Category: The Tiki Times

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Tiki-a-Go-Go 2026 seminar to explore the past, present and future of Florida Tiki

Tiki-a-Go-Go 2026 seminar to explore the past, present and future of Florida Tiki

Updated April 19

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.
Tiki Gardens, a 12-acre tropical wonderland in Indian Rocks Beach, was a Florida’s flagship Tiki attraction for nearly 25 years.

Journalist and pop culture enthusiast Jim “Hurricane” Hayward of The Atomic Grog blog will connect the dots between the past, present and future in a multimedia presentation that celebrates Florida’s rich and colorful affair with Tiki culture. Join him on Sunday, March 29, at Tiki-a-Go-Go in Orlando for “Florida Tiki: The Good, the Bad and the Future of Polynesian Pop in the Sunshine State.”
FULL PREVIEW: Five things we’re looking forward to at Tiki-a-Go-Go 2026
LIVE COVERAGE: Photos and video from social media
EXCLUSIVE: See The Atomic Grog’s full Tiki-a-Go-Go symposium and order the new encyclopedia of Florida Tiki

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.
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.

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Tiki-a-Go-Go 2026: The five best things at the action-packed Orlando event

Tiki-a-Go-Go 2026: Five things we're looking forward to at action-packed Orlando event

Updated April 19

Just three years old, an infant in terms of Tiki revival weekenders, Orlando’s Tiki-a-Go-Go has already grown into one of the premiere events on the annual calendar. This year’s gathering, happening March 27-29 at the Caribe Royale Resort, is loaded with some of the biggest names in the scene and chock full of activities for guests.

Photos and video from Tiki-a-Go-Go in Orlando
• SEE BELOW: Recap, photos and video from Tiki-a-Go-Go 2026

Not surprisingly, tickets sold out way in advance. We’ll be there to share a special presentation on the past, present and future of Tiki in the Sunshine State (Sunday at 11:30 a.m.). If you missed out on tickets, you can still meet up with the gathered masses at Sunday’s Magical Tiki Meet Up and Monday’s after-party at the Mai-Kai.
PREVIEW: Tiki-a-Go-Go 2026 seminar to explore the past, present and future of Florida Tiki

Shag with his latest print, "The Happiest Place," released March 21. The California artist designed special glassware and the event poster for Tiki-a-Go-Go 2026. (The Shag Store)
Shag with his latest print, “The Happiest Place,” released March 21. The California artist designed special glassware and the event poster for Tiki-a-Go-Go 2026. (The Shag Store)

Launched in 2024 by two Florida couples with a passion for Tiki and retro Florida, Tiki-a-Go-Go has blossomed in a state that’s proving to be fertile ground for the subculture’s continued evolution. The event also attracts fans from around the country (and world), drawn to Central Florida’s robust and welcoming tourist market.

While the event has yet to encounter growing pains that have challenged other events (venue changes, pandemics, etc.), we see no signs of its popularity slowing down anytime soon. It can be daunting for newbies to negotiate the schedule’s vast array of activities, so we’ve tried to highlight some of the things we’re looking forward to below.
SEE BELOW: Our Top 5 highlights | Basic daily schedule

Tiki-a-Go-Go 2026 event artwork by Shag.
Tiki-a-Go-Go 2026 event artwork by Shag.

March 27-29 – Tiki-a-Go-Go at the Caribe Royale Resort in Orlando. Featuring symposiums and classes (Shag, Kevin Kidney & Jody Daily, Sven Kirsten, Tiki Tony Murphy, Spike Marble, Garret Richard, Marie King, Tim “Swanky” Glazner, Henrik & Denise Van Ryzin, “Typhoon Tommy” Allsmiller, Scott “Flounder” Scheidly, et al.), guest cocktail bars and bartenders, live music (Los Straitjackets, The Neanderthals, The Sound Minds, The Swingin’ Palms, Skinny Jimmy Stingray), supper club, burlesque, artists and vendors, and more.
• Bonus event: Magical Tiki Meet Up on March 29 at the Magic Kingdom and Polynesian Village Resort at Walt Disney World.
• Tiki-a-Go-Go on social media: Instagram | YouTube | Facebook page and group

Last year’s event built on the success of the first, welcoming many top experts in their respective fields, plus some longtime favorite performers (Tikiyaki Orchestra, The Intoxicators, et al.). Guest bars and room parties kicked the nightly parties into high gear, and sponsors were abundant. The Caribe Royale is a large resort with vast convention space and a tropical environment dotted with pools and palm trees, adding to the festive atmosphere.

Not mentioned above or below is one other major strength of Tiki-a-Go-Go worth touting. The number of rum and spirits companies, bars and related industry participants is impressive, totaling around 40 sponsors. They range from Angostura to Tanduay, from Bar Tiki to The Honu, all contributing great products and aloha. More sponsors usually means more free samples and benefits for guests, which is always a good thing as event tickets don’t come cheap.

Tiki-a-Go-Go 2026: Top 5 things we don’t want to miss

In no particular order, here are five things we’re looking forward to during the whirlwind weekend.

Seminars

A focus on educational seminars on a wide range of topics is a foundational element of Tiki-a-Go-Go. The event space at the Caribe Royale allows for an extensive schedule. This includes topics as diverse as Asian Influences on Tiki Fashion (with Margo Scott) and Vintage Florida from DogLand to Skunk Apes (with Cathy Salustri), plus many deep dives into Tiki and Disney culture by notable experts.

Mixologist Dizz Fernandez makes cocktails for eager guests at Tiki-a-Go-Go 2024. This year he'll join fellow Trader Sam's skipper Kelly Merrell for a seminar on their respective enchanted Tiki bars. (Official photo)
Mixologist Dizz Fernandez makes cocktails for eager guests at Tiki-a-Go-Go 2024. This year he’ll join fellow Trader Sam’s skipper Kelly Merrell for a seminar on their respective enchanted Tiki bars. (Official photo)

The schedule includes 33 seminars and 14 classes and activities, most around an hour long, packed into 15 hours on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. It’s impossible to attend them all, of course, but if you plan your day wisely you can catch some fascinating presentations about topics you enjoy.

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Gone too soon: Danny ‘Tiki Diablo’ Gallardo left indelible mark on Polynesian Pop revival

Gone too soon: Danny 'Tiki Diablo' Gallardo left indelible mark on Polynesian Pop revival

Posted Feb. 18, last updated May 27

If life isn’t fair, then death is even less so. And if cancer is involved, it’s totally indiscriminate. That’s the only explanation for the devastating loss suffered by the Tiki community when artist extraordinaire Danny Gallardo passed away on Feb. 5 at age 54.

Tiki Diablo, with wife Stephanie Mehr, shows off his mugs in the Tiki Treasures Bazaar at The Hukilau 2016. (Photo by Hurricane Hayward)
Tiki Diablo, with wife Stephanie Mehr, shows off his mugs in the Tiki Treasures Bazaar at The Hukilau 2016. (Photo by Hurricane Hayward)

The Los Angeles-based carver, ceramicist, designer and builder known around the world as Tiki Diablo created a body of work that spans a quarter century and touched nearly everyone involved in the subculture born in his native Southern California. That explains the overwhelming outpouring of grief, shock and loving remembrances that flooded social media in the weeks following the sad announcement by Danny’s wife of 25 years, Stephanie Mehr.

“It was the greatest privilege of my life to be married to a badass man who wasn’t afraid of anyone or anything, and who could figure out just about everything,” she wrote. “He was my safe place, and I didn’t need anyone else, and neither did he.”

“His legacy will live on through Tiki Diablo,” Stephanie wrote. “With family beside me, we’ll continue what we started.” For updates, follow the Tiki Diablo pages on Instagram and Facebook. You can purchase mugs, pendants, shirts and more in the Tiki Diablo online store.

An obituary in the Santa Barbara Independent announced a mass in his honor to be celebrated on March 6 with a reception to follow. It was also published by the Santa Barbara News-Press, summing up his legacy nicely:

Though his passing leaves an immeasurable void, Daniel’s legacy lives on in the intricate beauty of his artwork, and in the countless lives he touched. He will be deeply missed. His spirit remains carved not only in wood, but in the hearts of all who loved him.

Tiki Diablo obituary

Danny was a man loaded not only with talent and integrity, but an unflinching positivity and kindness, a true friend to countless others and someone remembered for his giant heart and wicked sense of humor. Whether you knew him for decades or just met, his influence was the same. Good vibes, aloha spirit, and a willingness to go beyond the superficial to make a true difference.

When Tiki bars around the country were wracked by the COVID pandemic and facing an uncertain future, Danny lifted their spirits by creating special mugs and shipping them out, free of charge. The stories are endless, so we’ve tried to include as many as we can at the end of this story.
MORE BELOW: The mugs of Tiki Diablo | Friends, fans remember Danny Gallardo

California-based sculptor, carver and designer Danny Gallardo (aka Tiki Diablo) at The Hukilau 2019. (Photo by Robert Jimenez)
California-based sculptor, carver and designer Danny Gallardo (aka Tiki Diablo) at The Hukilau 2019. (Photo by Robert Jimenez)

He was one of the giants of the Tiki art world, but always humble. Even when his work entered the mainstream in 2015 and was featured as a special line of products available in 600 Home Depot stores, Danny didn’t toot his own horn. His work spoke for him, loud and clear, and sold out in a matter of weeks.

Danny began his career in the early 2000s in the early years of the Polynesian Pop revival, originally using the name Chiki Tiki. Once he established himself as Tiki Diablo, he quickly became known for his custom carvings, immersive bar interiors and distinctive mugs that pay reverence to authentic Polynesian art in a way no other artist was doing.

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Miami Rum Congress expands to include more events and spirited education

Miami Rum Congress expands to include more events and spirited education

Updated June 19

Since launching in 2019, Miami Rum Congress has strategically expanded from its humble beginnings, moving from a small event center to a resort beachside hotel, then to the state-of-the-art Miami Beach Convention Center in 2024. The festival continues to grow and add related activities and days, culminating this year with the first Rhum Week Miami, running Thursday through Monday, Feb. 5-9.
Jump below: Pre-party, seminar at the Mai-Kai | Rum Congress highlights
• Tiki Master Cocktail Competition | More rum events
Social media coverage: Photos, video from Miami Rum Congress and related events UPDATED

Miami Rum Congress

Miami Rum Congress 2026 – Feb. 6-8 at the Miami Beach Convention Center.
• Quick links: Tickets | Overview, FAQ | Speakers & special guests | Rum 101

More than 600 rum producers, bartenders, brands and enthusiasts are expected for the seventh annual event organized by Federico Hernandez and The Rum Lab, which also produces events in Puerto Rico, Chicago, New York, and elsewhere around the U.S. and Europe. [Past event photos] The Rhum Week schedule includes events from Fort Lauderdale to Key Biscayne, allowing more people to get a taste of great rums and cocktails from some of the industry’s top brands and VIPs.

The centerpiece remains the official Rum Congress seminars on Friday and “Grand Tasting” on Saturday at the convention center in the heart of South Beach. Experts from around the world will participate in eight seminars, while the tasting rooms will feature more than 85 brands offering samples of some 200 distinct rum expressions, available neat and in a “Twisted Daiquiri.”

Rhum Barbancourt (Haiti) and Rhum Clement (Martinique) were two of many brands participating in last year's Miami Rum Congress. (Photos by Hurricane Hayward / Feb. 1, 2025)
Rhum Barbancourt (Haiti) and Rhum Clement (Martinique) were two of many brands participating in last year’s Miami Rum Congress. (Photos by Hurricane Hayward / Feb. 1, 2025)

Mai-Kai pre-party to include seminar, rare Tahiti rum release

Rhum Week activities kick off Thursday (Feb. 5) at the historic Mai-Kai in Oakland Park, northwest of Fort Lauderdale. The restaurant’s Bora Bora and Molokai bars will host the South Seas Soiree, presented by the Florida Rum Society in association with Planteray Rum. The event will feature a talk by master blender Alexandre Gabriel along with complimentary tastings.

The rum society will also celebrate a special new release, produced by Down Island Spirits and sourced from Tahiti. It’s the perfect location to launch the Maiden Voyage expression, believed to be the first Tahitian single barrel rum ever sold in the United States. The Mai-Kai’s founding Thornton family has deep ties to Tahiti. The 69-year-old Tiki temple features artwork from the Pacific island, plus authentic music and dance as part of the nightly Polynesian Islander Revue, the oldest continually-running authentic South Seas stage show in the United States (including Hawaii).

Miami Rum Congress pre-party to include seminar, new release

Gabriel will discuss “the technical secrets behind the blends designed to match the high-octane energy of the Mai-Kai’s iconic cocktail program while meeting the exacting needs of the modern drink-smith,” according to an event invitation. Guests will also get a taste of Planteray’s Mister Fogg Sail No. 2, an inventive new blend that follows the historic methods of Britain’s Royal Navy rum.

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Top stories of 2025: Tiki culture honors the past as it expands reach and influence

Top stories of 2025: Tiki culture honors the past as it expands reach and influence

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.

The Year in Tiki 2025: A look back at the top events in photos, video
The Year in Tiki 2025: Recap the top events in photos, video

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.

We likely missed a few, but here’s a list of many new establishments that threw open their doors in 2025, roughly in order of appearance: Monster Beach Brewery & Tiki Bar (Fredonia, N.Y.), The Lobby Tiki Bar & Grill (Oceanside, Calif.), Jaded Dragon (Bristol, UK), La Tiki Paisa (Dallas), Vern’s Tiki Bar (Minneapolis), Easy Sailor (Rochester, N.Y.), Roka Hula (Delray Beach, Fla.), 10th Island Tiki Bar & Grill (Cincinnati), Maya SpeakTiki (Winter Garden, Fla.), Hawthorne’s Hideout (Sacramento, Calif.), Endless Bummer (Houston), The Road to Nowhere (Houston), The Lucky Tiki 2 (Highland Park / Los Angeles, Calif.), Tiki Kai (Hermosa Beach, Calif.), and Dirty Birds Tiki Bar & Grill (Cocoa Beach, Fla.).

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)
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)
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.

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The Tiki Times: Preview the 2026 calendar of events

The Tiki Times: Preview the 2026 calendar of events

The Tiki Times

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 Tiki Times calendar
Updated all year with the latest happenings on the main calendar page, including online and ongoing events, plus recaps featuring photos and video.
• Online events, vlogs | Ongoing live events | Special events

The Year in Tiki 2025: A look back at the top events in photos, video
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.

Social media: Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | Bluesky | Pinterest

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NOTE: THIS LIST IS NO LONGER UPDATED. Go to the main Tiki Times page for further updates, plus recaps of all the major events.

2026 LIVE SPECIAL EVENTS

Note: Event dates are subject to change; check with the venue to confirm.

Updated Jan. 14, 2026

Jan. 18 – Slack Key Festival in Redondo Beach, Calif.

Jan. 23-25 – The Breezeway Getaway at the Caliente Tropics Resort in Palm Springs, Calif.
• Matt Marble of Spike’s Breezeway Cocktail Hour puts together a weekend of cocktails, surf rock and more (Coachella Valley Independent)

The Breezeway Getaway

Jan 23-25 – Inuhele: Atlanta’s Tiki Weekend in Georgia.

Inuhele: Atlanta's Tiki Weekend

Jan. 24 – Winter Surf Fest in Huntington Beach, Calif.

Feb. 5-8 – Nor’Easter Island Tropical Weekend in Sturbridge, Mass.

Nor'Easter Island Tropical Weekend

Feb. 6-8 – Magic City Tiki Weekend in Birmingham, Ala.

Feb. 6-8 – Miami Rum Congress at the Miami Beach Convention Center.

Miami Rum Congress

Feb. 8 – Tiki Master Cocktail Competition in Miami Beach.

Tiki Master Cocktail Competition

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Mai-Kai legends return to the stage for 69th anniversary celebration

Mai-Kai legends return to the stage for 69th anniversary celebration

Updated Jan. 14

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

The Mai-Kai's 69th 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.

Alumni from across the decades gather at the Mai-Kai
FULL RECAP: Alumni from across the decades gather at the Mai-Kai

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.

Related stories
• Mai-Kai holiday treats include 12 drinks of Christmas, new Rum Barrel mug, festive decor, non-stop events
• Rum release, holiday cocktails and mug, anniversary events, more

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)
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.

More Atomic Grog coverage
• Mai-Kai bar and cocktail news, reviews and exclusive insights
• Latest updates and exclusive news on the Mai-Kai

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)
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.

Continue reading “Mai-Kai legends return to the stage for 69th anniversary celebration”

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The Year in Tiki 2025: A look back at the top events in photos, video

The Year in Tiki 2025: A look back at the top events in photos, video

The Tiki Times

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 below contains streaming video, plus social media photos and links to more coverage on many happenings around the world, including Mai Tai Mayhem in Ohio, Tiki-a-Go-Go in Orlando, the Surfer Joe Summer Festival in Italy, Ohana: Luau at the Lake in New York, the Surf Guitar 101 Festival in California, Tiki in Waikiki, Monster Moku in Orlando, Circa Caliente in Palm Springs, and Tiki Fever in Sarasota. You can also find exclusive Atomic Grog coverage of multiple events at the Mai-Kai, plus others we attended including Inuhele in Atlanta, Miami Rum Congress, The Hukilau in South Florida, Tiki Oasis in San Diego, and the Miami Rum Renaissance Festival.

TOP STORIES OF 2025: Tiki culture honors the past as it expands reach and influence

The Tiki Times: Preview the 2026 calendar of events
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.

THE TIKI TIMES 2026: Latest upcoming live and virtual events
Social media: Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | Bluesky | Pinterest

THE TIKI TIMES: 2025 EVENTS RECAP

Jan. 18 – 90 Years of Paradise at Trader Vic’s Munich.

Jan. 18 – Rockabillaque Florida at the Seminole Casino Hotel in Immokalee.

Jan. 19 – Slack Key Festival in Redondo Beach, Calif.

Jan 24-26 – Inuhele: Atlanta’s Tiki Weekend

Paradise Reimagined: Deep Inside the Mai-Kai Restoration
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.

Don the Beachcomber brand closes maiden venue, but navigates rough seas with dynamic expansion plans
Don the Beachcomber brand closes maiden venue, but navigates rough seas with dynamic expansion plans
Get the official scoop from creative director Justin Peterson and beverage director and Marie King, revealed during a presentation at Inuhele in Atlanta with author Tim “Swanky” Glazner.
Bonus cocktail recipe: Tribute to Marie King’s The Seminole Heights

Event preview: Inuhele, Atlanta grow together into a Tiki powerhouse
Inuhele, Atlanta grow together into a Tiki powerhouse
The sixth annual weekender returned Jan 24-26 with expert symposiums, artists and vendor marketplace, live music and entertainment, authentic luau, plus more.
• Take 5: Q&A with organizer Jonathan Chaffin
LIVE COVERAGE: Photos, video on social media

Jan. 26 – Winter Surf Fest in Long Beach, Calif.

Jan. 31-Feb. 2 – Miami Rum Congress at the Miami Beach Convention Center.

Photos & video: Mai-Kai joins Miami Rum Congress festivities
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.

Feb. 7 – Tiki Luau in Oslo, Norway.

Tiki Luau

Feb. 12-14 – Mondial du Rhum in Paris.

Feb. 13-23 – Modernism Week in Palm Springs, Calif.

Modernism Week 2025

Feb 14-16 – Vintage Oasis hosted by the Greater Boston Vintage Society in Sturbridge, Mass.

March 1 – Texas Rum Festival in Dallas.

March 1-2 – Surf By Surf East Weekender in Austin.

Surf By Surf East Weekender

March 2 – Adventureland Day at Disneyland in Anaheim.

March 2 – Adventureland Day at Disney World in Orlando.

March 2 – Mermaid’s Day at Disneyland.

March 7-9 – Mai Tai Mayhem in Richfield, Ohio.

March 9 – Tropical Spirits Festival in Fort Lauderdale.
Recap, photos: Tropical Spirits Festival and after-party at Mai-Kai

Tropical Spirits Festival

Continue reading “The Year in Tiki 2025: A look back at the top events in photos, video”

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UPDATES: Mai-Kai holiday treats include 12 drinks of Christmas, new Rum Barrel mug, festive decor, non-stop events

Mai-Kai holiday treats include 12 drinks of Christmas, new Rum Barrel mug, festive decor, non-stop events

Updated Jan. 8, 2026

The Mai-Kai is embracing the season to be jolly like never before with a Christmas overlay featuring extensive decor, a limited-edition mug, and a new menu of 12 creative cocktails that celebrate spirits and flavors from around the world.
RELATED: Mai-Kai legends return to the stage for 69th anniversary celebration

The Mai-Kai's holiday lights and theming immerse guests from the beginning to the end of their journey to the Polynesian wonderland. (Photos by Hurricane Hayward, December 2025)
The Mai-Kai’s holiday lights and theming immerse guests from the beginning to the end of their journey to the Polynesian wonderland. (Photos by Hurricane Hayward, December 2025)

The minute you arrive at the historic South Florida restaurant, you’re swept away to a tropical winter wonderland, surrounded by giant wreaths and swaths of palm trees clad in holiday lights. Santa hats adorn the signature cannibal carvings under the banyan trees, and a large wreath hangs from the signature water feature, the bubbling caldera in the center of the vehicle roundabout.

The Bora Bora Bar and main entrance are awash with lights and festive touches, including the outdoor space’s own Christmas tree looming above the bartenders. Presents surround another tree high above the front doors under the restored porte-cochère.

More Atomic Grog coverage
• Latest updates and exclusive news on the Mai-Kai
• Mai-Kai bar and cocktail news, reviews and exclusive insights

Chelsea and Avery welcome you to the Molokai Mistletoe Lounge, where the servers clad in their holiday sarongs treat guests to the Twelve Drinks of Christmas. (Photo by Hurricane Hayward / Dec. 7, 2025)
Chelsea and Avery welcome you to the Molokai Mistletoe Lounge, where the servers clad in their holiday sarongs treat guests to the Twelve Drinks of Christmas. (Photo by Hurricane Hayward / Dec. 7, 2025)

Inside, the Molokai Bar is ground zero for the holiday cheer, nearly every available space covered in lights, ornaments, and lots of mistletoe. It’s over the top but tastefully done. The “Molokai Mistletoe Lounge” servers have joined the fun with their cheery new outfits. Just don’t try to catch one of the sarong-clad servers under a mistletoe … they move fast.
More below: Photos, video of the Mai-Kai’s holiday theming

Just as robust as the decorations, the events calendar started Dec. 1 with the launch of the new “Twelve Drinks of Christmas Around the World” menu. The new craft cocktails (plus a Christmas Mystery Bowl), take center stage on the main cocktail menu, available in both bars plus the dining rooms.

The good cheer extends to the late-night hours in both bars, which host special happy hours from 9 to 11 p.m. every Friday and Saturday throughout December. Like the regular happy hour, which runs seven days a week from 4 to 7 p.m., most signature cocktails (including the 12 Christmas drinks) are 50 percent off the regular price. There’s also a special late-night food menu. Check the reviews and photos below as we taste our way through the cocktails.
Christmas cocktail guide: Analysis, ratings, insights from bar manager Michael DeMahy UPDATED

The Mai-Kai's limited-edition Christmas Rum Barrel mug

Mai-Kai fans and collectors received an early Christmas treat on Wednesday, Dec. 3, when a limited Christmas Rum Barrel mug was released at a special event attended by Florida artist John Mulder. His merry holiday version of the Mai-Kai’s signature mug, limited to 250 numbered pieces, sold out by mid-December.

Continue reading “UPDATES: Mai-Kai holiday treats include 12 drinks of Christmas, new Rum Barrel mug, festive decor, non-stop events”

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Photo and video recap: Mai-Kai’s Hulaween party returns from the dead in 2025

Photo and video recap: Mai-Kai's Hulaween party returns from the dead in 2025

The grand reopening year at the Mai-Kai reached a fitting, frightfully fun climax on Halloween night with the Polynesian palace’s signature Hulaween party. Hundreds of revelers, many in creative costumes, enjoyed the event’s 13th edition, the first held inside the restaurant since 2019.

South Florida rockabilly favorites Slip and the Spinouts made their 10th Hulaween appearance, jamming all night in the Molokai Bar. Meanwhile, DJ Banzai Bill played an eclectic mix of tunes outside in the Bora Bora Bar, where the highlight was a costume contest with dozens competing for the $1,000 grand prize.

Slip and the Spinouts kick off Hulaween 2025 on Oct. 31 while the Molokai mermaids prepare to serve thirsty guests. (Photos by Hurricane Hayward, the Mai-Kai)
Slip and the Spinouts kick off Hulaween 2025 on Oct. 31 while the Molokai mermaids prepare to serve thirsty guests. (Photos by Hurricane Hayward, the Mai-Kai)

See more below
Hulaween photo galleries: Design & decor | Oct. 31 Hulaween party
Bonus recipe: Tribute to the Mai-Kai’s Pineapple of Perdition

Oct. 31 was the highlight of a month filled with Hulaween-themed events, including Wicked Bingo, the Blue Hawaii Elvis Show with Dan Cunningham, a ’70s disco night, and a party for kids. This monthlong celebration was a first for the Mai-Kai, featuring elaborate decor throughout the grounds continually updated in the lead-up to Halloween night.

The two artists responsible for the highly themed artwork – Tom Fowner and LuRu – got into the spirit of the event, both earning a spot in the costume contest finals with their significant others.

The six finalists lined up under the porte-cochère in the new Bora Bora Bar, competing not only with their inventive creations but also joining an impromptu dance-off when Michael Jackson’s classic Thriller blasted out of the speakers before the winners were announced. If was definitely a scene to behold, one of the few times of the year when the Mai-Kai sets aside decorum and lets loose with abandon.

No doubt, the shenanigans were well-deserved and long-anticipated. It was the first Hulaween bash in five years, when a drive-in movie party was held in the parking lot on Oct. 30, 2020, amid the COVID pandemic and just days after the restaurant’s closing. Caused by a catastrophic roof collapse over the kitchen, this disaster was as scary as any horror movie. But, luckily, it has a happy ending.

Previous Hulaween coverage
• Hulaween resurrected as monthlong event featuring unique decor, cocktails
• Mai-Kai scares up nine new Hulaween drinks
• Hulaween history: Relive 12 years of madness at the Mai-Kai

An ominous sea monster and Tiki deity welcome you to Hulaween at the Mai-Kai in October 2025. (Official photo)
An ominous sea monster and Tiki deity welcome you to Hulaween at the Mai-Kai in October 2025. (Official photo)

A sale to new ownership in 2021 led to a $20 million restoration and reimagination that consumed 2022, 2023 and much of 2024. But, like a classic creature that can’t be stopped, the Mai-Kai emerged bigger and better than ever last November. Hulaween 2025 fittingly served as a celebration of the Mai-Kai’s first year back from the brink of disaster.

The immersive decor and elaborate story only added to the anticipation of the Halloween night finale. In an alternate tale of the Mutiny on the Bounty, the Mai-Kai became ground zero of a battle between skeleton pirates and a giant sea monster. The scenes played out all along the entry driveway, the bubbling caldera, the walkway and Bora Bora Bar, the Molokai Bar and its new front deck, plus the sprawling rear tiki gardens.

Fowner estimated that the artistic team installed 60 pirate and 10 mermaid skeletons, plus 40 kraken tentacles containing 2,100 suckers. As he explains in a video walk-though we filmed three days before Halloween, you never see the actual monster, just the tentacles. Which is even scarier because it means its so enormous, you can’t see it all. “He’s everywhere,” Fowner warned.

Tom Fowner and LuRu are responsible for the elaborately themed decor during Hulaween 2025.
Tom Fowner and LuRu are responsible for the elaborately themed decor during Hulaween 2025.

Continue reading “Photo and video recap: Mai-Kai’s Hulaween party returns from the dead in 2025”