The historic carving by mid-century artist Barney West at the Mai-Kai in the 1960s and today. It was painstakingly restored in early 2026. (Photo by Hurricane Hayward / March 31, 2026)
Much care went into the $20 million restoration project during a four-year closing from late October 2020 until November 2024. The results were spectacular, but one major Mai-Kai icon still desperately needed some TLC as we entered 2026.
We’re happy to report that the vintage tiki by carver Barney West that has greeted guests along Federal Highway since the mid-1960s is now completely restored. It hasn’t looked this good in 30 years after decaying for decades, losing body parts like a zombie corpse.
Artist Tom Fowner speaks at the rededication ceremony for the vintage Tiki carving that he restored at the Mai-Kai. (Photos by “Tiki John” Atkins / March 31, 2026)
We can thank artist Tom Fowner, who did a massive rebuilding and sculpting job using foam and epoxy putty over several weeks. He then added a new paint job that pays tribute to the tiki’s original redwood finish, just in time for its dedication on March 31. “It’s not identical, but it’s close,” Fowner said.
We haven’t heard of any accidents on the busy highway, but it’s certain that many arriving guests are doing a double-take when they spot the 10-foot-tall carving, which now looks much as it did more than 60 years ago.
This story covers the restoration by the South Florida craftsman in great detail, including many photos taken before, during and after the work was done. The tiki is significant as one of the last remaining large carvings by West, whose works were installed around the United States during the heyday of Polynesian Pop.
The Mai-Kai gift shop is themed like an ornate trading post in Bangkok. The room adjacent to the rear gardens has a Chinese theme that matches its former use. (Photos by Hurricane Hayward / Feb. 10 and March 31, 2026)
Part of the nostalgia of the Mai-Kai is driven by the Mai-Kai Trading Company, the gift shop that offers guests unique souvenirs, Tiki mugs, artwork, jewelry, apparel, and lots more. This highly themed space behind the showroom recently received an overhaul, which we’ll explore below.
Along with continuing restoration efforts, the Mai-Kai also remains focused on its reimagination. The first phase of this work included a highly immersive new entry driveway, a spectacular fountain that simulates a volcanic caldera, and the perfectly imagined Bora Bora Bar under the refurbished porte-cochère. [See video]
The second phase is well under way with projects large and small. Some are hush-hush, but one major addition has been hard to ignore. This story will also include some news (plus photos) on the new guest space that can be seen rising up in the rear of the Mai-Kai.
Historic Tiki carving revived by South Florida artist
Barney West was a rugged artist who carved enormous icons from his shop, called Tiki Junction, in Sausalito, Calif.
For the past 62 years, the distinctive tiki carved by acclaimed artist Barney West has seen a lot from its perch on the northeast corner of the 2.7-acre Mai-Kai property, steps away from the neighboring furniture store.
The carving likely arrived at the Mai-Kai in early April 1964 with 10 other giant tikis created by West “ranging from one to six tons apiece,” according to an article in the Fort Lauderdale News. The story calls them “exact replicas and reproductions of the most dramatic statues found in the Polynesian and Melanesian islands.”
How much do people care about Florida Tiki and its past, present and future? That’s what I hoped to find out at Orlando’s Tiki-a-Go-Go in late March, when I was scheduled to host a multimedia presentation along with dozens of other distinguished experts in their fields. I hoped that a broad, sweeping approach to the topic would resonate with attendees of the third annual weekender, which attracts Tikiphiles from not just the Sunshine State but all over the country. Event preview:Tiki-a-Go-Go 2026 seminar to explore the past, present and future of Florida Tiki
Boy, was I right. It turns out people care a lot about Florida Tiki. The seminar, titled “Florida Tiki: The Good, the Bad and the Future of Polynesian Pop in the Sunshine State,” attracted an overflow crowd to the 100-seat presentation room at the Caribe Royale Resort at 11:30 a.m. on Sunday, March 29.
A view from the stage before The Atomic Grog’s Florida Tiki seminar at Tiki-a-Go-Go on March 29. (Photo by Hurricane Hayward)
It was the final event at the resort after three days of more than 30 symposiums and classes, dozens of guest cocktail bars and bartenders, live music (Los Straitjackets, The Neanderthals, et al.), artists and vendors, room parties, and more. But many apparently saved their energy for Sunday, and I’m flattered and honored at the turnout, which included people standing in the rear and spilling into the hallway.
I had done presentations on the final day of events before, so I knew that guest travel plans can limit potential attendees. Also, I was bumping right up against my friends Tommy and Kari Allsmiller’s Magical Tiki Meet Up at Walt Disney World that afternoon. We later caught up with everyone at the Polynesian Village Resort, and it appears that event’s turnout was just as strong, boosted by enthusiastic Tiki and Disney fans from California.
Hurricane Hayward after his Florida Tiki presentation at Tiki-a-Go-Go on March 29. (Atomic Grog photo)
As it happens, I was probably better off in that late time slot than sandwiched into the middle of the event alongside such luminaries as Shag, Sven Kirsten and Tim “Swanky” Glazner, who all filled the larger 200-seat rooms to capacity. Kudos to the event organizers for not only bringing together such an elite lineup, but deftly putting together a schedule that allowed everyone numerous entertaining and educational opportunities alongside the stellar drinks, music, and marketplace. Social media recap:Photos and video from Tiki-a-Go-Go
Florida Tiki encyclopedia available by mail
My research on Florida Tiki history led me down a rabbit hole that revealed more than 150 locations from the 1930s to today. Knowing that I couldn’t possibly mention them all in the presentation, I decided to compile and print a special handbook (designed by Mrs. Hurricane, aka Susan Hayward) that lists them all. The result is the first edition of Florida Tiki: The Encyclopedia of Polynesian Pop in the Sunshine State, an 8 1/2-by-11 booklet featuring a color cover and 24 total pages.
The front and back cover pages of the new Florida Tiki encyclopedia, produced by The Atomic Grog.
Thanks to researcher and writer “Tiki Tom” Duncan helping me flesh out more information than was available online, we dug up a dozen previously unknown venues. Tom and Tim “Swanky” Glazner also provided vintage images that were used in both the booklet and presentation.
The booklet breaks Florida Tiki down into three separate time periods: The Golden Era (1930s-1970s), the Dark Days and Early Revival (1980-2009), and the Current Era (2010 through today). Within each era are listings arranged chronologically within many different categories, including theme parks, roadside attractions, motels and resorts, apartments and condos, restaurants, bars, and retail locations. This running order gives you a good idea of how Florida Tiki evolved over time.
In addition, most listings include information on opening and closing dates, a short description and (in the case of many of the closed venues) details on what became of the site over time. Check out some sample pages below.
The Florida Tiki encyclopedia includes listings of locations from the original golden era through today.
Expecting a little more than 50 people to attend, we printed 60 copies for Tiki-a-Go-Go. (Mahalo to the Mai-Kai for sponsoring the first printing.) Many of the couples in attendance graciously agreed to share one copy, but we still didn’t have enough to go around. Because of this – and the overwhelming interest – we’re printing more of the first edition and offering them online at cost ($5 printing, $2 shipping).
In a state built on tourism, there’s a remarkably broad history of Tiki culture spread across Florida’s history books. From spectacular resorts to roadside dives, the legacy is rich with diversity.
The 21st century revival brought a creative new wave of authentic Tiki that Floridians continue to ride today, from events to new bars and restaurants. Are we in the midst of a new golden era of Polynesian Pop, or is the best yet to come?
Tiki Gardens, a 12-acre tropical wonderland in Indian Rocks Beach, was a Florida’s flagship Tiki attraction for nearly 25 years.
The Florida Tiki seminar will take place at 11:30 a.m. Sunday, the final event of a whirlwind weekend that will conclude later that day with the annual Magical Tiki Meet Up at Disney World’s Magic Kingdom and Polynesian Village Resort.
Hayward has documented 150 Tiki locations, from the 1930s to today (including two that will be part of Sunday’s meet-up). This includes resorts and roadside attractions, bars and restaurants, hotels and resorts, apartments and condos, retail outlets, and more. The seminar will break these down not only by category, but also by eras covering nearly 90 years of history.
A 24-page booklet featuring a comprehensive list of every Tiki venue in Florida history will be distributed during the Tiki-a-Go-Go seminar on March 29.
Guests attending the seminar will get several special treats, including 1961 home video footage of several vintage locations that has never been seen before (thanks to Tim “Swanky” Glazner). The presentation will include new images and information on historic venues, plus the latest updates on future projects in the works.
As an added bonus, the first 50 attendees will receive a 24-page booklet that documents all of the past and current Tiki sites. This professionally designed encyclopedia is full of photos, descriptions and details on each location’s lifespan. Thanks to Glazner and researcher/writer “Tiki Tom” Duncan for their assistance, plus Susan Hayward (Mrs. Hurricane) for the design.
There will also be a raffle to win new glassware created by Christie “Tiki Kiliki” White (The Tapa Room / Magic City Tiki Weekend) featuring logos of vintage Florida venues. Before you head off to the Magical Tiki Meet Up, be sure to stop by for an enlightening look at the state’s under-appreciated Polynesian Pop history.
Just three years old, an infant in terms of Tiki revival weekenders, Orlando’s Tiki-a-Go-Go has already grown into one of the premiere events on the annual calendar. This year’s gathering, happening March 27-29 at the Caribe Royale Resort, is loaded with some of the biggest names in the scene and chock full of activities for guests.
Not surprisingly, tickets sold out way in advance. We’ll be there to share a special presentation on the past, present and future of Tiki in the Sunshine State (Sunday at 11:30 a.m.). If you missed out on tickets, you can still meet up with the gathered masses at Sunday’s Magical Tiki Meet Up and Monday’s after-party at the Mai-Kai. PREVIEW:Tiki-a-Go-Go 2026 seminar to explore the past, present and future of Florida Tiki
Shag with his latest print, “The Happiest Place,” released March 21. The California artist designed special glassware and the event poster for Tiki-a-Go-Go 2026. (The Shag Store)
Launched in 2024 by two Florida couples with a passion for Tiki and retro Florida, Tiki-a-Go-Go has blossomed in a state that’s proving to be fertile ground for the subculture’s continued evolution. The event also attracts fans from around the country (and world), drawn to Central Florida’s robust and welcoming tourist market.
While the event has yet to encounter growing pains that have challenged other events (venue changes, pandemics, etc.), we see no signs of its popularity slowing down anytime soon. It can be daunting for newbies to negotiate the schedule’s vast array of activities, so we’ve tried to highlight some of the things we’re looking forward to below. SEE BELOW:Our Top 5 highlights | Basic daily schedule
Tiki-a-Go-Go 2026 event artwork by Shag.
March 27-29 – Tiki-a-Go-Go at the Caribe Royale Resort in Orlando. Featuring symposiums and classes (Shag, Kevin Kidney & Jody Daily, Sven Kirsten, Tiki Tony Murphy, Spike Marble, Garret Richard, Marie King, Tim “Swanky” Glazner, Henrik & Denise Van Ryzin, “Typhoon Tommy” Allsmiller, Scott “Flounder” Scheidly, et al.), guest cocktail bars and bartenders, live music (Los Straitjackets, The Neanderthals, The Sound Minds, The Swingin’ Palms, Skinny Jimmy Stingray), supper club, burlesque, artists and vendors, and more.
• Bonus event:Magical Tiki Meet Up on March 29 at the Magic Kingdom and Polynesian Village Resort at Walt Disney World.
• Tiki-a-Go-Go on social media: Instagram | YouTube | Facebook page and group
Last year’s event built on the success of the first, welcoming many top experts in their respective fields, plus some longtime favorite performers (Tikiyaki Orchestra, The Intoxicators, et al.). Guest bars and room parties kicked the nightly parties into high gear, and sponsors were abundant. The Caribe Royale is a large resort with vast convention space and a tropical environment dotted with pools and palm trees, adding to the festive atmosphere.
Not mentioned above or below is one other major strength of Tiki-a-Go-Go worth touting. The number of rum and spirits companies, bars and related industry participants is impressive, totaling around 40 sponsors. They range from Angostura to Tanduay, from Bar Tiki to The Honu, all contributing great products and aloha. More sponsors usually means more free samples and benefits for guests, which is always a good thing as event tickets don’t come cheap.
Tiki-a-Go-Go 2026: Top 5 things we don’t want to miss
In no particular order, here are five things we’re looking forward to during the whirlwind weekend.
Seminars
A focus on educational seminars on a wide range of topics is a foundational element of Tiki-a-Go-Go. The event space at the Caribe Royale allows for an extensive schedule. This includes topics as diverse as Asian Influences on Tiki Fashion (with Margo Scott) and Vintage Florida from DogLand to Skunk Apes (with Cathy Salustri), plus many deep dives into Tiki and Disney culture by notable experts.
Mixologist Dizz Fernandez makes cocktails for eager guests at Tiki-a-Go-Go 2024. This year he’ll join fellow Trader Sam’s skipper Kelly Merrell for a seminar on their respective enchanted Tiki bars. (Official photo)
The schedule includes 33 seminars and 14 classes and activities, most around an hour long, packed into 15 hours on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. It’s impossible to attend them all, of course, but if you plan your day wisely you can catch some fascinating presentations about topics you enjoy.
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.
The Mai-Kai’s general manager and beverage director, Cory Starr, introduced Mai-Kai Rum No. 1 during a Miami Rum Festival seminar (left) on Nov. 8. The next day, he was joined by Molokai Bar server Hannah Almanzar in serving up samples during the event’s grand tasting. (Photos by Hurricane Hayward)
Look for full coverage of the presentation hosted by ambassador Adrienne Stoner of Maison Ferrand in an upcoming deep dive into the 100-proof blend, which is being produced exclusively for the Mai-Kai. The quick answer to the burning question: Sorry, there is currently no plan for distribution outside of the Mai-Kai Trading Company gift shop.
It’s a unique rum that bypasses normal distribution, sent directly to the restaurant from the Caribbean via a bottling plant in southwest Florida. The blend of rums from historic stills in Barbados and Jamaica was a unanimous hit at the Coral Gables festival, including the main grand tasting event on Sunday, Nov. 9.
This story will offer a quick recap of the festival and look ahead at the upcoming release. But that’s not all. Starr gave us the exclusive inside scoop on many other exciting plans for the Mai-Kai during the 2025 holidays, plus more to come in 2026.
Special menu, early shows welcome Thanksgiving diners
The Mai-Kai will offer a special holiday dinner and show on Thanksgiving Day with two seatings: 2 p.m. (show at 3:30) and 5 p.m. (show at 6:30). The bars open at 1 p.m. with happy hour running from 4 until 7, offering most cocktails priced at 50% off.
A special dinner menu is available, along with the full regular menu. Thanksgiving meals include a choice of three appetizers, entrees and desserts for $75. Main courses are Huli Huli BBQ Turkey, Palm Sugar Salmon, and Kalua Roast Pork. [See the menu online]
If you want to attend the dinner show, it must be booked separately online through the official website. Tables are filling up fast, so make your reservations now.
Mai-Kai Rum No. 1 set for Black Friday release
After shopping yourself ragged in search of holiday gifts, treat yourself (or the special rum lover in your life) to a very special present on Friday, Nov. 28. During the release party that begins at 5 p.m. in both the Molokai and Bora Bora bars, you’ll be among the first to be able to pick up a bottle (or more) of Mai-Kai Old Style Special Rum Number One.
The rum will be priced at $75 for an embossed one-liter bottle in a custom box, both featuring distinctive Mai-Kai imagery. It will also be available by the case (six bottles) for $400, Starr said. The gift shop will also have some special exclusive merch and offers available during the party.
Also look for a special menu of Rum No. 1 cocktails at the event, including a flight of classics.These may include the Mai Tai and Zombie, which were served at the Nov. 6 sneak preview event.
In addition to the cocktail flight, you will be able to buy small samples of the rum at the bar to try it out. A new sipping rum menu is in the works. Starr said he’s been collecting rums since he joined the team as beverage director before the reopening last year. The rum list, which will likely be paired with the after-dinner drinks and desserts on a combined menu, will favor quality over quantity, Starr said. “We’re going to start with around 50, then get to 100 at some point.”
Beverage director Cory Starr pours cocktails and serves samples of Mai-Kai Rum No. 1 during a sneak preview event in the Molokai Bar on Nov. 6. (Photos by Hurricane Hayward)
Like other Fridays this month, the 28th will also include live music in the Molokai Bar with Smerks and the Night Mares performing from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Makani Ryel will entertain Bor Bora Bar guests starting at 5 p.m..
The Miami Rum Festival offered guests a unique chance to learn about (and taste) Mai-Kai Rum No. 1 at a Nov. 8 seminar at the Coral Gables Marriott hosted by Adrienne Stoner, an ambassador for Maison Ferrand and all of its brands. The French company also owns the West Indies Rum Distillery in Barbados, where the Mai-Kai rum is blended and shipped to Florida. A portion of the blend also includes rum from historic pot stills at the Long Pond Distillery in Jamaica, where Maison Ferrand shares ownership.
Stoner gave us an inside peek at both distilleries and profiled some of the key members of the team who craft the rums. She broke down the historic stills and some of the key components in Rum No. 1, most notably JAWS – a unique, high-ester rum sourced from the historic Vulcan pot still that dates back to the 19th century.
Beverage director Cory Starr (left) and Maison Ferrand ambassador Adrienne Stoner discuss Mai-Kai Rum No. 1 during a seminar at the Miami Rum Renaissance Festival on Nov. 8. (Photo by Hurricane Hayward)
We enjoyed a neat sip along with Starr’s updated version of the Mai-Kai’s Planters Punch as Stoner explained the rum’s creation and distillation process in Barbados. We also tasted a 120-proof sample of the JAWS rum, which is considered to be the first long fermentation, high-ester rum component crafted in Barbados in the past 80 years. You can clearly see how this is the key element in the Mai-Kai blend.
On Nov. 9, the festival hosted dozens of rum brands, including the Mai-Kai, for more than four hours of tastings at the historic Coral Gables Woman’s Club. Starr was joined by Mai-Kai manager Salomé Sepulveda and Molokai Bar server Hannah Almanzar in greeting guests and serving samples in their colorfully branded booth. They also passed out Starr’s reconfigured version of the Mai-Kai’s classic Bora Bora cocktail featuring the new rum.
Right next door was a booth from Roneros Rum Brand Makers, the firm that developed the Mai-Kai rum’s distinctive branding, packaging and marketing. This includes the new MaiKaiRum.com website, which features the story behind the rum as well as more than a dozen cocktail recipes you can try after you pick up a bottle. If you’re feeling crafty, you can even submit your own.
Bar manager Michael DeMahy makes the Bora Bora and Zombie cocktails using Mai-Kai Rum No. 1 at the Nov. 6 sneak preview event in the Molokai Bar. (Photos by Hurricane Hayward)
Lucky attendees at the Nov. 6 sneak preview in the Molokai Bar got a head start and were able to take a bottle home when Starr released a small batch for purchase. Some 30 or so guests were treated to samples of Mai-Kai Rum No. 1 plus four different Mai-Kai cocktails, shaken up to order in the “poop deck” area of the bar by Starr and bar manager Michael DeMahy. It was a rare chance to see these two master mixologists in action close-up in the Molokai, where drinks are usually made in secret in the back bar.
Two of the cocktails – the Planters Punch and Bora Bora – are reconfigured versions of classics featuring a full serving of the new rum. Both are noticeable improvements that will likely find their way onto the permanent menu in their reimagined form. Those who tasted them raved about both.
The two others we tasted, the Mai Tai and Zombie, were also excellent versions featuring a hefty dose of the new 100-proof rum. These two “No. 1 versions” will likely remain special menu items, Starr said, served in addition to the classic variations that feature blends of multiple rums and are tried-and-true favorites.
This won’t be the case for every cocktail, but Starr promised other off-menu drinks featuring the new rum. Deciding which drinks get which treatment is still a work in progress. Most cocktails that were designed to include a “dark Jamaican” style rum will simply be updated to include the new rum instead of the Mai-Kai’s previous blend that has been in use since the Kohala Bay brand stopped production in 2017.
The rum will be stealthily added, and Starr noted that the intention is that it goes undetected to most guests. “We’ll roll them out, but I don’t know when,” he said. “It’s more like a secret kind of rollout so people don’t really notice it happening. It’s going to be kind of a slow change.”
The Mai-Kai has long sought a proper replacement for Kohala Bay, and now thanks to the new ownership team and managing partner Bill Fuller, it has become a reality.
12 Drinks of Christmas, limited-edition mug highlight jolly holidays
The Mai-Kai has not leaned into the holidays in a big way since 2019, when it introduced its first lineup of Christmas drinks to pair with festive but tasteful decor. In the years since, the thirst for Christmas pop-up bars has grown exponentially.
Last year’s holidays came too quick after the reopening, but Starr and bar manager Michael DeMahy have an ambitious lineup of themed cocktails planned for 2025. Dubbed the “12 Drinks of Christmas,” these limited-time cocktails will be split among menus in the Molokai and Bora Bora bars, plus the showroom. This is even more than we enjoyed during the recent month of Hulaween hijinx.
The Christmas Rum Barrel Mug was created for the Mai-Kai by John Mulder of Eeekum Bookum. (Official photo)
Similar to Halloween, it will be a month-long celebration that Starr said they hope to kick off on Monday, Dec. 1. Be sure to mark your calendar for Wednesday, Dec. 3, when a special holiday mug will be introduced at an event attended by its creator. Doors open at 4 p.m.
Starr tapped a noted Florida mug designer, John Mulder of Eeekum Bookum in St. Petersburg, to craft and produce a special limited edition Christmas Rum Barrel Mug.
You can buy the mug in the gift shop for $125, but it’s a limited run of 250, so don’t delay. There will be two versions: A very limited 50 green and white barrels, and 200 of a more traditional brown Barrel, Starr said. There is a limit of one mug per person when you shop in the Mai-Kai Trading Post.
Master of ceremonies Lono and members of the Mai-Kai’s Polynesian Islander Revue. (Mai-Kai photo, January 2025)
Performers from the past to return for anniversary events
The events will include a reunion of past performers from the Polynesian Islander Revue, which dates back to 1961 and has long been considered the longest running authentic South Seas stage show in the United States. The driving force of the troupe for more than five decades was Mai-Kai matriarch Mireille Thornton, who joined the restaurant’s original show in the early 1960s and went on to become not only its choreographer and spiritual leader, but eventual owner of the restaurant. She married owner Bob Thornton, assuming leadership of the family empire when he passed away in 1989.
Mireille Thornton was a dancer and choreographer of the Mai-Kai’s Polynesian Islander Revue from the early 1960s through 2020. (Mai-Kai photo)
Two of her children ran the day-to-day operations, but it was “Mrs. T,” as she’s lovingly known, who eventually saved the Mai-Kai when she signed off on the sale to historic preservationist Bill Fuller of Barlington Group in September 2021. [Past coverage] Now in her 80s and retired to north Florida, the native of Tahiti consulted on the revival of the stage show she led for more than 50 years when it returned in November 2024. [See video]
The performances are now being guided by longtime emcee Lono, who has taken over as Polynesian cultural director after the departure of Teuruhei Kalaniu’i Buchin in August. We’re told that Lono, who started with the Mai-Kai in 2009 and spent a decade under Thornton’s wing, is working on plans to bring back some of the classic show elements, though we may not see those changes until 2026.
Many of the show’s original members and backing band were accomplished performers in the South Pacific. Now, more than 60 years later, the Mai-Kai has its own cultural legacy.
Multiple members of the troupe have been there for decades, and several are second and third generation Mai-Kai. Dancer Varua (aka Nicholas Mattei) is the son of longtime manager Kern Mattei. His grandmother was in the show and his mother was a Molokai Girl. [See video] Michael, the AV director and Lono’s assistant, is Mireille Thornton’s grandson.
With this spirit of ‘ohana (or family) in mind, the Mai-Kai is inviting back many past performers for the anniversary weekend. You’ll even be able to see some of them perform on stage during the Saturday dinner shows. The formal anniversary celebration Sunday. Starr teased other additions to the weekend, including bands in the Molokai and Bora Bora bars.
A new event center is being built on the other side of this wall along the back corridor in the Mai-Kai’s outdoor garden. (Photo by Hurricane Hayward, May 2025)
New event center will complete Mai-Kai reimagination in 2026
Last but not least, Starr confirmed that preliminary work has begun on a new event center that will occupy back-of-house space adjacent to the kitchen that was formerly used for storage. When asked if it’s moving forward, he replied: “It definitely is.”
This large multi-purpose space will be available for a wide range of special events, from weddings and reunions, to corporate meetings, to music and social events such as The Hukilau. The plans for this addition were approved along with all of the Phase 1 enhancements back in 2022, but this part of the project was put on hold to expedite the November 2024 reopening. Related coverage:The Hukilau returns to the Mai-Kai for five days of Tiki festivities
The Mai-Kai’s new event center will be accessed via a door in the old Chinese oven room, which has been reimagined by creative director “Typhoon Tommy” Allsmiller. The lettering was salvaged from the outside of the building. (Photos by Hurricane Hayward, February-March 2025)
The public will access the event center via a door in the renovated room that used to house the kitchen’s Chinese ovens. This area was redesigned by creative director “Typhoon Tommy” Allsmiller with a lavish Chinese theme to match the building and surrounding area. The outside of the building, which appears dilapidated but is actually a clever feat of themed design, features a new Chinese saying across the top after the old lettering was moved inside. [Previous coverage]
• Spike’s Breezeway:Watch a video tour with Typhoon Tommy
This room is accessible both via the dining rooms and the outdoor garden. The plan also calls for the new corridor in the southwest corner of the garden to feature a door into the event center. This large area can also be used for the events.
The back-of-house area that contained the large storage room and massive 1970s-era kitchen remains without a roof after the October 2020 collapse that precipitated the Mai-Kai’s closing, sale and $20 million restoration. A new, smaller kitchen was built in old offices and other spaces that survived the roof collapse. Additional temporary kitchen structures were added to the open space in order for the restaurant to serve its thousands of loyal guests when it reopened last November.
Plans presented during a city of Oakland Park online meeting in 2022 show the future event center (left) and kitchen highlighted by managing partner Bill Fuller. The area in blue is the current bar and kitchen.
But now, after chef Justin Sherrer took over in March, the Mai-Kai is preparing for a change. The Phase 2 project includes a reconfiguration of the kitchen, as detailed in an earlier report. Some of the temporary buildings will be removed, and it’s possible the old Chinese ovens will return in some form.
The plans have changed slightly since Allsmiller’s original 2022 designs for a large, enclosed A-frame structure. [See 2022 coverage] It will remain a large A-frame, but we’re told it’s probably going to be more of an indoor-outdoor space, not unlike the new Bora Bora Bar under the old entry porte-cochère. [Past coverage]
“It’s not exactly the same, but it’s in the same vein,” Starr said. As for an opening timeframe, he said they’re planning for it to be available in 2026. “It will be done as soon as we can,” he said.
Mai-Kai Rum No. 1 to make a splash during 2025 Miami Rum Renaissance Festival
There will be multiple ways to enjoy the long-awaited signature rum as part of the 16th annual Miami Rum Festival. Enjoy a sneak preview Thursday at the Mai-Kai, learn more at Saturday’s seminar day in Miami, then sip along with hundreds of other spirits at Sunday’s Grand Tasting.
Mai-Kai’s Hulaween party returns from the dead in 2025
The historic restaurant was transformed into a haunted Polynesian island during October, culminating with the 13th Hulaween party on Oct. 31 in the Molokai and Bora Bars.
Mai-Kai October update: Hulaween returns bigger than ever, new food menu debuts
Halloween revelry and artistic decor have engulfed the historic South Florida restaurant all month with multiple special events. Check out the full preview, plus a recap of all the past happenings and a detailed look at the new food menu, plus more.
Halloween cocktails invade the Mai-Kai for October
Featuring fire, smoke and detailed theming, the new drinks capture the spirit of the season. Check out our ratings and reviews of these scary offerings, plus other recent special cocktails.
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.
You’ve seen them on social media. Grinning guests at South Florida’s historic Mai-Kai restaurant, posing in front of an array of distinctive icons and immersive features that immediately tell you where they are.
The Mai-Kai’s volcanic caldera and indoor tiki garden are two of the many one-of-a-kind photo locations spotlighted by Hurricane Hayward. (Atomic Grog photos, April 2025)
Your first instinct is to be happy for them, to give them a “like” and even a “wish I was there with you!” comment. But it’s also hard to suppress the jealousy. You might wonder: “Why didn’t I think of that photo spot?”
We’re here to help you, as well as the many newbies who may be making their first visit and feel overwhelmed when confronted with the 2.7-acre property filled with dozens of scenic vistas. Take your time and enjoy the moment, of course. But you want to return home with some cool memories of your visit.
That’s why we’ve created this guide to getting those classic shots of you and your friends and family on your next trip to the Mai-Kai. These 16 locations are the ones that scream “Mai-Kai!” with no explanation needed. We could have added a dozen more exotic areas to photograph, both with and without smiling faces in your viewfinder. But we’re sure you’ll discover those on your own. SEE THE TOP 16:Jump straight to the tour below
Watch the “Mai Kai Photo Safari” episode of Spike’s Breezeway Cocktail Hour before, during or after checking out the detailed guide below. (Spike’s Breezeway)
When we told Matt “Spike” Marble about our plans for this guide, he jumped at the chance to film an exclusive walk-through video of these 16 must-capture images during his visit this summer. We were joined by model Brittany on July 20 for what became the “Mai Kai Photo Safari” episode on his popular YouTube channel, Spike’s Breezeway Cocktail Hour.
Our guide to the essential Mai-Kai photos, as documented on Spike’s Breezeway Cocktail Hour with model Brittany, includes both classic and new locations. (Photos by Spike Marble, July 2025)
A professional photographer, Marble also shot still images of the Mai-Kai during his week-long visit. Some of the more casual shots he posted on social media are included in this story. Click here to see more photos and coverage of Marble’s tour with Allsmiller, and look back at our original story on our video tour of the photo locations.
The world’s first (and largest) multi-day event celebrating the Polynesian Pop revival celebrated its 25th anniversary with a bang Aug. 6-10, when Tiki Oasis literally took over the sprawling Town and Country Resort in San Diego. Thousands of guests enjoyed five days of non-stop fun with more than 25 musical guests and 30 DJs, 50 seminars on an endless array of topics, a Tiki marketplace packed with 150+ artists and vendors, plus lots more.
Medusirena performs with The Tikiyaki Orchestra on Aug. 7 during Tiki Oasis 2025. (Photo by Hurricane Hayward)
Tiki Oasis 25th anniversary: Aug. 6-10, 2025, at the Town and Country Resort in San Diego, featuring live entertainment (The Blue Hawaiians, The Bomboras, Lenny Kaye, The Ghastly Ones, The Hula Girls, Martini Kings, The Tikiyaki Orchestra), DJs, seminars and classes (Sven Kirsten, Charles Phoenix, Kevin Lively, Ian Burrell, King Kukulele, Medusirena), artists and vendors, cocktails and room parties, plus much more. Official program:See all the participating guests, artists, and events Listen to the bands:Tiki Oasis 2025 playlist on Spotify
We were privileged to attend and participate in this historic happening, teaming up with the Mai-Kai’s Cory Starr and “Typhoon Tommy” Allsmiller for the presentation Sneak Peek into the Historic Mai-Kai’s Secret Bar on Saturday (Aug. 9). Check out the photos below from our seminar and others. The warm welcome was much appreciated, and we hope to return next year for Tiki Oasis 26.
The main performance stage was a blast from the past, with some of the event’s most notable bands returning for the 25th anniversary event’s nightly concerts. We posted videos of some of the bands in a playlist on our YouTube channel. They’re also playable below, along with other performance clips.
The Don the Beachcomber brand was represented at Tiki Oasis 2025 by Erin Sullivan (left) and beverage director Marie King serving cocktails, and creative director Justin Peterson selling merchandise in the marketplace. (Photos by Hurricane Hayward, August 2025)
Naturally, Tiki Oasis features the world’s largest marketplace catering to all things Tiki, where you could find just about anything your heart desires. Live music and pop-up bars enhanced the experience, captured in many marketplace images shared below.
Speaking of pop-up bars, the nightly room parties were another highlight as both professional and home bartenders hosted events small and large, serving both classic and creative new cocktails. See photos and video below and also try the recipe for a great drink we enjoyed at the Mcbiff Cocktail Hour party.
It wasn’t hard to find friends and VIPs everywhere with the event attracting some of the top names in the Tiki revival for its many activities and events. A list of everything we enjoyed would be extensive, so we thought a selection of social media posts would be the best way to showcase the overall vibe as well as the good time had by all.
Among the many seminars at Tiki Oasis 2025 were Ian Burrell (left) discussing the finer points of Jamaican Rum, and Adrian Eustaquio exploring the history of the Tiki-Ti and founder Ray Buhen. (Photos by Hurricane Hayward, August 2025)
Mahalo to everyone who shared photos and video on public online social media pages. We’ve tried to include as many varied posts as possible. If we missed you and you’d like to be included, just shoot us a message on Facebook or Instagram.
Rewind to the summer of 2001: Sven Kirsten’s The Book of Tiki, the influential bible of what would become known as the Polynesian Pop renaissance, was less than a year old. Beachbum Berry’s Grog Log, which lit the fuse of the Tiki cocktail revival, was barely 3. Tiki Central, which would explode into an online gathering place for enthusiasts from around the world, was a year away from leaving Yahoo to become a stand-alone website. The first modern Tiki bar (Taboo Cove in Las Vegas, designed by Bosko Hrnjak) would not open until September.
Official Tiki Oasis artwork by Derek Yaniger: The 2005 event was the last in Palm Springs. This year will mark the event’s 25th anniversary, and 20th year in San Diego.
Into this pubescent scene burst Tiki Oasis, making its debut as the world’s first all-encompassing event dedicated to celebrating the art, architecture, cocktails, fashion, music, history and overarching aesthetics of the forgotten 20th century pop culture craze that took hold in the 1930s, peaked in the 1950s and ’60s, but never really went away. A new generation, led by a loosely knit clan of California bohemians, was fully immersed in creating a new movement that has lasted well into the 21st century. Tiki Oasis became their playground.
It’s still called the Tiki “revival,” but there seems to be no end in sight. The scene remains joined at the hip with Tiki Oasis, begun humbly by Otto and Baby Doe von Stroheim in Palm Springs. Otto was instrumental in both documenting the golden days and nurturing the nascent movement in his Tiki News fanzine (1995-2001). He also put together the first big Tiki music event (Exoticon ’95) and the genre’s first major art show (21st Century Tiki, 1996), both in Los Angeles.
He was also long notorious for his wild backyard Tiki parties featuring vintage mugs and cocktails, authentic music, and just a touch of anarchy that came naturally for the generation that grew up on punk and other underground subcultures. After he joined forces in 1996 with the creator of the Baby Doe’s Obsessed website, they set their sights on bigger and better events. She produced the first-ever burlesque convention, Tease-O-Rama, in 2001.
Tiki Oasis began as fundraiser for historic hotel
Baby Doe and Otto von Stroheim visit the Mai-Kai and manager Kern Mattei in January 2025. (Photo by Hurricane Hayward)
The original intent of Tiki Oasis – which made its debut on Aug. 18, 2001 – was altruistic: Raising money and awareness to preserve the vintage Caliente Tropics Resort in Palm Springs. The first year was modest, featuring around 50 guests. But the event grew rapidly over the next four years, selling out the small hotel and precipitating a move to San Diego in 2006. (The hotel has not only survived, it has thrived amid the Tiki revival, serving as the current host venue of the long-running Tiki Caliente and Circa Caliente events.)
The popularity of both Tiki culture and Tiki Oasis exploded during the next 14 years at the Crowne Plaza (formerly the historic Hanalei Hotel), expanding into a five-day event that has defined the concept of “Tiki weekender” for a new generation. The von Stroheims also added new events to their portfolio, including Arizona Tiki Oasis in Scottsdale (2019-present) and Resort-O-Rama in Santa Rosa, Calif. (2023).
• 2014 flashback: 5 questions with Otto von Stroheim
Tiki Oasis spent one year at the expansive Paradise Point Resort during the COVID restrictions of 2020, then moved in 2021 to the Town and Country Resort, where it has remained for five years. The 23-acre property in Mission Valley oozes mid-century style and charm.
The Town and Country Resort provides the perfect setting for a salute to mid-century Tiki culture. (Photo by Hurricane Hayward, August 2023)
The event takes over the entire 600+ rooms and nearly 300,000 square feet of indoor/outdoor event space. Originally built in 1953 as a roadside lodge, the Town and Country has a rich history that was honored during a major renovation in 2019.
Tiki Oasis will honor its legacy, as well as the early days of the revival, with several symposiums this year. On Friday, Aug. 8, at 9:30 a.m., Sven Kirsten will host The Book of Tiki Turns 25, discussing how photographing and collecting the remnants of the lost mid-century culture led him to understand its unique qualities, and how that convinced him of the importance of documenting and preserving it.
The von Stroheims have lined up an array of guest speakers for 25 Years of Tiki Oasis, hosted by David “Dr. Skipper” Marley at 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 9. They promise “rarely seen photos and untold stories from Tiki Oasis’ past, followed by a lively Q&A.”
History, reimagination of legendary Mai-Kai back bar to be revealed
The Atomic Grog’s seminar for Tiki Oasis 2025, “Sneak Peek into the Historic Mai-Kai’s Secret Bar,” will explore the mysterious space from the early days of mixologist Mariano Licudine through the reimagination by “Typhoon Tommy” Allsmiller and bar program of Cory Starr. (Photo by Hurricane Hayward)
We’ll reveal details and show exclusive photos of the multimillion-dollar restoration that preceded the November 2024 relaunch after a four-year closing due to extensive damage to the back of house kitchen and bar. Given a clean slate to rebuild, Allsmiller took the former utilitarian space to a new level and made it a showpiece that’s now on the same level as the guest areas, some of which date back to the 1956 opening.
Starr will serve up a reinvigorated classic cocktail from those early days, enhanced by a new rum that’s due to be released in the coming weeks. We’ll also serve samples of Mai-Kai Rum No. 1, a 100-proof blend sourced from historic stills at the West Indies Rum Distillery in Barbados and the Long Pond Distillery in Jamaica. Event attendees will be among the first to get a taste of the final product. Related: Mai-Kai Rum No. 1 coming soon, symposium and tasting planned for Tiki Oasis
Hundreds of Tikiphiles flocked to Inuhele: Atlanta’s Tiki Weekend at the end of January for three days of artists and vendors, live music and entertainment, rum and cocktail tastings, plus a healthy dose of “edutainment.” The Omni hotel and Trader Vic’s were abuzz Jan 24-26 as enthusiastic guests enjoyed seminars and presentations on a wide range of topics. Previous coverage:Event overview, plus photos and video on social media
The Luau Lads (Kurt Rogers and Michael Bloom) and Tiki Lindy were among the rum and mixology experts at Inuhele 2025 in Atlanta. (Photos by Hurricane Hayward)
We gained a new appreciation for the work of pioneering artist Bosko, got mixology tips from the Luau Lads and Tiki Lindy, and received an exclusive update on the future of the Don the Beachcomber restaurants and upcoming book. The Atomic Grog was privileged to participate with an update on the reimagination and reopening of the Mai-Kai. Previous coverage:Don the Beachcomber brand closes maiden venue, but navigates rough seas with dynamic expansion plans
This was a follow-up to our 2023 symposium, Okole Maluna! The Return of The Mai-Kai, when we revealed details and a sneak peek at what would become an ambitious $20 million project that’s still ongoing. After the grand reopening in November, there was a lot new to report.
The famous “Mai-Kai that never was” painting by Al Kocab of a planned design that was abandoned before the 1970 expansion. It’s available as a 4-by-6-inch postcard, suitable for framing, in the restaurant gift shop along with 14 others for just $2 each. Click for larger image.
Following are some of the highlights of our slideshow, including two walk-through videos with creative director “Typhoon Tommy” Allsmiller. Click on the images for a larger view. Below are notes pertaining to each slide.
Paradise Reimagined: Deep Inside the Mai-Kai Restoration
Presented at Inuhele in Atlanta on Jan. 26, 2025 Historic photos from the Mai-Kai, Tim “Swanky” Glazner, and other sources. Current and recent photos by Hurricane Hayward and the Mai-Kai unless noted.
↑ Charles McKirahan was one of the foremost architects of the Mid-Century Modern movement. The Mai-Kai design was Inspired by Canlis in Hawaii, featuring a 40-foot steel A-frame allowing an open main area, flanked by dining rooms. McKirahan was responsible for some of South Florida’s most iconic buildings of that era.
↑ After attending Stanford University, Bob and Jack Thornton borrowed money from their parents and went on to create the biggest Tiki temple of them all. The Mai-Kai grossed $1 million during its first full year of operation (1957) as the 150 seat-restaurant served 1,000 customers a night. The colorized image is available as a 4-by-6 postcard in the gift shop.
