{"id":12408,"date":"2016-04-19T14:28:04","date_gmt":"2016-04-19T18:28:04","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.slammie.com\/atomicgrog\/blog\/?p=12408"},"modified":"2016-05-01T17:58:19","modified_gmt":"2016-05-01T21:58:19","slug":"a-fifth-of-grog-celebrate-our-fifth-anniversary-at-the-mai-kai-on-april-30","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.slammie.com\/atomicgrog\/blog\/2016\/04\/19\/a-fifth-of-grog-celebrate-our-fifth-anniversary-at-the-mai-kai-on-april-30\/","title":{"rendered":"UPDATE: ‘Boozy’ blog celebrates fifth anniversary with A Fifth of Grog at The Mai-Kai"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"A
\nUpdated May1<\/em><\/p>\n

The Atomic Grog celebrated its fifth anniversary on Saturday, April 30, with a special cocktail party in The Molokai lounge at The Mai-Kai<\/a> in Fort Lauderdale featuring live instrumental surf music from Skinny Jimmy Stingray<\/a>, drink specials, giveaways, and more.
\nSee below:<\/strong> Photo gallery from the party<\/a><\/p>\n

The party officially ran from 6 until after 10 p.m., but many showed up early to enjoy The Mai-Kai’s famous happy hour, which began at 4:30 and ran until 7. Skinny Jimmy played three solo sets of nearly an hour each starting at around 6:30. In between sets, Hurricane Hayward played artists featured as Band\/Music of the Week<\/a> on The Atomic Grog over the past 16 months. There was also a preview of The Hukilau 2016<\/a> with music from the bands performing at the June 8-12 event at The Mai-Kai and Pier 66 hotel. <\/p>\n

\"Surf<\/a>
Surf guitarist Skinny Jimmy Stingray cranks out classic tunes during ‘A Fifth of Grog’ at The Mai-Kai on April 30. (Photo by The Atomic Grog)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The event marked the debut of Deerfield Beach-based Skinny Jimmy playing solo at The Mai-Kai. His all-instrumental band is typically a power trio with a bassist and drummer, but he’s been working on special material designed to be performed in a more intimate lounge setting. He was his usual bombastic self on electric guitar, but the role of the rhythm section was played by carefully curated, pre-recorded backing tracks.<\/p>\n

Skinny Jimmy jammed out on an eclectic mix of some of his favorite surf, rock ‘n’ roll and exotica songs, featuring everything from Duane Eddy’s Rebel Rouser<\/em> to Herb Alpert’s The Lonely Bull<\/em> to Blue Hawaii<\/em> as performed by The Makaha Sons. Highlights of the more than 50 classic tunes featured throughout the night: Pipeline, Sukiyaki, Runaway, Tiny Bubbles, Perfidia, Sleepwalk, Diamond Head, Kon Tiki, Music to Watch Girls By, Walk Don’t Run, Apache, Hernando’s Hideaway, Caravan, Girl From Ipanema, Secret Agent Man, Harlem Nocturne, Hawaii Five O, Taste of Honey, Route 66<\/em>, and Geronimo<\/em>.<\/p>\n

Touted by SouthFlorida.com<\/a> as a “boozy, retro culture blog,” The Atomic Grog made sure to also put the spotlight on The Mai-Kai’s renowned cocktails. For one night only, the Yeoman’s Grog<\/A>, a distinctive Tiki classic with its trademark ice cone, was half-price all night. The regular nightly special saw the K.O. Cooler<\/a> and Tahitian Breeze<\/A> also 50 percent off. <\/p>\n

\"The<\/a>
The Demerara Float, a “lost cocktail” from The Mai-Kai’s original 1956 menu, returned for a limited time during the April 30 party. (Photo by The Atomic Grog)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

And as a bonus for fans of The Atomic Grog’s Okole Maluna Society,<\/a> a special “lost cocktail” was available exclusively between 6 and 7 p.m. The Demerara Float<\/A> appeared on the original 1956 menu but was removed in the 1990s. It was the first time we tasted this cocktail with the new Hamilton rums from Guyana<\/a>, including a floater of 151. The punchy rums from the banks of the Demerara River give the drink a bolder body than the smoother Lemon Hart.<\/p>\n

Perhaps the most crowd-pleasing part of the evening were the giveaways, awarded to guests who answered trivia questions about The Mai-Kai and The Hukilau. Two lucky winners received four-day Aloha Passes for The Hukilau<\/a>. Other prizes were a bottle of Santeria Rum<\/a>, a Mai-Kai Club membership, and an Atomic Grog T-shirt.<\/p>\n

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There was also plenty of tasty food available with the recent addition of a special new small plates menu (steamed buns, tacos, sushi, et al.) in addition to the traditional pupu platter and appetizer menu<\/a> that’s half-price during happy hour. The Mai-Kai’s new chef has given the kitchen a creative boost. We enjoyed the fish tacos, pork belly buns and several different sushi dishes. All were outstanding and a nice change of pace from the old-school apps.<\/p>\n

We also got a sneak peek at the special Rhum Barbancourt<\/a> cocktail that will be served during the opening-night party at The Hukilau on June 8. If you attend that party, be sure to check out the Spicy Hula Girl featuring Rhum Barbancourt 3 Star<\/a>, pineapple and lime juice, plus a unique cracked black pepper syrup. The latter is the handiwork of manager Kern Mattei<\/a>. As always, a big mahalo to Kern, owner Dave Levy, and marketing director Pia Dahlquist for their hospitality in hosting the party. <\/a><\/p>\n

A Fifth of Grog photo gallery<\/strong>
\n(Photos by The Atomic Grog)<\/em><\/p>\n