplished musician and member of the house band (top left). (Mai-Kai photos)
The festivities will be dedicated to the memory of a legend who we recently lost. Pasefika Iosia, a native of Samoa who spent more than three decades as an entertainer at the Mai-Kai, passed away Dec. 1 in Port St. Lucie, Fla., at age 87. Many whose lives he touched gathered at the Mai-Kai on Dec. 14 to remember “Fika,” who started his career as dancer in 1970 and later performed in the band.
The Mai-Kai paid tribute in an official social media post: “His talent and charisma on stage were unforgettable, and off stage he brought people together through friendship, sports, and laughter. Pasefika wasn’t just a performer – he was family. Thank you, Pasefika, for the joy, spirit, and memories you shared. You will always be in our hearts.”
Among those who came to pay their respects was Mai-Kai matriarch Mireille Thornton, who was one of the original dancers before taking over as choreographer and cultural director for the next six decades. She married owner Bob Thornton, leading the family ownership group after his death in 1989 through the 2020 closing.
Mileto (center) takes a bow at the end of his final performance as a member of the Mai-Kai Islanders, led by Polynesian cultural director Lono (right). (Photo by Hurricane Hayward / Dec. 19, 2025)
On Dec. 19, a new name was added to the list of alumni when Luiz Mileto ended a more than 25-year run as one of the Mai-Kai’s signature fire knife dancers. Mileto (aka Letz) received an on-stage tribute during his final show, garnering a flurry of leis from his fellow performers and a standing ovation from the hundreds of attendees in the audience. He has long been the Mai-Kai’s most recognizable male dancer, the elder statesman known for his good humor, but serious and skilled on-stage talents.
The Tiki Times: Preview the 2026 calendar of events
Get ready for an action-packed year in the world of Tiki culture with this preview of the many returning events. Look ahead at the full calendar featuring official artwork and links to more info.
Paradise Reimagined: Deep Inside the Mai-Kai Restoration
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.
Jan. 31-Feb. 2 – Miami Rum Congress at the Miami Beach Convention Center.
Photos & video: Mai-Kai joins Miami Rum Congress festivities
The Mai-Kai was once again at ground zero of the rum world as brands, VIPs and enthusiasts flocked to South Florida. The restaurant hosted a special event and participated in several events in Miami Beach.
