{"id":27866,"date":"2023-03-27T01:27:48","date_gmt":"2023-03-27T05:27:48","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.slammie.com\/atomicgrog\/blog\/?p=27866"},"modified":"2023-06-19T23:15:27","modified_gmt":"2023-06-20T03:15:27","slug":"the-hukilau-2023-preview-20th-tiki-weekender-in-june-is-nirvana-for-cocktail-fanatics","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.slammie.com\/atomicgrog\/blog\/2023\/03\/27\/the-hukilau-2023-preview-20th-tiki-weekender-in-june-is-nirvana-for-cocktail-fanatics\/","title":{"rendered":"The Hukilau 2023 preview: 21st Tiki weekender in June is nirvana for cocktail fanatics"},"content":{"rendered":"

Updated June 2<\/em><\/p>\n

The Hukilau 2023<\/a>, coming June 8-11 to an oceanfront South Florida resort, is shaping up to be a Tiki cocktail lover’s dream event. In addition to sampling drinks from more than a dozen top bartenders from around the world, guests can learn from some of the industry’s preeminent experts – including Jeff “Beachbum” Berry and David Wondrich.
\nMore below:<\/strong> What’s new<\/a> | Music<\/a> | Symposiums<\/a> | Schedule<\/a> | Tickets<\/a> | Hotels<\/a> | History<\/a> | More to come<\/a>
\nRELATED:<\/strong> The Hukilau announces 17 guest Tiki bar teams<\/strong><\/a>
\nNEW:<\/B><\/FONT> The Hukilau 2023 countdown: Full schedule and updates as 21st Tiki weekender approaches<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

\"Author<\/a>
Author and Latitude 29 owner Jeff “Beachbum” Berry participates in the Tiki Tower Takeover at the Pier 66 hotel during The Hukilau 2016 in Fort Lauderdale. (Photo by Go11Events.com)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Berry, a New Orleans bar owner and influential author, is returning to The Hukilau for the first time since 2016. Wondrich, an award-winning author and cocktail historian, is back for a second straight year. They will be joined by several other past presenters making their return to the event: Cocktail Wonk blogger and author Matt Pietrek; and New York City bartender Garret Richard, who also has a book in the works.<\/p>\n

“Having Beachbum Berry back again is real exciting for us,” said event organizer Richard Oneslager. “In the cocktail would, you couldn’t have two luminaries bigger than David Wondrich and Jeff Berry.”<\/p>\n

To top off the boozy offerings, Spike Marble will be on hand for a live recording of his Spike’s Breezeway Cocktail Hour video show. Also expect sponsored nightly parties, rum tastings, and more opportunities for spirited fun, all complimentary with an event pass. <\/p>\n

\"The<\/a><\/p>\n

The full lineup of bars and bartenders has yet to be announced, but we can confirm that two legendary brands – The Mai-Kai<\/a> and Don the Beachcomber<\/a> – will be attending and slinging drinks at pop-up bars throughout the event at the Beachcomber Resort.<\/p>\n

The Hukilau 2023 – <\/strong>June 8-11 at the Beachcomber Resort & Club in Pompano Beach. Featuring live music (The Hula Girls, The Intoxicators, The Disasternauts, Shorty’s Swingin’ Coconuts, The Swingin’ Palms, Skinny Jimmy Stingray, Dan Cunningham), symposiums (Jeff “Beachbum” Berry, David Wondrich, Matt Pietrek, Garret Richard, Spike Marble, Tiki Tom-Tom), guest bars, rum tastings, pool parties, beach parties, Tiki Treasures Bazaar, plus more.
\n* TheHukilau.com<\/a><\/strong> | Instagram<\/a> | Facebook page<\/a> and group<\/a><\/p>\n

\"The<\/a>
The Hukilau villagers enjoy the pool party at the Beachcomber Resort & Club in Pompano Beach in June 2022. (Photos by Spike Marble \/ Spikeandthecamera.com)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Rooms at the resort are already sold out, but a second nearby hotel is available at a special rate. Go to TheHukilau.com<\/a> to book your accommodations and order event tickets. A South Seas pass gives “villagers,” as The Hukilau lovingly calls its attendees, reserved seating at all symposiums, plus early access to other events, a VIP lounge, plus more. The mid-level Aloha Pass covers all of the Thursday-Saturday events, plus free cocktails all weekend. The budget-friendly Palm Pass gets you into Saturday’s marketplace and pool party, plus evening bungalow parties.<\/p>\n

Live music from some of the Tiki scene’s top surf and exotica bands is another signature of the event. Among those scheduled to appear at the daily and nightly poolside parties are California’s The Hula Girls and Shorty’s Swingin’ Coconuts; and Florida’s The Intoxicators, The Disasternauts and Skinny Jimmy Stingray.<\/p>\n

Saturday’s Tiki Treasures Bazaar will feature dozens of vendors of vintage and retro-inspired goods, from mugs and aloha shirts to carvings and artwork. The Beachcomber’s scenic locale right on the Atlantic Ocean will also provide the perfect setting for daily beach parties Friday and Saturday with special entertainment. One of the parties will feature Polynesian dancers with ties to The Mai-Kai, while the other will include popular Elvis tribute performer Dan Cunningham from South Florida.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/a>
The Surfrajettes perform poolside at The Hukilau 2022 last June. (Photo by Hurricane Hayward)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Here are details on of The Hukilau’s special guests, plus info on tickets, the daily schedule and more. <\/a><\/p>\n

What’s new: Daily beach parties, expanded facilities <\/strong><\/p>\n

Wednesday’s pre-party at Esotico Miami<\/a> is not new, but it’s on the official schedule this year. Acclaimed mixologist and owner Daniele Dalla Pola<\/a> is a longtime participant at The Hukilau, going back to his memorable Tiki Tower Takeover appearances in 2017 and 2018. Last year, he served up a four-course meal featuring three cocktails and a flight of three rums. Expect nothing less this year, along with a chance to check out the new adjoining Tiki speakeasy, Kaona Room.<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Members<\/a>
Members of The Mai-Kai’s Polynesian Islander Revue perform at The Hukilau’s luau on June 10, 2022. They will return this year for an expanded beach party. (Photo by Hurricane Hayward)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Friday evening luau has been replaced on the schedule by the daily beach parties on Friday and Saturday. A special menu of food will be available for purchase during the parties.<\/p>\n

Top-tier passholders will find an expanded South Seas Lounge,<\/a> relocated to a bigger space in the main lobby area with more food, along with exclusive cocktails. Passholders will be able to fortify with a continental breakfast, lunch and hot hors d’oeuvres in the evening. The lounge will also feature meet-and-greets with event VIPs, such as artists, speakers, and musicians.<\/p>\n

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Demand is expected to be high for some of the symposiums, so the large tented courtyard that hosts Saturday’s vendor marketplace will also be used on Friday for the most in-demand presentations. Speakers will also continue to hold presentations inside the two beachside thatched huts. <\/a><\/p>\n

Music: Tiki supergroups take center stage<\/strong><\/p>\n

Live music continues to be a centerpiece of The Hukilau, with another solid lineup set for 2023. An eclectic assortment of bands will be featured on the main poolside stage, plus daily beach parties. <\/p>\n

\"The<\/a>
The Hula Girls are the headlining band at The Hukilau 2023.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Returning to The Hukilau for the first time since 2019, Southern California’s The Hula Girls<\/a><\/strong> are one of the Tiki scene’s most popular special event party bands. Frontman Spike Marble leads a tight “hulabilly” foursome joined on stage by the group’s signature hula dancers. Check out their most recent release, a self-titled 2020 EP on the Hi-Tide Recordings label.<\/a><\/p>\n

It wouldn’t be The Hukilau without The Intoxicators<\/a>,<\/strong> the Tallahassee-based instrumental surf combo that will return in 2023 for their 17th appearance. From classic covers to powerful originals, the band always delivers memorable performances featuring songs from throughout an extensive back catalog.<\/a><\/p>\n