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Hukilau 2025 update: Symposiums and schedule announced for 23rd Tiki weekender in South Florida

Hukilau 2025 update: Symposiums and schedule announced for 23rd Tiki weekender in South Florida

Updated July 12

The weather is turning tropical in South Florida, which means it’s time for The Hukilau to return for an annual infusion of Polynesian Pop paradise. Tikiphiles and fans of retro culture are expected to flock from around the world on June 5-8 for the 23rd time to celebrate all things Tiki.

The Hukilau 2025 recaps
• The Hukilau live coverage, photos and video
• Tikiphiles flock to The Hukilau and the Mai-Kai for special events
• Photos, video: Mai-Kai unveils two large tiki carvings during The Hukilau
• The Hukilau brings special events, guest bartenders, unique cocktails

For the first time since 2019, Hukilau “villagers” will be able to enjoy the beloved Mai-Kai Polynesian restaurant as part of the festivities. The historic landmark has emerged from a multi-year, multimillion-dollar restoration with its charm intact along with modern flourishes. It will be the perfect accompaniment to the Beachcomber Resort & Club, an oceanfront resort in Pompano Beach that will host The Hukilau for a sixth straight year.

A performance of the Mai-Kai's Polynesian Islander Revue during The Hukilau 2019. (Photo by Jim Neumayer)
A performance of the Mai-Kai’s Polynesian Islander Revue during The Hukilau 2019. (Photo by Jim Neumayer)

Working the Mai-Kai back into The Hukilau and the Beachcomber schedule was a challenge, but the final results should please all villagers. A full schedule was just released on the official website, which we’ve broken down below. This update will also include details on the expert seminars and Tiki bar teams who will be serving delicious cocktails all weekend.
Jump to more below: Classes & symposiums | Guest bar teams | The Mai-Kai | Daily schedule

The official 2025 mug for The Hukilau by John Mulder (Eeekum Bookum) depicts the Mai-Kai's iconic Mystery Girl. (Facebook photos)
The official 2025 mug for The Hukilau by John Mulder (Eeekum Bookum) depicts the Mai-Kai’s iconic Mystery Girl. (Facebook photos)

John Mulder and his team at Eeekum Bookum have been busy creating yet another fantastic official event mug for The Hukilau, which once again also pays tribute to the Mai-Kai. Sharing photos in a May 16 post on Facebook, Mulder wrote: “We are deep in the throws of making the mug for the Hukilau. It’s an exciting year with the Mai Kai open again. Can’t wait to see everyone poolside.” Mugs will be available exclusively at the event while supplies last.

The Hukilau 2025 – June 5-8 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
LIVE UPDATES: Text aloha to 201-534-2100 to get updates during the event.

The Hukilau offers an exotic tropical escape at a beachfront resort. (Photos by Lisa Platt, June 2024)
The Hukilau offers an exotic tropical escape at a beachfront resort. (Photos by Lisa Platt, June 2024)

THE HUKILAU AT A GLANCE

The resort: Most of The Hukilau activities take place at the Beachcomber Resort & Club, a picturesque oceanfront property in northeast Broward County near Fort Lauderdale. It features multiple pools, outdoor meeting spaces, a restaurant and bar, plus lots of Tiki torches and aloha spirit. Hukilau villagers take over the entire hotel for the weekend, giving the event a highly immersive feel.
• Click here for info on booking a room | Previous coverage

Tickets: Four-day weekend passes range from the Aloha Pass ($449 plus fees) to the South Seas Pass ($649 plus fees). The latter includes access to all symposiums and events, the Saturday luau and Sunday brunch, plus transportation to the Mai-Kai and a discount on the Build Your Own Tiki Bar Conference. The one-day Palm Pass ($189 plus fees) is available for Saturday. Click the links below for a more detailed breakdown of each pass.
• Click here to buy passes and tickets online | Previous coverage

Beverage director Kevin Beary will return to The Hukilau with the Three Dots and a Dash crew for the fourth time, and first since 2022. (Photo by Hurricane Hayward, June 2022)
Beverage director Kevin Beary will return to The Hukilau with the Three Dots and a Dash crew for the fourth time, and first since 2022. (Photo by Hurricane Hayward, June 2022)

Entertainment: Performing bands include The Untamed Youth, The Swingin’ Palms, The Sound Minds, The Hilo Hi-Flyers, Slowey and the Boats, Eva & Kully, The Intoxicators, The Disasternauts, and Skinny Jimmy Stingray. Check out last month’s preview for bios, links and more info on the bands and performers.

Tiki Treasures Bazaar: Dozens of artists and crafts people will sell their wares during Saturday’s events at the Beachcomber. Among these are John Mulder of Eeekum Bookum (Florida), Patrick Vassar of The Green Tiki (Florida), Kymm! Bang (Chicago), Laz in Orlando (Florida), David Outl1n3 (California), Franky Kokosza of Taboo Relics (Florida), Danny “Tiki Diablo” Gallardo (California), Frank “Tiki Rancher” Simotics (Florida), and “Tiki Tony” Murphy (California). Go to TheHukilau.com for an updated list of vendors and
check our previous story for bios, links and photos.

Build Your Own Tiki Bar Conference at The Hukilau 2025

SYMPOSIUM SPOTLIGHTS

Educational opportunities have long been part of The Hukilau experience. Some 20 years ago, the event pioneered the inclusion of “info-tainment” as part of Tiki weekender. These seminars are now a staple at events around the world. Following are just some of the special events on the 2025 schedule for the Beachcomber. [Check the full schedule below]

These presentations will take place at various locations around the resort. Check the website or the check-in desk at the Beachcomber to confirm times and locations. South Seas passholders are guaranteed access, with Aloha passholders filling in all available seats. Standing room is also available at many locations.

Build Your Own Tiki Bar Conference with Rodney Ray (HeadHunter Props and Fabrication), Billy Crud (Crud Tiki), Frank Simotics (Tiki Rancher), Notch Gonzalez (Top Notch Kustoms), Danny Gallardo (Tiki Diablo), plus “Typhoon Tommy” Allsmiller and Scott “Flounder” Scheidly (Mai-Kai). A two-day pre-event symposium Wednesday and Thursday on how to design and build Tiki bars, featuring an all-star lineup of guest speakers, fabricators and visionaries. The conference includes six daytime sessions. There will be a wrap-up symposium that’s open to all multi-day passholders on Friday.
• Instructor bios | Schedule, class info and tickets

"Tiki Tony" Murphy will host a class on black velvet painting, similar to the one he taught at The Hukilau 2019, on Friday at noon. (Photo by Jose Villasana)
“Tiki Tony” Murphy will host a class on black velvet painting, similar to the one he taught at The Hukilau 2019, on Friday at noon. (Photo by Jose Villasana)

Simple is Simple with Devon “Kitty” Lopez of Bar Tiki (Friday at 10:30 a.m.). Find out how to take a basic sugar syrup to another level by creating something unique. The southwest Florida bar manager will explore new flavor pairings and natural ingredient colors, leading you on a journey to creating cocktails that only you can serve.

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Best of both worlds at The Hukilau 2025: Beachfront resort with full Mai-Kai experience

Best of both worlds at The Hukilau 2025: Beachfront resort with full Mai-Kai experience

Updated July 12

When The Hukilau moved from Atlanta to Fort Lauderdale in 2003, it was a strategic move to bring the fledgling event into the sphere of the historic Mai-Kai Polynesian restaurant, one of the last remaining Tiki temples of the mid-20th century. Host hotels came and went, but the Mai-Kai remained a fixture of the event, much to the delight of thousands of “villagers” who flocked to South Florida for the classic supper club experience that paired perfectly with The Hukilau’s modern Tiki revival experience.

The Hukilau 2025

The Hukilau 2025 recaps
• The Hukilau live coverage, photos and video
• Tikiphiles flock to The Hukilau and the Mai-Kai for special events
• Photos, video: Mai-Kai unveils two large tiki carvings during The Hukilau
• The Hukilau brings special events, guest bartenders, unique cocktails

From the rowdy and intimate (Bahia Cabana) to the iconic and retro (Yankee Clipper) to the massive and mid-century modern (Pier Sixty-Six), The Hukilau adapted to the host hotels as it grew. But no matter the venue, attendees always looked forward to gathering en masse at the Mai-Kai for a main event featuring top surf and exotica bands, plus a dinner show starring the Polynesian Islander Revue, the oldest continually-running authentic South Seas stage show in the United States (including Hawaii).

This all came to a crashing halt in 2020, when the pandemic forced the event to go virtual that June. Then, just as tragically, the Mai-Kai was forced to close after a back-of-house roof collapse led to the eventual sale and what became a monumental $20 million restoration project that revitalized the 68-year-old grand dame of Tiki. The restaurant reopened to great fanfare in November 2024, a little over four years after closing.

In those interim years, The Hukilau found a new home at the oceanside Beachcomber Resort & Club in Pompano Beach, making it the only major Tiki event in the United States located directly on a tropical beachfront. In June, villagers will return to the sandy shores of the boutique hotel for a fifth straight year, tying it for second most prolific host venue. More significantly, they’ll flock back to the Mai-Kai for the 18th time, immersing themselves in the full-blown vintage experience and the restaurant’s expanded bar program that should return the revelry to its previous heights.

For the first time, The Hukilau will take place at both the oceanfront Beachcomber Resort and the historic Mai-Kai restaurant. Photos by The Rum Trader (June 2024), Hurricane Hayward (2025).
For the first time, The Hukilau will take place at both the oceanfront Beachcomber Resort and the historic Mai-Kai restaurant. Photos by The Rum Trader (June 2024), Hurricane Hayward (April 2025)

The Hukilau 2025 – June 5-8 at the Beachcomber Resort & Club in Pompano Beach and Mai-Kai restaurant in Oakland Park. Featuring live music (The Untamed Youth, The Swingin’ Palms, The Sound Minds, The Hilo Hi-Flyers, Slowey and the Boats, Eva & Kully, The Intoxicators, The Disasternauts, Skinny Jimmy Stingray), special guests (Marina the Fire Eating Mermaid, Tim “Swanky” Glazner), symposiums and classes, guest cocktail bars, pool parties, Tiki Treasures Bazaar, plus more.
• The Hukilau on social media: Instagram | Facebook page and group
Jump to more below: Tickets | Entertainment | Full list of vendors | The Mai-Kai | The Beachcomber

SPECIAL FEATURE: “Build Your Own Tiki Bar,” is a two-day pre-event symposium featuring an all-star lineup of guest speakers, fabricators and visionaries. For one all-inclusive fee (starting at $99), a limited number of guests can attend six sessions at the Beachcomber spread over the two days totaling more than eight hours of instruction from Rodney Ray of HeadHunter Props and Fabrication, Billy Crud (Crud Tiki), Frank Simotics (aka Tiki Rancher), Notch Gonzalez of Top Notch Kustoms, Danny Gallardo (aka Tiki Diablo), Mai-Kai creative director “Typhoon Tommy” Allsmiller, and Scott “Flounder” Scheidly, who spent two years working with Allsmiller on the restoration project. Buy your tickets now before it sells out.

VISITING BARS: Aku Aku (Orlando), The Bamboo Room (Savannah, Ga.), Bar Tiki (Clearwater Beach, Fla.), Bare Bones Tiki (South Florida), Cocomama Tiki Room (Cozumel, Mexico), Dead Isla (Detroit), Dirty Birds (Cocoa Beach), Kahala Koa (Arlington Heights, Ill.), Luau Lads (Jacksonville, Fla.), Permanent Vacation (Maitland, Fla.), Remora (Salt Lake City), Sugarcane Lounge (Phoenix), Swizzle Rum Bar & Drinkery (Miami Beach and Fort Lauderdale), Three Dots and a Dash (Chicago), Tiki Tatsu-Ya (Austin, Texas).

Hukilau 2025 update: Symposiums and schedule announced for 23rd Tiki weekender in South Florida
Hukilau 2025 update: Symposiums and schedule announced for 23rd Tiki weekender in South Florida
Tikiphiles and fans of retro culture will flock to South Florida from around the world June 5-8 for unique classes and symposiums, distinctive merchandise, dozens of guest bartenders, plus multiple days and nights at the Mai-Kai.
FULL PREVIEW: Day-by-day activities, special guest presenters, more
Direct links: Classes & symposiums | Guest bars | The Mai-Kai | Daily schedule

THE HUKILAU AT A GLANCE

A detailed schedule won’t be available until it gets closer to the event, but here’s a basic rundown. With the return of the Mai-Kai, the schedule will basically return to the same as it was from 2003 through 2019. The only major change is the dedicated dinner show is now Friday instead of Saturday.

• Wednesday: Build Your Own Tiki Bar classes at the Beachcomber. Official pre-party at the Mai-Kai featuring live music.

• Thursday: Build Your Own Tiki Bar classes and opening day at the Beachcomber, including live music and bungalow parties.

The work of theme park and Tiki bar designer Rodney Ray is featured annually in The Hukilau bungalow parties. (Photo by Hurricane Hayward, June 2023)
The work of theme park and Tiki bar designer Rodney Ray is featured annually in The Hukilau bungalow parties. (Photo by Hurricane Hayward, June 2023)

• Friday: Early Beachcomber events, main event and dinner shows at the Mai-Kai, late night at the Beachcomber.

• Saturday: Full day and evening at the Beachcomber, including the Tiki Treasures Bazaar, symposiums, live music, and bungalow parties.

• Sunday: Brunch at the Beachcomber, special events including history tours, pop-up bars and live music at the Mai-Kai.

The Samoan Fire Knife Dance is one of the highlights of the Mai-Kai's dinner show, performed since the early 1960s. (Mai-Kai photo, April 2025)
The Samoan Fire Knife Dance is one of the highlights of the Mai-Kai’s dinner show, performed since the early 1960s. (Mai-Kai photo, April 2025)

HOW TO ATTEND

You can buy event passes on TheHukilau.com website and book a room at the Beachcomber by calling (954) 941-7830. You must have a multi-day pass and book three nights in order to stay at the host hotel. Check the website for more info, including a discount code for the Plunge Beach Resort, located 2 miles to the south on the Pompano Beach oceanfront.

The Mai-Kai, less than 5 miles southwest of the Beachcomber, will host events on Friday and Sunday, as well as the official pre-party on Wednesday, June 4. Top-tier passholders get free bus transportation to the Friday main event. Passholders will receive an email with details on how to reserve a seat for the exclusive Friday dinner shows. See more on the Mai-Kai below.

Guests enter the bungalow parties during The Hukilau 2024 at the Beachcomber Resort in Pompano Beach. (Photo by Hurricane Hayward)
Guests enter the bungalow parties during The Hukilau 2024 at the Beachcomber Resort in Pompano Beach. (Photo by Hurricane Hayward)

EVENT TICKETS

The Hukilau has a three-tiered system of weekend passes. The South Seas Pass ($649 plus fees) includes all events on all four days, plus guaranteed seating at symposiums, early access to Saturday’s Tiki Treasures Bazaar, priority booking and seating at the Mai-Kai on Friday, full-sized featured cocktails, a Mai-Kai history tour on Sunday, plus more.

The Aloha Pass ($449 plus fees), like the South Seas Pass, includes access to buy the event mug (crafted as usual by John Mulder of Eeekum Bookum), Thursday night’s kickoff party, the Friday and Saturday pool parties, three nights of bungalow parties, and unlimited sample cocktails. Saturday’s marketplace is included, along with space-available seating at symposiums and Friday’s Mai-Kai event. The Saturday luau ($119), Sunday brunch ($79), and Mai-Kai bus ($30) can be purchased à la carte. If you plan to do everything, the South Seas pass offers the better deal.

The Saturday-only Palm Pass ($189 plus fees) includes full access to that day’s pool party and bungalow parties, the Tiki Treasures Bazaar, sample cocktails and all live entertainment. The luau and brunch can be added, similar to the South Seas pass. When you click to buy tickets, you’ll see a more detailed, graphical breakdown of all the passes and perks.

The Untamed Youth and The Sound Minds will play The Hukilau for the first time in 2025. Both bands have new releases on the Hi-Tide Recordings label.
The Untamed Youth and The Sound Minds will play The Hukilau for the first time in 2025. Both bands have new releases on the Hi-Tide Recordings label.

LIVE ENTERTAINMENT

The Hukilau will again feature an eclectic lineup of bands performing Thursday, Friday and Saturday at the Beachcomber Resort. Returning this year along with the Mai-Kai are performances at Friday’s main event and Sunday’s finale with bands setting up in both of the restaurant’s bars.

Five bands may be familiar from years past (The Swingin’ Palms, Slowey and the Boats, The Intoxicators, The Disasternauts, Skinny Jimmy Stingray) while four will make their Hukilau debut (The Untamed Youth, The Sound Minds, The Hilo Hi-Flyers, Eva & Kully). Here’s a quick rundown of all the announced acts:

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Mai-Kai bar and cocktail news, reviews and exclusive insights, 2024-2025

Mai-Kai cocktail news, June 2025

Updated Jan. 3, 2026
We hope this running story, compiled throughout 2025, helps quench your thirst for detailed information, photos and deep dives into the cocktails served at the Mai-Kai restaurant in South Florida, est. 1956. Below you’ll find reports by journalist Jim “Hurricane” Hayward along with news and official updates passed along by beverage director Cory Starr as he resurrected the storied bar program, originally developed by legendary mixologist Mariano Licudine. This page served as a supplement to our Mai-Kai Cocktail Guide as we enjoyed the the Mai-Kai’s grand reopening. In 2026, get ready for all new reviews and recipes at the link above, or MaiKaiCocktailGuide.com. If you’re looking for more on the restaurant’s restoration and reopening in 2024-2025, along with anything beyond the cocktails and bar program, check out this related story.
• Jump straight to the news archive below

SNEAK PREVIEW: All the Mai-Kai cocktails rated; reviews and updated recipes coming soon
Okole Maluna Society 2.0: All the Mai-Kai cocktails ranked
Check out the sneak preview of our updated ratings, and stay tuned for new reviews and recipes, coming soon.
SEE THE RANKINGS: Updated rundown of 50+ Mai-Kai cocktails

More Atomic Grog coverage
• Mai-Kai Restoration & Reopening: Full story and photo archive

Official sites and social media
• MaiKai.com | Facebook page | Instagram
Facebook group: Friends of the Mai-Kai
• Instagram: Classics of the Mai-Kai
The Atomic Grog: AtomicGrog.com | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | Bluesky

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2024-2025 Mai-Kai bar and cocktail news

• Vintage cocktails return for 69th anniversary, more news
• The Mai-Kai’s Christmas cocktails explored: Ratings, reviews and insights
• Holiday treats come early with release of Mai-Kai Rum No. 1, Christmas Rum Barrel
• Mai-Kai Rum No. 1 set for Black Friday release
• Mai-Kai Rum No. 1 to make a splash during 2025 Miami Rum Festival
• Hulaween recap, tribute recipe (photos, video)
• Halloween cocktails invade the Mai-Kai for October
• New cocktails and Cannibal mug revealed, Rum No. 1 on the way (August-September)
• New secret bar menu, Rum Barrel mugs are back (July-August)
• The Hukilau brings special events, guest bartenders (June)
• Bars welcome special guests, live music, new cocktails (May)
• Cocktails at events near and far, new menus coming soon (April)
• Mai-Kai joins spirits festival, welcomes brands for cocktail and rum tasting events (March)
• New Bora Bora Bar menu just a taste things to come (February)
• Beverage director Cory Starr interviewed on Shift Drink Podcast
• Photos & video: Mai-Kai joins Miami Rum Congress festivities
• Is it 1956 or 2024? Forward-thinking Mai-Kai menus sport retro flair
• Mai-Kai welcomes Cory Starr as new chief mixologist

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Zula #1 (left) and Last Rites, two classic cocktails from the Mai-Kai's 1956 menu served at the 69th anniversary event on Dec. 28. (Photos by Hurricane Hayward)
Zula #1 (left) and Last Rites, two classic cocktails from the Mai-Kai’s 1956 menu served at the 69th anniversary event on Dec. 28. (Photos by Hurricane Hayward)

Vintage cocktails return for 69th anniversary, more news

Posted Jan. 3

The icing on the cake at the 69th anniversary celebration was a special menu of three historic cocktails, available in both the Bora Bora and Molokai bars. They were priced at $19.56 in honor of the Mai-Kai’s original opening date, but happy hour prices were in effect from 4 to 7 p.m., and we made sure to try all three.
Photos, video: Mai-Kai legends return to the stage for 69th anniversary celebration

Two of the drinks date back to the original 1956 menu. One of them, Zula #1, was only recently retired when the Mai-Kai reopened in November 2024. It was one of two classics dropped from the reopening day menu.

Don's Own Grog, a rare cocktail available at the Mai-Kai's 69th anniversary event on Dec. 28. (Photo by Hurricane Hayward)
Don’s Own Grog, a rare cocktail available at the Mai-Kai’s 69th anniversary event on Dec. 28. (Photo by Hurricane Hayward)

The other was Last Rites, another Mai-Kai classic that can be traced back to one of the groundbreaking tropical drinks created by Don the Beachcomber in the 1930s and ’40s. This is a personal favorite of beverage director Cory Starr, who brought it back at several special events over the past year. We last tried it at The Hukilau finale at the Mai-Kai in June.

The most rare was Don’s Own Grog, which pre-dates the Mai-Kai and was discovered by Starr in original mixologist Mariano Licudine’s secret notebook of Don the Beachcomber recipes. It was also featured at The Hukilau event, but using different rums. All three of these revived classics featured a healthy dose of the just-released Mai-Kai Rum No. 1, giving them added punch and spotlighting the new spirit designed to harken back to those golden days of Tiki cocktails.
Related: Holiday treats come early with release of Mai-Kai Rum No. 1, Christmas Rum Barrel

Last Rites was our favorite, better than the previous versions made with premium rums. Rum No. 1 seems to bring perfect balance to this classic that agricole rums don’t. Not far behind was Don’s Own Grog, another great spotlight for the rum featuring bold cinnamon (perhaps Angostura bitters), lime and blackberry notes. Zula was very solid, but it veered a bit from the original with an overly boozy profile that obscured the distinctive pineapple and anise flavors. Starr told us later that he and bar manager Michael DeMahy had a challenge getting the rum blend correct, but I’m sure they’ll figure it out in time for its next appearance.

Mai-Kai beverage director Cory Starr (left) and bar manager Michael DeMahy host a special event featuring Spiribam products in the Bora Bora Bar on March 12, 2025. (Photo by Hurricane Hayward)
Mai-Kai beverage director Cory Starr (left) and bar manager Michael DeMahy host a special event featuring Spiribam products in the Bora Bora Bar on March 12, 2025. (Photo by Hurricane Hayward)

Starr and DeMahy have lots of plans for the cocktail program in 2026, including a new menu for the Molokai Bar with more of a craft cocktail focus. But unlike the Bora Bora Bar, which has featured more modern-style cocktails, the older bar will take more of a classic Mai-Kai approach in keeping with its vintage theming.

DeMahy said they want to take “the classic Mariano, Trader Vic, Don the Beachcomber style cocktails and re-envision them as if they were alive today.” He said it will be “more of a modern twist, but paying homage to the history and the style.”

“You have to reset your mind and say, ‘I’m paying homage to these classics,’ but how would they think if they lived here today with the products that are now available versus what was available back then,” DeMahy added. “I’m very excited to start working on it.” The menu is still in the very early stages of development, however, with tentative plans for a release no earlier than the third quarter of the year.

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Iconic restaurants revived: Don the Beachcomber, Mai-Kai, Trader Vic’s are top Tiki stories of 2024

Iconic restaurants revived: Don the Beachcomber, Mai-Kai, Trader Vic's are top Tiki stories of 2024

Updated Feb. 9, 2025

Annual retrospectives always include some bittersweet news alongside the happy achievements, and 2024 was no different. We sadly said farewell to some legends as well as a few beloved watering holes. But there was much to celebrate as new Tiki establishments opened and events were launched. The good certainly overshadowed the bad at the top of the list. Three major storylines dominated the year in Tiki, and we’re happy to report that 2025 promises to be even better for three iconic names that are poised for their biggest years in recent history.
Related: The Year in Tiki 2024: A look back at the top events in photos, video
Bonus cocktail recipe: The Dirty Banana by Mike “Jetsetter” Jones

1. (TIE) CLASSIC TIKI REBORN: The Mai-Kai reopens after $20M restoration, Don the Beachcomber brand resurrected in Florida

The Mai-Kai and Don the Beachcomber

It was impossible to choose one of these two highly significant events as the top story of the year, so we’re declaring it a tie. The importance of both cannot be understated. When all is said and done, this may qualify as the top story of the decade. Imagine a future without the Mai-Kai, and Don the Beachcomber just a figure in books and movies.

In mid-2021, we were still mired in the pandemic, the Mai-Kai had been closed for nearly a year and had yet to find new owners, and we had no clue that the historic Don the Beachcomber name had been acquired by a little-known restaurant group from Tampa.

By September of that year, the Mai-Kai was sold two a new ownership group, becoming the No. 2 story of the year. In 2022, the historic South Florida restaurant was in the midst of a multi-year, multimillion-dollar reimagination that grabbed the No. 5 slot. By 2023, Don the Beachcomber grabbed headlines (and the No. 2 top story) with an ambitious announcement of a revival of the brand by 23 Restaurant Services. The massive Mai-Kai renovation efforts, which we documented in great detail, was No. 4.

LIVE COVERAGE & REVIEW: Don the Beachcomber grand opening in Florida is a smashing success
Don the Beachcomber in Madeira Beach was the first location to open as part of a planned national rollout of the iconic brand. (Photos by Hurricane Hayward)

Which brings us to 2024, when both stories deservedly bolted to the top slot. Don the Beachcomber made news first, opening its first new restaurant Feb. 23 in Madeira Beach on Florida’s southern Gulf Coast. The full-service restaurant, located on the ground floor of the Cambria Hotel just blocks from the beach, was designed by Daniel “Tiki Diablo” Gallardo and a crew of artists and craftspeople. The cocktails are in the highly capable hands of beverage director Marie King.
• Previous coverage: Don the Beachcomber grand opening in Florida is a smashing success

In April, the team behind the ambitious brand re-launch took the stage at Tiki-a-Go-Go in Orlando to offer a sneak preview of new locations planned for Florida, plus a new “brand within a brand” called the Gantt Reserve Collection from Don the Beachcomber. These smaller, speakeasy-style venues will allow the company to more swiftly expand. While the next large restaurant – a flagship location just north of Disney World in Central Florida – isn’t expected until at least 2025, the company was able to turn the key on its first cocktail-centric bar just three months later.
• Previous coverage: Don the Beachcomber announces new bar concept, upcoming locations in Florida

PHOTOS & VIDEO: Don the Beachcomber launches Morgan's Cove speakeasy in Tampa
Morgan’s Cove in Tampa is the first Gantt Reserve Collection bar from Don the Beachcomber. (Photos by Hurricane Hayward)

Morgan’s Cove, featuring a whimsical seafaring design executed perfectly by Gallardo and his team, swung open its secret door on July 18 on downtown Tampa’s Morgan Street. The city’s long history of pirate lore makes the theme a perfect fit. King rose to the challenge with a menu of elevated classic cocktails and unique takes on Donn Beach’s vision.
• Previous coverage: Don the Beachcomber launches Morgan’s Cove speakeasy in Tampa

All that momentum came to a crashing halt in September. Hurricane Helene slammed the Gulf Coast, causing extensive damage to many homes and businesses, including Don the Beachcomber in Madeira Beach. The restaurant unfortunately fell victim to a perfect storm of unfortunate circumcstances. It was announced in January that it would not be reopening, but would be transformed into the sister concept, Tiki Docks.

That doesn’t mean the Don the Beachcomber brand is slowing its expansion. It’s just a temporary step back. Many new venues are coming soon, as we learned at Inuhele 2025:

Don the Beachcomber brand closes maiden venue, but navigates rough seas with dynamic expansion plans
NEW: 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.
• Full coverage of the past, present, and future of the iconic brand

Don the Beachcomber restaurants: Official website | Online store | Facebook | Instagram
Morgan’s Cove: Official website | Instagram

Florida Tiki weathers an unwelcome 2024 hurricane season, poised for promising 2025
• Previous coverage: Florida Tiki weathers an unwelcome 2024 hurricane season, poised for promising 2025

Meanwhile on Florida’s southeast coast just north of Fort Lauderdale, work was progressing on the Mai-Kai, built in 1956 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2014. It closed in late October 2020 after a roof collapse took out the 1970s-era kitchen and revealed an aging structure in need of a lot of TLC. And, it turns out, even more money and time than projected. Luckily, the new ownership group led by historic preservationist Bill Fuller of Miami’s Barlington Group has deep pockets and even more patience.

Far from your typical restaurant restoration, this project demanded a high level of expertise. Creative director “Typhoon Tommy” Allsmiller rose to the challenge, joined by a team of artists and longtime manager Kern Mattei. The excitement level started to build in June, when guests of The Hukilau received exclusive tours of some of the newly restored areas, including the Molokai Bar and showroom.
• Previous coverage: Inside the Molokai Bar and tour of the Mai-Kai restoration

The Mai-Kai showroom comes back to life during the grand reopening on Nov. 21. (Photo by Hurricane Hayward)
The Mai-Kai showroom comes back to life during the grand reopening on Nov. 21. (Photo by Hurricane Hayward)

With a fall reopening in sight, hiring began in August, including performers for a rebooted version of the Polynesian Islander Revue, the oldest continually-running authentic South Seas stage show in the United States (including Hawaii). In September, Cory Starr (formerly of Tiki Tatsu-Ya in Austin and Three Dots and a Dash in Chicago) was named beverage director, overseeing one of Tiki’s most storied bar programs.
• Previous coverage: Mai-Kai welcomes Cory Starr as new chief mixologist

Even the parking lot received a creative makeover. Designed by the architects at Orlando’s Perry-Becker Design, whose resume includes Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, the arrival experience became totally immersive with new waterfalls, lush foliage and a simulated volcanic caldera. The old porte-cochère was reimagined into the Bora Bora Bar with outdoor seating and another layer of story-telling for guests to enjoy.

The big day finally arrived on Nov. 15, when the bars reopened for a series of sneak preview events. On Nov. 21, a special grand reopening ceremony featured show performers and local politicians, who joined Fuller in officially opening the doors and enjoying the debut performance of the new Polynesian review, led by cultural arts & entertainment director Teuruhei Kalaniu’i Buchin.
• Previous coverage: Latest news and exclusive coverage of the Mai-Kai reopening

The Mai-Kai's outdoor Tiki garden reopened for the 68th anniversary on Dec. 28. (Photo by Hurricane Hayward)
The Mai-Kai’s outdoor Tiki garden reopened for the 68th anniversary on Dec. 28. (Photo by Hurricane Hayward)

The Mai-Kai has been open every day since regular service began Nov. 26, including a 68th anniversary celebration on Dec. 28. The building and grounds look fantastic, but the $20 million project is far from complete. The expansive Tiki garden reopened for the anniversary, and several rear dining rooms are still being renovated. Allsmiller has more tricks up his sleeve as his work continues in 2025, but don’t hesitate to make a pilgrimage to Tiki’s mecca, a Polynesian paradise that defied the odds and returned bigger and better than ever in 2024.

More Atomic Grog coverage
• Is it 1956 or 2024? Forward-thinking Mai-Kai menus sport retro flair
• Answers to frequently asked questions about the grand reopening

The Mai-Kai: Official website | Facebook page | Instagram
Facebook group: Friends of the Mai-Kai

Mai-Kai Restoration & Reopening
EXCLUSIVE: Mai-Kai Restoration & Reopening Guide
Check out all past news, photos, video and deep details on the refurbishment and resurrection of the Polynesian palace.

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2. THE DONN OF TIKI: Fans flock to premieres, boost film’s profile

The Donn of Tiki

The godfather of Tiki, Don the Beachcomber (aka Donn Beach), finally got his due in 2024 with the long-awaited public debut of The Donn of Tiki on the film festival circuit in April. By the end of the year, it had made the rounds at more than a half-dozen events and garnered numerous awards. In September, Kickstarter contributors were able to screen the movie at home.

Continue reading “Iconic restaurants revived: Don the Beachcomber, Mai-Kai, Trader Vic’s are top Tiki stories of 2024”

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Mai-Kai timeline, 1956-2024: Iconic restaurant marks 68 years of Polynesian Pop history

Mai-Kai timeline, 1956-2024: Iconic restaurant marks 68 years of Polynesian Pop history

Updated Jan. 3

For the first time since 2019, guests once again gathered for a full night of signature Mai-Kai cocktails, food and entertainment to celebrate the restaurant’s grand opening on Dec. 28, 1956. Closed since October 2020, the historic South Florida landmark reopened in November 2024 after a $20 million restoration and reimagination.

Hundreds of fans enjoyed happy hour from 3 to 7 p.m. in the vintage Molokai Bar and the new Bora Bora Bar outdoors under the porte-cochère. There were three dinner show seatings for the Polynesian Islander Revue at 4, 7 and 10 p.m. as the celebration continued all night.
NEW: 2024 anniversary, New Year’s Eve photos & video

Mai-Kai 68th anniversary - Dec. 28, 2024

More Atomic Grog coverage
• Mai-Kai grand reopening 2024: Answers to frequently asked questions
• Is it 1956 or 2024? Forward-thinking Mai-Kai menus sport retro flair
• Latest news and exclusive coverage of the Mai-Kai reopening

The Mai-Kai, which is still in the final stages of the multi-year renovation project launched in 2022, held an anniversary party in the parking lot in 2020 after a catastrophic roof collapse over the kitchen shut down service indoors two months earlier. The popular restaurant persevered, securing new ownership and a creative team that is taking great care to meticulously restore every square inch of the 26,000-square-foot space.

In addition, ambitious new features have been added to the exterior, including a themed entryway that immediately whisks guests into an exotic tropical paradise. Opening to guests for sneak previews on Nov. 15, the Mai-Kai held its ceremonial grand reopening Nov. 21 and return of the signature dinner shows Nov. 22.

The Mai-Kai shortly after its Dec. 28, 1956, opening in a reimagined vintage postcard image. This 4-by-6-inch card, suitable for framing, is among the 15 Mai-Kai Classics postcards available in the restaurant gift shop. (Official photo)
The Mai-Kai shortly after its Dec. 28, 1956, opening in a reimagined vintage postcard image. This 4-by-6-inch card, suitable for framing, is among the 15 Mai-Kai Classics postcards available in the restaurant gift shop. (Official photo)

With an emphasis on the important activity in recent years, here’s a look back at some key dates and events over the course of the Mai-Kai’s long history:

Dec. 28, 1956 – Young and ambitious Chicago brothers Bob and Jack Thornton fulfill their dream by opening a Polynesian restaurant on a sleepy stretch of Federal Highway in Oakland Park, bordering Fort Lauderdale in South Florida. It cost $350,000 to create, reportedly the most expensive restaurant built that year. They name it Mai-Kai, which means “the best” in Hawaiian. The futuristic A-frame design is the work of acclaimed architect Charles F. McKirahan Sr. The restaurant seats 225 guests in five dining rooms and the Surfboard Bar. Key members of the team include manager Bob Van Dorpe, mixologist Mariano Licudine and chef Kenny Lee, who all come from the Don the Beachcomber location in Chicago and bring a rich institutional knowledge of the pioneering Polynesian restaurant concept.

1957 – In its first year, the Mai-Kai earns more than $1 million, making it one of the most successful restaurants of its time.

The allure of the Mystery Girl is part of the mystique of the Mystery Drink. Myrna Weber (left) was a Playboy playmate of the month in August 1958.
The allure of the Mystery Girl is part of the mystique of the Mystery Drink. Myrna Weber (left) was a Playboy playmate of the month in August 1958.

1958 – The original Molokai Bar is built on the north side of the main building, creating a new lounge for the crowds arriving for dinner. Two iconic features are added: Sarong-clad serving girls and the Mystery Drink served by the Mystery Girl.

Continue reading “Mai-Kai timeline, 1956-2024: Iconic restaurant marks 68 years of Polynesian Pop history”

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News and exclusive coverage of the Mai-Kai reopening, 2024-2025

Mai-Kai legends return for 69th anniversary celebration

Updated Jan. 14, 2026
This blog post features full coverage of the restoration and reopening of the historic Mai-Kai restaurant in South Florida 2024 reopening and throughout 2025. It includes in-depth coverage and photos from journalist Jim “Hurricane” Hayward, along with information gathered from other reliable sources. As the project enters Phase 2 in 2026, look for less detailed but still frequent reports featured on the main Mai-Kai restoration page. We’ll also ramping up a new version of our Mai-Kai Cocktail Guide.
• Jump straight to the news archive below

Answers to frequently asked questions about the Mai-Kai
Answers to frequently asked questions about the Mai-Kai
Check out our handy guide featuring all the basics you need to know to plan your next trip to the South Florida landmark.
UPDATES: Official information, tips and advice for guests

Official sites and social media
• MaiKai.com | Facebook page | Instagram
Facebook group: Friends of the Mai-Kai
• Instagram: Classics of the Mai-Kai
The Atomic Grog: AtomicGrog.com | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | Bluesky

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SPECIAL VIDEO FEATURES

Photo and video tour: The 16 most iconic photo spots at the Mai-Kai
The 16 most iconic photo spots at the Mai-Kai
Learn how to get those classic shots on your next trip to the historic South Florida restaurant. We take you on an adventure via new and historic photos, plus video from Spike’s Breezeway to document the top locations inside and outside the historic Tiki temple.
SEE THE TOP 16: Jump straight to the tour, tips and tricks

More Mai-Kai videos on Spike’s Breezeway
• Saving the Lamps of the Mai Kai (with Scott “Flounder” Scheidly)
• Inside the Mai-Kai’s cocktail secrets (with Cory Starr)
• Deep inside the $20 million restoration (with “Typhoon Tommy” Allsmiller)
• 16 iconic (and hidden) photo locations at the Mai-Kai (with Hurricane Hayward)
• Full playlist of Spike’s Mai-Kai videos

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Mai-Kai past news index

• Mai-Kai legends return for 69th anniversary celebration
• Holiday treats include 12 drinks of Christmas, new Rum Barrel mug, festive decor, non-stop events
• New event center will complete Mai-Kai reimagination in 2026
• Rum release date, holiday cocktails and mug, anniversary events, plus more! (November)
• Photo and video recap: Hulaween party returns from the dead
• Hulaween returns bigger than ever, new food menu debuts (October)
• Mai-Kai at Tiki Oasis, new mug release, upcoming events, video and media blitz (August)
• Video guide to iconic Mai-Kai photo spots, special summer prix fixe menu (July)
• Tikiphiles, Panthers fans flock to the Mai-Kai for special events (June)
• Mai-Kai unveils two large tiki carvings during The Hukilau
• Mai-Kai gears up for return of The Hukilau as enhancements continue
• Dinner menu upgraded with more than 20 new dishes (May)
• Mai-Kai opens new passageway between Tiki gardens
• Mcbiff introduces ‘Mystery at the Mai-Kai’ print, merchandise during special event (April)
• Mai-Kai gives food menus a major facelift with all new bar, dining room dishes
• February-March 2025 update: Artists continue working on Mai-Kai design projects
• Inuhele event recap: Paradise Reimagined: Deep Inside the Mai-Kai Restoration
• Videos: A moment of zen
• Mai-Kai joins Miami Rum Congress festivities
• January 2025 update: Tiki gardens and new dining options open as Mai-Kai menus get a refresh
• Mai-Kai timeline, 1956-2024: Iconic restaurant marks 68 years of Polynesian Pop history (December 2024)
• Is it 1956 or 2024? Forward-thinking Mai-Kai menus sport retro flair
• Answers to frequently asked questions about the Mai-Kai
• Mai-Kai celebrates grand reopening, return of signature dinner shows (November 2024)
• Mai-Kai hosts preview of bars in advance of grand reopening
• Mai-Kai welcomes Cory Starr as new chief mixologist

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Mai-Kai legends return to the stage for 69th anniversary celebration
• Event preview, more details on the anniversary

Mai-Kai legends return for 69th anniversary celebration

Posted Jan. 4

The Mai-Kai welcomed back dozens of alumni from throughout its 69-year history for a first-of-its-kind anniversary celebration and a weekend full of incendiary performances of the Polynesian Islander Revue. The national historic landmark opened its doors Dec. 28, 1956, adding an authentic dinner show in the early 1960s.

The Dec. 27-28 event marked the first time in history that Mai-Kai performers from eight different decades – from the 1950s through today – all shared the stage on the same weekend. The dinner 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).

The current Polynesian Islander Revue during the Mai-Kai's 69th anniversary celebration included second and third-generation performers. Elijah (left) is the grandson and son of fire knife dancers, both named Stellio. Nai'a (right) is the daughter of former Polynesian dancer Glenda Florez. (Photos by Marina Anderson)
The current Polynesian Islander Revue during the Mai-Kai’s 69th anniversary celebration included second and third-generation performers. Elijah (left) is the grandson and son of fire knife dancers, both named Stellio. Nai’a (right) is the daughter of former Polynesian dancer Glenda Florez. (Photos by Marina Anderson)

Many of the alumni gathered at the Mai-Kai on Friday, Dec. 26, for what became an emotional reunion for many. “Feeling so welcome and seeing so many familiar faces really fills the heart with joy,” wrote Malia on her Instagram page, where she posted a reel of the happy reunion. You many know the former dancer and Mystery Girl (2000-2003) today as MeduSirena (aka Marina the Fire Eating Mermaid).

The list of returning Polynesian dancers, fire knife dancers and musician spanned the 1950s through the 2000s. [Click here to see the full list] Among the VIPs were Kainoa Lauritzen (1971-2001), considered the most recognized Polynesian dancer in Mai-Kai history; and Nani Maka, a legendary Hawaiian hula dancer who worked at the Mai-Kai in the 1950s and ’60s. Kainoa performed on stage Saturday and Nani Maka on Sunday.

Former Polynesian dancers (from left) Kainoa Lauritzen, Malia (MeduSirena) and Glenda Florez meet guests and sign autographs during the Mai-Kai's 69th anniversary event. (Photo provided by Marina Anderson)
Former Polynesian dancers (from left) Kainoa Lauritzen, Malia (MeduSirena) and Glenda Florez meet guests and sign autographs during the Mai-Kai’s 69th anniversary event. (Photo provided by Marina Anderson)

Saturday’s events included alumni shows at 5:30 and 8:30 p.m. From 7 to 8 p.m., Malia and Kainoa were joined by fellow Polynesian dancer Glenda Florez (1999-2007) for a meet-and-greet and autograph signing in the old Chinese oven room next to the Mai-Kai’s giant Christmas tree. Florez’ daughter, Nai’a, is a current Polynesian dancer and the first female fire knife dancer ever at the Mai-Kai.

Both the Bora Bora and Molokai bars were crowded with guests on the busy Saturday night as Big Harvest performed outside the main entrance. With the addition of the extensive Christmas lights, decor and cocktails for 2025, the annual anniversary event took on an even more festive air.

The Mai-Kai's 69th anniversary alumni show included Polynesian dancers from past decades. (Photo by Hurricane Hayward / Dec. 27, 2025)
The Mai-Kai’s 69th anniversary alumni show included Polynesian dancers from past decades. (Photo by Hurricane Hayward / Dec. 27, 2025)

We attended the first alumni show at 5:30, and it proved to be spectacular. I counted dozens of alumni on stage throughout the performance. It started with a 30-minute all-alumni set and Kainoa doing a solo dance to the classic Bali Hai to open the show. She was followed by three former Polynesian dancers doing the hula as the band performed Lovely Hula Hands.

In rapid succession were were treated to many short performances featuring both men and women, including the traditional Samoan slap dance. An announcement was made thanking the founding Thornton brothers for bringing the Mai-Kai to life, along with the current management for keeping their spirit alive. The show was also dedicated to all of the past alumni who are no longer with us.

The pre-show wrapped up with a performance by two male-female duos, then another Polynesian dance by four female alumni (see photo above). The opening set reached a thunderous climax when the theatrical drum troupe Samkoma took the stage. The four-piece group included MeduSirena and current Mai-Kai lead musician Conrad Teheiura Itchener (aka Kabuki).

The Mai-Kai’s Polynesian cultural director and longtime emcee, Lono Hanohano, then invited all the performers on stage for a final dance and standing ovation. But more was yet to come as Lono handed off emcee duties for the 45-minutte regular show to Varua, a third-generation Mai-Kai employee and son of longtime manager Kern Mattei.

As someone who grew up at the Mai-Kai, Varua was perfect to lead the current group through their performance that also included more alumni guests featured throughout. After the traditional audience participation dance, two alumni took the stage for Ke Kali Nei Au (The Hawaiian Wedding Song).

Next came an old favorite, the drum dance of Tahiti, featuring the spectacular rhythmic hips of both current and alumni female dancers. Not to be out-done, the male dancers had a secret weapon as they prepared for the show’s fiery finale, the signature Samoan fire knife dance. Originating from ancient warrior traditions, the performers spin a machete-like knife with towels wrapped on the ends, then lit on fire.

Performing on the Mai-Kai stage for the first time since the 1990s, three-time world champion fire knife dancer VJ wowed the audience and fellow performers alike with his incredible dexterity with the knife, spinning it effortlessly at high speed, tossing it high in the air, behind his back and between his legs. [WATCH VIDEO]

Continue reading “News and exclusive coverage of the Mai-Kai reopening, 2024-2025”

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The Mai-Kai welcomes Cory Starr as new chief mixologist in advance of grand reopening

The Mai-Kai welcomes Cory Starr as new chief mixologist in advance of grand reopening

Updated May 26, 2025

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.

Cory Starr, the Mai-Kai's new beverage director and head bartender, in the restored Molokai Bar in October 2024. (Photo by Hurricane Hayward)
Cory Starr, the Mai-Kai’s new beverage director and head bartender, in the restored Molokai Bar in October 2024. (Photo by Hurricane Hayward)

Jump to more below
• Take 5: Q&A with Cory Starr
• Bonus cocktail recipe: One Way Ticket

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.

Cory Starr behind the bar at Tiki Tatsu-Ya in Austin, September 2023. (Photo: RaeAnn Serra / Starchefs.com)
Cory Starr behind the bar at Tiki Tatsu-Ya in Austin, September 2023. (Photo: RaeAnn Serra / Starchefs.com)

More Atomic Grog coverage
UPDATES: Mai-Kai bar and cocktail news, reviews and exclusive insights
• Mai-Kai timeline, 1956-2024: Iconic restaurant marks 68 years of Polynesian Pop history
• Is it 1956 or 2024? Forward-thinking Mai-Kai menus sport retro flair
• Mai-Kai grand reopening 2024: Answers to frequently asked questions
NEWS: Latest news and exclusive coverage of the Mai-Kai reopening
Mai-Kai Restoration & Reopening: Full story and photo archive

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.”

Continue reading “The Mai-Kai welcomes Cory Starr as new chief mixologist in advance of grand reopening”

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Mai-Kai restoration update: Parking lot reimagination accelerates as owner targets fall reopening (June-July 2024)

Mai-Kai restoration update: Parking lot reimagination begins as owner targets fall reopening (June-July 2024)

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.

Work is progressing in the front and rear of The Mai-Kai. On July 22, a new wooden "bridge" was being installed in the front entrance along Federal Highway in Fort Lauderdale. By Aug. 3, the back areas of the 220-space parking lot received a first coast of asphalt. (Photos by Hurricane Hayward, Kern Mattei)
Work is progressing in the front and rear of The Mai-Kai. On July 22, a new wooden “bridge” was being installed in the front entrance along Federal Highway in Fort Lauderdale. By Aug. 3, the back areas of the 220-space parking lot received a first coast of asphalt. (Photos by Hurricane Hayward, Kern Mattei)

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.

Jump to more below
• Latest news on work inside, outside The Mai-Kai
• Anticipation builds with exclusive tours, media coverage
• Permits point to work concluding in October

A satellite view of The Mai-Kai, before work began in the parking lot. (Google Maps)
A satellite view of The Mai-Kai, before work began in the parking lot. (Google Maps)
An artist's rendering of the new driveway and arrival experience at The Mai-Kai provided by Orlando's Perry-Becker Design, August 2024. (Click for larger image)
An artist’s rendering of the new driveway and arrival experience at The Mai-Kai provided by Orlando’s Perry-Becker Design, August 2024. (Click for larger image)

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.

In this story, we’ll share insights and catch up with Mattei – as well as creative director “Typhoon Tommy” Allsmiller – on both the exterior and interior projects over the past two months. Next, we’ll recap the excitement in June, when exclusive tours during The Hukilau fueled the reopening buzz. Finally, we’ll check the latest updates of city building permits to get an idea on when projects should be wrapping up.

The Mai-Kai as seen from Federal Highway on July 31. The rock work and water feature in front of the main A-frame will soon be refurbished. (Photo by Hurricane Hayward)
The Mai-Kai as seen from Federal Highway on July 31. The rock work and water feature in front of the main A-frame will soon be refurbished. (Photo by Hurricane Hayward)

Recent Mai-Kai coverage
• Inside the Molokai Bar and tour of The Mai-Kai restoration
Story archive: Full coverage of The Mai-Kai refurbishment

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Latest news on work inside, outside The Mai-Kai

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.

Continue reading “Mai-Kai restoration update: Parking lot reimagination accelerates as owner targets fall reopening (June-July 2024)”

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Preview and recipes: Book reveals long-lost secrets and stories of P/Fassionola

Preview and recipes: Book reveals long-lost secrets and stories of P/Fassionola

A much-anticipated book dedicated to unraveling the enigmatic history of “the taste thrill of the century” has been welcomed with open arms by the Tiki community and beyond, quenching our insatiable thirst for esoteric topics. Not to mention tasty tropical cocktails.

The softcover and hardback editions of "Fassionola: The Torrid Story of Cocktails' Most Mysterious Ingredient" during the special April pre-release at Tiki-a-Go-Go in Orlando. (Photo by Hurricane Hayward)
The softcover and hardback editions of “Fassionola: The Torrid Story of Cocktails’ Most Mysterious Ingredient” during the special April pre-release at Tiki-a-Go-Go in Orlando. (Photo by Hurricane Hayward)

So what is this taste thrill that caused so much intrigue? Rum? Bitters? Pineapple or some other exotic tropical fruit? Not quite, but close. Of course, we’re talking about Fassionola: The Torrid Story of Cocktails’ Most Mysterious Ingredient, researched and written by Gregorio Pantoja and Martin S. Lindsay.

More below: Read Hurricane Hayward’s foreword to the book
• New Passionola syrup follows historic recipe

The authors not only dug up the complete story of a unique product that was in danger of becoming a footnote in 20th century mixology, they also uncovered the original “P/Fassionola” formula from the 1930s and have begun releasing it to the public with the help of noted mixologist Daniel “Doc” Parks.

Fassionola: The Torrid Story of Cocktails' Most Mysterious Ingredient

The 288-page book, self-published by the authors, is loaded with historic photos and images plus more than 100 recipes. Among these are many unpublished classics as well as new drinks by some of today’s top cocktail creators. This includes an exclusive new tribute to a Mai-Kai cocktail that had previously not been posted on The Atomic Grog blog.

After a late 2023 digital release, hard copies became available in late spring and can be purchased at Shop.ClassicSanDiego.com in both softcover and limited-edition hardback signed by the authors and Parks.

Bonus cocktail recipes below
• Mona Punch (Don the Beachcomber)
• 151 Tribute Swizzle No. 5 (Vatos Who Tiki)
• Mission Valley Daiquiri (The Atomic Grog) NEW
See also: Sidewinder’s Fang (Mai-Kai tribute) | Once A Villager (Doc Parks)

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We’ll get into more details below, but first let’s set the stage with the foreword I contributed to the book.

Continue reading “Preview and recipes: Book reveals long-lost secrets and stories of P/Fassionola”

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Exclusive photos: Inside the Molokai Bar and tour of The Mai-Kai restoration

Exclusive photos: Inside the Molokai Bar and tour of The Mai-Kai restoration

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.

Previous coverage: The Mai-Kai sneak preview at The Hukilau
• Mai-Kai from the Outside In with Will Anders
Story archive: Full coverage of The Mai-Kai refurbishment

A view of The Mai-Kai from Federal Highway before the tour groups arrived on June 7. (Photo by Hurricane Hayward)
A view of The Mai-Kai from Federal Highway before the tour groups arrived on June 7. (Photo by Hurricane Hayward)

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.

Mai-Kai creative director
Mai-Kai creative director “Typhoon Tommy” Allsmiller and artist Scott “Flounder” Scheidly (left) enjoy The Hukilau festivities at the Beachcomber Resort on June 6. Artist Tom Fowner, who is also working on the restoration efforts, makes a hat from palm leaves while vending in the Tiki Treasures Bazaar on June 8. (Photos by Hurricane Hayward)

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.

Rich Allsmiller helps restore one of the model ships displayed throughout the nautical themed areas of The Mai-Kai. Click for larger image. (Photos by Hurricane Hayward, Marina Anderson / Official Mai-Kai photo)
Rich Allsmiller helps restore one of the model ships displayed throughout the nautical themed areas of The Mai-Kai. Click for larger image. (Photos by Hurricane Hayward, Marina Anderson / Official Mai-Kai photo)

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 Sea at 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.

Continue reading “Exclusive photos: Inside the Molokai Bar and tour of The Mai-Kai restoration”