About Atomic Grog

LATEST SPECIAL FEATURES & EVENTS

EXCLUSIVE: See The Atomic Grog’s full Tiki-a-Go-Go 2026 symposium and order the new encyclopedia of Florida Tiki
Thanks to the great turnout for “Florida Tiki: The Good, the Bad and the Future of Polynesian Pop in the Sunshine State,” we’re sharing the full seminar slideshow on the blog along with the results of the voting for the state’s top Tiki location. While supplies last, you can also order the 24-page booklet that details the 150 historic and current sites across Florida. CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL STORY or the direct links below.
• Purchase a printed copy of Florida Tiki: The Encyclopedia of Polynesian Pop in the Sunshine State.
• Find out who won the balloting for favorite current bar or restaurant.
• See an online version of the presentation at Tiki-a-Go-Go.
Preview: Tiki-a-Go-Go seminar to explore the past, present and future of Florida Tiki

Photo and video tour: 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.

The Tiki Talk Show
The Ma-Kai was a sceneic setting for a fun chat about my Tiki journey and the return of the Polynesian Palace. There’s also an audio version on Spotify, Apple Music and other services. [Links here]

Okole Maluna Society: The Mai-Kai Cocktail Guide
Hurricane Hayward reviews and rates the historic restaurant’s current and past tropical drinks, plus reveals a treasure trove of ancestor and exclusive tribute recipes.

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

WHAT IS THE ATOMIC GROG?

Updated April 2026

The Atomic Grog is a blog and promotion company that specializes in Tiki culture and its music, art and cocktail scenes. Founded by journalist Jim “Hurricane” Hayward in April 2011, The Atomic Grog features regular updates on events and concerts, cocktail recipes and reviews, plus special features on retro culture.

In December 2022, Hayward retired from newspaper journalism after more 40 years as an editor, web producer and writer at The Palm Beach Post and Miami Herald. He earned his nickname by virtue of both his potent tropical concoctions and his role producing The Post‘s online coverage of tropical weather for decades.

The Atomic Grog was originally an extension of Hayward’s Slammie Productions (est. 1992), one of South Florida’s most recognizable indie concert promotion companies of the 1990 and 2000s. Slammie concerts included everyone from legendary surf guitarist Dick Dale, to punk patriarchs, to ska, alternative and metal. Slammie was a driving force in the local music scene, booking early shows by Dashboard Confessional, Further Seems Forever, New Found Glory, Marilyn Manson, Nonpoint, and many others. Hayward and Slammie also had a hand in booking such top national acts as A.F.I., Blink 182, Deftones, Fall Out Boy, Fugazi, Iron Maiden, Korn, My Chemical Romance, NOFX, Pennywise, Slayer and many more. The company’s signature event in the 1990s was the South Florida Slammie Awards, which ran for eight years and honored the area’s massive (at the time) local scene.

But The Atomic Grog quickly took aim at much more than the music. As the site’s banner states, the focus is on “events, music, art, cocktails and culture.” Since 2008, Hayward has been involved with The Hukilau, the largest Tiki-themed event on the East Coast, as a coordinator, official blogger, symposium host and cocktail class instructor. The Fort Lauderdale event is a whirlwind of live music, informative symposiums, cocktail classes and seminars, VIP meet-and-greets, artists, vendors, and more.

Since 2020, The Atomic Grog has become the most reliable source of information on the closing, sale, restoration and grand reopening of the Mai-Kai, the historic Polynesian restaurant in Fort Lauderdale and Hayward’s hometown Tiki bar for decades. The blog takes readers inside the hallowed halls with the latest news, photos, and exclusive insights you can’t get anywhere else.

Hayward has hosted multimedia presentations on the Mai-Kai at some of the major Tiki events across the country: Inuhele in Atlanta (2023, 2025 and 2026), Tiki Oasis in San Diego (2023 and 2025), and Tiki-a-Go-Go in Orlando (2024 and 2026).

The latest of many symposiums at The Hukilau was Total Tiki Immersion: How Reimagined Landscaping Takes the Mai-Kai to the Next Level with Jesse Muller from Perry-Becker Design in 2025. His first was The Menus of the Mai-Kai: 60 Years of Tiki Cocktail History in 2017.

Hayward hosted two special events at The Hukilau 2019: The Rums of the Mai-Kai: The Classic Tiki Template, a sold-out Okole Maluna Cocktail Academy class featuring rum collector Stephen Remsberg; and The Rums of the Mai-Kai: From the Back Bar to Your Glass, a presentation, discussion and back-bar tour at the Mai-Kai featuring author and rum expert Matt Pietrek. One year before, his 2018 cocktail academy class How to Mix Like the Mai-Kai also sold out.

Hayward’s involvement in The Hukilau, which draws hundreds of revelers annually from around the world, opened his eyes to the much wider Tiki scene and its many diverse, creative and fun-filled festivities. He’s also become known for his tropical drink mixology, thanks in large part to the influence of South Florida’s iconic Mai-Kai restaurant. Open since 1956, the Mai-Kai is a mid-century marvel, beloved by Tiki and Polynesian Pop enthusiasts from around the world. The Atomic Grog’s Mai-Kai Cocktail Guide is a unique resource for tropical drink enthusiasts who flock to Fort Lauderdale to sample these one-of-a-kind creations.

The Okole Maluna Society features in-depth news and insights, plus comprehensive reviews and recipes for nearly every Mai-Kai cocktail, past and present. Hayward’s original and re-interpreted recipes have gained a worldwide following and have been featured at bars in the United States and abroad. Hayward’s recipes have also been featured on such national websites as Uproxx and the James Beard Award-winning online magazine Punch. The blog now includes a comprehensive list of more than 200 recipes.

Despite its emphasis on The Hukilau, the blog doesn’t ignore the rest of the Tiki scene. The Tiki Times is comprehensive list of all the major events across the world. It also includes rum events, plus modernism, surf and rockabilly music, Disney and other happenings of interest to the Tiki community. It’s continually updated with images and links, plus a recap of past events featuring photos and video. When the coronavirus pandemic hit in March 2020, Hayward posted a comprehensive story on how to help struggling Tiki bars by visting their online shops and contributing to fundraisers. It became an essential resource with its continual updates through the end of 2022.

A big part of the Tiki scene is the great artwork and artists, which are featured regularly along with The Atomic Grog’s unique take on cocktails and culture. The blog offers readers a wild ride on the ever-growing wave of Tiki culture.

Why Tiki? This modern reinterpretation of mid-century Polynesian and Hawaiian kitsch is actually an honest-to-goodness underground movement, driven by the many talented artists, musicians and cocktailians in true do-it-yourself fashion. To borrow from legendary DJ and writer Jay Strongman’s introduction to his 2008 book, Tiki Mugs: Cult Artifacts of Polynesian Pop …

Inspired by the rich history of Polynesian Pop, the Tiki community is a very organic underground scene with “an anarchic spirit that is refreshing in these times of bland, corporate, mainstream culture.”

We wouldn’t have it any other way.

Mahalo!

Hurricane Hayward

Follow The Atomic Grog: Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | Bluesky
• Send us an email

THE ATOMIC GROG ON YOUTUBE
• Mai-Kai reimagination playlist
• Atomic Grog presentations playlist
• Atomic Grog cocktails playlist

HURRICANE HAYWARD ON SPIKE’S BREEZEWAY

• Mai Kai photo safari (August 2025)
• Hukilau live show featuring Garret Richard (June 2023)
• How to make the Mai Kai’s Black Magic cocktail (January 2021)

SPECIAL ATOMIC GROG FEATURES, PAST EVENTS

Tiki Oasis 2025 with the Mai-Kai
RECAP: Tiki Oasis gets peek into back bar, first look at new mug, taste of Mai-Kai Rum No. 1
FULL COVERAGE: Mai-Kai reveals new rum, Sven Kirsten mug at Tiki Oasis

Paradise Reimagined: Deep Inside the Mai-Kai Restoration
Attendees at Inuhele 2025 in Atlanta enjoyed an exclusive look at the reimagination and revival of the historic restaurant during a special multimedia presentation featuring photos, video and inside tips. Check out slideshow highlights, plus two walk-through videos with creative director “Typhoon Tommy” Allsmiller.
DEEP DIVE: The renovation and reopening of the Mai-Kai

Photos & video: Mai-Kai joins Miami Rum Congress festivities
The Mai-Kai was once again at ground zero of the rum world as brands, VIPs and enthusiasts flocked to South Florida. The restaurant hosted a special event and participated in several events in Miami Beach.

15th Miami Rum Renaissance Festival features tastings of elite brands, Mai-Kai seminar, plus more
Florida’s longest-running rum event celebrates the world’s most diverse spirit with three days of activities for everyone from newbies to high-end enthusiasts, to industry professionals.
• Kern Mattei, Cory Starr join Atomic Grog for presentation on historic rums, cocktails

EXCLUSIVE PHOTOS: Inside the Molokai Bar and tour of the Mai-Kai restoration
Guests of The Hukilau got a rare look at the renovated and reimagined areas of the historic restaurant in June 2024.

The Hukilau highlights: Photos and memories from 2024 Tiki weekender in South Florida
Check out The Atomic Grog’s deep dive into all the fun at the Beachcomber Resort and sneak peek at the Mai-Kai, including our favorite moments from throughout the four-day Tiki weekender.
Presentation with Will Anders: Mai-Kai from the Outside In
Photos from sneak preview: Exclusive tours of the Mai-Kai

The first Tiki-a-Go-Go is a retro roadtrip through mid-century culture, appreciation
The April 2024 event was a trip back in time, taking guests on a rollicking ride through mid-century Florida theme parks, Tiki bars, and other retro touchstones.

The Mai-Kai and The Atomic Grog at Tiki Oasis
We were proud to present two special seminars at the world’s original Tiki weekender in San Diego, including The Derby Daiquiri and Beyond: How to Create Your Own Classic.
Live at Tiki Oasis: Event coverage, photos on social media

The Hukilau highlights: Photos and memories from Tiki weekender
The 21st annual event featured four days of nonstop music, cocktails and education on modern and historic Polynesian Pop at the oceanfront Beachcomber Resort in South Florida.
• RELATED: The Hukilau 2023 live coverage, photos and video from social media

VIDEO: Spike’s Breezeway Cocktail Hour live at The Hukilau with Garret Richard and Hurricane Hayward

New details on the Mai-Kai renovations, new merchandise revealed at Inuhele 2023 in Atlanta
New images and renderings of the historic restaurant’s multimillion-dollar refurbishment unveiled during presentation at Tiki weekender. Attendees also got a sneak preview of new mugs and other merchandise along with a new signature rum.

The Atomic Grog 10th anniversary: Beware! Deadly Zombies ahead
After 10 years and more than 1 million page views, we take a look back at the blog’s best posts and most popular cocktails. A special anniversary Zombie kicks off 10 months of deliciously dangerous drinks.
NEW RECIPE: Revenge of the Atomic Zombie Cocktail

VIDEO: Deconstructing Kohala Bay
Hurricane Hayward joined the Austin Rum Society online to reveal several new rum blends that hope to duplicate the Mai-Kai’s late, great dark Jamaican mixing rum. In the video below, we also enjoyed a Rum Barrel featuring the new recipe and discussed the history of the Mai-Kai …

A new Zombie becomes final challenge for The Hukilau villagers
Upon completion of The Hukilau, villagers had one Final Destination: the “Hereafter Party at Death or Gory in Hellray Beach.” To bring the theme full circle, The Atomic Grog presented a Zombie to end all Zombies.

Take a trip down the Tiki Trail for a lethal new Zombie recipe
It was a honor mixing up an original cocktail on the longest-running weekly online gathering of Tiki culture enthusiasts.
RECIPE: Tiki Trail Zombie from The Atomic Grog

Mai-Kai cocktail review: The Black Magic emerges from the darkness as a true classic
Inspired by one of the Mai-Kai’s Gallons To Go, we’ve mixed up a new version of this classic Tiki cocktail. See the full story
VIDEO: Hurricane Hayward on Spike’s Breezeway Cocktail Hour
Related: The Mutiny on Spike’s Breezeway Cocktail Hour

Hurricane Hayward on Inside the Desert Oasis Room
Check out the “COVID Chronicles” episode recorded live in April 2020 with Adrian Eustaquio as The Atomic Grog blogger made his way to the Mai-Kai to pick up Gallons to Go.

VIDEO & PHOTOS: Skinny Jimmy Stingray talks classic surf, performs at the Mai-Kai
South Florida’s Skinny Jimmy Stingray and his band rocked The Molokai bar during a special Retro Rekindled monthly community gathering at the Mai-Kai in Fort Lauderdale on Dec. 15, 2019. The live set followed a presentation with The Atomic Grog’s Hurricane Hayward about the guitarist’s musical journey from punk to instrumental surf.

The Rums of the Mai-Kai symposium on Inside the Desert Oasis Room
Mahalo to Adrian Eustaquio and Inside the Desert Oasis Room for documenting the presentation featuring Hurricane Hayward and Matt Pietrek of Cocktail Wonk live on stage at the Mai-Kai during the closing festivities of The Hukilau 2019.
• See the event preview
More on the rums of the Mai-Kai
• The history of the potent, funky flavors from Guyana and Jamaica

The Atomic Grog presents new class and symposium at The Hukilau 2019
Hurricane Hayward of The Atomic Grog took guests on an virtual journey to the Caribbean to learn about the key rums and styles that have dominated the Mai-Kai’s acclaimed cocktails for more than 60 years. He was joined by rum expert Stephen Remsberg for an Okole Maluna Cocktail Academy class at Pier Sixty-Six hotel, and by Cocktail Wonk writer Matt Pietrek for an on-stage symposium at the Mai-Kai Grand Finale.
2018 event recap: How to Mix Like the Mai-Kai cocktail class at The Hukilau

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 in January 2019, presented by the Magical Tiki Meet-Up and Retro Rekindled.

The Atomic Grog on Marooned: A Texas Tiki Podcast
Listen to Hurricane Hayward and Texas Tiki and cocktail podcaster David Phantomatic in the Samoa Room at the Mai-Kai as they discuss (what else) the historic tropical drinks and influence of South Florida’s Polynesian Palace.

Mai-Kai Walking Tour on Marooned: A Texas Tiki Podcast
It was an honor to participate in the Mai-Kai history tour with carver Will Anders and manager Kern Mattei. It’s a real Tiki museum audio walking tour.

More on the Web
• Interview with Hurricane Hayward (Tiki With Ray)
• Recreating the Mai-Kai’s Black Magic cocktail (Punch)