{"id":22139,"date":"2020-11-14T16:26:50","date_gmt":"2020-11-14T21:26:50","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.slammie.com\/atomicgrog\/blog\/?p=22139"},"modified":"2025-11-27T12:46:32","modified_gmt":"2025-11-27T17:46:32","slug":"the-mai-kai-celebrates-hulaween-2020-with-drive-in-movie-party-after-closing-for-renovations","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.slammie.com\/atomicgrog\/blog\/2020\/11\/14\/the-mai-kai-celebrates-hulaween-2020-with-drive-in-movie-party-after-closing-for-renovations\/","title":{"rendered":"The Mai-Kai celebrates Hulaween 2020 with drive-in movie party after closing for renovations"},"content":{"rendered":"

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.<\/p>\n

\"A<\/a>
A pineapple jack-o-lantern sets the scene at Hulaween 2020.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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<\/em><\/a>, 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.
\nPrevious story:<\/strong> See the full event preview<\/a><\/p>\n

Unfortunately, someone apparently played a trick on The Mai-Kai.<\/a> After successfully navigating the scary new pandemic reality since late May,<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/a><\/p>\n

MORE: Jump to special features below<\/strong>
\nPreshow:<\/strong> Appleton Rum’s Joy Spence appears via video<\/a>
\nNews:<\/strong> Latest on the temporary closing<\/a>
\nPhotos:<\/strong> Hulaweeen Drive-In Movie scene, costumes<\/a>
\nTribute recipe:<\/strong> Blood Island Green Potion #2<\/a>
\nVideos:<\/strong> Selection of Hulaween 2020 music<\/a><\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\"Hurricane<\/a>
Hurricane Hayward picks up his cocktail quarts as the parking lot fills up.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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<\/em> swizzle sticks (courtesy of Drive-In-Sanity Films<\/a>) and complimentary anti-virus masks provided by the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association’s Broward County chapter.<\/a> All 60 Beast of Blood<\/em> 50th anniversary mugs,<\/a> created by Thor<\/a>, sold out in advance.<\/p>\n

\"Annubis<\/a>
Annubis & Isis arrive and enter the costume contest.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

We brought Mai-Kai mugs from home and a bag of ice from Sonic to enjoy the signature Barrel O’ Rum<\/a> and special Blood Island Green Potion #2 featuring sponsor Appleton Estate Rum.<\/a> The food from Iron Butt BBQ<\/a> 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.
\nTRIBUTE RECIPE:<\/strong> Scroll down for our take on Blood Island Green Potion #2<\/a><\/p>\n

The Mai-Kai’s refreshment stand served two other popular cocktails – the Jet Pilot<\/a> and Mai Tai<\/a> – along with a selection of beer, wine, soft drinks and water.<\/p>\n

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<\/em>, What We Do in the Shadows<\/em>, Spirited Away<\/em>, The Walking Dead<\/em>, et al.) as well as just-plain-wacky get-ups.
\nPHOTO GALLERY:<\/strong> Scroll down to see scenes from Hulaween, plus all of the costumes<\/a> <\/a><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Preshow video features Appleton’s Joy Spence<\/strong><\/p>\n

Shortly after 6:30 p.m., the pre-movie video kicked off with the familiar sights and sounds of Hulaweens past. The presentation was chock full of photos from previous Hulaween parties, classic horror movie trailers, plus music videos and live clips with a Halloween bent. The Atomic Grog<\/a> joined forces with Sergio Figuera of Prime Photo & Video to produce the pre-show to keep guests entertained and immersed in a party mood in classic Hulaween style.<\/p>\n

The surprise of the night was a special appearance by Joy Spence, the acclaimed master blender of Appleton Rum. Spence, whose deft hand has made the Appleton Estate brand one of the rum world’s most respected, became the world\u2019s first female master blender when she took the job more than 20 years ago.<\/p>\n

\"Joy
Joy Spence, longtime master blender of Appleton Estate Rum, makes a surprise appearance (via video) at the Hulaweeen Drive-In Movie on Oct. 30.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

“On behalf of the entire Appleton family, it’s exciting to see all of you enjoying a night at The Mai-Kai,” Spence said in a video recorded at the Appleton Estate in Jamaica’s Nassau Valley. “Hulaween is always one of our favorite events to sponsor, and we know that 2020 has been difficult for everyone. There’s no better way to forget your troubles than a night out at The Mai-Kai with a classic drive-in movie and some Appleton rum.”<\/p>\n

Appleton is a longtime Hulaween sponsor and key rum in many Mai-Kai cocktails. Spence has made multiple appearances at the restaurant, including several exclusive rum tasting events.<\/a> “I wish you all a safe and scary Hulaween and hope to see you soon at The Mai-Kai,” she said in concluding her short announcement before the movie.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/a>
The pre-movie video touts the night’s special cocktail.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Photos from every Hulaween event, from 2009 through 2019, were featured with special slideshows. The video also included The Mai-Kai’s Hulaween cocktail menu teased by kitschy drive-in movie snack bar promo clips. There were also shout-outs to all the sponsors, and the official 2020 poster by Pooch.<\/a> Signed copies are available for $20 plus shipping, along with a slightly different un-signed poster for $10. Email pia@maikai.com<\/a> for info on how to order.<\/p>\n

Frequent Hulaween guests may have recognized much of the featured music from past events, including multiple clips of Slip and the Spinouts<\/a>, who performed at nine of the past 11 events. But there were also some new surprises. Other bands featured in videos and audio clips during the slideshows included Martin Denny, The Deadly Ones, The Surf Coasters, Jan Davis, The Cramps, Southern Culture on the Skids, Nekromantix, Horrorpops, The Ghastly Ones, The Wolfgangs, Rob Zombie, Messer Chups, The Guitaraculas, Skinny Jimmy Stingray<\/a>, and Jason Lee and The R.I.P. Tides.
\nVIDEO RECAP:<\/strong> Scroll down to see a selection of music videos from Hulaween 2020<\/a><\/p>\n

Between the music and photos was a carefully curated collection of classic horror movie trailers from YouTube. These short clips were perfect for the drive-in setting, chock full of both dramatic scares and cheesy moments. In addition to an extended preview of Beast of Blood<\/em><\/a>, featured movies included Nosferatu, Dracula, Frankenstein, The Mummy, The Wolf Man, Tarantula, Plan 9 From Outer Space, The Horror of Party Beach, Psycho, The Blob, Night of the Living Dead<\/em>, and The Exorcist<\/em>.<\/p>\n

\"Costume<\/a>
Costume contest, first place: Dr. Paul Bearer and Dolly<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

By the time Beast of Blood<\/em><\/a> hit the big screen after 8 p.m., the crowd had settled into their cars or private areas to enjoy the frightening feature. The plot involves a mad scientist who creates a monster, then keeps it alive with a serum he invented after it literally loses its head.<\/p>\n

The movie was revived by Drive-in Sanity Films owner David Sehring, who has sponsored past Hulaween events and collaborated with Dahlquist on this year’s drive-in movie event. She had been looking for the opportunity work with the Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival for some time, and this was it.<\/p>\n

So with the pandemic prohibiting most social events from taking place and little time to plan, Dahlquist put her pedal to the metal and made the Hulaweeen Drive-In Movie happen. It’s fair to say the Oct. 30 party guests were sure glad she did, enjoying a much-needed respite from this year’s doom and gloom, Hulaween style.<\/p>\n

The evening concluded with the annual costume contest, which took on a physically-distant and high-tech flavor this year. After video clips of all of the contestants were projected onto the big screen, Dahlquist was joined by manager Kern Mattei<\/a> to announce the winners via the FM audio stream.<\/p>\n

Prizes included bottles of Appleton Estate Reserve 8-year-old rum, a Beast of Blood<\/em> mug and mask, a Kasama Rum<\/a> gift basket, a Hulaween 2020 signed poster, plus merchandise provided by The Hukilau<\/a>. <\/a><\/p>\n

**************************************************<\/strong><\/div>\n

The Mai-Kai salutes ‘passionate, loyal fan base’ after temporary closure for renovations<\/strong><\/p>\n

The party mood turned melancholy near the end of the pre-movie video when The Mai-Kai’s official announcement about its temporary closing was projected onto the screen:<\/p>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

The unfortunate timing of the message, first posted on social media and via email on Oct. 27, caught many by surprise. We understand the thirst for information, especially among the “passionate, loyal fan base” who may have a heightened sense of dread in this age of instability in the hospitality industry. But there’s no reason to believe that anything other than the aforementioned “weekend flood” caused the damage that led to the closure and the owners “enhancing both the structure and design of one of the historic and unique dining and entertainment venues in all of South Florida.”<\/p>\n

\"Mai-Kai<\/a>
Mai-Kai staffers are ready for the Hulaween hordes.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Severe storms and torrential rains hit South Florida over the weekend of Oct. 24-25, causing damage in the back-of-house area. The epic deluge featured more rain than last year’s entire month of October. Extensive renovations are required that will keep the restaurant closed until all the work is done. We’re confident that The Mai-Kai will emerge with an even stronger foundation on which to provide “exceptional guest service, exceptional comfort and amenities and a memorable experience.”<\/p>\n

At Hulaween, Dahlquist kept spirits high when introducing the costume contest following the movie. Speaking live to the crowd, she sounded confident that The Mai-Kai would be re-opening in the not-to-distant future, also teasing the possibility of more events similar to the Hulaweeen Drive-In Movie while the repairs are underway.<\/p>\n

Later on Facebook, Dahlquist posted: “We are not sure at this time when we will re-open but we are sure we WILL re-open!”<\/p>\n

Press coverage<\/strong>
\n* Mai-Kai Restaurant reveals reason for its sudden closure<\/a> (Sun Sentinel)
\n* Historic Fort Lauderdale restaurant and Polynesian show shuts down \u2014 for now<\/a> (Miami Herald<\/em>)
\n* Mai-Kai Abruptly Closes \u2014 Then Assures It Will Reopen<\/a> (New Times<\/em>)<\/p>\n

The Mai-Kai on the Web<\/b>
\n* Official site<\/a> | Trading Post<\/a> | Twitter<\/a>
\n* Facebook: Official page<\/a> | Friends of The Mai-Kai group<\/a>
\n* Instagram: Restaurant<\/a> | The Molokai bar<\/a> | Trading Post<\/a> <\/a><\/p>\n

**************************************************<\/strong><\/div>\n

PHOTO GALLERY: Hulaweeen Drive-In Movie<\/strong><\/p>\n

Photos by The Atomic Grog, The Mai-Kai and Sergio Figuera<\/p>\n