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 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.
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 DeMahyUPDATED
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.
Annual retrospectives always include some bittersweet news alongside the happy achievements, and 2024 was no different. We sadly said farewell to some legends as well as a few beloved watering holes. But there was much to celebrate as new Tiki establishments opened and events were launched. The good certainly overshadowed the bad at the top of the list. Three major storylines dominated the year in Tiki, and we’re happy to report that 2025 promises to be even better for three iconic names that are poised for their biggest years in recent history. Related:The Year in Tiki 2024: A look back at the top events in photos, video Bonus cocktail recipe:The Dirty Banana by Mike “Jetsetter” Jones
1. (TIE) CLASSIC TIKI REBORN: The Mai-Kai reopens after $20M restoration, Don the Beachcomber brand resurrected in Florida
It was impossible to choose one of these two highly significant events as the top story of the year, so we’re declaring it a tie. The importance of both cannot be understated. When all is said and done, this may qualify as the top story of the decade. Imagine a future without the Mai-Kai, and Don the Beachcomber just a figure in books and movies.
In mid-2021, we were still mired in the pandemic, the Mai-Kai had been closed for nearly a year and had yet to find new owners, and we had no clue that the historic Don the Beachcomber name had been acquired by a little-known restaurant group from Tampa.
By September of that year, the Mai-Kai was sold two a new ownership group, becoming the No. 2 story of the year. In 2022, the historic South Florida restaurant was in the midst of a multi-year, multimillion-dollar reimagination that grabbed the No. 5 slot. By 2023, Don the Beachcomber grabbed headlines (and the No. 2 top story) with an ambitious announcement of a revival of the brand by 23 Restaurant Services. The massive Mai-Kai renovation efforts, which we documented in great detail, was No. 4.
Don the Beachcomber in Madeira Beach was the first location to open as part of a planned national rollout of the iconic brand. (Photos by Hurricane Hayward)
Which brings us to 2024, when both stories deservedly bolted to the top slot. Don the Beachcomber made news first, opening its first new restaurant Feb. 23 in Madeira Beach on Florida’s southern Gulf Coast. The full-service restaurant, located on the ground floor of the Cambria Hotel just blocks from the beach, was designed by Daniel “Tiki Diablo” Gallardo and a crew of artists and craftspeople. The cocktails are in the highly capable hands of beverage director Marie King.
• Previous coverage:Don the Beachcomber grand opening in Florida is a smashing success
In April, the team behind the ambitious brand re-launch took the stage at Tiki-a-Go-Go in Orlando to offer a sneak preview of new locations planned for Florida, plus a new “brand within a brand” called the Gantt Reserve Collection from Don the Beachcomber. These smaller, speakeasy-style venues will allow the company to more swiftly expand. While the next large restaurant – a flagship location just north of Disney World in Central Florida – isn’t expected until at least 2025, the company was able to turn the key on its first cocktail-centric bar just three months later.
• Previous coverage:Don the Beachcomber announces new bar concept, upcoming locations in Florida
Morgan’s Cove in Tampa is the first Gantt Reserve Collection bar from Don the Beachcomber. (Photos by Hurricane Hayward)
Morgan’s Cove, featuring a whimsical seafaring design executed perfectly by Gallardo and his team, swung open its secret door on July 18 on downtown Tampa’s Morgan Street. The city’s long history of pirate lore makes the theme a perfect fit. King rose to the challenge with a menu of elevated classic cocktails and unique takes on Donn Beach’s vision.
• Previous coverage:Don the Beachcomber launches Morgan’s Cove speakeasy in Tampa
All that momentum came to a crashing halt in September. Hurricane Helene slammed the Gulf Coast, causing extensive damage to many homes and businesses, including Don the Beachcomber in Madeira Beach. The restaurant unfortunately fell victim to a perfect storm of unfortunate circumcstances. It was announced in January that it would not be reopening, but would be transformed into the sister concept, Tiki Docks.
That doesn’t mean the Don the Beachcomber brand is slowing its expansion. It’s just a temporary step back. Many new venues are coming soon, as we learned at Inuhele 2025:
Meanwhile on Florida’s southeast coast just north of Fort Lauderdale, work was progressing on the Mai-Kai, built in 1956 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2014. It closed in late October 2020 after a roof collapse took out the 1970s-era kitchen and revealed an aging structure in need of a lot of TLC. And, it turns out, even more money and time than projected. Luckily, the new ownership group led by historic preservationist Bill Fuller of Miami’s Barlington Group has deep pockets and even more patience.
Far from your typical restaurant restoration, this project demanded a high level of expertise. Creative director “Typhoon Tommy” Allsmiller rose to the challenge, joined by a team of artists and longtime manager Kern Mattei. The excitement level started to build in June, when guests of The Hukilau received exclusive tours of some of the newly restored areas, including the Molokai Bar and showroom.
• Previous coverage:Inside the Molokai Bar and tour of the Mai-Kai restoration
The Mai-Kai showroom comes back to life during the grand reopening on Nov. 21. (Photo by Hurricane Hayward)
With a fall reopening in sight, hiring began in August, including performers for a rebooted version of the Polynesian Islander Revue, the oldest continually-running authentic South Seas stage show in the United States (including Hawaii). In September, Cory Starr (formerly of Tiki Tatsu-Ya in Austin and Three Dots and a Dash in Chicago) was named beverage director, overseeing one of Tiki’s most storied bar programs.
• Previous coverage:Mai-Kai welcomes Cory Starr as new chief mixologist
Even the parking lot received a creative makeover. Designed by the architects at Orlando’s Perry-Becker Design, whose resume includes Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, the arrival experience became totally immersive with new waterfalls, lush foliage and a simulated volcanic caldera. The old porte-cochère was reimagined into the Bora Bora Bar with outdoor seating and another layer of story-telling for guests to enjoy.
The Mai-Kai’s outdoor Tiki garden reopened for the 68th anniversary on Dec. 28. (Photo by Hurricane Hayward)
The Mai-Kai has been open every day since regular service began Nov. 26, including a 68th anniversary celebration on Dec. 28. The building and grounds look fantastic, but the $20 million project is far from complete. The expansive Tiki garden reopened for the anniversary, and several rear dining rooms are still being renovated. Allsmiller has more tricks up his sleeve as his work continues in 2025, but don’t hesitate to make a pilgrimage to Tiki’s mecca, a Polynesian paradise that defied the odds and returned bigger and better than ever in 2024.
EXCLUSIVE:Mai-Kai Restoration & Reopening Guide
Check out all past news, photos, video and deep details on the refurbishment and resurrection of the Polynesian palace.
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2. THE DONN OF TIKI: Fans flock to premieres, boost film’s profile
The godfather of Tiki, Don the Beachcomber (aka Donn Beach), finally got his due in 2024 with the long-awaited public debut of The Donn of Tiki on the film festival circuit in April. By the end of the year, it had made the rounds at more than a half-dozen events and garnered numerous awards. In September, Kickstarter contributors were able to screen the movie at home.
The Halloween season is usually a special time at The Mai-Kai. The 64-year-old Polynesian restaurant in Fort Lauderdale has seen its fair share of wild and crazy parties over the years, but not many can come close to the annual Hulaween bash.
Following flooding and roof damage right before Hulaween 2020, last year’s party moved to the parking lot for the first Hulaween Drive-In Movie. The historic Tiki temple remains closed for renovations, and there will sadly be now Hulaween in 2021 after 12 straight years of hijinks.
Despite this apparent doom and gloom, spirits are high among the staff and longtime fans of the family-run operation after last month’s announcement of a new partnership that will not only pave the way for the reopening, but also pump money and energy into making The Mai-Kai better than ever.
Another parking lot party is just not in the cards this year, but we eagerly await the day when those doors will swing open and we’ll be back in The Molokai bar for happy hour, followed by dinner and the Polynesian Islander Revue, the longest-running authentic South Seas stage show in the United States, including Hawaii.
It won’t be long after that before we’re ready for the lucky 13th Hulaween, featuring crazy costumes, live music, and those delicious Mai-Kai cocktails. In the meantime, here’s a look back at the past 12 years of Hulaween madness in The Molokai. Click on the links for full coverage and photos.
The living dead came to party at The Mai-Kai’s Hulaween 2019 luau
After 10 years, we know what to expect from The Mai-Kai’s infamous Hulaween party: Kooky costumes, rockin’ tunes and many cocktails consumed in The Molokai bar. The 2019 bash lived up to those standards.
The Mai-Kai specializes in time travel, taking diners back to the mid-century heyday of grand Tiki temples by creating a spectacularly immersive feast of the senses. So it’s no surprise that the Fort Lauderdale restaurant successfully scared up a vintage Halloween party in 2020, transporting hundreds of Hulaween revelers to a vintage drive-in theater in its expansive parking lot for a physically-distanced celebration like no other.
A pineapple jack-o-lantern sets the scene at Hulaween 2020.
The sold-out Hulaweeen Drive-In Movie on Oct. 30 creatively navigated the new pandemic reality, giving the occupants of the 60+ vehicles multiple treats to savor. From the screening of the infamous 1970 B-movie Beast of Blood, to the live costume contest projected onto the 33-foot screen, to the rockin’ pre-movie festivities fueled by classic tropical cocktails, the evening provided a frightening (but safe) good time for all in attendance. Previous story:See the full event preview
Unfortunately, someone apparently played a trick on The Mai-Kai. After successfully navigating the scary new pandemic reality since late May, the historic restaurant faced a scare of its own just days before the 12th annual Hulaween when a massive storm caused damage that will require an extended, temporary closing for repairs and refurbishment.
Just announced: There will be a Virtual Tiki Bingo event to benefit The Mai-Kai employees on Dec. 10. Click here for info and updates.
The sudden closing caused some last-minute scrambling to keep the drive-in movie on track, but The Mai-Kai and the event’s driving force, director of public relations Pia Dahlquist, pulled it off with the usual aplomb. Since guests could not enter the restaurant, drinks were served from a pop-up bar behind the building, and portable restroom facilities were secured. With the kitchen closed, a food truck arrived to fill the need with finger-licking barbecue.
Hurricane Hayward picks up his cocktail quarts as the parking lot fills up.
But all the innovative plans appeared to be in danger all afternoon as dark clouds literally loomed over the event. An afternoon storm blew through The Mai-Kai property on Federal Highway, but miraculously the entire event remained dry. It was a blustery evening, however, and the Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival staff had their hands full keeping the inflated screen stable. The dark and ominous weather was apropos, but not an issue at the end of the day.
The FLIFF crew was indispensable, not only handling the high-tech rear-projection screen but also guiding all the vehicles into parking spots the old-fashioned way. Some of us brought portable chairs, and my hurricane radio came in handy to tune into the FM frequency that broadcasted the clear and crisp audio.
Considering the weather and makeshift logistics of the entire endeavor, the 90-minute preshow video and 90-minute feature film were both professionally presented and easy to enjoy. The evening concluded, as usual, with a kooky costume contest that was up to the same creative standards of past Hulaween parties.
Guests were welcomed with the same high level of hospitality The Mai-Kai is known for. Quarts of cocktails ordered in advance were delivered to car windows personally by Dahlquist in the porte-cochere. Arriving vehicles also received goodie bags that included Beast of Blood swizzle sticks (courtesy of Drive-In-Sanity Films) and complimentary anti-virus masks provided by the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association’s Broward County chapter. All 60 Beast of Blood 50th anniversary mugs, created by Thor, sold out in advance.
Annubis & Isis arrive and enter the costume contest.
We brought Mai-Kai mugs from home and a bag of ice from Sonic to enjoy the signature Barrel O’ Rum and special Blood Island Green Potion #2 featuring sponsor Appleton Estate Rum. The food from Iron Butt BBQ was delicious, pairing perfectly with The Mai-Kai’s potent cocktails. More traditional drive-in fare (freshly popped popcorn) was also offered by roving Mai-Kai servers. TRIBUTE RECIPE:Scroll down for our take on Blood Island Green Potion #2
The Mai-Kai’s refreshment stand served two other popular cocktails – the Jet Pilot and Mai Tai – along with a selection of beer, wine, soft drinks and water.
Many spirited guests came in full costume, and some bedecked their vehicles with flaming Tiki accouterments. Those who chose to enter the contest were filmed as they arrived. The clips were later edited together, and the resulting video was shown after the movie. A panel of judges picked the top three winners: Dr. Paul Bearer and Dolly, Death By Swizzle, and Annubis & Isis. As usual, the costumes included many movie and TV references (The Witches, What We Do in the Shadows, Spirited Away, The Walking Dead, et al.) as well as just-plain-wacky get-ups. PHOTO GALLERY:Scroll down to see scenes from Hulaween, plus all of the costumes
Once again, The Atomic Grog documented an entire 12 months of events in 2019, following the top Tiki and rum events, plus mid-century modern, surf and rockabilly music, Disney and other happenings of interest to the Tiki community. Check below for official artwork and links to the official sites along with our own unique coverage. Under many events, you’ll also find images and videos from social media plus links to news sites. NEW EVENTS: UPDATED 2020 CALENDAR Social media:Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest
Jan. 19 – The Mai-Kai Takeover in Fort Lauderdale. Special event: ‘Demerara Rum – The Mai-Kai’s Secret Weapon’ The Atomic Grog was pleased to present a special happy-hour talk during The Mai-Kai Takeover event on Jan. 19, presented by the Magical Tiki Meet-Up and Retro Rekindled. Click here to check out our full event recap, including photos and highlights of our Demerara rum discussion.
After 10 years, we know what to expect from The Mai-Kai’s infamous Hulaween party: A night of kooky costumes, rockin’ tunes and many cocktails consumed in the legendary Polynesian restaurant’s Molokai bar. The 2019 bash, held Oct. 25, lived up to those standards.
The 11th annual Hulaween, themed “Luau of the Living Dead,” featured South Florida’s favorite roots rock band, Slip and the Spinouts, playing three raucous sets. The dance floor was hoppin’ all night as guitarist/vocalist Slip Mahoney led his three-piece band through classic covers and his own original tunes.
The bar was decked out in creepy cobwebs and other decor while the signature Molokai Girls got into the spirit while keeping the food and drinks flowing. Halloween tunes got everyone warmed up for the first set by the Spinouts, which also included bassist Noah Hall and drummer Tony Tomei. It was the band’s ninth Hulaween appearance.
Axl and Slash are in the house. Now the party can really start.
By the time the band launched the closing number of their first set, Two Worn Out Boots, the dance floor was packed and the party was already in high gear. Other stand-out originals included 13 Miles and Seven Nights to Rock. These and other songs can be downloaded as mp3 singles from the band’s website. You can also buy CDs and T-shirts from the official Slip and the Spinouts store.
After the band’s second set, it was time for the always creative costume contest, with $600 in cash and prizes to the winners. The Mai-Kai’s manager, Kern Mattei, and marketing director, Pia Dahlquist, presided over the creepy chaos of the costume parade.
The Mai-Kai’s Hulaween, one of the highlights of South Florida’s Halloween party season, will feature a festive feast for the living and dead on Friday, Oct. 25. The 11th annual bash is titled “Luau of the Living Dead,” a theme befitting the historic Polynesian restaurant that will celebrate its 63rd anniversary at year’s end.
The baroque bacchanal begins with a full two hours of happy hour prices on food and drinks, plus retro Halloween tunes in The Molokai lounge. Once the spirits are satiated, roots rockers Slip and the Spinouts take the stage, turn up the volume and put the party into overdrive.
Slip and the Spinouts get into a groove as Hulaween 2018 kicks into high gear.
The band – led by guitarist/vocalist Slip Mahoney – will unearth its deadly mix of rock ‘n’ roll and rockabilly classics, with lethal original tunes liberally sprinkled throughout three sets. The Atomic Grog will also provide special Halloween music during happy hour and between sets. Doors open at 5, so get there early to get a good seat for the musical mayhem and one of the most creative costume contests in the area.
Participants always come up with wild and wacky costumes, often themed to Tiki and The Mai-Kai but also paying tribute to classic movie characters and Halloween archetypes. The contest takes place around 10 p.m. This year’s prizes are:
* First: $300 in cash, a bottle of Appleton Estate 21 rum signed by master blender Joy Spence, and a Hulaween 2019 poster signed by artist Mike Pucciarelli.
* Second: $200 in cash, Appleton merchandise, signed Hulaween poster.
* Third: $100 in cash, Appleton merchandise, signed Hulaween poster.
Appleton Rum is a perennial sponsor, providing not only prizes but also cocktail samples during the party. Spence, a legend in the rum world, signed a bottle of her 21-year-old rum that will be one of the first-place prizes during her August tasting and Appleton Estate presentation at The Mai-Kai. Click here to see full coverage and photos from this special event.
The Molokai Maidens welcome Hulaween 2018 guests.
Appleton, a venerable brand from Jamaica, is a key rum in many of the acclaimed cocktails at The Mai-Kai. You can find it in more than a dozen drinks, including the classic Mai Tai and deliciously deadly Shark Bite. The latter (plus the high-octane Jet Pilot) will be available at half price all night long as part of the bar’s nightly drink specials.
The Molokai, which was designed as a turn-of-the-century seaport saloon featuring actual set pieces from the classic 1962 movie Mutiny on the Bounty, boasts 51 specialty drinks and extensive menu of small and large plates. Pair your potent rum drink with a pupu platter and other vintage apps, sushi and sashimi, elaborate salads, and modern tapas including beef sliders and fish tacos. If you so desire, you can also adjourn to The Mai-Kai’s secluded dining rooms or take in the acclaimed Polynesian Islander Revue, the longest-running authentic South Seas stage show in the United States, including Hawaii.
Hulaween, South Florida’s Tiki-inspired and retro-themed Halloween bash, celebrates its 10th anniversary at The Mai-Kai in Fort Lauderdale on Friday, Oct. 26, with a “Back from the Dead” reunion party.
Returning for the eighth time to rock the house is veteran roots rock band Slip and the Spinouts, cranking out three sets of classic covers and originals in the historic restaurant’s Molokai lounge. Doors open at 5 p.m. for the bar’s extensive happy hour, featuring some 50 half-priced tropical drinks and dozens of appetizers. The festive mood is set by themed music and a fully-decorated bar, including the signature sarong-clad servers (aka Molokai Girls) in costume.
Slip Mahoney and Spinouts drummer Dominick Daniels keep the party hopping at Hulaween 2017. (Atomic Grog photo)
The live music kicks off at 7 as the always-creative costumed revelers get into the spirit of the festivities with some of the most clever and well-crafted creations. The costume contest happens around 10, with cash and prizes to the top three winners.
Guitarist/vocalist Slip Mahoney and his band will keep the party going late into the evening with an eclectic mix of styles, from blues to rockabilly to classic country to surf. The bar fills up fast, so get there early to reserve a table. The dance floor is always a sight to behold as costumed revelers shake, rattle and roll to the beat of the Polynesian Pop party.
Several of The Mai-Kai’s acclaimed tropical drinks will remain half-priced all night long, and Appleton Rum will also present specials and giveaways. New sponsor Drive-In-Sanity Films will provide ghoulish giveaways themed to its cult B-movies. The Atomic Grog blog is back as media sponsor and musical programmer for the seventh straight year. The exclusive artwork for Hulaween 2018 was created by South Florida artist Robert Jimenez.
Slip and the Spinouts scared up some monstrous mayhem at the ninth annual Hulaween party at The Mai-Kai in Fort Lauderdale. Living up to the theme “Monster Tiki Party,” the band and guests rocked for more than six hours on Oct. 27 in the legendary restaurant’s Molokai bar. See below:Exclusive Atomic Grog photo gallery
Slip and the Spinouts get the party started.
Halloween parties, themes and trends come and go. But The Mai-Kai and its annual bash serve as a festive mainstay, never failing to disappoint the retro-minded fans who flock to 60-year-old historic landmark on South Federal Highway. The costume contest annually draws a creative bunch of Tiki-loving guests who get in the spirit of the season with outfits that are both reverential and fun.
Amping the party up to 11, as usual, was South Florida rockabilly band Slip and the Spinouts, performing at their seventh Hulaween. Slip Mahoney and his tight, three-piece band performed three sets of classic roots rock and their own distinctive original tunes.
The trio of Slip Mahoney on guitar and vocals, Rodney Simioni on bass, and Dominick Daniels on drums were decked out for the occasion. During happy hour and between sets, The Atomic Grog presented a playlist of retro Halloween tunes with a monster slant.
The Molokai, which already has a dark and spooky vibe with its widows looking overlooking flaming torches and ominous tikis, was appropriately decorated with creepy decor. The Molokai Maidens, the bar’s distinctive sarong-clad servers, joined in on the fun with special make-up and costumes.
South Florida’s favorite roots and rockabilly band, Slip and the Spinouts, will scare up some monstrous mayhem on Friday, Oct. 27, at the ninth annual Hulaween party at the legendary Mai-Kai restaurant in Fort Lauderdale. The theme for this year’s retro-themed bash is “Monster Tiki Party,” and the highlights include an always irreverent costume contest with cash and prizes to the winners.
The festivities kick off with happy hour from 5 to 7 p.m. in the historic Mai-Kai’s nautical themed Molokai bar, featuring half-priced drinks and appetizers plus specially themed monster music curated by The Atomic Grog. This year’s Hulaween cocktail is the “Appleton Monster Barrel” featuring sponsor Appleton Rum. This month’s “Friday Flashback” cocktail, Last Rites, also fits perfectly with the theme.
Slip and the Spinouts perform in the Molokai bar during Hulaween 2016. (Atomic Grog photo)
The Appleton Monster Barrel is a new, enhanced version of the iconic Barrel O’ Rum featuring two rums from the venerable Jamaican brand. Last Rites is a cocktail from The Mai-Kai’s original 1956 menu that was retired decades ago. It made its first return from the grave at the 2012 Hulaween party.
There are many other dark and deadly drinks available, including the Black Magic and Shrunken Skull. In addition, the usual Friday night special features half-priced Jet Pilot and Shark Bite cocktails all night. The Mai-Kai’s drinks are considered among the best Tiki cocktails in the world, revered by such award-winning authors and bar owners as Jeff “Beachbum” Berry and Martin Cate.
The Molokai bar in the iconic Polynesian restaurant, established in 1956 and recently named to the National Register of Historic Places, will be transformed into a rockin’ retro shindig with The Mai-Kai’s acclaimed Tiki cocktails and classic pupu platters sharing the spotlight with the lively crowd of undead revelers.
Guests at Hulaween 2017 can enjoy the Appleton Monster Barrel featuring premium Appleton rums from Jamaica. (Atomic Grog photo)
Ghoulish guests also get half off from 5 to 7 on all of The Mai-Kai’s Polynesian appetizers and small plates, including favorites such as the Pupu Platter, crab, escargot, beef, pork, duck, octopus, sushi, vegetarian options, and lots more. If you haven’t explored all the menus recently, you’re missing out on the transformation led by chef Mark Rivera.
It’s also hard to resist the full-blown experience of The Mai-Kai’s famous Polynesian Islander Revue (est. 1961), the longest-running authentic South Seas stage show in the United States, including Hawaii. Friday’s showtimes are 7 and 9:30 p.m., so you can work it into your Hulaween experience. Or, if you prefer the dark and mysterious, adjourn to one of The Mai-Kai’s secluded dining rooms, or grab a table outside near a waterfall in the Tiki garden. To guarantee a seat, be sure to make advance reservations for dinner.
Artwork by Mike Pucciarelli (
