{"id":36420,"date":"2025-10-05T21:26:40","date_gmt":"2025-10-06T01:26:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.slammie.com\/atomicgrog\/blog\/?p=36420"},"modified":"2026-04-28T13:30:31","modified_gmt":"2026-04-28T17:30:31","slug":"photo-and-video-tour-the-16-most-iconic-photo-spots-at-the-mai-kai","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.slammie.com\/atomicgrog\/blog\/2025\/10\/05\/photo-and-video-tour-the-16-most-iconic-photo-spots-at-the-mai-kai\/","title":{"rendered":"Photo and video tour: The 16 most iconic photo spots at the Mai-Kai"},"content":{"rendered":"

Posted Oct. 5, 2025 \/ Updated April 28, 2026<\/em><\/p>\n

You’ve seen them on social media. Grinning guests at South Florida’s historic Mai-Kai restaurant<\/a>, posing in front of an array of distinctive icons and immersive features that immediately tell you where they are.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/a>
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)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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?”<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.
\nSEE THE TOP 16:<\/strong><\/font> Jump straight to the tour below<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Watch<\/a>
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)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

When we told Matt “Spike” Marble<\/a> 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.<\/a><\/p>\n

You can stream the video below, or better yet click here to watch in a separate window or app<\/a> before, during or after you take our photo tour below.<\/a> This story will go into more detail and offer additional tips and photos, both historic and recent.<\/p>\n

More from The Atomic Grog<\/strong><\/font>
\n• Latest news and exclusive coverage of the Mai-Kai reopening<\/a>
\n• Mai-Kai bar and cocktail news, reviews and exclusive insights<\/a>
\n• Mai-Kai Restoration & Reopening: Full story and photo archive<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Our<\/a>
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)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Marble’s visit to the Mai-Kai yielded other videos that have drawn a big audience, including talks with general manager and beverage director Cory Starr<\/a> and creative director “Typhoon Tommy” Allsmiller<\/a>. Here are the direct links to those episodes:
\n• The Polynesian Casa Bonita: Rescuing the Mai-Kai (with “Typhoon Tommy” Allsmiller)<\/a>
\n• Inside the Mai-Kai\u2019s Cocktail Secrets (with Cory Starr)<\/a>
\n• Saving the Lamps of the Mai Kai (with Scott “Flounder” Scheidly)<\/a>
\nKeep an eye out for more coming soon, and bookmark the full playlist<\/a> of all of Spike’s Mai-Kai videos.<\/a><\/p>\n

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<\/a> and coverage of Marble’s tour with Allsmiller, and look back at our original story<\/a> on our video tour of the photo locations.<\/p>\n

Plan your next visit<\/strong><\/font>
\n• Answers to frequently asked questions about the Mai-Kai<\/a>
\n• Okole Maluna Society 2.0: All the Mai-Kai cocktails ranked<\/a>
\n• Mai-Kai Cocktail Guide: Full archive of reviews, ratings, history more<\/a><\/p>\n

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A post shared by Jim Hayward (@theatomicgrog)<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n